Remembrance Day Trams and Buses

Flexity 001 leaving North Station for Fleetwood Ferry on 6th November

A selection of Blackpool's trams and buses wearing large poppies to commemorate the fallen members of our armed forces who were killed during wars and conflicts.

Mercedes Citaro 558 heading along Talbot Road on service 5 to Halfway House

ADL Envro 228 at Talbot Square on service 3 to Mereside

Flexity 001 turning into Talbot Square on its way to North Station

Archway Enviro200 YX24 PMV in Talbot Square on service 76 from St Annes

Enviro 416 leaving Market Street on service 11 to Lytham

Stagecoach Gold 15239 in Talbot Square on service 61 to Preston

GB Railfreight Class 66s at Poulton-le-Fylde

GBRf 66710 'Karen Harrison' passing through Poulton station with the exhibition train

The Railway 200 exhibition train 'Inspiration' left Blackpool North railway station on Saturday 8th November after a four day visit. The train was returning to the Derby Railway Technical Centre (RTC) for a short break, before visiting the next port of call on its nationwide tour at Llandudno on 15th November. The exhibition train departed from Blackpool North at 0947 behind GBRf 66710 'Karen Harrison', with 66719 'Michael Portillo' bringing up the rear.

66719 'Michael Portillo' on the rear of the train at Poulton-le-Fylde

Railway 200 Exhibition Train Visits Blackpool

GBRf 66710 'Karen Harrison' at Blackpool North railway station on 6th November

As part of the 2025 celebrations to commemorate 200 years since the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway on 27th September 1825, a Railway 200 exhibition train called Inspiration has been touring the country. This week the train has been visiting Blackpool North railway station, opening to pre-booked visitors from Tuesday 4 Nov to Friday 7 Nov, before travelling onward to its next destination. The train is topped and tailed by two GB Railfreight Class 66 diesel locomotives, these being 66719 'Michael Portillo' and 66710 'Karen Harrison'.

GBRf 66710 'Karen Harrison' on the rear of the exhibition train at Blackpool

The Railway 200 exhibition train at Blackpool North railway station

A closer view of the Railway 200 exhibition train at Blackpool North

The Railway 200 exhibition train with GBRf 66710 'Karen Harrison' on the rear

GBRf 66719 'Michael Portillo' on the front of the exhibition train

Voodoo Blue in Cleveleys

ADL Enviro200 MMC YX21 RVK turning into Rossall Road, Cleveleys on 23rd October

Transporabus now have two of their vehicles painted in the striking Porsche Voodoo Blue livery. ADL Enviro200 MMC YX21 RVK is seen turning into Rossall Road in Cleveleys this morning, and Volvo B8R MCV Evora BD74 FKE was captured crossing the tram tracks in Victoria Square on 30th September.

Volvo MCV Evora BD74 FKE crossing the tram tracks in Victoria Square on 30th September

Yutong E9L Electric Demonstrator on the Fylde

Yutong E9L YE74 VGO in Cleveleys on its way to Poulton, apparently via Fakenham in Norfolk!

A battery electric Yutong E9L demonstrator (YE74 VGO) has been running on various Transporabus routes this week. The Yutong is being given a short trial on a few local services, notably the 24 and 26 so far. Today it was shadowing the regular service 24 buses, shuttling backwards and forwards between Cleveleys and Poulton, giving local residents a chance to sample a true 21st Century bus, and possibly a taste of the future for us all.

Yutong E9L YE74 VGO outside the Teanlowe Centre in Poulton on 15th October

A rear view of the Yutong E9L at Cleveleys bus station

An interior view of the Yutong E9L at Cleveleys bus station

The Illumination Tours Start

The Frigate at Bispham on 15th October, on the first Illuminations Tour of the 2025 season

The Frigate seen passing south through Bispham at 1845 on 15th October, on the first Illuminations Tour of this very brief season that is taking place during the Lightpool Festival, which runs from 15th October to 1st November.

The Frigate heading back towards the Pleasure Beach at Bispham

The Frigate passing the illuminated tableaux at Bispham

More Trams and Flags

Flexity 012 at Manchester Square on 11th October

Some more photos of Blackpool Flexity trams passing the flags that have recently been erected all along the Central Promenade from the Tower tram stop southwards. Note the yellow public information sign on the traction pole on the photo of Flexity 012 that reads "Two Lines STOP Look out for trams".

011 & 007 passing each other at Manchester Square