September Weekend 2007

Here is my report from my annual September Weekend holiday in Blackpool (one of my many visits to Blackpool during the year)

I was in Blackpool over the Glasgow September Weekend. I arrived at 5.30 pm after being stuck in a 10 mile traffic jam on the A74(M) from before Gretna Services through to the A74.

21.9.07

In service on Friday when I arrived were

  • Fleetwood Service - 700, 707, 711, 719, 723, 724 and 761
  • Cleveleys Service - 712, 715, 721, 722
  • Specials - 623, 626, 630, 680, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647 and 648
  • Illuminations Tours - 147 and 736.

    As we were driving on the prom, 718 was noted returning to depot. I think that it possibly had a fault as it was not seen in service for the rest of the weekend. Blackpool was busy at night with the fireworks championships taking place at Central Pier. The trams and illuminations tours appeared to be busy.

    22.9.07

    Onto the Saturday and the 15 minutes Fleetwood and 15 minutes Cleveleys service were operated.

    I did my customary early morning walk from Cabin to Manchester Square. From here I made a visited the depot to see what was happening. I was in the right place at the right time to see 718 was being shunted into the fitting shop, where it was to remain for the full weekend.

    641 and 724 were both in the Electrical Compound although 724 appeared later on that day, however 641 didnt appear in service at all during the weekend.

    During the day on what was a warm and sunny day, 38 trams were noted out in service (one less than the corresponding weekend last year) The 19 specials which were out included 600 and 602 which were out in the morning and evening and 304 and 706 which appeared after 4pm and ran in the evening. 671+681 appeared late afternoon and was noted on a late special/service to Fleetwood about 11.30pm. 147 was also noted on a late special to Cabin at 12.10am. Also noted the Cleveleys deckers seemed to end up on Specials / turning short whilst running late with at least 622 and 623 ending up on journeys to Cleveleys late in the evening.

    On a busy night for illumination tours 633,736, 40, 66, 147 and 304 all appeared and ran at least 2 tours each, with 147 and 304 ending up on specials later on.

  • Fleetwood Service - 700, 701, 702, 707, 709, 711, 719, 723, 724
  • Cleveleys Service - 726, 710, 715, 722, 712
  • Specials - 147, 304, 600, 602, 622, 623, 630, 631, 680, 671+681, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 703, 721, 762
  • Illumination Tours - 633, 736, 40, 66, 147, 304

    23.9.07

    On to the Sunday and a healthy 21 trams in service.

  • Fleetwood Service - 700, 701*, 707, 709, 710*, 721*, 762* swapped to Cleveleys service in evening
  • Cleveleys Service - 711*, 723*, 719*, 724* *swapped to Fleetwood Service in evening
  • Specials - 622, 623, 631, 642, 643, 644, 645, 647
  • Illumination Tours - 633, 736

    644 took over from 711 on the Fleetwood service in early evening, the trams were running late with many Fleetwood trams turning at Pleasure Beach. Both 633 and 736 appeared on tours at night with only 736 appearing the previous year on the corresponding night.

    24.9.07

    Into Monday and the last day of this report and the weather was attrocious with gale force winds and driving rain (I got soaked to the skin and so did my camera).

  • Fleetwood service - 703, 707, 711, 712, 722, 723, 726
  • Cleveleys service - 643, 644, 646(645), 647
  • Specials - 630, 631, 680, 709, 715, 719

    The bad weather meant the prom was quiet during the day with 3 specials (709, 715, 719) out in the morning, these cars being joined by 630, 631 and 680 later in the day. 646 was replaced by 645 after it broke down during the afternoon.

    Fleet round up

  • 304 was used in service on the Saturday afternoon, this was my first outing on this tram and I was really impressed. (is it just me or does it's VAMBAC equipment sound like a washing machine?).
  • 600 is in service with strings of lights from the trolley tower which enhances its appearance when on illumination tours.
  • 621 remains stored however from what I could see, it remains intact.
  • 622 my first outing on this tram and Ive got to admit that I felt the interior was looking a bit tired, however although the tram is in need of an overhaul, it still has alot of character. 622 seemed to ride well on worn track.
  • 623 my first outing on this tram also and it is a good tram with a well kept interior.
  • 632, like 621 appears to be intact
  • 634 also appears to be intact.
  • 637 remains stored at back of depot
  • 641 was in electrical compound for the full weekend.
  • 643 wearing its new livery for G Casinos. Im not too keen on the new livery, I prefered the old purple livery.
  • 679 is stored behind Sheffield 513 and seems to have lost a few windows and other fittings.
  • 702 this tram was on the Fleetwood service on the Saturday, not bad for a tram that was only supposed to be a reserve car.
  • 711 was in its new all yellow metro livery
  • 713 has received a all over advert for the Conservative Party.
  • 719 has its new livery for the Infusion ride at the Pleasure Beach, it is a good advert, unfortunately it has contravision on the top deck windows at the front makes it hard to see ahead.
  • 720 remains stripped at the back of the depot.
  • 722 has a leaky roof again, water was running in at the domes at the ends of the tram in the torrential rain on Monday, especially when the brakes were applied, also a bank of lights were out down one side of the tram.

    blackpool index 1

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