Saturday 18 April 2020

Metro Coastlines Balloons

Balloon 713 northbound at the Tower in April 2008


During the Steve Burd era at Blackpool Transport a set of colourful liveries were applied to the different bus routes throughout the town, with each route carrying its own distinctive colour scheme, with significant route stops appearing along the lower panels of the buses. The route branding was given the name "Metro Coastlines", and in addition to its use on the bus fleet, several trams were given the Metro Coastlines branding, although there was no uniformity of colour theme on the tram fleet, with each tram painted having its own unique identity. The first Balloon to appear in Metro Coastlines livery was 710, which entered service with its new colour scheme in March 2004. The application of the Metro Coastlines branding varied across the tram fleet, with Balloons 710 and 724 being early recipients of the livery in 2004, the styling was simplified for the subsequent repaints of 711, 713, 715 and 718, and a different decal style was also used on the later repaints.

Balloon 710 fresh from the paintshop at the Cabin in March 2004


Balloon 715 at the Gynn heading for Starr Gate in June 2008


Balloon 711 at the Pleasure Beach in March 2008


Balloon 724 at the Cabin in April 2004


Balloon 718 at Cleveleys on a Fleetwood service in August 2008

3 comments:

  1. Thank you for posting the photographs. It was good to know that you are well. I hope we can all look forward to a semi regular series of "yesteryear" images from you. My favourite era of trams will always be my childhood when the trams all seemed to be in Black and White. My dad never used colour film! Thanks once again.

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    1. You're welcome. Yes I'm still alive and kicking so far, although social distancing as unfortunately I'm in the high risk category due to pre-existing medical conditions. I'll be posting the occasional historical feature during the lockdown.

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  2. Glad to hear like Elton "You're still standing", I'm in the same boat health wise. I will look forward to future posts and to freedom to wander.

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