Optare Solo Driver Trainer

Solo 292 turning from Rough Lea Road into Rossall Road in Cleveleys

Optare Solo 292 (YJ07EJL) is now part of the Blackpool Transport driver training fleet, and was noted in use in Cleveleys on training duties on 8th January. Solo 292 still carries its standard black and yellow fleet livery, with the addition of the words "Driver Training Bus" on the sides and rear, plus two "L" plates at the front and the rear of the vehicle.

Solo 292 parked up on Rough Lea Road in Cleveleys

Talbot Square Panorama

A panoramic photo of Talbot Square taken on 17th December, showing an overall view of the new junction. None of the four lines from the Promenade are joined to the new Talbot Square pointwork yet, the contractors are concentrating on concreting in place the curved rails connected to the Promenade points first.

Talbot Square Junction

New rail being laid for the northbound junction at Talbot Square

The North Station tramway extension contractors have been busy laying the track work for the junction with the Promenade at Talbot Square this week. The curved sections of rail that join to the existing Promenade line points are being welded in place first, this will allow the contractors to adjust the remaining sections of curved rail so that they align correctly with the newly laid pointwork in the centre of Talbot Square.

New track in place for the southbound junction at Talbot Square

A view showing the general track layout at the junction with the Promenade

New curved rail being thermite welded to the existing Promenade points

Coronation 304 out on Test

Coronation 304 crossing over at Foxhall Square on its first run

Coronation 304 made a couple of test runs on the Promenade this afternoon. The Fylde Transport Trust owned tram was having its Vambac control and 24 volt inverter charging systems tested following the fitting of new batteries. 304 made two round trips between Foxhall Square and the Pleasure Beach before returning to Rigby Road depot after a successful outing. This is the first occasion that 304 has been out on the Promenade since 2016.

Coronation 304 passing Flexity 006 at Foxhall

304 heading north at the Pleasure Beach on its first run of the afternoon

304 heading south past a Flexity at Manchester Square

304 heading north at Manchester Square on its last run

304 crossing the Promenade at Manchester Square

304 passing Enviro 441 on Lytham Road as the tram returns to the depot

Bloodhound SSC at Blackpool in 2010

The Bloodhound SSC mock-up on display at Squires Gate in 2010

With today's sad news that the Bloodhound SSC supersonic car project has finally been axed, it's time to look back at some photos of the Bloodhound mock-up that visited Blackpool back in 2010. The mock-up of the Bloodhound SSC was on public display at Blackpool Airport at Squires Gate on 3rd September 2010, during a UK fund raising tour to try and raise public awareness for the project and generate sponsorship. The project went into administration in October this year, still some £25 million short of the amount needed to make an attempt on the 1,000 mph land speed record. See www.bloodhoundssc.com for more info while the website is still active.

A rear view of the Bloodhound SSC mock-up at Squires Gate

A head on view of the mock-up

Bloodhound SSC at Squires Gate

Birkenhead 20 leaves Blackpool

The depot fork lift truck shunted 20 from the depot into Blundell Street

Birkenhead open-top tram 20 left Blackpool on 28th November to return to its home on the Wirral Tramway. 20 originally arrived on loan to the heritage fleet on 27th July 2017, but spent most of its time unused in the tram depot awaiting attention to its wheels, only seeing limited use during the last two months of its visit. Scotts low loader arrived in Blundell Street shortly before 08:00 on Wednesday morning, by 10:30 the tram was loaded onto the trailer and had departed for its relatively short journey back to Birkenhead.

Birkenhead 20 being pushed up the ramp by the fork lift truck

Birkenhead 20 being winched onto the trailer

Birkenhead 20 safely winched onto the low loader trailer

A rear view of Scotts low loader with 20 safely loaded

Birkenhead 20 loaded up and chained down ready for departure

Scotts low loader turning into Lytham Road for the trip south to Birkenhead

BTS remember the fallen

Flexity 016 on the Orion Curve in Cleveleys wearing its Remembrance Day poppy

Now becoming an annual tradition, many of Blackpool's trams and buses wore large poppies in the days and weeks leading up to Remembrance Day on Sunday 11th November.

Trident 309 wearing a Remembrance Day poppy at Anchorsholme

Flexity 004 at Anchorsholme with its Remembrance Day poppy

ADL Enviro 233 showing off its Remembrance Day poppy in Cleveleys

Flexity 014 at Cleveleys tram station with its Remembrance Day poppy

Volvo 524 with its Remembrance Day poppy in Cleveleys

Plaxton Centro 531 showing off its Remembrance Day poppy at Anchorsholme