It’s back to Blackpool again for the latest photo in our Picture in Time series but this time we feature not one, not two but three Balloon Cars as we travel back until 1969.
This view was taken on 24th July 1969 and shows two stages of the evolution of the Balloon Car. On the far left is 707 which retains twin indicator blinds and the tram is joined by two Balloons which have been fitted with single destination displays – 719 on the centre track and 716 running a service to Pleasure Beach.
Today both 707 and 719 remain in Blackpool – not that either look anything like they do here with the former being rebuilt with flat ends in 1998 and 719 also being heavily refurbished albeit retaining its traditional shape. 707 carries an expired all over advert for Coral Island whilst 719 is in the Purple and White livery style and is due to be used in service once again during 2015. As for 716 this tram last ran in 2003 before it was withdrawn from service and eventually sold to Ptarmigan Transport Services in Perth. However this firm went into liquidation and the tram was moved to a scrapyard in late 2013. The last reports of it remaining in existence were received in early 2014 after which time the trail has gone cold.
(Photo by Tony Sullivan)
Magnificent photo. Also they all had their trolleypoles unlike today fitted with those ugly out of place diamond pantographs.
I think the Balloon car on the far right might actually be 715 as the 6 looked more like a 5 when I zoomed in close to the fleet number on the picture.
Looks like a 6 to me.
I’ve had a look at the original larger image and I am pretty certain it looks like a 6 as well.