Saturday, 10 May 2014

Balloon 704 saved for Preservation

Balloon 704 seen in open storage at Marton in December 2013 where it has been sat by itself now for several months
The Cinderella tram of the former Lancastrian Transport Trust fleet has been rescued for posterity. Balloon 704, which has been languishing in open storage at a former industrial site in Marton since September 2012, has been purchased by a new mystery owner. Blackpool Transport Services have kindly allowed the tram to be stored alongside their heritage fleet in Rigby Road depot, and 704 is due to be transported there soon. The long term plan is for 704 to eventually be rebuilt back into its original open-top condition as a Luxury Dreadnought tram, thus filling a missing gap in the Balloon collection. This aim will require a lot of money and a lot of man hours in order to achieve it, but the announcement is fantastic news for the long term future of tramway preservation in Blackpool.

Allelys Haulage transporting Balloon 704 along Burton Road to the open storage in Marton on 6th September 2012

Balloon 704 arriving at the open storage yard in Marton on 6th September 2012

The condition of the interior of Balloon 704 in September 2012 before it departed for open storage at Marton

1934 Luxury Dreadnought 239 as delivered. The plan is to eventually restore 241 (704) back into this condition

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8 comments:

  1. Unknown11 May 2014 at 06:50

    Hello Alan, you mention that 704 when restored will fill in a missing gap in the Balloon collection. Isn't that gap already filled with 706 or is 706 not an authentic restoration? Regards, David

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    1. Alan Robson11 May 2014 at 10:20

      Hello David, when 706 was rebuilt in the 1980s, it was a modern take on a Luxury Dreadnought and not intended to replicate the trams as they were originally delivered. 706 has later style single indicator displays, hopper ventilator windows, steel windscreens on the top deck and the trolley bridge has a longer 'roof' above it. Rather than modify 706, which is a popular tram with enthusiasts and visitors, the opportunity has arisen of converting 704, which means that 706 can continue to be used in its present form. I've added a photo of Luxury Dreadnought 239 (sister to 241, later to become 704) to illustrate the differences. Regards, Alan.

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  2. Unknown12 May 2014 at 10:30

    Thank you , Alan: information much appreciated. Regards, David

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  3. Unknown14 May 2014 at 17:52

    Why would they convert it in the first place?! It's funny to think it's the same tram.

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    1. Alan Robson14 May 2014 at 18:21

      They were fitted with enclosed top decks originally so that they could be used in service all year round. They are converting 704 back to open-top to create a bit of variety, there are already several totally enclosed Balloons in preservation around the country.

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  4. Unknown14 May 2014 at 19:02

    Wow that's so interesting, thank you very much :)

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  5. Anonymous24 June 2014 at 11:20

    I think no matter how diffrent it is with out a roof
    It will take princess alice s fame away

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    1. Alan Robson24 June 2014 at 12:53

      Hopefully it will provide a nice contrast to 706 rather than detract from it. Princess Alice has been a firm favourite now with enthusiasts for 30 years, and I am sure will remain so in the future.

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