Balloon 710 is already stored in Fleetwood awaiting the creation of the new museum to give it a permanent home. Seen here awaiting departure from Rigby Road for the last time, the tram was the star attraction at this years Tram Sunday festival.

Exciting plans have been revealed by the ‘Friends of Fleetwood Trams’, who had announced their intentions to open a museum to celebrate the traditional Blackpool trams several months ago. In order to provide exhibits they have already purchased seven of the trams made redundant by the upgrade, of which one, Balloon 710, has already left Rigby Road for outside storage in Fleetwood.

For many new owners of Blackpool trams the difficulty that has arisen is of finding suitable accommodation but is appears that the Friends of Fleetwood Trams have succeeded in identifying a suitable base for their new museum and have announced their intentions of utilising the former tram depot at Copse Road in Fleetwood. This building, which was built for the opening of the tramway to Fleetwood in 1898, is the only former depot building which still survives intact and, as such, is an excellent choice for the new museum venture. Currently the building is home to the Fleetwood Car Centre, a car showroom, but it appears that the intention is to have the property transformed into its new role as a tramway exhibition centre in time for Tram Sunday next year. Therefore it is probable that the trams acquired by the Friends, Brush Cars 621 and 627, Centenary Cars 641 and 646, Railcoach 678, Balloon 710 and Jubilee Car 761, will move into their new home shortly in order to be ready for the expected July opening. Continue reading →