The final enhanced weekend of operation for Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours for 2024 took place on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September. This was the last chance to enjoy a “hop-on, hop-off timetable” for the heritage trams with five trams scheduled to be running on both days.
Weather and availability of trams led to some changes to the planned output, with the Saturday in particular seeing several changes to the trams which made it out of the depots. Boat 600 (weather forecast for rain) and Balloon 717 (fault, which saw it miss the complete weekend) were not used on Saturday 28th whilst Balloon 723 and Bolton 66 swapped planned diagrams. There was the unusual use of the Illuminated Frigate on daytime tours, though including some to Fleetwood.
As well as the five tram heritage service on Sunday, there was also the second Full System Tour of the year and this time it included trips up Talbot Road to North Station. Balloon 717 had been due to run this but as it was sidelined, Balloon 723 did the honours and became the first true heritage tram to carry passengers on the extension (the only other tram being B-fleet Balloon 700 which although does most of its work on heritage tours is officially not a true heritage tram at the moment). As 723 had been due to run on heritage service there was another swap there with Balloon 718 used instead, the weather was better so Boat 600 was able to be used all day as planned.
Tram Output
Saturday 28th September: Bolton 66, Brush 631, Balloon 700, Balloon 723, Frigate
Sunday 29th September: Bolton 66, Boat 600, Balloon 700, Balloon 718, Balloon 723 (following conclusion of The Full System Tour)
Although this is the last Enhanced Weekend, tours will continue to run for the remainder of the year. This will include evening Illumination Tours and daytime Coastal and Promenade Tours. Its also planned for some Mini Festive Tours to take place during the Christmas by the Sea event. Full details available at https://blackpoolheritage.com/.
- A video of the second day of the Enhanced Weekend from Steven Hughes can be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/kUTSjld-UNQ
- A full collection of images of the weekend will be added to British Trams Online within the next few weeks.