Friday 8th May 2026 saw the second heritage tram to carry passengers on the Blackpool Tramway within a week when Bolton 66 ran for the first time since 2024 on a private tour of the tramway.
Bolton 66’s tour was for the Electric Railroaders Association from New York who have been in British Isles in recent weeks on an ambitious visit which has seen them taking in many lines – heritage and modern. Their packed programme was due to include visits to (deep breath!) Edinburgh, Glasgow, Summerlee, Beamish, Tyne and Wear Metro, Sandtoft, Sheffield, Manchester, Crich, Nottingham, the Isle of Man and then back to the Great Orme Tramway. All of that in just 15 days!
As has been noted previously Bolton 66 remained at Rigby Road Depot throughout 2025, with it being displayed in then Tramtown exhibition for much of the year. Despite fears in some quarters that would be the last it would operate in Blackpool those fears proved unfounded and earlier this spring it was towed from Rigby Road to Starr Gate by the Unimog where the tram was then commissioned for service. This also included the fitting of an overspeed device (at one end only so far).
After test runs the tram was cleared to be used on the tour which saw it travel between Starr Gate and Little Bispham.
This was the second outing of a heritage tram on the Blackpool Tramway since the very start of January 2026, and follows on from Balloon 717’s use on a Fylde Tramway Society tour on Sunday 3rd May 2026. One further outing for 717 has been confirmed (Thursday 21st May for National Dementia Action Week) with plans for public tours set to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
66 shunts through the depot gates at Starr Gate.
Another look at 66 as its seen in the yard at Starr Gate Depot.
66 is now on Little Bispham loop as it takes a break with plenty of photos possible!
As Flexity2 014 passes on the mainline behind we take a look at Bolton 66 on Little Bispham loop again. The white box on the right of the driver’s platform is the overspeed device.
The group pose for photos in front of 66 in Starr Gate Depot yard. (All Photographs courtesy of Bolton 66 Group and used with permission)