Blackpool Tramway: Illuminated Frigate 736 works special, stern first!

[Crimson_Quiff]

Last night (Sunday 4th September2011) Illuminated Frigate 736 worked a special from North Pier to Little Bispham and back to Rigby Road/The Manchester, on what was possibly the working of the year!

The tram ran STERN FIRST all the way from North Pier to Little Bispham and back to Rigby Road/The Manchester. Passengers had to board and alight on the track side of the tram on the journey! (The conductor on board made sure passengers boarded and alighted safely and did a grand job, in my opinion).

This working occured when it is believed Western Train 733+734 broke down and the Frigate was running behind. The tram had to reverse at North Pier and worked the special to Little Bispham and back in order to get the tram facing the right way for the follwing day's illumination tours (stern into depot).


Photo taken at Rigby Road/The Manchester after the illusive working (if you pardon the pun!) -

 

[WestCoast]

Interesting working!

I've been on the Trawler on a public (non tour) service before.

 

[bluegoblin7]

736 reportedly also ran backwards from Bispham-Beach-North Pier on a lummie tour on Saturday night (3rd), but was then out of service from North Pier to Little Bispham to regain backwards running into the depot.

The tram also turned at Bispham on Sunday night on its lummie tour, back to North Pier and then, as you report, worked to Little Bispham as a special, it's first service working since early 2009 (when, due to a shortage of single deckers, it worked Starr Gate-Fleetwood service!) and possibly it's first ever service working backwards, due to the provision of a passenger door on only one side.

Trawler 737 was designed to run either way round and so is much more common on both service and specials, having a full cab and controls at either end, and centre entrance doors on both sides - however, like the other Illuminated cars, the seats only face forwards!

It's also interesting to note that this working occurred exactly two years to the day (Well, it was the 6th but it was a Sunday night!) since the tram ran backwards from Bispham to Harrowside due to the failure of the Train and became the last ever car to turn at Harrowside before the line closed the next day and the crossover was removed later.

Top photo!

Jack

 

[Crimson_Quiff]

Ta, Jack! I think Mr. Rowe's shot was better but I don't think he's a member of this forum so he can't show off his handy work!