The August Bank Holiday weekend saw the latest Enhanced Weekend take place in Blackpool with another hop-on, hop-off heritage tram timetable in operation. This saw five trams run on each of the three days of the weekend, which included the first use of the Illuminated Frigate for this season just a few days ahead of its intensive period of use during the annual Illuminations. Steven Hughes captured the following images.
Unfortunately, it may have been a Bank Holiday weekend – or possibly because it was! – but the weather did not exactly play ball meaning changes to the tram output. The after effects of Storm Lilian were still being felt and at times the weather was a little grim. This did mean that both Boat 600 and Bolton 66 were not able to be used on all journeys planned but when the weather improved they did come into service later.
Over the course of the weekend the following trams ran: Bolton 66, Boat 600, Brush 631, Balloon 700, Balloon 718, Balloon 723 and the Frigate.
The next planned Enhanced Weekend will be at the end of September – Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th. More details to follow later.
Brush 631 goes south at North Pier with the Frigate in the loop line. The illuminated feature car ran in the afternoon on Promenade Tours but before then was the Shop Tram.
Balloon 718 was back in use for Heritage Tram Tours during the weekend and is seen here with Balloon 723 at North Pier.
Brush 631 runs along Lord Street in Fleetwood as it heads back to Starr Gate with a heritage service.
It’s the August Bank Holiday which surely means ideal weather for a Boat? Or maybe not judging by how wrapped up the passengers on board 600 are as its seen at Fleetwood. (All Photographs by Steven Hughes)
Video of the weekend from Steven Hughes can be found on YouTube:
- Saturday 24th – https://youtu.be/qdhuUFA8f-o
- Sunday 25th – https://youtu.be/zrraA-eGqu8
- Monday 26th – https://youtu.be/PB4-mfwJ1u8