The 27 English Electric double deckers bought by Walter Luff as part of his 1930s modernisation plan were split into two batches – 13 were open toppers (Luxury Dreadnoughts 237-249), 14 had roofs (Balloons 250-263). 240 made its debut on 18 September 1934 and, like its sisters, ran on the scheduled Promenade service from Starr Gate to Cleveleys during the summer. With the declaration of war in 1939, summer only cars saw their useage decline and it was decided to convert the 13 open toppers to Balloons. All duly had roofs fitted – largely to the design of their sisters, but without the sliding sunshine roof. 240 was treated between January and March 1942, emerging in the ‘wartime’ mainly green livery.

It carried this livery until 1956 when it became on of the first Balloons to receive single indicators and it emerged in the new layered cream and green livery. As part of the 1968 renumbering 240 became 703. Back in 1966 a pilot refurbishment had taken place on car 237 (700) featuring complete repanelling without beading, internal retrim, new plastic ceiling panels, rubber mounted roof windows, exposed bulb lighting and an increase to 94 seats (thanks to two bench seats at the upper deck ends). 703 was one of seven further cars treated, emerging for the 1971 season. In 1981 it received a minor overhaul and a final repaint in the 1970s scheme and this lasted until 1989 when it was one of the first cars to receive the 1990s scheme having missed out on the 1980s livery.

1991 saw the fitment of a pantograph to replace the traditional trolley but in 1995 a trolley was reinstated briefly as the car regained the 1940s wartime scheme to commemorate the 50th anniversary of VE day. A pantograph was refitted during the summer and the car retained this attractive scheme until 1999 when it was repainted in the now ‘heritage’ 1980s scheme for the first time! A second and final repaint in this scheme took place in October 2003, though it was the following spring before it returned to use in its 70th year.

Following discussions with the North of England Open-Air Museum at Beamish, 703 has been placed on an initial 5-year loan to the museum. With sponsorship from bus operator Go North East, 703 has been repainted in Sunderland livery. Sunderland used to operate trams of a design reminiscent to these Blackpool icons and to give 703 local significance to the Beamish museum, the tram has adopted Sunderland's streamlined 1930s red and off-white livery style. The 94-seat tram, should prove to be a popular crowd mover on the Beamish tramway which is used to transport visitors from the main entrance to the attractions located around the 300 acre site.