Although ten years separate these two Blackpool trams, which were built in 1934 (709) & 1924 (147), the modern look of car 709 suggests otherwise in this study taken at Blackpool's North Pier on Mon 7th May 2007 at 10:25. Built in 1934 was 'Balloon' Double Deck Car 709, which was one of twelve originally built to 'Open-Top' configuration but later rebuilt in 1941-42 with roofs. Very late on in it's working life around the turn of the Millennium, it became one of a handful rebuilt with modern looking flat fronts in place of it's sweeping curved front, and it is in this guise, while sporting an overall advert for Blackpool's Sealife Centre and bound for Cabin on Blackpool's north Shore, that it is seen while in the company of Standard Double Deck Car 147 'Michael Airey', which is now preserved.

Photo: Ross Aitken (aos@blueyonder.co.uk)
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