Blackpool Transport have announced details of the plans for its heritage tram service during the 2014 season. Disappointingly, despite encouraging passenger numbers last summer, the number of running days has been reduced for the second consecutive year. Outside of the illuminations period, it is currently planned that the heritage service will operate on just nine days during 2014 – compared with fifteen days in 2013.
Unfortunately, Blackpool Transport is finding itself under increasing pressure to maximise its profits in a difficult economic climate, and with cutbacks being required in all departments of the company, the heritage tram operation has been affected badly. Even though many full capacity loads were observed last season, it has been revealed that only the August Bank Holiday weekend was actually profitable, and indeed some of the other operating days ran at a significant loss.
Probably the most noticeable change of all for 2104, is the total cancellation of the heritage service over the May Day weekend. The traditional trams will run at the other three Bank Holiday weekends over the course of the summer, but not on the actual Bank Holiday Mondays, which is a decision that has been made for practical reasons despite these being popular days for visitors to the resort. The planned schedule for the heritage trams in 2014 is therefore as follows:
Easter: Good Friday 18th April – Easter Sunday 20th April inclusive
Spring Bank Holiday: Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th May
Totally Transport: Sunday 22nd June
Fleetwood Festival of Transport (Tram Sunday): Sunday 20th July
August Bank Holiday: Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th August
Bryan Lindop of Blackpool Transport Services Ltd. has kindly taken the time to provide a statement to British Trams Online, explaining some of his plans for the year ahead, and the reasoning behind the decisions that have been made. This is reproduced below:
“The basic problem that we are faced with is the recession. There are no peculiar conspiracies that people seem to be panicking about. It’s just basic economics. The recession has hit Blackpool hard and as a result we have to cut our cloth accordingly. Every department within Blackpool Transport has had to review its costs, including mine, it just looks much worse in mine because we didn’t have much of a budget to start with! It’s very important for everyone to stay focussed on what we have achieved. Truth is that based on pure economics the services would not have been operating after 2013, but we all proved that there was a demand for daytime tours. In financial performance terms, only the August Bank Holiday did financially well, some of the other weekends performed poorly, but this was sufficient to save the operation, that’s the crucial win. For all those who are saying this is the end, it only will be if they let it. Support the heritage like you all did in August and history will continue to write about our exploits positively.
I knew at the outset in February 2012 when we took all this on that the journey would be a bumpy one and it’s certainly been no picnic, but the achievements are just so positive and have been so rewarding for everyone involved, (staff and patrons) that we are constantly reminded that we have to go on promoting and pushing the heritage operation. It is our belief in doing what is right that ultimately remains the backbone of the English character.
For those who are interested in some additional detail, the heritage budget has only been marginally trimmed. This left us with 2 days operation per bank holiday and an output of 3 cars per day. Easter is closely followed by May Day this year and so I decided to spread the gap and have only one event in May. I therefore axed the May Day output and put the resource into Easter. Doing so gave me one extra day and one more car per day which I think should give us a good kick start to the season.
Demand last year was so great for the first tour of the day that I really needed to duplicate that tour. With the original staff rota arrangements it was simply not possible to achieve due to driving hours restrictions. This year, at least for Easter, by juggling the duty start and finish times, I can dupe the first tour and the last, but this can only be done at the expense of the lunch time Fleetwood tour. I would need a 5 car output to run that as well and that’s just not going to happen, so it’s a game of strategy to actually schedule it all.
What we do for the rest of the year remains to be seen, but I’ve certainly been given a challenge! As usual I have taken up the gauntlet. With the support of our excellent staff team, we should be able to weather the storm. Most of the planning for Heritage is done on top of my usual day to day activities in my spare time. I’m not giving up and throwing away those last two years of my life when I could otherwise have been relaxing and taking it easy, just to give up now. Your trams need you! All you have to do is exactly what you all did last August, so don’t let us down! Stay the course, have faith and I look forward to seeing you all at Easter, when we are going to celebrate the 80th birthday of the English Electric fleet together.
Such a lot has been achieved over the last two years that I look back on it all slightly breathlessly. We have undertaken serious conservation work on principle members of the tram fleet; Brush Car 631 and Centenary Car 648. We have re-introduced trams into the heritage fleet that were expected never to run again such as the beautiful all cream twin car. Our operating model has been fine tuned and a stable legal foundation put in place to enable us to continue to operate these vehicles in perpetuity. We have come to the assistance of the Lancastrian Transport Trust and taken back some prime vehicles into the fleet. We are continuing to strive towards the setting up of a new heritage trust to oversee the conservation of those combined fleets. We are currently undertaking a combined project with the Crich Tramway Museum and the Fylde Tramway Society to ensure that Box Car 40 can celebrate its 100th birthday and continue to operate for at least another 8 to 10 years, rather than withdrawing it at the end of this season and returning it to Crich, which would have been the only other alternative. HMS Blackpool 736 is currently in the works receiving bow repairs; the fleet is now better maintained and looks better than it has for years. If all goes according to plan, we should soon start a phased refurbishment on the Illuminated Trawler 737 in partnership with Fisherman’s Friend and the Illuminations department. The Fylde Tramway Society have raised £2,300 through its members to sponsor the re-paint of Balloon 701 into it’s unique BTS Routemaster livery. For all those who lament what we can’t have because we simply don’t have the resources, please reflect on what we’ve still got and look back on what we have achieved with pride, whilst still looking forward positively to what is still to come.
I challenge you all to embrace this years operation and enjoy it as it stands, because if the figures remain stable, the daytime operation will continue to play a role. In any event, I am looking at other strategies to resolve the finances of the operation, but everything takes time. I’m not superman when all’s said and done! I would also add that the current picture is not carved in stone, plans can change, we just have to have the courage to face the challenges ahead and all continue to work together to change the picture. I know we can do it and I am sure deep down, you all know we can do it too, so keep faith and help us keep it going.”
So, the clear message is that enthusiasts need to support the heritage tram service in Blackpool, now more than ever. Whilst what is being offered is far from ideal, it is certainly better than nothing and hopefully the many supporters of the traditional fleet will join us in supporting their operation and making the nine running days this summer as successful as possible. In particular, the success or otherwise of the Easter period is likely to set the tone for the remainder of the year, and so we must all hope for a good turnout of customers, and good weather of course!
Our most sincere thanks go to Bryan Lindop for providing the information contained in this article.
A typical view from a heritage tram running day in 2014, with Standard 147 seen reversing at Bispham. Scenes like this must be treasured more than ever in 2014, with less opportunities and see and ride on the town's traditional tram fleet. (Photo by Tony Waddington)
Good on ya Bryan, I’m with you all the way. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for a very full and frank statement which, I hope, will deter the negative comments that have appeared elsewhere.
Thank you Bryan Lindop for this explanation. When I first read about this news on Facebook that Trams Today posted, I was in total shock and didn’t know what to say at the time.
I think it is most gracious of Bryan Lindop to provide us with an insight into the reasons for a reduced service. As he mentioned, Blackpool Transport have really worked hard on the heritage fleet and it is down to the enthusiasts to ensure we make it financially reasonable for these very special services to continue into the future. Well done Bryan!
Hats off to Bryan and his merry band of helpers for pressing on with keeping Blackpool’s heritage trams in service. Despite the service reductions and other enormous challenges facing them in 2014, it is obvious that Bryan and his colleagues remain as totally committed to the daytime heritage operations as they were in 2013. We owe them our gratitude for keeping alive something that might have otherwise been lost…
Keep Fighting Bryan.
First of all I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you and your dedicated team of staff for all the hard work trying Blackpool Heritage Trams become a permanent fixture on our beautiful tramway. Your actions are ensuring that future generations get to experience Blackpool and see the evolution of the tramway.
Many thanks for providing the details to flesh out the news on the official site. I would also like to thank Andrew W & Gareth P for reaching out to get this information before going to print.
We are in challenging uncharted territory. Up and down the country Councils budgets are been stretched to breaking point. In Blackpool case this had resulted in knock on affect to the arms length company.
Naturally you might not be in position to answer this publicly. But would it be possible to see hires supplement the heritage days. Or is it case that their simply aren’t the crews available.
My concern is Tram Sunday. As it clashes with the Festival of Model Trams which is this year in Manchester. Worry turnout of the enthusiasts might not match 2013 (as it was in Croydon)
It could indeed be a bit of a worry Chris, that the Festival clashes with “Tram Sunday”, but looking possibly on the positive side, being only an hour away from each other, perhaps some local or even not so local enthusiasts that might then stay over (assisting the local economy) may then visit that on the Saturday and then go on to Tram Sunday the next day. Incidentally, to be fair, the Festival of Model Tramways has been a bit nomadic date wise (which may admittedly have been unavoidable), but the Festival was also apparently invited by the Fleetwood committee to run the event in the town with several excellent venues earmarked, when it was revealed that it might be on the same weekend and generally in the same area, which would then, one would have thought, have been an ideal solution, as had occurred in 1998. But sadly, for some reason this offer was apparently refused without further investigation. So just to be perhaps more “politically correct”, the Festival has clashed with Tram Sunday, not the other way round, but I do get what you are saying.
Thanks Chris, Happy to tell you that this year, more than ever, I will be pushing the private hire situation to its limit. If anyone wishes to hire a tram, we’ll find a crew! Please contact my colleague Jean Cox for details. Telephone (01253) 473036 or email jean.cox@blackpooltransport.com
Forthcoming promotional leaflet at the designers as I type this!
Hope this helps.
Thanks for your support.
Best wishes,
Bryan
Three hearty cheers for you Bryan! First generation trams performing as they were meant to, on sound infrastructure. Magical stuff to be wallowed in and cherished.
Bryan,
What you have achieved in 2 years has far exceeded the most optimistic of dreams when the ‘Supertram system’ was announced. The heritage operation is still in its infancy yet we already have superb examples of trams that were confidently predicted to be consigned to the history books. Thankyou.
Fully support all the comments above. Bryan is doing his best to keep the enthusiast fraternity on side during these challenging times and he could not have done more with this statement. As he says it is now up to us to do our bit to support the operation.
Some other not-so-distant organisations could have learned a lot from Bryan’s approach to supporters.
Firstly and most importantly thanks to Bryan for the openness and frankness of this article.
It is very sad news after the promising turnout last year, particularly on the August bank holiday weekend. It is particularly unfortunate that the weekend dropped is the May Day weekend which is the FTS convention weekend and I understand the Society had elected not to run their own tours that weekend so as not to compete with the BT Heritage service. Hopefully there is still sufficient time for the FTS to arrange something…
As for the missing Mondays, I suggest a visit to Heaton Park – it is only an hour down the M61 and by May there could be three Blackpool cars available for service!
Paul
Thanks to Bryan for setting the record straight about this years programme. I, for one, will be fully supporting the heritage service when possible. Not surprised August Bank Holiday was the big earner. Three boats & super weather meant lots of “normals” riding the heritage cars. Only by attracting ordinary families can the service survive. Any heritage railway will tell you that enthusiasts make up a minority of their customers.
I totally agree with the previous comment. Whilst it is good news that the heritage trams will operate this year, albeit on fewer days, I too feel that the operation of the service is too limited. It seems to be targeted at the enthusiast fraternity but is not an attractive option for the day tripper or the holiday maker.
I make this observation on the basis that there aren’t enough loading places for the vintage trams. They should be allowed to load at more of the stops, enabling Joe public to board a Boat car at South Pier, Tower or Gynn Square, for example.
I cannot understand why the Railway Inspectorate, Health and Safety, some council ‘jobsworths’ or who-ever, implimented these restrictions. What are these faceless groups afraid of? Do they not give any credit for commom sense these days? True, the Disability Rights people would take issue and wheel chair users would be barred, but no-one complained in the past. Surely in order to attract more paying customers (essential-this-and there are plenty) tram ‘polo’ stop signs could be installed prior to the ‘Flexity’ platforms as at the Cabin.
If it works here why not at other locations? It is a crazy situation that the Boat cars, for example cannot pick up at South Pier, Waterloo Road, Tower and Gynn Square, for example.
I think that it is imperative that this thorny problem is given due consideration. Otherwise I see little future in the Heritage side of the business with insufficient revenue coming in.
Finally, on a positve note I think that Bryan has done a stirling job to secure at least some vintage tram output, to echo other comments.
An excellent, very commendable, passionate but thoughtfully worded statement. But would you expect anything different from someone like Bryan who has just put so much commitment, passion, enthusiasm, blood sweat and tears, into this immense project, with incredible results already seen and all in these very trying times?
Yes, a reduction in available dates is unfortunate. But surely, irrespective of the shorter list of dates, should we not be even the slightest bit grateful, that through his inestimable efforts under very difficult circumstances and whilst trying to still perform his more day to day BTS duties too, Bryan and BTS have, through the offices of the council, ensured that totally UNIQUELY, we have a fully working LRV system that also has the ability to allow to commercially operate heritage cars on it’s tracks, for all to enjoy. Nowhere else in the UK can say that, that I know of, so even one day of heritage operation is a bonus surely?
But yes, of course we do HAVE to support this plea from Bryan, as “Use it or lose it” has probably never been truer. But equally, there needs to perhaps be a way of attracting more “Joe Public” too, because if we are really honest, as is mentioned elsewhere, as heritage railways know only too well, if they were depending upon enthusiasts alone, most would shut tomorrow and the same may well be true on the Blackpool Tramway too.
The unique profitability of tours at the August Bank Holiday probably points to these being mostly (though certainly not uniquely) supported by the general public, so somehow, the appeal of the heritage fleet, perhaps somehow needs to be drawn to the attention of the usual visiting public a bit more, to then make all the tour dates more viable. Suggestions please on a postcard to Bryan perhaps?
I’m very grateful for Bryan’s statement and even more for his efforts. We all I hope understand and may well know he wanted and planned to do more, but that other changes and constraints has led to a case of cutting his coat according to his cloth. Some of those decisions forced on BTS in response to the decisions of others. Sadly this led to great feeling of “Let Down” when the final plans were published understandably so. When that initial feeling has had time to settle people will understand. I’m very pleased about the ability to cope with Private Hires and may well be contacting Bryan and Jean for later in the year. As for the Clash between the Festival of Model Tramways and Tram Sunday is concerned that was the only date that Boyle Street had available. We were worried not least the exhibitors when we expected 2 days of Heritage in case Bryan slipped something “new” out when we were not able to be present! Now at least Visitors can do the Festival and Heaton Park likely with extended hours on the Saturday and Tram Sunday on Sunday. It may help us all, John Prentice was much relieved when I told him at last night’s TLRS Committee!
Naturally, a reduction in heritage running days is a disappointment but many thanks to Bryan for taking the trouble to explain things. This is a really good example to others on how to take people with you.
As Bryan says, we need to reflect on what we have still got and thanks to Bryan’s herculean efforts, this is far more than many people would have thought a couple of years back. The latest news on the return of 167 should give this season’s heritage operation a tremendous boost. Definitely a case of ‘use it or lose it’ this year. Think of all the recently returned cars waiting to be restored and enjoyed in future years!
Aw Disapointing, but as has been said understandable and thanks to Brian for the full and frank explanation.
I shall still be there supporting you for at least two weekends, and visiting Heaton Park on the Mondays does sound like a good idea!
Bryan you are a super star, with all this adversity going on and council cut backs, it is a major miracle that you are managing to maintain the historical heritage fleet and run a much appreciated tram service. I am delighted that there is on going budding relationship with Crich and I certainly look forward to conducting on 711 at Crich and riding 167 in Blackpool. Keep up the good work Bryan!!!
Many thank Bryan for the advance notice of the operating days. I for one will be treating you to my happy smiley face. Accommodation already booked
I am amazed at the unquestioning tone of most of the above.
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When I visited Blackpool last summer, it was quite obvious that non-enthusiasts were looking for the heritage service and in some cases waiting for it – it wasn’t obvious to me, as an enthusiast, that it ran on so few dates, so what chance did the general public have.
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I cannot see how the retention of the heritage fleet can possibly be justified for so few dates – it needs to be operated throughout the high season, properly promoted, staffed and publicised.
Nice ideas in theory – but how do you propose that this is funded when the budget BTS have to work with is constantly being cut back? It’s also worth noting that people standing at a heritage tram stop doesn’t always mean that they are waiting for a heritage tram… I lost count how many times last season I re-directed people to the nearest platform because they were waiting at the heritage stop for a Flexity!
Because most enthusiasts have great respect for Bryan and what he has achieved in the last two years; and in the statement above he has been open and honest and not tried to spin the story…
Yes there are questions to be answered but by Blackpool Council (funding policies, whether they recognise the tourist potential etc) not by Bryan…
As for “not being obvious to you”, it was actually explained far better on the tram stops, on BTs website and assorted enthusiast publications far better than any previous Blackpool tram service has been in my lifetime!
Blackpool are operating in the real World. A world where money does not grow on trees. Their not pot of gold at the end of the rainbow to fund all these magical wonderful ideas.
Anyone who met Bryan or actually attended any of the heritage events in the post Light Rail era would recognise why people do not hesitate in backing the many 100%. His passion drive and commitment remains and without him heaven knows where we would be.
His open and frank assessment of where we were at that point in time just what the doctor ordered. Galvanised support. Allowed people to step up and start to find solutions.
Good Morning Bryan, since its 00:25 at the time of me writing this.
Just a thank you really for yesterday all the hard work put into the tram day. Had a splendid day out, managed to photograph the following trams and ride on them
Twins 272/T2 (Rode Pleasure Beacch – North Pier)
Boat 230 (Rode Pleasure Beach – Fleetwood)
Boat 600 (Rode North Pier – Fleetwood – Pleasure Beach)
Baloon Car 717 (Rode Pleasure Beach – Little Bispham – Pleasure Beach and then Fleetwood – Pleasure Beach)
I also photographed round at Blundell Street
Baloon Car 713/719/720/723 (720/723 photographed through the depot fence)…Ashame no others could be grabbed photos of!
Once again, A great big thank you really! Would love to be able to show you some of the photos I got today, If there is any chance of me being able to contact you to email some across? (As I have some baloon cars I also need a ride on/photo of) and was wondering weather they could be out on the next running weekend?
Once again, Thanks,
Kind Regards,
Gareth!