719 - what future?
May 2006

With the Spring service barely a few days old, double deck car 719 was back in use on the timetabled Fleetwood service on 19th April following winter hibernation. James Millington reviews its history and future.

719 is still known as the ‘Walls Ice Cream tram’. Created in 1996 from Balloon car 719 to meet a unique advertising contract, it included an ice cream counter (and associated freezers and sink) in one half of the lower deck, and onboard staff to dispense Walls ice cream products to the captive audience. Small tables were provided between the odd style fixed seating, whilst the upper deck end windows were replaced by fixed panels and a giant ice cream cone on the outside. It was never a great success, as many passengers didn’t appreciate the ’hard sell’ from the Walls representatives, who operated the business on a franchised basis. Nor did they appreciate the lack of a forward view from upstairs, which causes many passengers to come straight back down again, particularly during the illuminations. Nevertheless, it was a unique idea, and the tram plied mainly between Pleasure Beach and North Pier during the summer.

By April 1999 the counter had been removed and new seats of a different design were refitted throughout the lower deck in a two and one arrangement, providing a small lower deck capacity of just 34, instead of 40 on a standard Balloon. Indeed, the overall capacity of 719 is only 78 (94 on the un-refurbished cars). Following the removal of the counter the tram began to see more general use, and as it is fitted with halogen headlamps and heaters, became a regular performer on timetabled service. The contract was renewed in 2001, but is now expired.

A future for 719 now needs to be decided, which will hopefully involve conversion into something more practical, or transferring to store. Whilst accepting that it was only rebuilt as recently as 1996, and that the underframe will be in a good condition, the interior is grubby and outdated and the lower deck seating uncomfortable, and don’t forget the lack of a forward view! 

With only 78 seats the tram is not much use, and it is time to accept that 719 is not suitable for daily use on the core service. There are now ten refurbished double deckers available for the summer Fleetwood service, plus five Twin cars. So, BTS, can we please banish 719 from service?