Ben-my-Chree stands in for Manxman on the Heysham Service

The Ben-my-Chree passing the wind turbine support vessel GMS Endeavour on 3rd October

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company ferry Manxman sailed from Douglas to the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead on Monday 30th September, for a period of scheduled maintenance. The Manxman entered service on the Douglas to Heysham route on 17th August last year, and this is the ships first extended period of layup since then. Standing in for the Manxman on the Heysham service for a few weeks will be the Ben-my-Chree, the previous regular ferry that operated the route since 1998.

The Ben-my-Chree passing the rusted wreckage of the 1840 Wyre Light lighthouse at Fleetwood

The Ben-my-Chree and the high speed catamaran Dublin Swift heading towards Barrow

The Manxman at Heysham on its inaugural passenger sailing from Douglas on 17th August 2023

Collett Transport move 198 Tonne Transformer by road from Heysham

The 198 tonne transformer on the A683 Bay Gateway link road from Heysham to the M6

Welsh Power moved a huge electricity transformer from the Port of Heysham in Lancashire to Longtown, north of Carlisle in Cumbria on Saturday 21st September. The operation began at 9am and lasted for around 12 hours. The 198 tonne transformer, was moved by Collett Transport on its Scheuerle 550 tonne capacity girder bridge trailer, that is more than six metres wide. The load travelled from Heysham Port along the A683 Bay Gateway link road to the M6, then north up the M6 from junction 34 near Lancaster through Cumbria, straddling two lanes of the carriageway. Once in Cumbria, the transporter parked on a closed lane of the M6 exit slip road at junction 39 near Shap for a scheduled break, before resuming its journey north to Scotland. After the break at junction 39 the transformer continued northwards, where its ultimate destination was to be the new Welsh Power Grid Stability Plant at Gretna. The load travelled along the M6 at around 12 mph, and motorists were asked to exercise extra care when overtaking in lane three of the motorway.

The transformer heading north on the M6 at Nether Kellet

The transformer heading east on the A683 Bay Gateway link road from Heysham

The transformer about to join the M6 at junction 34 near Lancaster

The transformer and escort vehicles joining the M6 at junction 34 near Lancaster

Collett's transporter on the entry slip road to the M6 at junction 34 near Lancaster

Police escort vehicles controlling traffic flow as the transformer joins the M6 at junction 34

The transformer approaching Nether Kellet as it heads north along the M6

The transformer heading north along the M6 at Nether Kellet

The transformer heading north to Scotland on the M6 near Nether Kellet

Transpora North West ADL Enviro200 Fleet Changes

Newly arrived Enviro200 1331 (VX71OGY) on Westbourne Road in Cleveleys on route 24 on 16th Sep

Former Transpora South West Enviro200 1331 (VX71OGY) has made the journey north to the Fylde Coast for use on Transpora North West's service 24. Leaving the Transpora North West fleet are ex-White Bus E200s YX68ULW and YX68ULY which are going to Centrebus. Pictured here are a selection of short ADL Enviro200s from three local operators in service around Cleveleys.

Enviro200 1331 (VX71OGY) turning out of Rough Lea Road in Cleveleys on 16th Sep

Enviro200 1332, which has now left the fleet, on Stanah Road in Thornton in July

Enviro200 YX68ULY, which has now left Transpora, at Cleveleys in May

Archway Travel E200 XK24SPV on route 75 in Cleveleys on 16th September

Blackpool Transport E200 233 in Cleveleys on service 1 to Blackpool on 16th September

A4 Pacific Sir Nigel Gresley Visits Blackpool

Sir Nigel Gresley passing through Layton Station at speed at 0735

A steam excursion hauled by A4 Pacific 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley visited Blackpool North Railway Station on the morning of Wednesday 28th August. The Settle & Carlisle Fellsman departed North Station at 0731, calling at Poulton-le-Fylde, Kirkham and Wesham, Preston, Blackburn and Clitheroe on its way to Carlisle, where it was due to arrive at 1252. The train was scheduled to return from Carlisle at 1520, arriving back in Blackpool North at 2045.

Sir Nigel Gresley waiting to depart Blackpool North Station at 0645

Brush Type 4 D1935 (Class 47) on the rear of the train as it passes through Layton

August Bank Holiday Heritage

Balloon 700 and Boat 600 passing each other near the Metropole Hotel

August bank holiday Saturday saw seven trams being used on the heritage service at different times during the day. The planned output should have been Boat 600 (tram A), Bolton 66 (tram B), Balloon 700 (tram C) and Balloon 723 (tram D), with the Frigate (tram X) due to enter service mid-afternoon. The day started out wet and windy, therefore Brush 631 stood in for Boat 600 and Balloon 718 substituted for Bolton 66. The weather began to improve during the morning and Brush 631 and Balloon 718 were swapped for 600 and 66 respectively, operating as trams A and B as originally timetabled. Note all these photos were taken on Saturday 24th August.

Bolton 66 heading for the Pleasure Beach

Brush 631 at Little Bispham heading for Starr Gate to be swapped for Boat 600

Balloon 723 heading south past the Imperial Hotel

Balloon 700 at Little Bispham, returning from a trip to Fleetwood

The Frigate entering Little Bispham turning circle during the afternoon

Boat 600 heading south past the Tower

Balloon 718 on Little Bispham turning circle

First Day of Archway Travel on the 74 & 75 Routes

Preston Bound YX24 PMV on the 74 route on Anchorage Road in Fleetwood

Archway Travel of Fleetwood began operations on the Fylde Villager 74 and 75 services between Fleetwood and Preston on Sunday 18th August. Eight new route branded ADL Enviro200s have been acquired for use on the two rural services. The following photos of the 74 and 75 routes were all taken in Fleetwood and Thornton on Sunday 18th August.

Fleetwood bound SK24 XPV on Pheasant Wood Drive in Thornton on the 75

Enviro SK24 CVH on the 75 route turning into Pheasant Wood Drive in Thornton

Enviro YX24 PMV on service 74 on Fleetwood Road North in Fleetwood

SK24 CVG on Lord Street in Fleetwood on the 75 route to Preston

Enviro SK24 CVH on Mayfield Avenue in Thornton on service 75 to Preston

Last Day for Blackpool Transport on Rural Routes 74 & 75

Blackpool Enviro 221 crossing Fishergate railway bridge on Wednesday 14th August

Blackpool Transport ran their last day of operation on rural services 74 & 75 between Fleetwood and Preston on Saturday 17th August. From Sunday 18th the routes will be operated by Archway Travel of Fleetwood, with a newly acquired fleet of ADL Enviro200 MMC buses. The following photos were all taken during the last week of Blackpool operation of the 74 and 75, with the views in Thornton being taken on Saturday, the last day of BTS buses running on these routes.

Enviro 233 on Pheasant Wood Drive in Thornton on the last day of BTS operation

Enviro 217 leaving Preston Bus Station on route 74 on 14th August

Enviro 217 near the Bourne Poacher stop on Fleetwood Road North in Thornton

Enviro 236 on the approach road to Preston Bus Station on Wednesday 14th August

Enviro 221 on route 74 leaving Preston along Fishergate on 14th August

Enviro 233 turning onto Bourne Way in Thornton on Saturday 17th August