2013 Fylde Tramway Society Convention

Flexities 010 and 011 sat over the inspection pits in the engineering side of Starr Gate depot on 4th May

On the first day of the 2013 Fylde Tramway Society Convention, a visit had been arranged around Starr Gate depot, the party being escorted round by Bryan Lindop, who was a very knowledgeable tour guide and made the visit a very enjoyable experience.

631 passing the Comedy Carpet in front of the Tower on its way north to Bispham on Heritage Tour service

Probably the highlight of the tram output on Saturday was the debut into Heritage Tour service of the repainted and partially restored Brush 631, which looked a lot better in its green and cream livery than it did when carrying an all over advert for Wall's Ice Cream. The other tram in use on the Heritage Tours was Balloon 717.

Balloon 717 has just left the North Pier tram stop bound for the Pleasure Beach on the Heritage Tour service

Balloon 700 passing the lighthouse at Pharos Street in Fleetwood on its way back to Blackpool

Part of the format of the May Bank Holiday weekend was the use of 'B' fleet widened Balloons being used on specials, mainly running between the Pleasure Beach and North Pier. Early in the afternoon on Saturday, prototype Balloon 700 made a run right through to Fleetwood Ferry, just to add a little bit more interest to the days workings. Widened Balloon 711 was also being used on specials.

Flexity 002 and Balloon 711 passing each other at the southbound North Pier loading platform

The Western Train at Fleetwood Ferry on the first trip after it had collected the FTS members from Cleveleys

After the AGM of the Fylde Tramway Society had finished in the afternoon, the members were picked up by the Western Train at Cleveleys tram station at 4.30 pm, and given a run to Fleetwood. The Western Train then shuttled between the Pleasure Beach and Fleetwood until the evening.