We are off to Blackpool again for the latest edition of our archive series Picture in Time but this time we are more up-to-date than recently as the year is 2009 as we take a look at Balloon Car 713.
The first of the Balloon Cars to be built as a fully enclosed tram the tram entered service as 250 in the last month of 1934. Having received single destination indicators in 1955, 250 became 713 in the 1968 renumbering programme and it continued to be one of the mainstays of the Blackpool tram fleet over the years. It was withdrawn from service in 2005 and went through the Rigby Road workshops for a full overhaul which saw the tram retain its traditional shape although with some modern additions including the extended bumpers and new lighting clusters. With the upgrading of the tramway 713 received the extended centre entrances to allow use with the light rail platforms with the tram returning to use in this style in 2011. Use since 2012 has been limited with no real use really found the Modified Balloons although the tail end of the 2015 season saw the tram return to use with a few appearances on specials at the end of October.
In this photo we see the tram heading towards Gynn Square with a service for the Cabin on 22nd September 2009. 713 is carrying the Metro Coastlines Line 7 Purple and Yellow livery.
Always thought they upgraded these well, keeping the original shape (mostly) and feel of the original – though I’m sure better original style lights could have been used. 717 has them.
On a different subject, can anyone reading this tell me what is the current progress, if any, with the projected tramway extension to the North Station? I assume that it is proceeding glacially slowly – of COURSE, as everything does in Britain, but is it proceeding at all? Anyone know?
Surveyors have been seen on site.