621 at Manchester SquareIn Heavy Snow, 50s liveried Brush Car 621 heads south towards St Chad's Road with a heritage service to Pleasure Beach 19.2.22 The weekend of 19th and 20th February saw Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours first 'Gold Weekend' of 2022.   The weekend was due to start of Friday 18th with an evening tour onboard the Western Train, however the tail end of Storm Eunice put paid to that and an additional tour operated on Saturday 19th instead.

The Gold Weekend saw the use of 6 heritage trams on a series of workings from Pleasure Beach to Little Bispham, Thornton Gate or Fisherman's Walk in Fleetwood.   Due to gas pipe works in Fleetwood, both the service and heritage trams could not reach Fleetwood Ferry so terminated at Fisherman's walk instead.   There was also the chance for a twice daily run by heritage bus to Fleetwood and back on both the Saturday and Sunday and twice daily tours of Rigby Road Depot.

The initial allocation for the Heritage Fleet on the Saturday was Diagram A: Balloon 717, Diagram B: Brush Car 631, Diagram C: Millennium Balloon 718, Diagram D Boat 600, Diagram E: Bolton 66 and Diagram F: Centenary 648.   This was to be Centenary 648's first run in service since pre pandemic in early 2020.   Due to the poor weather, Boat 600 and Bolton 66 were removed from the roster and replaced by the more suitable enclosed Brush Car 621 and Balloon 715.

I arrived in Blackpool around 10.15am to torrential rain.   By the time I got parked at Pleasure Beach and made my way to Rigby Road depot, the rain had turned to rather large flakes of snow and spotted enroute were Brush Car 621 and Balloon 717!   I was booked on to the 11am tour at Rigby Road and luckily we were allowed in early to take shelter in the main tram shed!  

Standard 143 at Rigby Roadrecently restored open vestibuled Standard car 143 is seen in the Fitting Shop awaiting attention to it's motors prior to a return to service 19.2.22 The tour began with a trip to the Fitting Shop, which incidentally was the warmest building on the tour!  In the Fitting Shop was Standard 143, which had been getting attention to it's motors and was being prepared a potential return to service at Easter!    

We were also shown the Blacksmith's forge and some of the tools used. Due to the uniqueness of the heritage fleet and the lack of spares, many of the replacement parts are home made in Rigby Road depot, an example of homemade parts was also layed out in the fitting shop in the form of a brand new underframe for Balloon 704, which was built by only one person!  

Balloon 704 has been stripped to a shell for a heritage restoration back to 1950's style.   It was good to hear that a second new underframe was also in the pipeline, this one being for open top Balloon 706, which is currently withdrawn.  

We also saw the gas burner that is used for the removal / fitting of tyres to the wheels.   Also seen in the Fitting shop was a couple of refurbished truck frames from a Centenary car.

Next we were taken into the Paint Shop, it was interesting to hear that all the buses and trams are still hand painted, being worked on at the time was a single and a double deck Palladium bus as well as the replica tank tram.  The replica tank tram was a project by some local colleges to replicate a vehicle that would have been created from the body or around the frame of a disused tram on many systems across the country during World War 1 to raise money to buy tanks.   There was also an interesting array of art work and posters on the wall.

634 at Rigby RoadTerror Tram all over advert liveried 634 is seen in the fitting shop at Rigby Road awaiting the fitting of a Pantograph tower and pantograph prior to returning to service for the first time since 2004. 19.2.22 After the Paint Shop we moved next door and visited the body shop where the body and frames of Lytham 43 and Glasgow 1016 are stored along with a large scale model of Standard car 40, which was used as part of a display back in 1985 for the Centenary year.  

In the Body Shop, Work was well underway on the bodyframe being carried out on Balloon 704, which as mentioned above had been stripped to a shell for restoration to commence.   Once its new underframe is complete, the old underframe will be rolled out from underneath it and scrapped, whilst the new frame is rolled underneath the body frame and work can commence on the restoration.   Also in the body shop was Brush Car 634, which was repainted into Terror Tram advert during 2021, complete with skulls on the end, a recreation of an advert carried by the tram in the late 1990s.   634 was awaiting the fitting of a trolley tower and pantograph, to allow it to re-enter service for the first time since 2004.

One of the main reasons the tours are taking place is to help to raise funds to repair the roof of the main tram shed, which is in a terrible state with holes and leaks everywhere and that's where we headed next!   We were firstly taken into the Electrical compound, which being the driest part of the main depot is used to store the boat cars and some others that are awaiting attention.   Boats 600, 227 (602) and 230 (604) along with 681, T2, 625 and 708 at Rigby RoadLine 1 Metro liveried Twin Car Trailer 681, Cream liveried Twin Car trailer T2(682) and 90's liveried, Pricebusters branded Brush Car 625 and 70's Green and Cream liveried Balloon 708 are seen at the rear of Rigby Road depot 19.2.22 Centenary 642, Standard 147 and Millennium Balloon 707 were seen in there.    We were then taken along the rear of the main sheds, where we saw some of the withdrawn trams such as Balloon 726, Coronation 304, Balloon 720, Brush car 290, Twin Cars 676+686 and 272+T2.  We were then taken into Bolton 66 for a heat! At this point the main tour was over, though I would like to thank Paul, who took me round to the far side of the sheds to photo the hovertram, Balloon 708, Brush 625 and 632.    

I then headed back to the prom and by this time, the snow had halted and had began melting.   It was a strange sight seeing Brush Cars 621 and 631 with their fronts covered in snow!   I caught Brush Car 631 up to Bispham for a few shots of the trams in the snow, then caught 718 down to North Pier. On reaching North Pier, Balloon 711 had appeared in the loop and was being used as the shop tram and the sun had came out! After getting a few photos at North Pier, I walked back along the prom in the wall to wall sunshine, taking photos of the t 715 at Bispham70's Green and Cream liveried Balloon 715 complete with period advert for Blackpool Zoo approaches a snowy Bispham with a heritage service to Pleasure Beach 19.2.22 rams on the way. I reached Pleasure Beach at 3.20 and was hoping to catch a couple of photos of 648, however the tram had suffered from a loss of power fault and by the time it was repaired, it was over 20 minutes late in reaching Pleasure Beach.   648 was returned to depot and Balloon 711 took over the remainder of 648's duties.   It was at this point it was time for me to head back home.  

Overall, it was an enjoyable day, I'd thoroughly reccomend the depot tour though you will need to be quick to book as they are fully booked up for months!  More photos from the day can be found at: https://scottishtrains.zenfolio.com/p490848536

My entire collection of Blackpool Tram photos from 2003 to today can be found at: https://scottishtrains.zenfolio.com/f595940839

I was clearing out my Portable Hard Drive and came across a list of some of my journeys of class 303s and 314s from 2000 and 2001.   It's not a complete record as it only features the days that I actually remembered to keep a note! It does however give a snapshot of what was operating on both the Argyle and Cathcart Circle lines in the final years of 303 operation.

Class 303s in service during this period were: 303001, 003, 004, 006, 008, 009, 010 (till Dec 2000), 011, 012, 013, 014, 015, 016, 019, 020, 021, 023, 025 (till Sep/Oct 2000), 027, 032, 033, 034, 037, 043, 045, 047, 054, 056, 058 (till Sep 2000), 065, 070, 077, 079, 080, 083, 085, 087, 088, 090, 091.

303032 at Bo'nessMaking a rare appearance out in the open, former Glasgow 'Blue Train' 303032 made up of Strathclyde Transport 'red' and black liveried Driving trailers 75632 and 75597 and SPT Carmine and Cream liveried 61513 (ex 303023) is seen on display on the bay platform at Bo'ness 29.12.21

29th August 2000:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303070+303034
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314208
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314205
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303045

30th August 2000:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303025+303021
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314203
• 16.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314210+314206
• 16.44 Dalmuir - Lanark: 303085

1st September 2000:

• 8.02 Carstairs - Garscadden Express: 303033
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314205
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 303008
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303083

4th September 2000:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303006+303065
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314207
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314206
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303019

5th September 2000:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303077+303054
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314216
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314206
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303087

6th September 2000:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303016+303043
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314205
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314207
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303001

7th September 2000:

• 8.02 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303021
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314213
• 16.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 303014+303077
• 16.44 Dalmuir - Lanark: 303020+303088

8th September 2000:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303025+303012
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314216
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314213
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303001

11th September 2000:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303020+303013
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314214
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314214
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303033

13th September 2000:

• 8.02 Carstairs - Garscadden Express: 303013
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314202
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314212
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303087

14th September 2000:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303006+303045
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314205
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314204
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303004

8th September 2000:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303025+303012
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314216
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314213
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303001

5th December 2000:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303025+303083
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314206
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314206
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303047

6th December 2000:

• 8.02 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303083
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314213
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314213
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303043

7th December 2000:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303085+303032
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314206
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314206
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303014

8th December 2000:

• 8.02 Carstairs - Garscadden Express: 303001
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314206
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314206
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303014

11th December 2000:

• 8.02 Carstairs - Garscadden Express: 303003
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314206
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314206
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303009

12th December 2000:

• 8.02 Carstairs - Garscadden Express: 303003
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314213
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314214
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303016

13th December 2000:

• 8.02 Carstairs - Garscadden Express: 303008
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314204
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314208
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303033

15th January 2001:

• 7.50 Motherwell - Dalmuir: 303070+303088
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314209
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314212
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303023

23rd January 2001:

• 7.50 Motherwell - Dalmuir: 303088+303077
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 303021
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 303027
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303047

30th January 2001:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303003
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314209
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314212
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303085

7th February 2001:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303083+303033
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314216
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314203
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303088

13th February 2001:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303020+303043
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314209
• 15.50 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 318258
• 16.44 Dalmuir - Lanark: 303045

19th February 2001:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303013+303012
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314204
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314204
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303020

20th February 2001:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303014+303034
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314205
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314204
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303037

25th February 2001:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303037+303027
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314201
• 16.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 303011
• 16.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303085
• 16.44 Dalmuir - Lanark: 303009+303019

6th March 2001:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303014+303090
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314204
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314209
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303047

7th March 2001:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303070+303090
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314204
• 16.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314206+314213
• 16.44 Dalmuir - Lanark: 303008

8th March 2001:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303090+303011
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 303004
• 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314214
• 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303011

19th March 2001:

• 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303023
• 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314213
• 16.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314209
• 16.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303085
• 16.44 Dalmuir - Lanark: 303088+303011

87002 at CarlisleLooking absolutely stunning in Intercity Swallow livery, 87002 'Royal Sovereign' is seen at Carlisle with matching Mark 3s and DVT as it waits to push from the rear on its return journey south on 5Z51 ECS to Crewe HS 14.1.22 Locomotive Services Limited's Intercity Swallow liveried 87002 'Royal Sovereign' along with matching set of Mark 3s and DVT 82136 visited Carlisle on 14th January.

They worked as 5Z50 from Crewe and as 5Z51 back to Crewe mid afternoon as ECS workings as test runs and route learning prior to working on tour duty to Glasgow Central on Thursday 26th January.   87002, the coaching stock and DVT 82136, looked fantastic in their heritage livery and a massive well done goes to all those who restored the vehicles back to this livery.

87002 at CarlisleLooking absolutely stunning in Intercity Swallow livery, 87002 'Royal Sovereign' is seen at Carlisle having arrived with 5Z50 ECS working from Crewe HS 14.1.22	82136 at CarlisleLooking absolutely stunning in Intercity Swallow livery, DVT 82136 is seen at Carlisle with matching Mark 3s and 87002 on the rear as it awaits departure on it's return journey south on 5Z51 ECS to Crewe HS 14.1.22
87002 at CarlisleLooking absolutely stunning in Intercity Swallow livery, 87002 'Royal Sovereign' is seen at Carlisle with matching Mark 3s and DVT as pushed from the rear on its return journey south on 5Z51 ECS to Crewe HS 14.1.22	87002 at CarlisleLooking absolutely stunning in Intercity Swallow livery, 87002 'Royal Sovereign' is seen at Carlisle with matching Mark 3s and DVT as pushed from the rear on its return journey south on 5Z51 ECS to Crewe HS 14.1.22

303032 at Bo'nessMaking a rare appearance out in the open, former Glasgow 'Blue Train' 303032 made up of Strathclyde Transport 'red' and black liveried Driving trailers 75632 and 75597 and SPT Carmine and Cream liveried 61513 (ex 303023) is seen on display on the bay platform at Bo'ness 29.12.21 303032 is one of the original set of 35 class 303s (Then known as class AM3) built in 1959 by Pressed Steel of Elderslie for the electrification of the North Clyde lines, a subsequent order of 56 sets raised in 1960 took the number of units up to 91.   303032 wore a succession of liveries starting with Caledonian Blue, then BR Blue and Grey then Strathclyde Transport 'Red' and Black livery from the 1980's through till withdrawal, receiving it's final repaint in the mid 1990's.  032 would operate on the North Clyde lines, Argyle Lines, Cathcart Circle and Clyde Coast lines over 42 years until withdrawal around June / July 2002.  

After withdrawal, 303032 was taken to Immingham along with a number of sets that were going for scrapping.   303032 was the lucky one however as it was going for asbestos removal prior to preservation at Bo'ness.   Unfortunately 303032's original Motor Coach (the centre coach) 61512 was damaged at Immingham and was scrapped, however 61512 was substituted for Carmine and Cream liveried 61503 from set 303023, which was there for scrapping.   Both driving trailers (75597 and 75632) are 303032s originals.  303032 was returned to Bo'ness by low loader from Immingham for preservation in April 2003. 

303032 is still occasionally hauled up and down the line at Boness by a Class 26, 27 or 37 working in blue star mode.  A ride on the set during the diesel galas brings back memories including the sound of the door closing alarm, the hiss of the air brakes and the driver having to get out and force a set of doors closed before the set will move!   303032 is still in the same coat of paint as it was when it arrived at Boness with the trailers in Orange and Black Strathclyde Transport livery and the motor coach in the SPT Carmine and Cream livery.   303032 hasn't been used for many years and has been on display in the display shed.   It was extracted from the shed and placed in the display siding for the Diesel Gala at Bo'ness on 29th December 2021.

303032 at Bo'nessMaking a rare appearance out in the open, former Glasgow 'Blue Train' 303032 made up of Strathclyde Transport 'red' and black liveried Driving trailers 75632 and 75597 and SPT Carmine and Cream liveried 61513 (ex 303023) is seen on display on the bay platform at Bo'ness 29.12.21	303032 at Bo'nessMaking a rare appearance out in the open, former Glasgow 'Blue Train' 303032 made up of Strathclyde Transport 'red' and black liveried Driving trailers 75632 and 75597 and SPT Carmine and Cream liveried 61513 (ex 303023) is seen on display on the bay platform at Bo'ness 29.12.21	303032 interiorThe faded interior of motor vehicle 61513 (ex 303023) from 303032 29.12.21
303032 interiorThe interior of Driving Trailer vehicle 75597 of 303032 at Bo'ness 29.12.21

37403+37703, 614309, 66773 and 303032 at Bo'nessA busy scene at Bo'ness as 37403+37703 prepare to leave the yard to haul the delayed 12.30 service to Manuel, 614209 is stabled in the yard, 66773 has just arrived on the rear of the previous working from Manuel and 303032 is on display on the bay platform 29.12.21 The Bo'ness Diesel Gala took place on Wednesday 29th December.   The gala featured the home fleet with BR Large logo liveried 37403 making its debut at Bo'ness following its time on hire to DRS, BR Blue liveried 37703 making its last appearance on loan from DRS, 47643 in its Scotrail Intercity livery and 27001 in BR Blue livery.   

The visiting locomotive was supplied by GBRF and was 66773 'Pride of GB Railfreight' with Pride rainbow branding.

On display was DRS liveried 20302+20305, which will shortly be leaving Bo'ness as well as Hydrogen Multiple Unit 614209 and former Blue Train: 303032, which was making it's first appearance out in the open for around 6 years.

It was torrential rain for most of the morning, which made photography difficult (and meant having to take most photographs on my phone instead of the camera), however the highlight was seeing 303032 out on display and having a look round the interior and seeing 37403+37703 double heading the 12.30 working.

66773 at Bo'nessVisiting locomotive and making it's debut passenger run, GBRF's 66773 'Pride of GB Railfreight is seen at Bo'ness being prepared to haul the 11.30 service to Manuel 29.12.21	303032 at Bo'nessMaking a rare appearance out in the open, former Glasgow 'Blue Train' 303032 made up of Strathclyde Transport 'red' and black liveried Driving trailers 75632 and 75597 and SPT Carmine and Cream liveried 61513 (ex 303023) is seen on display on the bay platform at Bo'ness 29.12.21	20302+20305 at Bo'nessDRS 'Compass' liveried 20302+20305 are seen on display at Bo'ness 29.12.21
614209 at Bo'nessVehicle 64600 from Hydrogen Multiple Unit 614209 (ex 314209) is seen stabled in the yard next to Bo'ness Station 29.12.21	47643 at Bo'nessScotrail 'Intercity' liveried 47643 arrives into Bo'ness with a service from Manuel 29.12.21	37403+37703 at Bo'nessIn heavy rain BR Large Loco liveried 37403, making it's debut at Bo'ness following an overhaul+ Blue liveried 37703 possibly making it's final appearance at Bo'ness await departure from Bo'ness with the delayed 12.30 service to Manuel 29.12.21

700 at Pharos StreetHaving paused for a photo stop, Wartime liveried 'B' Fleet Balloon 700 is seen next to Pharos Lighthouse in Fleetwood 28.12.21 After 10 years in Blackpool Transport's 'Flexity' Purple and White livery, Balloon 700 has been repainted back into the Wartime Green and Cream livery that it carried during the 2nd World War and into the 1950's then again following a major overhaul in 1997 till it was sidelined for the addition of the door pods to make it compatable with the Flexity platforms in 2010.

700 was initially due to make it's debut run back in Green and Cream at the Anniversary Weekend in September, however was sidelined with a door fault.   On 28th December 2021, 700 was used for the FTS Christmas tour along with Atlantean bus 334 (which did a run along the long abandoned former street routes on Lytham Road and the former Marton summer extension terminus on Station Road opposite South Pier.  

Balloon 700 then took over and ran first to Starr Gate, then north to Fleetwood before returning to Rigby Road.   Millennium Balloon 707 was then used for the third part of the tour, which consisted of an evening tour of the illuminations.

The repainting of Balloon 700 means now that only two of the 'B' fleet Balloons now retain the purple and white livery: 711 and 719.

The current status of the B Fleet is as follows:

Some shots of 700

700 at North Albert StreetHaving recently been repainted into Wartime Green and Cream livery, 'B' Fleet Balloon 700 is seen passing Fleetwood Hospital on North Albert Street whilst operating on the FTS Christmas Tour 28.12.21	700 at Fleetwood FerryHaving recently been repainted into Wartime Green and Cream livery, 'B' Fleet Balloon 700 is seen at Fleetwood Ferry whilst operating on the FTS Christmas Tour 28.12.21
700 at Pharos StreetHaving paused for a photo stop, Wartime liveried 'B' Fleet Balloon 700 is seen next to Pharos Lighthouse in Fleetwood 28.12.21	700 at North Albert StreetHaving recently been repainted into Wartime Green and Cream livery, 'B' Fleet Balloon 700 is seen on North Albert Street on its return journey to Rigby Road whilst operating on the FTS Christmas Tour 28.12.21
700 at Rigby Road depotHaving recently been repainted into Wartime Green and Cream livery and with the last of the daylight fading, 'B' Fleet Balloon 700 is seen entering Rigby Road Depot at the end of part one of the FTS Christmas Tour 28.12.21	700, 717 and 707 at Rigby RoadWartime liveried Balloon 700, 30's liveried Balloon 717 and Millenium Balloon 707 are seen at the front of Rigby Road depot. the photo shows the differing profiles of the ex open topper (700) and the enclosed as built 717. 28.12.21

723 at Pleasure BeachHaving been branded as the 'The Magical Express Tour' tram Balloon 723 is on the Pleasure Beach turning circle on a Tour from the North Pier / Tower stop where the 'Christmas by the sea' event is taking place until 3rd January. The event has an Ice Rink and Christmas Market set up on the Tower headland. 18.12.21 A very quick stop off at Blackpool this afternoon allowed me the chance to grab a couple of photographs of Blackpool's most recent Heritage Fleet tram to receive an all over advert!

Balloon 723 has been branded as the 'The Magical Express Tour' tram and has been revynaled on the outside with mainly black vynal with a white strip along the base of the tram.   Along the white base and onto the black are various characters including people ice skating, snowmen and Christmas Trees.   On the panel on either side where the stair case is located, there is an image of a full moon with Santa on his sleigh being hauled by his reindeers passing it.   On the between deck panelling, there are slogans for 'I love BP (Blackpool)', 'Christmas by the sea' and 'The Magical Express Tour'.  The destination blinds have been vynaled over and also feature the text:'The Magical Express Tour'.   The 'Christmas by the sea' event is taking place at the Tower Headland from 19th November until 3rd January. The event has the 'Star Flyer' ride, an Ice Rink and Christmas Market set up on the Tower headland.   723 is operating tours, which are running from North Pier / Tower heritage stop to Pleasure Beach (non stop) and return with it only being possible to board at the North Pier / Tower stop. See further info and times at: https://blackpoolheritage.com/tours/the-magical-express-tour/

723 is one of Blackpool's iconic Balloon tram fleet and is a regular performer on Blackpool's heritage tram tours and Illuminations tours.   Having received a major refurbishment in the 1990's, which involved the removal of it's curved end upper deck windows, curved roof windows and swing over seats, 723 received many other modifications including the fitting of flourescent lighting, high intensity headlights and heating, making it ideal for winter use.   723 was regularly seen in use either on the Fleetwood or Cleveleys services or even on specials until withdrawal in 2011 prior to the completion of the tramway upgrade and introduction of the Flexities in 2012.   723 was not chosen for conversion to one of the 'fat door' 'B' fleet balloons due to it having remedial repairs done to its underframe rather than the full replacement carried out on subsequent refurbishments / overhauls and would join the heritage fleet, first as the 'scruffy surprise' in 2015 when it was used during the Anniversary event, having been stripped of its advertising vynals revealing a rather scruffy coat of 80's green and cream underneath.   After a repaint with a fresh coat of 80's green and cream in 2016, 723 became a permanent member of the heritage fleet.

The photos below show Balloon 723 in it's 'Magical Express Tour' livery at Pleasure Beach on 18.12.21

723 at Pleasure BeachHaving been branded as the 'The Magical Express Tour' tram Balloon 723 is entering the Pleasure Beach turning circle on a Tour from the North Pier / Tower stop where the 'Christmas by the sea' event is taking place until 3rd January. The event has an Ice Rink and Christmas Market set up on the Tower headland. 18.12.21	723 at Pleasure BeachHaving been branded as the 'The Magical Express Tour' tram Balloon 723 is seen entering the Pleasure Beach turning circle on a Tour from the North Pier / Tower stop where the 'Christmas by the sea' event is taking place until 3rd January. The event has an Ice Rink and Christmas Market set up on the Tower headland. 18.12.21	723 at Pleasure BeachHaving been branded as the 'The Magical Express Tour' tram Balloon 723 is on the Pleasure Beach turning circle on a Tour from the North Pier / Tower stop where the 'Christmas by the sea' event is taking place until 3rd January. The event has an Ice Rink and Christmas Market set up on the Tower headland. 18.12.21
723 at Pleasure BeachHaving been branded as the 'The Magical Express Tour' tram Balloon 723 is on the Pleasure Beach turning circle on a Tour from the North Pier / Tower stop where the 'Christmas by the sea' event is taking place until 3rd January. The event has an Ice Rink and Christmas Market set up on the Tower headland. 18.12.21	723 at Pleasure BeachHaving been branded as the 'The Magical Express Tour' tram Balloon 723 is seen at Pleasure Beach on a Tour from the North Pier / Tower stop where the 'Christmas by the sea' event is taking place until 3rd January. The event has an Ice Rink and Christmas Market set up on the Tower headland. 18.12.21	723 at Pleasure BeachHaving been branded as the 'The Magical Express Tour' tram Balloon 723 is seen at Pleasure Beach on a Tour from the North Pier / Tower stop where the 'Christmas by the sea' event is taking place until 3rd January. The event has an Ice Rink and Christmas Market set up on the Tower headland. 18.12.21

Also seen were Flexity 2 trams 006, 001, 003 and 017 also at Pleasure Beach and at Rigby Road Depot OMO 8, Centenary 645, Brush Railcoach 632, Balloon 717, Millennium Balloon 707 and Coronation 663 which were all prominent at the front of the depot.

006 at Pleasure BeachFlexity 006 with advertising for Tunnocks carmel logs departs Pleasure Beach with a service from Starr Gate - Fleetwood 18.12.21	001 at Pleasure BeachWearing an all over advert for the Merlin Attractions (Sea Life Centre and Tussauds Wax Works), Flexity 001 pauses at Pleasure Beach with a Fleetwood - Starr Gate service 18.12.21	003 at Pleasure BeachWearing an all over advert for Prettylittlething.com, Flexity 003 approaches Pleasure Beach with a Starr Gate - Fleetwood service 18.12.21
017 at Pleasure BeachFleet liveried Flexity 017, one of two additional Flexity 2 trams built for the almost complete extension to Blackpool North Station is seen at Pleasure Beach with a Fleetwood Ferry - Starr Gate service 18.12.21	631, 717, 707 and 663 at Rigby Road DepotBrush Car 631, Balloon 717, Millennium Balloon 707 and Coronation Car 663 are seen at the front of Rigby Road depot 18.12.21	OMO 8 and 645 at Rigby RoadPlum and Custard liveried OMO 8 and all over red with white fronted Centenary car 645 are seen at the front of Rigby Road depot 18.12.21

20302+20305 at Bo'nessOriginal DRS Compass liveried 20302+20305 are seen stabled in the TMD headshunt at Bo'ness 26.11.21 (The area of the headshunt that the locos are stabled is outside the yard gates in a public area) I was late in leaving work on Friday (3pm is late for a Friday!) which meant I didn't have time to go very far before darkness fell so I decided to head home via Bo'ness.  I was wanting to have a look to see if any of 614209 (former 314209), was visible next to the fence at the rear (it was). As  I was approaching the rear of the yard, I noticed that one of the DRS class 20s was visible near the TMD, so I headed there and found that the gates were open and 20302 and 20305 were sitting out on the track in the car park / public footpath with 26038 'Tom Clift' within the gates.  The reason they were shunted out there was that one of the steam locos, NCB No 1 'Lord Roberts', was being driven up and down the yard multiple times either on test or on driver training.

Both in original DRS 'Compass' Livery, 20302 and 20305 have been at Bo'ness since 17th July 2020, when they arrived as part of a convoy with 37038, 37424 and 37403, however both of the class haven't run since. 

20302+20305 at Bo'nessOriginal DRS Compass liveried 20302+20305 are seen stabled in the TMD headshunt at Bo'ness 26.11.21 (The area of the headshunt that the locos are stabled is outside the yard gates in a public area)

20302+20305 at Bo'nessOriginal DRS Compass liveried 20302+20305 are seen stabled in the TMD headshunt at Bo'ness 26.11.21 (The area of the headshunt that the locos are stabled is outside the yard gates in a public area)

DMSO 64600 from 614209 (ex 314209) was parked up next to the fence at the end of the main line headshunt.   Work is still under way on the conversion of the unit from an EMU to a unit powered by Hydrogen, with Arcola Energy carrying out the work.

614209 at Bo'nessDMSO vehicle 64600 from 614209 (former 314209) which is currently under conversion to hydrogen power by Arcola Energy is seen stabled at Bo'ness 26.11.21 (photo taken from a public footpath)

614209 at Bo'nessDMSO vehicle 64600 from 614209 (former 314209) which is currently under conversion to hydrogen power by Arcola Energy is seen stabled at Bo'ness 26.11.21 (photo taken from a public footpath)