(Trackplan BLN 1260.1312 but NB the km measurements below are from TRACKmaps Vol 4 p49E (Aug 2013) which are different in places). A good number of members, along with our honorary reporting consultant microgricologist and rustologist, participated in this event advertised in BLN (1256.956) and discovered first hand which sections of lines are no longer even in occasional use! They met in front of Rigby Road depot before 11.00 soon to be greeted by (unmodified) Balloon 723 English Electric built 1934 at Preston arriving off a previous charter. All aboard, the tram reversed at Foxhall Manchester Square trailing X/O (3.840km) to run on the southbound line to Starr Gate. Here it made what might be described as an ultimately fortuitous error; rather than reversing like a service tram and running through the northbound platform (as booked), it went around the depot loop as trams did with passengers during the 130th Anniversary Celebrations (Sep 2015). This was good because it meant the loop was traversed, but also an immediate dialogue began between the organiser and BLS members on board who naturally wanted the booked route!

Consequently, a detailed discussion with the driver followed and this brought several unplanned opportunities into play. The tour then proceeded to Bispham middle road, of which the last northern third is particularly unusual (it is not used by the heritage services even), and then through Fleetwood inner loop (much rarer). Next was West Drive/Cleveleys trailing X/O (11.745km) to then reverse for a run through Thornton Gate middle road, accessed off the northbound line on a short chord not shown in TRACKmaps (Aug 2013). This area has been rebuilt of late; it is difficult to say what has been realigned but your correspondent suspects the line here has changed slightly. Essentially continuing northwards the tour then utilised the Fisherman's Wharf X/O (16.76km), not originally programmed, to return south. The new Victoria Street X/O (17.625km) immediately to the north was refused as it is apparently 'too noisy' (laid too tightly one presumes) and is to be lifted and relocated!

This brought the tour to Cabin trailing X/O just north of the stop (6.975km), which replaced the former trailing X/O to the south. The tram then took the conventional northbound Bispham outer loop and circled the Little Bispham turning circle to head south to the Bispham middle road again. This was not via the obvious facing X/O (8.535km) but, after setting down some (non-BLS of course!) for a short break, was via the trailing X/O (8.155km). The north entrance is never used as such because it would break the conflicting movements' operational rules, and certainly the rust on this short chord corroborated this. Again, running south there was time to rectify the earlier omission and the tour progressed behind a much younger (by 70 odd years!) but inevitably slower Flexity to Starr Gate to reverse beyond the platform and cover the ECS only section from there to the northbound platform. Before this an enquiry was made as to the availability of Harrow Place (about 0.56km) facing and trailing X/Os but the facing X/O is never used (conflicting moves again) and therefore the trailing X/O was inaccessible. The latter is occasionally used by Flexity trams coming off depot that show a fault on entering service, so they can scuttle back; or if the driver forgets the radio! There was certainly a big rust differential between the two. Harrowside trailing X/O has been used by tours over the years but your reporter is far from sure this is the same as the current Harrow Place trailing X/O (information welcome). It was also discovered that Manchester Square X/O (3.420km) is OOU; this was installed for the new depot connection but never commissioned because Starr Gate was built instead.

There was one last tour route amendment; it returned to Rigby Road not over the regulation Foxhall trailing X/O (3.95km) but over the next one north, the Central Pier trailing X/O (4.140km). Your correspondent believes this to be one of the new ones installed during the recent rationalisation of the tramway with introduction of the Flexity trams. Returning to Rigby Road at more like 15.20 than 15.00 did set up some tricky connections onto the 15.40 train from Blackpool North but everyone seemed accounted for later in Manchester Airport station (see next report…)! Many thanks to Blackpool Heritage trams and particularly the '8D Association' who kindly allowed this excellent tour to be advertised in BLN. They have many interesting local events http://goo.gl/QjH2Hy (a superb website).