Friday 23rd October saw the Fylde Transport Trust run a tour of the illuminations with Brush Car 621 hired for the occasion which included trips to both Fleetwood and Starr Gate. This was a scaled down tour from the original plan with Balloon 715 not required and the planned later evening tour also cancelled with Blackpool now under tier 3 Covid restrictions.
621 – which is now part of the Fylde Transport Trust collection following the merger of their trams and those of the Blackpool Heritage Trust earlier this year – left from North Pier and Tower in the daylight at 1630 and travelled north to Fleetwood where a short break was taken on the passing loop on the Esplanade. It then headed back to Starr Gate and then back north to North Pier and Tower with a full tour of illuminations possible.
With social distancing measures in place throughout the 2020 Illumination season this was the rare use of a non-illuminated single-decker after dark with Balloon Cars taking most of the tours this year to maximise the capacity on board.
621 stands at the North Pier and Tower heritage stop getting ready for the off.
As 621 takes a break on Fleetwood Esplanade it is passed by Flexity2 005 which has just started a full length Fleetwood to Starr Gate journey.
621 stands on the mainline at Pleasure Beach with darkness having fallen and the illuminations now on. (All Photographs by Rob Bray, 23rd October 2020)