Boat 227 at Barton AvenueBoat Car 227 approaches the site of the former Barton Avenue tram stop with a heritage service from Cabin to Pleasure Beach 8.4.19 Friday 5th April

I arrived in Blackpool around 6pm, too late to see the heritage trams in service. The 15 minute service was, as usual in the hands of the Flexity fleet. The timetable went down to every 30 minutes around 8pm.

Saturday 6th April

Blackpool was busy with numerous groups in the area for the Grand National weekend and the prom in particular was busy as there was a coach rally on. The Flexities operated their usual early season timetable of working every 15 minutes during the day and 30 minutes from 8pm onwards. The heritage timetable, however threw up the most interest with the service being doubled to work every 10 minutes from Pleasure Beach - North Pier (with occasional journeys to Cabin) using 4 trams instead of the usual 20 minute service using 2 trams.

With the sun being out albeit with a cold breeze, boat cars 600 and fresh from it's recent interior overhaul, 227, saw use alongside Standard 147 and Balloon 723. Engineering tram 754 was seen at Starr Gate Depot, being used to check the overhead line in the depot roads.

Sunday 7th April

After a cloudy start, by mid afternoon it was a gloriously sunny and warm day in Blackpool. With the coach rally on for the second day running, the enhanced heritage service ran again. The service was operated by Balloon 701, Standard 147 and Boats 600 and 227. Balloon 701 worked the first Cabin trip of the day.

Both boat cars seemed to be well loaded on both days. Engineering tram 754 was seen at North Pier, being used to check the overhead line.

Monday 8th April

The final day of my trip to Blackpool and the normal 20 minute heritage service was in operation, this time utilising Boat 227 and B fleet Balloon 700. 227 worked both morning trips to Cabin, while Balloon 700 operated the afternoon Cabin trips.

Over the course of the 4 days, 15 Flexity trams were used: 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, 010, 011, 013, 015, 016 and 017. 012, 014 and 018 weren't used during the 4 days.

Day	A	B	C	D
Saturday	147	723	227	600
	Standard 147 at St Chad's RoadStandard 147 approaches St Chad's Road with a heritage service from North Pier to Pleasure Beach 6.4.19	Balloon Car 723 at St Chad's RoadBalloon Car 723 approaches St Chad's Road with a heritage service from North Pier to Pleasure Beach 6.4.19	Boat Car 227 at Manchester SquareBoat Car 227 approaches Manchester Square with a heritage service from North Pier to Pleasure Beach 6.4.19	Boat Car 600 at FoxhallBoat Car 600 approaches Foxhall with a heritage service from North Pier to Pleasure Beach 6.4.19
Sunday	701	147	600	227
	Balloon Car 701 at Pleasure BeachBalloon Car 701 approaches Pleasure Beach with a heritage service from North Pier 7.4.19	Standard 147 at Pleasure BeachStandard 147 arrives at Pleasure Beach with a heritage service from North Pier 7.4.19	Boat Car 600 at Pleasure BeachBoat Car 600 awaits departure from pleasure beach with a heritage service to North Pier 7.4.19	Boat Car 227 at Pleasure BeachA front view of boat car 227 at Pleasure Beach 7.4.19
Monday	227	700
	Boat Car 227 at Pleasure BeachBoat Car 227 is stabled on the outer loop at Pleasure Beach while it's crew have their lunch break 8.4.19	Balloon Car 700 at North PierBalloon Car 700 awaits passengers at North Pier prior to departure with a heritage service to Pleasure Beach 8.4.19

North Pier Extension

Work appears to have progressed well since my last visit, with all track on Talbot Road up as far as the current Wilko building complete. The new platform in Talbot Square for East bound workings is complete and the support poles for the overhead were being put up.

See https://scottishtrains.zenfolio.com/p200048606 for the full gallery of photos from the weekend.