Earlier this autumn, Blackpool’s illuminated Western Train made history when it ran on test on the North Station extension (the first feature car to travel on the extension) with Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours teasing at the time that this was ahead of something special they were working on. And now that something special has been revealed – it’s the Blackpool Express!
The Blackpool Express will see the Western Train used on a special tram trip from North Station to Little Bispham and back to North Pier and Tower. But that’s not all the cost of the ticket will get you! It starts off at the Holiday Inn where there is a cosy Winter Wonderland departure lounge, where hot chocolate, biscuits, and festive cheers waits lucky ticket holders.
Each traveller receives a golden ticket with exclusive perks, including free tram travel back to the Holiday Inn, one free ride ticket at Christmas by the Sea, 15% off food at Marco’s and 50% off tickets to Showtown.
The journey starts at the Holiday Inn at 1600 each day it runs, with a pre-show performance. Then at 1700, the Western Train departs taking in a tour of part of the illuminations. Actors from Showtown will join the tram, bringing the magic to life with stories, songs and festive surprises. Once the Western Train is back at North Pier and Tower, guests can capture the perfect photo with the tram and then just steps away is Christmas by the Sea which includes a free ice skating rink, themed family attractions, food and drink huts, snowfalls, projection shows and light installations.
The Blackpool Express will run on 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd December. Tickets cost £20 for adults (16+), £15 (children 3-15) and under 3s are free when seated on a parent’s lap. Booking fees apply.
Tickets will go on sale from 1000 on 2nd December online and at the Tourist Information Centre on the Promenade.
The Blackpool Express is operated by Blackpool Transport in partnership with Holiday Inn Blackpool, Showtown, and Visit Blackpool.
Good to see Blackpool Heritage Tours playing to their strengths and not trying to compete as another heritage tramway. My only criticism is that they have under-priced it (and I do mean that!). I wish them every success in this enterprise! (and, yes, I do mean that as well!).
If you think it’s underpriced you don’t know the Blackpool audience. 2+2 £70 for half an illuminations tour, a bit of a show and a ride at Blackpool by the sea, no chance.
I like this idea a lot. My only worry is that the concept seems to rely very heavily on one single tramcar, which could be a recipe for disaster. I also have no idea why it’s starting from North Station. Unless of course it’s getting some funding from the Holiday Inn, in which case that’s fair enough. Perhaps getting one of the big hotels on North Shore involved would have been a good idea and starting from there? The tram could then have run North to turn at little Bispham, dropped it’s passengers at tower, then continued as a special service car, taking other people for a reduced fare ride the prom without any of the extras, turning again at Pleasure Beach and running back to tower. It would then be the right way around for a second trip from North shore.
Regarding the price, why is something aimed at children actually cheaper for children? Surely it should be one price for a bum on a seat for such an event? If one adult takes along 5 unruly kids, it would be a nightmare for the tram crew (not to mention other passengers). However if more adults were encouraged to accompany their kids with a lower adult price, then there would be no excuse. Some places explicitly state that every child must be accompanied by an adult (1 to 1).
Lets see how it goes. But I do think sticking some illuminations on a couple of B-Fleet Balloons, like they did many years ago on a couple of standard cars, would increase capacity, solve the reliance on one tram problem and bring some much needed extra sparkle to the fairly lacklustre illuminations at other times too.
Only twelve years late. I have widdled into the wind constantly that Blackpool Tourism need to take the heritage trams up on a promotional basis and exploit their unique appeal to boost the reputation of both the tramway but Blackpool’s potential itself.
Well, as people living within easy reach of Blackpool and regular visitors there, this advertised attraction certainly appeals to me and my wife likes it as well, and we’re not even youngsters and hopefully not too unruly either! The only disappointment is that circumstances on this occasion force us to be unavailable when it’s happening. I think Blackpool Heritage Trams deserve credit for an imaginative idea, seemingly in a promising partnership with the new Holiday Inn, using one of the UK’s (maybe the world’s?) most iconic tramcars, and celebrating the new section of tramway. The train actually possibly looks most impressive when standing apart from the other illuminations as photographs of its recent sortie to North Station show. I wish the venture every success and hope it does well enough to be repeated when I’m able to.join in! Christmas by the Sea, and the extended winter season illuminations, have created a unique atmosphere in Blackpool and I hope.the resort will become increasingly synonymous with this time of year, and also a destination for New Year celebrations. There’s probably nothing like those long, continuous seafront lights anywhere else in the world – winter wonderland indeed!
I take the point about reliance on one tramcar in the concept and the publicity, but there are others that could handle the load in an emergency. The same situation applies with steam locomotive excursions and other outings with vintage transport.
I could definitely see the attraction of one or two spare Balloon cars one day being illuminated as per former Standards 158 and 159 which I don’t remember but may well have set eyes on during my first childhood encounter with Blackpool trams. In the case of Balloons, they might bear more resemblance to the old Progress car which in one of its guises was given some cosmetic streamlining after the Balloon styling!
I have to say one of my favourite experiences of this year was riding on the new section of tramway for the first time, aboard Balloon 700. It just seemed amazing and unreal to ride on a new stretch of bustling street tramway aboard a traditional tram – an experience I never thought I’d have in my lifetime.
As for the Western Train, last Saturday evening we saw it make a fine sight as a star attraction in the procession to mark the switch on of the Christmas Lights in Fleetwood. It’s good to see the heritage trams taking their place in, and appreciated by, the local communities. Long may it last.