Blackpool always features heavily in our then and now series “15 Years Apart” mainly because there are often major changes over the years with many different liveries having been carried. Today we feature a tram which has enjoyed a repaint in 2022 and so was always likely to be featured during this series – Balloon 723.
In 2007 Balloon 723 was in an in between livery when we caught it at Pleasure Beach on 2nd September 2007. Having previously advertised McDonald’s it had retained its red base colours but lost the McDonald’s vinyls. It had also received “T” adverts for Freeport Fleetwood so it wasn’t just all plain red. Its working a service to Cleveleys.
2022 has seen the tram receive another repaint, receiving a coat of 1990s green and cream in time for the Queen’s Jubilee Tram Parade. We see the tram at Fleetwood Ferry on 25th September 2022 when working Heritage Tram Tours during the Anniversary Weekend. (Both Photographs by Gareth Prior)