As if all that main line action wasn’t exciting enough, both days will also offer a rare chance to see behind the scenes at both of the tram depots on the upgraded system, with guided tours available on the hour throughout both days at each site. In addition, a special extra heritage service will operate between Rigby Road and Starr Gate depots via North Pier,\u00a0to allow visitors to travel between the two locations, and this will offer not only a ride along Hopton Road onto the promenade but also the novelty of a ride through the wash plant at Starr Gate! This has only ever happened before on private hires so represents another very welcome innovation to the heritage operation. Please note that visits to the two depots will be limited and places can be reserved in advance for an additional fee; details will follow shortly.<\/p>\n
The programme of events is completed by a series of vintage bus tours, using preserved Blackpool buses to travel around some long-lost inland tram routes in the town. There will also be a special range of limited edition merchandise on sale including mugs, glasswear, caps and much more to suit all tastes and pockets!<\/p>\n
Despite the incredible amount that is on offer, the normal heritage tour fares will still apply with a \u00a310 adult day pass available covering the heritage tram service plus all normal tram and bus services and the evening illumination tours as well! An extra charge of \u00a35 will apply to the depot tours and connecting tram ride including going through the Starr Gate tram wash.<\/p>\n
All involved in compiling this remarkable programme of activities deserves a huge ‘thank-you’ and the 130th anniversary weekend looks set to be the must-see tram event of 2015. Since reading what is planned my mouth has not stopped watering and the number of exclamation marks used in this article has probably broken some sort of record for this website, which I hope is mirrored by the reaction from the wider enthusiast community! The weekend should be the crowning glory of a triumphant year for Blackpool’s heritage trams and is another undeniable sign that the old fleet are definitely here to stay!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A taster of what to expect in September with a look back at the Blackpool 125 events in 2010, and a busy scene at Pleasure Beach the sort of which should be common during the 130th anniversary weekend. Boat 600 and 'Princess Alice' 706 should be in use again although Coronation 660 (just visible behind 706) is currently inactive, however it should be visible at Rigby Road. (Photo by Andrew Waddington)<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Outline plans have now been revealed for the highly anticipated weekend event celebrating 130 years of the Blackpool tramway in September, and this looks set to be the most ambitious and impressive event in the modern era so far by … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.britishtramsonline.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/014_14-1024x680.jpg\" "\\"014_14\\"")
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