Day five of Heritage Crew Training

Balloon 717 passing Central Pier as it heads off north towards Fleetwood on its first driver training run of the day

The fifth consecutive day of heritage crew driver training saw Twin Set 272+T2 in use again along with Balloon 717. The Twin Set was the first to leave Rigby Road depot on its training run, followed an hour later by Balloon 717 which ran through to Fleetwood.

Twin Set 272+T2 heads north past the Hilton Hotel on the first heritage driver training outing of the day

Balloon 717 parked at the tram stop at Bold Street in Fleetwood while some driver tuition takes place

Twin Set 272+T2 with trailer leading, southbound at Norbreck on a driver training run

Balloon 700 on Driver Training

Balloon 700 at Fleetwood Ferry on driver training duties on 26th February

Prototype Balloon 700 was noted in Fleetwood on driver training duties today. The damage to the cab door that the tram received on Monday when the strong wind whipped it open and snapped the restraining chain was quite plain to see.

Balloon 700 at Thornton Gate, showing the damage to the cab door that occured on Monday when the wind caught it

Balloon 700 northbound along North Albert Street in Fleetwood heading for the terminus of the line

Box 40 on Driver Training

Box Car 40 heading north past Anchorsholme Park near Little Bispham on driver training duties

On the third day of heritage tram crew training this week, Blackpool & Fleetwood Box Car 40 was the tram selected for use. Box 40 left Rigby Road depot shortly after 0900, and then proceeded to make a driver training run right through to Fleetwood Ferry before returning to Blackpool.

Box Car 40 heads north past the clock tower at Ash Street in Fleetwood

88 years separate the boxy designs of 1914 built tram 40 and 301, Blackpool's first Dennis Trident delivered in 2002

Box 40 at Fleetwood Ferry turning right into Pharos Street to begin its return run to Blackpool

Box Car 40 heading south along North Albert Street in Fleetwood

Box 40 heading back towards Blackpool along Copse Road in Fleetwood

Single deck heritage car training

Centenary 648 passing the Grosvenor Casino as it approaches the Pleasure Beach on driver training

Tuesday 24th February saw another day of heritage crew driver training, this time using Twin Set 272+T2 and Centenary Car 648. Many unusual workings and little used crossovers were used during the days training.

Twin Set 272+T2 southbound at Gynn Square on a morning driver training run

Centenary Car 648 leaving the Pleasure Beach as it heads north on a driver training run

Twin Set 272+T2 heading south at Central Pier while on driver training

Centenary Car 648 northbound on a driver training run at Central Pier

Twin Set 272+T2 and Centenary Car 648 passing at the Cabin just before lunchtime

Diamond Dart goes orange and turquoise

Former Diamond Bus Dennis Dart V658 HEC on Westcliffe Drive in Layton on service 6 to Blackpool town centre

Former Diamond Bus of Kidderminster Dennis Dart V658 HEC has been repainted from its previous all blue colour scheme into the Catch22Bus corporate livery, and has now entered service on route 6 to Grange Park.

Three Balloons on Driver Training

Balloon 717 northbound at the Hilton Hotel on driver training on 23rd February

Balloons 700 and 717 were in use on driver training on Monday 23rd February. 700 had to retire to the depot early due to one of the cab doors being ripped open by the strong wind, causing the retaining chain to snap. Balloon 719 took the place of 700 on training duties for the rest of the day. 717 and 719 both made the journey through to Fleetwood, posing together on the Ferry loop for a few minutes.

Balloon 700 southbound at Sandhurst Avenue on driver training

Balloon 719 heading north on driver training at the Cabin, after it had replaced 700

Balloons 717 and 719 waiting behind Flexity 006 at Bold Street in Fleetwood

Balloons 719 and 717 taking a short break on the loop at Fleetwood Ferry

Multicoloured Darts to Grange Park

Former Diamond Bus Company Dennis Dart V657 HEC on Chepstow Road in Grange Park on service 6

Another second hand Mini Pointer Dart has entered service with Catch22Bus Ltd. The Dart, formerly with Diamond Bus from Kidderminster, has been noted in service on route 6 to Grange Park, the vehicle is V657 HEC and it is still running in the former owner's dark blue livery. Sister vehicle V658 HEC has also been acquired, but this bus is being repainted first before entering service. Green and white former Whittle Dennis Dart W468 UAG has also been in use on service 6, along with existing vehicles that are wearing the turqoise and orange Catch 22 fleet livery.

Former Diamond Bus Dennis Dart V657 HEC on Poulton Road in Layton on service 6 to Blackpool town centre

Green & white former Whittle Dennis Dart W468 UAG on Chepstow Road in Grange Park on service 6

Former Whittle Dennis Dart W468 UAG inbound along Poulton Road in Layton on service 6 to Blackpool town centre

Former Metroline Dennis Dart T143 AUA passing the new Sainsbury's store on Talbot Road on service 6