September Weekend 2008

26.9.08

I arrived in Blackpool at around 5.30 pm after being stuck in a 3 mile queue on the A74 at Gretna and in an even longer queue approaching J32 of the M6.

On the Fleetwood service was 700 701, 703, 709, 711, 712 and 723. 718 and 713 came out to replace 701 and 703. 712 and 700 went onto the Clevleys service with 761 and 709 going the opposite way 717 and 724 were the other 2 Clevleys cars. Boats 600, 602 and 605 were out along with 619 and 737 on specials as were 623, 630, 631, 644 and 645.

736, 737, 619 and 600 operated illumination tours.

27.9.08

On to the Saturday and a glorious day weather wise, not bad on the tram side of things either!!!! With a later start for the trams year, I left the hotel at about 7.15 and walked from the Cabin out to the depot to see what trams were heading out, 719 was first out to Fleetwood and 712 was first out to Starr Gate. 721 was first out for Clevleys. As the 15 minute split service was in operation 9 trams were on Fleetwood Service and 5 were on Clevleys. Trams on Fleetwood service were 719, 724, 713, 712, 723, 718, 707, 709 and 761. Clevleys Service was operated by 726, 721, 700, 701 and 711. Most service trams appeared to be running late with many turning short. A number of specials appeared during the morning and many ran to Fleetwood and Clevleys including 602, 605, 619, 630, 631 and 147. 642, 644, 648, 600, 706 and 762 were also out in the morning. Into the afternoon and more specials appeared with 660, 622, 623, 680, 631 , 645 and 646 entering service.

Into the illumination period and there was a large number of illumination tours in operation noted passing the Cabin was 736, 737, 717, 147, 660 , 619, 600, 605 and rather oddly 642. The choice of 642 was a strange one as their design doesnt allow you a view of the lights on the opposite side from where you are sitting and the tinted glass and bright interior lights doesnt help you see too much.

28.9.08

On to Sunday and yet another excellent day, First tram out on Fleetwood service was 762, 709 was first to Starr Gate, 707 was first out for Clevleys. Fleetwood line up was 762, 709, 712, 721, 701, 719, 726. Clevleys was 707, 717, 700, 761. A number of specials came out again with 600, 602, 605, 619, 630, 680, 642, 645, 646, 647 and 648 seeing use during the day. Incidentally this was 647's first day out in around 3 months!!! Into the evening and 712 was replaced with 724 and 718 replaced 726. 721 and 701 moved to the Clevleys service and 717 and 761 swapped over onto the Fleetwood service. 736, 737 and 619 operated on illumination tours.

29.9.08

Notes from this day arent complete as I was only in Blackpool until 1pm, there was no specials out at all. Fleetwood service was operated by 721, 712, 707, 726, 709, 718 and 719. Clevleys service was operated by 630, 642, 644, 648.

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