Balloons by night

As the illuminations season progresses and the nights become darker earlier, the potential number of illumination tours being operated in Blackpool grows. Saturday 10th October was a high point for the year so far with an impressive total of six different trams being used on tours, with the Balloon cars proving to be especially popular choices of late. Meanwhile the use of modified ‘B Fleet’ Balloons in normal service on a daily basis continues, generally utilising staff before they take out illuminated cars later in their shift.

On a few occasions, one member of the ‘B Fleet’ has stayed out after dusk giving the novel sight of a purple and white Balloon car running in darkness. Add in the illuminations and you have a very pleasing sight indeed, and one had not previously occurred since the tramway upgrade. Although the use of the ‘B Fleet’ (and indeed the appearance of the trams themselves) will probably never attract universal approval, it is good to see some of the cars finally serving a useful purpose rather than gathering dust at the back of a depot. 700 and 711 are running extremely well, although 719 has experienced some minor faults recently and seems to be the least reliable of the trio, it being the only one so far not to have enjoyed a late night shift. Some issues remain to be ironed out however; some crews have recently taken to running ‘out of service’ to and from Rigby Road depot, including some runs from as far north as Bispham! Totally unacceptable behaviour by a small minority which lets down the excellent work done by the majority of Blackpool Transport’s staff.

As mentioned above, the illumination tours are now really hitting their stride with some use of volunteers bolstering the weekend output. An impressive high on 10th October saw the two available feature cars – Western Train 733+734 and Frigate 736 – joined by Open Boat 230 and a trio of Balloons comprising ‘Princess Alice’ 706, 715 and 717. Remarkably at one point during the evening all three green and cream double deckers could be found lined up at Pleasure Beach waiting to help clear the large queue for illumination tours. This really was a flashback to the traditional tramway and a sight that many of us thought we would never witness again.

The use of open cars on illumination evenings has been quite frequent this year, with Boat 230 being used on a number of occasions whilst ‘Princess Alice’ has been a very regular performer. At weekends 706 has often run on the blue daytime heritage service before taking up its place on lights tours after dark, surely the most extensive use this tram has enjoyed for many years?

'Princess Alice' 706 arrives at Pleasure Beach with one of the many illumination tours it has worked so far this year. Notice the recently fitted traditional style destination blinds fitted to this popular tram.

Arguably an even bigger treat was the use of 711 in normal service late on Monday 12th October; here it is seen at Manchester Square preparing to return to depot. (Photos x 2 by Bradley Jones)