Another heritage tram has run in passenger service for the first time in 2024. This time the location is the Blackpool Tramway where their second operational Boat Car has returned to service – prototype 600.
With Blackpool Pride featuring a procession on Saturday 8th June, Boat Car 227 took part and to take advantage of the extra crowds in the town it was also decided to operate additional “Mini Prom Tours”. This led to not only 227 being out on the Prom but also the year debut of 600 which has recently been through the commissioning process at Rigby Road Depot.
Unfortunately, the day for 600 did not go completely to plan with it suffering a fault which required it to be taken out of use and returned to depot for attention. But it did manage to run which brings the total number of heritage trams which have run on the Blackpool Tramway since heritage operations resumed at Easter to seven: Bolton 66, Boats 227 and 600, Brush 631, Balloons 700, 717 and 718.
And those trams could soon be joined by Balloon 723 which is almost ready for use again. This tram was being prepared for use earlier in the year when some issues were discovered with its roof requiring workshop attention. Repairs were undertaken including the replacement of interior panelling and an internal repaint. A few small items still need to be completed with these due to happen at Starr Gate Depot before it can rejoin the operational fleet once more.
Ahead of being moved down to Starr Gate, Balloon 723 is stabled on the depot fan at Rigby Road alongside Balloon 718. The B fleet flat fronted, rebuilt Balloon remains stabled outside the depot as a spare in case needed to replace one of the active fleet at Starr Gate. (Photograph by Peter Dockerty, 6th June 2024)