Anything Goes Monday

The highlight of the day was the return to service of Coronation 304, seen at Central Pier with some donkeys waiting

On the final day of the August Bank Holiday Heritage Tour weekend, the theme for the tram output was "Anything Goes", and that certainly proved to be the case. The morning tour to Fleetwood was operated by Brush Car 631 and Pantograph 167, the latter on its last day of operation on Heritage Tours before its return to Crich. Both trams ran to Fleetwood with maximum capacity loads, once again highlighting how popular the heritage operation weekends have become. Balloons 701 and 717 joined the throng just after midday. Brush 631 returned to Rigby Road depot early in the afternoon, to be replaced by Centenary Car 648. The final tram swap of the day occured after Pantograph 167 had returned to Rigby Road for a crew break. An hour and forty minutes after 167 had returned to the depot, which seemed like an eternity to the expectant crowd, the final tram of the day arrived at the Pleasure Beach. As was widely anticipated this proved to be the very popular choice of Coronation 304, making its debut on Heritage Tours as the first of the returned former Lancastrian Transport Trust trams to be reactived to operational status. The few trips that 304 made were, as was to be expected, in great demand, the tram running with standing loads on each occasion. For the final tour of the day, the round trip to Fleetwood Ferry, 304 was used backed up by Balloon 701 to cater for the large number of people wanting to sample a ride to Fleetwood and back. Thus this last tour brought to a close 2014's weekend Heritage Tour operations, with the last event of the year proving to be especially popular, probably due in no small part to the chance to ride Coronation 304 on Blackpool rails again for the first time in four years.

Brush Car 631 rounding the curve from Lord Street into North Albert Street on the morning tour to Fleetwood

Pantograph 167 on the sweeping curve alongside St Peter's Church in Fleetwood, passing southbound Flexity 003

Brush Car 631 and Pantograph 167 posing on the loop tracks at Fleetwood Ferry after operating tour number one

After arriving at the Pleasure Beach, 304 ran standing room only to Bispham, seen here waiting on the centre track

Coronation 304 loading up with passengers at the Pleasure Beach, with the Big One rollercoaster in the background

Centenary 648 returning from a Heritage Tour and running onto the turning circle at the Pleasure Beach

With 304 waiting on the inner loop, Centenary 648 arrives at the Pleasure Beach after operating a Heritage Tour

Coronation 304 running along North Albert Street in Fleetwood on the final Heritage Tour of the day

Coronation 304 and Balloon 701 operated the final tour of the day, the late afternoon run through to Fleetwood Ferry