During 2023 we were approached by Blackpool Transport Services with a offer to take ownership of Blackpool Balloon car 708. The deal was made and ownership of the car transferred towards the end of the year.

708 was procured by the MTMS from the Lancastrian Transport Trust in 2011 with the intention to break the car up and provide invaluable spare parts allowing the continued and safe operation of our resident Blackpool fleet.

While no museum takes pride in the ultimate scrapping of vehicles, 708 was in poor condition and a unlikely candidate for restoration. Coupled with the number of surviving Balloon cars of the same type and the need for spare parts to ensure the long term security of 619, 623 and 702 the desicion was a necessary one.

Having seen storage at various locations in the years since, we were approached by Blackpool in 2023 with a request to take ownership of the vehicle preventing its scrapping and providing it with a new lease of life. As part of the proposal the MTMS would be supplied with the required parts direct from Blackpools stores in return for the car.

The deal was concluded towards the end of the year and 708 officialy left our collection as Blackpool took ownership.