Another edition of “15 Years Apart” goes back to Blackpool to see a tram in different liveries in 2009 and 2024.
Blackpool Balloon 718 was one of four of the class which were rebuilt with flat ends (the third to be completed in 2002) and by the time that 2009 came around, it was carrying one of the Metro Coastlines liveries. The tram is seen on 8th September 2009 and heads through Albert Square in Fleetwood with a service running back south to Pleasure Beach.
718 was one of the trams converted into a “B fleet” car, the most noticeable change of which saw the widened centre entrance porches being installed. Whilst most of its recent usage saw it on loan to Heritage Tram Tours, 2024 also saw it used at time on LRT specials as Blackpool Transport sought to fill gaps in the first North Station timetable. On 29th September 2024 we see 718 – now in standard green and cream fleet livery – departing the centre track at Bispham when working on Heritage Tram Tours. (Both Photographs by Gareth Prior)