701 on Private Hire

Balloon 701 about to leave Bispham during a private hire with a group of railway enthusiasts on 11th April

Routemaster liveried Balloon 701 was in use on a private hire on Saturday 11th April. A group of railway enthusiasts had hired 701 for an afternoon tour of the tramway, visiting all points in between Starr Gate and Fleetwood Ferry, with a meal break at Bispham mid-afternoon. 701 seemed to exhibit none of the compressor related problems that had plagued the tram the week before Easter, and successfully completed the tour without incident.

Balloon 701 at North Pier during an afternoon system tour while on private hire to an enthusiast group