Following the success of the heritage tram operation in Blackpool over the Easter holiday period, Blackpool Transport have confirmed some of their initial plans for the two forthcoming Bank Holiday weekends in May. It is hoped to run all of the operational Balloon cars still in Blackpool over these two long weekends, along with a few other members of the retained heritage tram fleet.<\/p>\n
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Provisional arrangements will see three different members of the ‘B Fleet’ (widened double-deckers) used on ‘specials’ on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of both Bank Holiday weekends. As there will only two crews rostered to work these trams, one of them will swap cars part way through the day to provide extra variety for visiting enthusiasts. It is hoped that all of the ‘B Fleet’ will run on each weekend, with the likely exception of car 720<\/strong> which remains out of action suffering from a few faults, despite its damaged centre platform doors having now been repaired. These should be boosted by appearances by the two ‘heritage’ Balloon cars, 717<\/strong> and ‘Princess Alice’ 706<\/strong>, running to a set timetable on the now familiar tour pattern, including trips to Fleetwood. The star attraction over the May Day weekend, however, looks set to be Balloon 701<\/strong> which is due to operate on the heritage tours for the very first time, although this car has been used as a snowplough this year. Whilst 701<\/strong> may not be the most photogenic tram in the fleet in its plain yellow livery, the novelty of being able to ride on this largely traditional Balloon car\u00a0should be a big drawcard for many enthusiasts – and perhaps if these outings prove popular, it may well receive a more attractive livery in due course? 701<\/strong> has recently returned to Rigby Road having spent the last few months outstationed at Starr Gate depot, to be prepared for its first stint of passenger use since the 2010 illuminations.<\/p>\n Away from the double-deckers, Brush Railcoach 631<\/strong> is tentatively scheduled for a return to use on Saturday 4th May and should then run again two days later, subject to completion of its heritage makeover which of course includes a complete repaint.\u00a0The illuminated Western Train 733+734<\/strong> is also booked to run a private hire for the Fylde Tramway Society on the evening of Saturday 4th May, which will include a couple of trips to Fleetwood with this celebrity tram. Naturally, all of the advertised vehicles are subject to change – and as Easter proved, sometimes things may even be better than planned!<\/p>\n However, it should be noted that, contrary to what has been stated elsewhere, there will no other private hires for enthusiasts running over the May Day weekend. Unfortunately, an error has led to some members of a tramway society receiving details of a series of tram tours involving the likes of Open Boat car 230<\/strong>, Brush car 631<\/strong> and\u00a0Balloon 701<\/strong>, but British Trams Online<\/em> can confirm that this should not have been distributed, and that no such events are taking place that weekend after all.<\/p>\n Over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, the much-maligned Centenary cars will take centre stage with car 648<\/strong> due to be relaunched on Saturday 25th May. This car has already had its advertising vinyls removed ahead of a repaint in an appropriate green and cream livery. Sunday 26th May will hopefully see car 642<\/strong> back in service for one day only; as this tram is not to be retained by Blackpool Transport in the long-term, this will almost certainly be its last run on home metals and should therefore be a historic day which deserves to be well supported. 642<\/strong> is ultimately expected to donate various useful components to enable sister car 648<\/strong> to be maintained in Blackpool for many years to come, as the last tram in the fleet retaining the Brush ‘Chopper’ control equipment for which replacement parts would be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain. Further details of the plans for this later weekend will hopefully be provided on this website closer to the time, but the use of the two Centenary cars and other historic trams should once again be supplemented by appearances from all serviceable members of the ‘B Fleet’. Therefore, fans of Blackpool’s traditional tram fleet have plenty to look forward to next month – and if Easter was anything to go by then there will probably be some nice surprises in store as well!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Following the success of the heritage tram operation in Blackpool over the Easter holiday period, Blackpool Transport have confirmed some of their initial plans for the two forthcoming Bank Holiday weekends in May. It is hoped to run all of … Continue reading