Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours have confirmed that the unique open-top Blackpool Balloon car, ‘Princess Alice’ 706, will be withdrawn from service at the end of the 2015 illuminations season. The tram has operated for three decades since it was restored as an open-top car and is now due for workshop attention again, so will be retired until resources are available to carry out this work.
706 has undoubtedly been one of the most popular trams in the Blackpool fleet since it was restored in its current form in 1985. Since 2012 it has been a regular performer on the heritage tram tours and this year in particular it has seen very extensive use, recently operating daytime promenade runs at weekends followed by illumination tours in the evening on a number of occasions. However, all this has inevitably taken its toll and 706‘s condition has deteriorated to the extent that the tram is now definitely in need of some TLC, with the upper deck looking particularly tired. Therefore, it will be temporarily withdrawn from use next month with a view to undertaking an overhaul on the tram, hopefully before too long. It will be the subject of a full assessment so that the likely extent of work required to return it to an immaculate condition can be determined and costed. Hopefully this will allow 706 to be accommodated in the works before too long, and perhaps enthusiasts will have the opportunity to contribute financially towards its overhaul?
For anyone who would like to say farewell to ‘Princess Alice’ before she is retired, it has also been revealed that an enhanced weekend of heritage operation is planned for the final weekend of this year’s illuminations, Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th November. It is expected that 706 will take centre stage, subject of course to availability and suitable weather!
Naturally the withdrawal of such a popular vintage tram for any length of time is an emotive subject, but rest assured the decision made is a necessary one for the future welfare of car 706 and we are optimistic that it will run again as soon as this is practical. In the meantime, thoughts are already turning towards some other exciting projects involving trams in the heritage fleet which will hopefully go some way towards compensating for the loss of ‘Alice’, and although there have been some claims about what these could be online, we will not be commenting on this here until anything is confirmed through the official channels. Watch this space!
A typical scene from Blackpool in summer 2015 with open top Balloon 706 at North Pier whilst operating heritage tours on an enhanced 'gold' event day, during what is now confirmed to be its last season of use ahead of withdrawal for a major overhaul. (Photo by Andrew Waddington)
sad that this tram is being mothballed,it had good illumination use over the scottish school holidays-probably the best way to see the illuminations on a good night
Nothing can run forever without works attention. You can’t assess a vehicle while in service as it will require parts removing so withdrawal is the only way. Only then can they see how much it will cost and how long it will take to finance. It is possible it could be back by 2017 if it doesn’t need a huge amount of work. It is necessary work to ensure its long term availability.
If Alice is used so much, then why can’t it be turned around in the workshop over the coming winter? Bear in mind all the passengers who have traveled on her in recent years have paid the ‘enhanced’ heritage fair, so surely the cash for such a popular car shouldn’t be a problem.
Because a lot of the money from heritage fares goes on operating costs. 706 will probably need more work than can realistically be completed in a single winter – and besides, if it was done, someone would probably come along and moan because there would be no ‘new’ additions to the operating fleet next season due to all resources being devoted to 706. You cannot please everybody!
£3 is hardly an ‘enhanced’ fare! I’m not sure you have any true concept of the costs involved and timescale. Blackpool Transport now have a small maintenance team, some of whom also work on buses. So to turn the car round in a winter from assessment to completion is nigh on impossible when there are other maintenance jobs also to do. Don’t forget any spending in any company has to be costed and passed at meetings etc so you can no longer ‘do it tomorrow’. I for one would rather it was done properly and not rushed to make sure its around for many years to come.
£3 return from North Pier to Pleasure Beach on Heritage, £4 retrun North Pier to Pleasure Beach on service trams. With a £10 Heritage day ticket, all day on trams (heritage and service) buses and at this period a round trip Illuminations tour (on its own a £5,50 fare), I am not understanding the use of the word ‘enhanced’ in Franklyn’s post…. For me the fare is fair!
They can’t do a full overhaul on 706 in one winter AND keep adding more vehicles to the operational fleet! While the loss of the open top double decker may be unfortunate it is necessary so that the work can be done to ensure a long future. 30 years of minimal work beyond routine maintenance will have taken its toll. Short term pain for long term gain is the phrase. People won’t stay away in their thousands just because 1 car is temporarily not available, or if they do then they are not enthusiasts!
Yes it is sad news, but it was always going to happen one day. At least taking it out of service (hate the word withdrawn as it sounds so final) while it is still in running condition means Blackpool Transport can make an assesment of what is needed. After all they could have run it and run it until a major failure occurred and then probably it may not have been cost effective to put it through overhaul and it would have been gone forever.