To the amazement of many people, two of Blackpool Transport’s modified ‘B Fleet’ Balloon cars were used in ordinary passenger service on Valentines Day, Saturday 14th February. The two chosen cars were 700 and 719, both of which spent the day running between Pleasure Beach and Little Bispham to a set timetable.
Although the planned use of three of the ‘B Fleet’ (711 being the other) during 2015 had been announced beforehand, the decision to use these trams so early in the year was certainly a surprise. Even in the supposedly better days of the traditional Blackpool tramway, the use of Balloon cars in winter was virtually unheard of apart from occasional private hires, so for this to occur in the modern era was really nothing short of remarkable! This also represented the first time that any of the traditional fleet had been used for normal stage carriage work since 2013, as both double deckers were allowed to pick up and unload passengers at all the LRT stops, thanks to their widened centre platforms. This was of course the intention when these trams were rebuilt into their current form, and the decision to utilise them in this manner was well received on this day.
The day began with pioneer Balloon car 700 leaving Rigby Road depot shortly before 1000, and heading straight for Bispham. This was swiftly followed by sister car 719 – the appearance of which was particularly welcome, as this tram had not left the depot confines since the October half-term week in 2013! This car headed first for Foxhall, where it reversed and then ran to Pleasure Beach before heading north and passing 700 on its first southbound run of the day. Despite its long lay-off, 719 performed well and indeed the use of both trams seemed to pass without incident. A few passengers were heard to comment on their appreciation of the novel chance to ride on a double-deck tram in normal service, whilst the few local enthusiasts who were around to enjoy these incredibly unusual workings were also clearly delighted. Apart from a lunch break – when the duo were stabled on the centre track at Bispham – both trams ran along the promenade successfully all day until around 1600 when they retired to the depot once again.
It is believed that the use of the Balloon cars, which were both crewed by volunteers, was an experiment – and it would appear that it was a highly successful one. Passenger loadings were respectable for the time of the year, but most importantly, the trams ran well on the timetable that had been devised and did not disrupt the core service at all. It is believed that the use of the trams had deliberately been kept quiet so as to establish the likely response from the general public to their use, which also seemed to be very positive. Hopefully this little surprise may well lead to more regular appearances in service by the ‘B Fleet’, helping to justify the investment in the trams and finally allowing them to settle into a meaningful role on the upgraded tramway rather than simply being used as honorary heritage trams.
A historic day draws to a close in Blackpool, as Balloon 700 is seen heading back to Rigby Road depot following its successful outing on 14th February 2015. (Photo by Shaun Whitehead)
Hooray!
Good to see double deckers operating in everyday service once again, justifying their rebuilding.
Shame it was kept quite. Lets hope that next time it is announced in advance so a few more tickets will be sold.
What would the point in telling enthusiasts in advance and packing it with abnormal loads. Would have massively skewed any meaningful data collected. Would have been absolutely pointless to pack two cars full of enthusiasts going round and round all day. The trial was surely about proving they have a regular role on the tramway not whether or not the rare balloon operation in February could be filled by enthusiasts. We would have all lined up filled it and would have achieved far less meaningful information.
This is indeed a very welcome and pleasantly surprising event and long may it continue.
However, (whilst admittedly totally reading between the lines), I would suggest, knowing the deservedly successful previous employment history of this newly appointed and apparently very well liked new manager, that this is likely to be simply a case of, Mrs Cole asking the perfectly sensible question of…”Why have we got perfectly serviceable trams sat doing nothing, crews doing the same and people waiting to travel… Get them out there!!”.
Total common sense and if that turns out to be the case, quite rightly decided upon at last. Long may it continue and more power to you Mrs Cole.
Next.. when it’s even half decent weather….send out some “Licence to Print” cars…The Boats?
I think ( and hope ) we have a lot more very sensible and LONG overdue rightful decisions to see in the months and years to come. Time will tell.
Deckerman,
I presume you have seen/read the proposed Heritage operationg schedule for this year? Exactly as you suggest, the Boats should be out on fine weekends, crewed by the volunteer staff currently being recruited (as a long standing critic of the operation did you apply to do you bit to enhance the service??)
In previous years however there weren’t crews “sat doing nothing” – BTS couldn’t afford them, hence the volunteer scheme to allow the use of the idle trams at a reduced cost…
Paul. I have just now read it in my latest FTN mag and it is as you say, which is excellent.
To be fair, I don’t recall being a particularly long standing critic, but if you wish to quote some examples, then I can certainly stand to be corrected. If anything I am usually amazed at how BTS do what they do with what they get. My main “beef” usually wasn’t the majority of the operation but more their apparent fairly regular inability to quite get it right as to how to always produce a coherent and useful service. I know its difficult to always know exactly how many people will be travelling in the right direction etc etc, but there are some givens, that BTS still don’t always seem to grasp. And that can admittedly be more on the bus side than the trams too, but it’s still frustrating when it occurs. To be fair, tram-wise, they have only been doing it for 130 years, so perhaps they haven’t just quite got the hang of it yet!
And being very much on the inside of BTS at one time, I can definitely assure you that there have been numerous occasions where crews have been “sat doing nothing” with idle vehicles in depot and long queues at the stops. I am NOT saying that is the case now, in fact it appears that happily Mrs Cole may be ensuring it isn’t, but it certainly has been in the past.
And to answer your question, yes I have inquired, but sadly their criteria states that I would not be able to be accepted as a staff volunteer which is a shame, but I’ve dealt with it. So I will simply have to content myself with supporting it by physically savouring the enhanced service instead as often as possible and thereby assist it’s hopefully continued viability instead. I hope many others do too.
Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours gave a hint that something special was going to happen on Saturday 14th February between 10.00am and 4.00pm. This was posted on their facebook account at 10.59pm on
Friday 13th.
I did say lets hope it is announced “next time”……