Bank Holiday Boating

All three of Blackpool's open Boats on the Pleasure Beach turning circle, from left to right they are 600, 227 & 230

Saturday 23rd August was the first of three days of Heritage Tram Tours in Blackpool over the Bank Holiday weekend. Four open trams operated at various times throughout the day (using three tram crews), comprising Boats 227, 230 & 600 and open top Balloon 706 "Princess Alice". 227 & 230 performed the morning Fleetwood run, while 706 ran the early evening tour to the port. On the Saturday evening, Pantograph 167 operated a Grand Farewell Fund-raising Tour to Fleetwood, to help raise money for transporting the tram back to the Tramway Museum at Crich. Tickets for the tour were £20 each and the tram departed Hopton Road at 1930. The day stayed bright and sunny throughout, making for perfect boating weather and a great start to the heritage weekend.

Boat 227 heading up Lord Street, with a full load of passengers, on the morning Heritage Tour to Fleetwood

Boat 230 rounding the curve into Pharos Street, returning to Blackpool from the morning tour to Fleetwood

All four of the open trams on the Pleasure Beach loop, from left to right they are 706, 600, 227 & 230

Boats 600 and 230 taking a break on the centre track at Bispham, with 227 returning back south from Little Bispham

Boat 227 passing the famous Lucky Star amusement arcade which ceased trading and closed down two days later

Boats 227 & 600 on the Pleasure Beach loop, with 600 unloading its passengers after returning from a tour

Open top Balloon 706 is seen at Ash Street in Fleetwood returning from the late afternoon Heritage Tour to the town

Pantograph Car 167 is seen here at Fleetwood Ferry at 2050 on its second run to Fleetwood during the evening tour