Blackpool balloons

37418 · 15th July 2012, 20:08

Three pics of Balloons at Fleetwood today.

http://www.kevindelaney.railpic.net/...s.php?album=30

Balloon 700 is now in the new livery which is on the Flexity 2s

burns20 · 15th July 2012, 20:16

Saw 700 today also, thought it looked very smart, nice of them to keep the art deco interior on the upper deck

BestWestern · 17th July 2012, 23:37

As much as it's a relief to see some trace of the system's history retained, I really think they've utterly ruined 700.

She was clearly an ideal candidate as a heritage car; already in near-original condition, well kept and looking absolutely superb. Why on earth did they have to go and carry out a bizarre half-rebuild?! She now looks awful, with heritage-spec destination screens, cab visors and square-edged windows, but with a bloody great pair of automatic doors each side and now a totally mis-matched modern livery as well, it makes you want to weep. As sad as it is to see those other cars stuffed and in a museum instead of out on the steel where they should be, I can't help feeling that 700 would have been better off joining them

And yet, we have 717 - which looks amazing I must say, all credit to the depot staff - which already has the front end mods, and surely would have been a far more logical candidate? Seems BT have lost the plot in every sense.

Anyway, excellent pics by the way!

Cliveblackpool · 18th July 2012, 08:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by BestWestern

As much as it's a relief to see some trace of the system's history retained, I really think they've utterly ruined 700.

She was clearly an ideal candidate as a heritage car; already in near-original condition, well kept and looking absolutely superb. Why on earth did they have to go and carry out a bizarre half-rebuild?! She now looks awful, with heritage-spec destination screens, cab visors and square-edged windows, but with a bloody great pair of automatic doors each side and now a totally mis-matched modern livery as well, it makes you want to weep. As sad as it is to see those other cars stuffed and in a museum instead of out on the steel where they should be, I can't help feeling that 700 would have been better off joining them

And yet, we have 717 - which looks amazing I must say, all credit to the depot staff - which already has the front end mods, and surely would have been a far more logical candidate? Seems BT have lost the plot in every sense.

Anyway, excellent pics by the way!

Excellent pictures.

I cannot understand why the Rigby Road tram depot could not have become a museum. Connected to the tram network, there was so much potential, and undoubtedly would have been a tourist success.
BT have certainly lost the plot.
One of the trams that in my opinion had the biggest potential was the Boat trams, I believe only 1 has been retained. One or two could have had a part perspex covering for rainy days. Imagine a procession with the Illuminated trams mixed with Boat trams (fitted with strings of lights) A great way to see the Illuminations, as well a carnival like spectacle.
I have been told the Illumination tours will now turn round at Pleasure Beach, rather than Star gate, because the only loop there now entails the trams going through the tram wash?

theblackwatch · 18th July 2012, 09:22

Three 'Boats' have been retained. One was out on Sunday till it failed, and unfortunately the public didn't seem to be using the Heritage Trams - the handful of people riding on them on Sunday were enthusiasts, rather than tourists. On the other hand, a lot of the Flexity trams were full and standing. There are plans, I believe, to use Heritage trams on the Illuminations Tours when they start. I guess the success of these will depend on whether people are prepared to fork out to travel on them.

jcollins · 18th July 2012, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by theblackwatch

Three 'Boats' have been retained. One was out on Sunday till it failed, and unfortunately the public didn't seem to be using the Heritage Trams - the handful of people riding on them on Sunday were enthusiasts, rather than tourists. On the other hand, a lot of the Flexity trams were full and standing. There are plans, I believe, to use Heritage trams on the Illuminations Tours when they start. I guess the success of these will depend on whether people are prepared to fork out to travel on them.

The heritage trams don't provide the normal public service any more. They operate a heritage tour, for which you need a special ticket and the heritage tour is basically the illuminations tour without the illuminations.

When I did the illuminations tour I got the first tram (the illuminated western train), there was enough demand for three more tours that night so the illuminated HMS Blackpool came out for the second tour, a balloon for the third and the western train did a second trip as the fourth and final tour of the night.

Crimson_Quiff · 18th July 2012, 20:18

Nice phots, Kevin. I grabbed a few myself after work, of 700 and 717 returning from Fleetwood passed the Imperial Hotel. 700 certainly looks nice in the Blackpool Council Flexity house colours! A bit too purple on the front I think but good otherwise.

15th July 2012, 20:08	#1
37418 Member Join Date: 18 Apr 2010 Location: preston Posts: 132	Blackpool balloons Three pics of Balloons at Fleetwood today. http://www.kevindelaney.railpic.net/...s.php?album=30 Balloon 700 is now in the new livery which is on the Flexity 2s

15th July 2012, 20:16	#2
burns20 Member Join Date: 17 Feb 2011 Location: Morecambe (Bare Lane Railway Station) Posts: 253	Saw 700 today also, thought it looked very smart, nice of them to keep the art deco interior on the upper deck __________________ Furthest South - Malaga Central \| Furthest North - Garve \| Furthest East - Buchuresti Nord \| Furthest West -Tralee

17th July 2012, 23:37	#3
BestWestern "Transforming Trouble..." Established Member Join Date: 6 Feb 2011 Posts: 2,377	As much as it's a relief to see some trace of the system's history retained, I really think they've utterly ruined 700. She was clearly an ideal candidate as a heritage car; already in near-original condition, well kept and looking absolutely superb. Why on earth did they have to go and carry out a bizarre half-rebuild?! She now looks awful, with heritage-spec destination screens, cab visors and square-edged windows, but with a bloody great pair of automatic doors each side and now a totally mis-matched modern livery as well, it makes you want to weep. As sad as it is to see those other cars stuffed and in a museum instead of out on the steel where they should be, I can't help feeling that 700 would have been better off joining them And yet, we have 717 - which looks amazing I must say, all credit to the depot staff - which already has the front end mods, and surely would have been a far more logical candidate? Seems BT have lost the plot in every sense. Anyway, excellent pics by the way! Last edited by BestWestern; 17th July 2012 at 23:48.

18th July 2012, 20:18	#7
Crimson_Quiff Nobody of Consequence Member Join Date: 2 Jun 2011 Location: Mount Dubious Posts: 406	Nice phots, Kevin. I grabbed a few myself after work, of 700 and 717 returning from Fleetwood passed the Imperial Hotel. 700 certainly looks nice in the Blackpool Council Flexity house colours! A bit too purple on the front I think but good otherwise. __________________ Rob Bray OBE

18th July 2012, 09:22	#5
theblackwatch www.deltic.co.uk Moderator Join Date: 15 Feb 2006 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 5,854	Three 'Boats' have been retained. One was out on Sunday till it failed, and unfortunately the public didn't seem to be using the Heritage Trams - the handful of people riding on them on Sunday were enthusiasts, rather than tourists. On the other hand, a lot of the Flexity trams were full and standing. There are plans, I believe, to use Heritage trams on the Illuminations Tours when they start. I guess the success of these will depend on whether people are prepared to fork out to travel on them.