Not previously featured on British Trams Online was the operation of Blackpool’s heritage tram service to Starr Gate on both Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th August. This resulted from the partial closure of the promenade on both afternoons for a music event, forcing the heritage trams to terminate at Tower – and so the service was extended to the tramway’s southern extremity to offer some consolation!
Thanks to Anthony Caddick we can now share some images showing a number of trams gliding along New South Promenade on the afternoon of Sunday 27th August. Whilst this was a very disruptive period for the tramway, it must be said that the heritage service did extremely well under difficult circumstances. No doubt boosted by fine weather, a large number of visitors were persuaded to enjoy a ride on a historic tram and with such a high concentration of cars along the main promenade section, passenger loadings were very high indeed. The provision of a temporary heritage stop opposite the Coral Island site was also very popular and ensured that the trams were well placed to hoover up passing trade at this busy location.