San Francisco was the place to be over the weekend of 1st and 2nd November as MUNI held a heritage weekend using historic buses and trolleybuses alongside four historic trams and the normal Milan and PCC cars. Of most interest to us was the use of Blackpool Boat 228 – a long term resident in San Francisco – and on the first day of the weekend this tram departed the depot at about midday before running empty along Market Street to the Ferry building. It then entered service on specials between there and Pier 39.
228 also ran in service on the second day of the event and it had been hoped that sister Boat 233 (which has now been in the USA for over a year following its sale last year) would be ready to enter service over this weekend but some finishing touches are still required. 233 was however displayed briefly alongside 228 on the Sunday to allow photos of the two Blackpool Boat Cars a long way from home but still doing what they do best – drawing the crowds.
With thanks to Ian Nightingale – who attended the event on Saturday 1st November – we are able to bring you some photos of 228 in action in San Francisco.
* Full details of the weekend – including information on the other trams in use – can be found on the Market Street Railway website at http://www.streetcar.org/.
Blackpool Boat 228 at rest and play on 1st November during the MUNI Heritage Weekend. (All Photos: Ian Nightingale)
I note the wheelchair access symbols on one side of 228. Does anyone know how this has been achieved?