Three of the Manchester Transport Museum Society’s recently preserved Blackpool trams have been in open storage at a secure site in Bury for some time now, and rarely been depicted in their current home. However, on Sunday 10th March a small party of volunteers from the Heaton Park Tramway went to inspect these trams and carry out a basic examination of their condition. Thanks to this visit, we are now able to bring our readers some recent images of Blackpool cars 702, 708 and 752.
The first MTMS-owned tram to arrive at Bury for temporary storage was Railgrinder 752, which arrived there in August 2011 in order to allow Stockport 5 to be accomodated inside the small depot at Heaton Park. It was later joined by Balloon cars 702 and 708, both of which wear the 1970s style green & cream livery. 702 is expected to move to the park once it can be accomodated undercover there, and should enter service following some remedial work. 708 is unlikely to operate again for the forseeable future, having several faults and having last carried passengers back in 2004 – the car is earmarked for a possible future restoration as open top streamliner 245. Unfortunately, both of these trams have suffered some weather damage as a result of being exposed to the elements for over a year, but both have stood up surprisingly well under the circumstances, which is a tribute to how well built these trams were in 1934.
Whilst it is sad to see these trams subjected to being stored outside for such a long time, hopefully they will not have to wait too long before being more suitably housed. For now, at least all three have survived and can look forward to a more prosperous future having escaped from the Blackpool fleet cull.
Our first scene from Bury shows the ex-Blackpool works car 752 in the foreground, with Balloon 702 behind and sister car 708 also visible in the distance.
Railgrinder 752 and Balloon 702 - both with covered headlamps - side by side in their current surroundings.
We now take a look inside the lower deck of car 702, complete with traditional woodwork and swingover seating. Internally this tram is still looking very smart and almost as if it could be pressed into service!
Our final image shows a slightly forlorn looking Balloon 708 with its smarter-looking sister in the background. (All photos by Joe Savage)
I searched these photos for tarpaulins which might have been removed but not having seen any I can only assume that these trams are unprotected. It is a great pity that a society which can afford to purchase a tram cannot afford to purchase a tarpaulin to cover it. Perhaps such a society does not deserve to own such a tram.
I think that comment is a little bit unfair as the storage there is only short-term and at least the MTMS have plans to move them into their new depot as soon as that is built. However if you feel that strongly about the lack of tarpaulins I am sure the MTMS would gladly accept a donation to cover the trams until the depot is completed.
I suspect that this comment is all part of the arguments which have recently started between various groups elsewhere on the interent and would like to mention that I have no intention of allowing this fight to invade this comment section and we will be heavily moderating any comments which fall into this category.
I remain of the view that if sufficient of the Blackpool trams can be kept intact for long enough we will see a San Francisco type situation emerge. That city if you recall dispersed its PCC cars far and wide and later on regretted it. The good news was they got several back and sveral others as well. So I would say to the squabbling groups, pool your resources and work together and make BTS your friend for the long term.
You are incorrect
Great to see the wonderful original art deco upholstery in 702 – I hope it remains unaffected by outside storage.
Yes so often preserved buses and trams are let down by lack of attention to the interior. That particular pattern of moquette I have seen on a number of trams and buses from the 30s and 40s. Seen it in green, blue and more often maroon. Oldham certainly used it. The dark oak finish to the wood mouldings sets it off well.
Good Evening all
Thank you for the comments and constructive criticism.
Tarps were purchased and indeed still reside in our depot at Heaton Park.
However these trams were already wet when moved due to the weather at the time and have never really had time to dry out.
Therefor to tarp them now would trap all the moisture and damp inside and cause more damage in the long term.
Rest assured as soon as Lakeside depot is complete later in the year they will be moved to inside storage.
Hope that answers everyones queries, any other questions on the subject please shout up and I will do my best to answer them
Martin