The End of an Era
By Marjory and George Broom

In preparation for the modernisation of the Blackpool Tramway the last remaining example of a traditional British tramway on road, the section through Fleetwood closed on Sunday 8th Nov 2009. Margie and I decided to visit Fleetwood to witness the closure and also take part in some of the special events planned by local enthusiasts to mark the occasion.
We headed down to Blackpool on the Saturday and as we were unsure of our arrival time we did not book any of the special trips organised for that day. After checking in to our weekend accommodation, specially selected as it was a very short walk from Rigby Road depot, we armed ourselves with travel passes and started to explore the tramway.

Heading to Fleetwood we passed Blackpool Standard 147 and Balloon 712 which were running enthusiast specials that night. After watching service trams run through Fleetwood on their penultimate evening we headed back to Blackpool. Approaching Cleveleys we spotted 147 and 712 which had stopped for an enthusiast photo shoot. We alighted our car and on explaining we were enthusiasts also, were invited by Alan Kirkman from the TLRS to join the trip. This was a perfect way to end our evening exploring the system two very interesting trams in the company of fellow enthusiasts.

Sunday the 8th of November was also Remembrance Day and we decided not to take part on the tour of system using Coronation trams 304 & 660. Instead, we decided to attend the remembrance service at the cenotaph. Arriving at 10 30 we were surprised to find that a large number of people had also decided to attend the ceremony, completely blocking the tramway bringing it to a standstill. After the minute's silence I could see in the corner of my eye a brush car in wartime livery slowly attempt to glide through the crowd reminding me of newsreel films of days gone by.
This nostalgia however was quickly dispelled with the site of the distressed wives, mothers and families of soldiers who had lost their lives in current and recent conflicts file past. (Where have all the flowers gone).

Our next organised event was an afternoon excursion of the system. We arrived at: the depot with plenty of time to spare only to find the tour was to be delayed for an hour due to the morning's disruption. Although the sun was shining, Blackpool in November is a very cold place and by the time our chosen steed, open top Balloon Princess Alice 706, arrived we were both very cold. The tour was very enjoyable and we were able to take in all the sites and noises as we passed through Fleetwood. Unfortunately, as the tour was delayed it was already dusk when we arrived at Fleetwood Ferry affecting the quality of the photographs I had taken to record the occasion.

Sitting on the top deck of Alice is always great fun but bracing at the best of times. By the time we arrived back at the depot I think we were both in the early stages of hypothermia. With only a couple of hours till the closing event tour we had only enough time for a hurried walk back our hotel cuddle the radiators and have a quick meal before the closure event.
The closing event, the Last Tram to Fleetwood tour was organised by the FTS. This consisted of a number of tours of the system by Balloon 702 Brush 627 and Fleetwood box 40.We were able to have a ride in all three cars during the course of the tour.

All appeared to be running well when it was announced that problems were being experienced with the power supply at the northern end of the system and our event could be cancelled. Just after passing the Little Bispham loop next to Anchorsholme Park power was lost. The car was quickly brought to a halt and we sat in complete darkness expecting the worst. Our spirits were lifted however when one of the youngsters on the trip switched on a multi coloured star wars light sabre placing it above the handrails to break the darkness. Ten minutes later power returned and we had no further problems. A number of planned stops were organised through out the tour allowing us to swap trams.

As Brush 627 was the last tram to leave the southerly section of the original Fleetwood tramway North Station in 1963 before its abandonment Brush 627 it was selected by local enthusiasts to be the last car to leave Fleetwood Ferry. We decided that as all the seats for the final run from Fleetwood Ferry on Brush 627 were reserved we would use the Fleetwood Box car for our trip. The trams ran late into the night and included a stop where we were greeted by the Mayors of Blackpool and Wyre. At one stage the box car must have been left behind by the other trams and as its headlights are deemed inadequate required an escort to take it through to Fleetwood on one of our visits. The escort chosen to lead us was the illuminated Trawler 737 with all lights ablaze. This must have caused late night drivers to rub their eyes in disbelief as our small procession ran through the countryside. Well after midnight, probably about lam, our trams lined up and proceeded to Fleetwood Ferry for the last time where in freezing weather we were met by the Mayor& Mayoress of Wyre and the Blackpool Transport Manager. The Mayor thanked the enthusiast groups who had organised the event and spoke of his affection for the trams.