Rail Grinder in Action

The rail grinder slowly making its way north near Norbreck

The Luddeneit und Scherf LRGM 1-6/AM65 rail grinder was in action again tonight, grinding the southbound track between Bispham and Little Bispham. These photos were taken while the rail grinder was approaching the Norbreck tram stop.

The rail grinder approaching the Norbreck tram stop

The rail grinder heading north at the Norbreck tram stop

Rail Grinder in Blackpool

Flexity 017 passing the German rail grinder parked on the centre track at Bispham

For the last few weeks a German rail grinder has been visiting the tramway in Blackpool. The Luddeneit und Scherf LRGM 1-6/AM65 rail grinder has been operating during the late evening and night time, to minimise service disruption. During its latest phase of operations, the little rail grinding machine has been stabled on the centre track at Bispham while not being used.

Centenary 648 passing the rail grinder at Bispham on 3rd May

The German rail grinder on the centre track at Bispham

A closer view of the LRGM 1-6/AM65 rail grinder at Bispham

The Lakes Connection

Volvo B5TL 13805 heading downhill from Windermere Station to Bowness

Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire have invested heavily in new buses for their Lakeland services over the last few years. In 2016 twelve Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMCs were introduced for use on the 555 service that runs between Lancaster and Keswick via Kendal, the 12 ADL buses carry an attractive new livery featuring The Lakes Connection branding. In 2017 seven Volvo B5TL partial open-toppers with Wright Gemini 3 facelift bodies were delivered for use on the 599 service that operates between Grasmere and Bowness on Windermere. The 7 new open-top buses are painted in a colourful new Lakesider livery. To supplement the two batches of new build double-deckers, in March 2018 five single-deck ADL Enviro200s were acquired from Stagecoach Manchester for use on Lake District services, these were refurbished and out-shopped in a similar Lakes Connection livery to that carried by the 12 Enviro400 MMCs.

ADL Enviro400 10559 at Windermere on the 555 from Keswick to Kendal

Volvo B5TL 13803 arriving at Windermere Station from Bowness

Volvo 13805 on the 599 from Grasmere approaching Windermere Station

Volvo B5TL 13801 arriving at Windermere from Bowness

A rear view of Volvo B5TL 13807 at Windermere railway station

Volvo B5TL 13806 arriving at Windermere on the 599 from Grasmere

ADL Enviro200 36105 at Windermere on the 505 from Kendal to Coniston

The old look, former Stagecoach East London Trident 17012 at Windermere in May 2013

2019 Easter Heritage

Brush Car 621 passing Flexity 005 at Central Pier

The weather for the Easter break in the North West this year saw mostly unbroken sunshine over the four day holiday period. As usual the heritage trams were out in force over the weekend, with Good Friday seeing a four car service and Saturday through to Easter Monday enjoying a full six car service. Here is a selection of views of some of the green and cream heritage trams that were out over the weekend.

147 passing St Mary's Roman Catholic Church on Lord Street in Fleetwood

Balloon 715 passing St Peter's Church on Lord Street in Fleetwood

Balloon 717 approaching Central Pier on Good Friday

An empty Boat 600 at South Pier on Good Friday

Balloon 723 passing Fleetwood Hospital on North Albert Street

Brush 621 passing some Cinderella carriages near South Pier

21st Cumbria Easter Rally

A superb 1948 AEC Regal III with Burlingham bodywork, new to Florence of Morecambe

The 21st Cumbria Easter Rally took place this year on the weekend of 20th & 21st April. For the uninitiated the event is a vintage commercial vehicle rally, with vehicles displayed at several sites in Kirkby Stephen and Brough. The numerous vehicle displays are made easily accessible to visitors by way of a frequent vintage bus service, which connects all the display locations in the Eden Valley. A selection of vehicles that were in use on the shuttle bus service on Saturday 20th April are illustrated here.

1983 Blackpool East Lancs bodied Leyland Atlantean 362 in Kirkby Stephen

Blackpool Corporation Leyland Titan PD3 No 512 in the Vale of Eden

A 1966 Daimler CVG6LX with East Lancs bodywork, new to Huddersfield Corporation

Former Crosville DLB978, a 1959 Bristol Lodekka LD6B at Brough

A Leyland Titan PD2/40 with Park Royal body, new to Barrow Corporation in 1958

A 1949 Crossley bodied Guy Arab III new to Blackburn Corporation

Former Clydeside AEC Routemaster RM835 in Kirkby Stephen

A 1950 Leyland Tiger PS1, new to W. Alexander & Sons of Falkirk, seen here in Brough

WCR Windermere Shuttle

Local MP Tim Farron (in the cab) launching the 09:37 service on Saturday 20th April

Due to the West Coast Main Line being closed for engineering work over the Easter weekend, a specially chartered train service between Oxenholme and Windermere had been arranged by Network Rail, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron and charter operator West Coast Railways. The free shuttle service operated on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st April, with six round trips timetabled each day. The shuttle train was top and tailed by West Coast Railways 47826 and 47851.

47826 waiting to depart with the first train of the day from Oxenholme

47826 carrying The Lakelander headboard at Oxenholme

47851 ready to depart on the 10:06 train from Windermere

47851 shortly after arriving with the 11:06 train from Windermere

47851 on the rear of the 11:37 train to Windermere

The train departure indicator at Oxenholme Station

The Pennine Blackpool Express

Jubilee Class 45690 "Leander" on the Pennine Blackpool Express at Poulton-le-Fylde

A steam special excursion train visited Blackpool on Saturday 13th April.

The "Pennine Blackpool Express" left London Euston at around 07:10, pulled by preserved Class 86 E3137 "Les Ross", heading north along the West Coast Main Line, picking up passengers at Milton Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton, Crewe and Preston.

At Preston, Jubilee Class 45690 "Leander" was attached to the rear of the train and hauled by the Class 86 to Blackpool North, with a scheduled arrival of 11:18.

Around three hours were spent in Blackpool, allowing the passengers time to visit the town and its attractions.

At Blackpool North the Class 86 electric loco was detached so that it could re-position to Carnforth to await the return of the steam hauled special later in the day.

The steam leg of the journey was due to depart from Blackpool at 14:04, travelling via Bamber Bridge and Blackburn, joining the Hellifield line at Daisyfield Junction and tackling the steep climb up to Wilpshire Tunnel. A long descent then followed towards the 48-arch viaduct over the River Calder at Whalley. After Clitheroe the train continued to follow the Ribble Valley towards Hellifield, where there was a water stop scheduled.

The last section of the journey to Carnforth included the steep climb at 1 in 100 from Settle Junction up Giggleswick Bank, following the Bentham Line via Wennington before finally reaching Carnforth. Here the steam loco "Leander" was uncoupled from the train which then returned via the WCML to London Euston behind the Class 86 electric loco, with a scheduled arrival of 22:27.

The Pennine Blackpool Express arriving at Blackpool North behind Class 86 E3137

Jubilee Class 45690 "Leander" with the Pennine Blackpool Express at Blackpool North