Blackpool Balloon car 711 – the ninth, and final member of the class to have its centre platform area widened as part of the door modification programme – has now joined sister car 719 at Starr Gate depot. Both trams have not run since last November when they were withdrawn for modifying, and have been under attention in the Rigby Road workshops since then.
Like 719, 711 has had its expired vinyl advert removed, ending its association with Blackpool Zoo who no longer have an advert tram. This advert had been stuck over the previous dark green and yellow Metro Coastlines livery, which is now visible once again; however this is unlikely to be seen in daylight again as it is expected to disapear soon under a fresh coat of purple and white paint. It is not known what work remains to be undertaken on this tram, although it is believed that 719 is the more advanced of the two, suggesting that 711 may not make it back into service this year.
Although the transfer of both 711 and 719 to Starr Gate for further attention was greeted with surprise by enthusiasts, it probably shouldn’t have come as so much of a shock. After all, these trams are being modernised for use in normal service on a public transport system, and are not part of the heritage operation. It is therefore entirely possible that in future, overhauls and maintenance work on the modified Balloon cars may be undertaken in the new depot, leaving the reduced workforce at Rigby Road to concentrate their efforts on the genuine heritage cars.