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

Archway Fylde Villager

Archway ADL Enviro200 SK24 CVG in full route branding at Preston Bus Station on 14th August

Blackpool Transport will cease operating rural routes 74 and 75 between Fleetwood and Preston Bus Station this weekend. From Sunday 18th August the Fylde Villager services 74 & 75 will be taken over by Archway Travel of Fleetwood, with a new fleet of buses purchased specially for use on the two routes. One of Archway's new route branded buses, ADL Enviro200 SK24 CVG, was spotted at Preston Bus Station on Wednesday 14th August, on one of the familiarisation runs for the new (and existing) drivers who will be operating the route from this weekend.

Archway ADL Enviro200 SK24 CVG parked in front of Preston Bus Station

Archway ADL Enviro200 SK24 CVG arriving at Preston Bus Station on the afternoon of 14th August

Split Tram Service during Blackpool Airshow

Flexity trams 012, 003 & 018 lined up at North Pier on Saturday 10th August

The 2024 Blackpool Airshow took place over the weekend of 10th & 11th August, as last year a split tram service was in operation for the duration of the event each day. Blackpool Transport posted on their website "Trams will not operate between Central Pier and North Pier, so you can travel uninterrupted only from Starr Gate to Central Pier and from North Pier to Fleetwood." This statement was incorrect, as all trams turned back using the crossover at Foxhall Square, therefore passengers could only travel between Starr Gate and Manchester Square, not Central Pier as claimed. Trams were walked through the busiest sections of the Promenade by a member of staff walking in front of the Flexity. The split tram service was in effect between 1230 and 1800 on the Saturday and Sunday of the show, and during this time trams did not operate through to North Station. There were numerous bus diversions in place, but these are not being detailed here.

Flexity 012 approaching the barrier marking the no-tram zone on Central Promenade

Flexity 018 using the crossover at North Pier to regain the northbound track

Boat 600 returning from the 1100 Promenade Tour on Sunday, just before the barriers were installed

Flexity 012 using the crossover at Foxhall Square on Sunday to return to Starr Gate

002, 003 & 008 at North Pier on Sunday, showing the dire state of the drab, faded purple on the Flexity trams

Flexity 012 being walked through the crowds from the Manchester Square tram stop

The Red Arrows performing their show opening display over North Pier on Saturday 10th August

Second Volvo MCV Evora Enters Service with Transpora North West

Evora 1307 on Fleetwood Road North in Thornton, on the 1115 service from Blackpool

Transpora North West's second Volvo B8R MCV Evora commenced service on the Fylde Coast on Saturday 10th August. Evora 1307 (BV24LNC) was in all day service on Transpora's route 24 which operates between Blackpool town centre and Fleetwood Ferry. This second Evora is painted in the local Transpora livery of green and white.

Evora 1307 on the 1245 departure from Bold Street in Fleetwood

A rear view of Evora 1307 approaching Cleveleys bus station

By Open Top to Marton

V158 MEV on the Beach Bus 26 service in New Bonny Street on 31st July

Transpora North West's Beach Bus 26 service to Marton Mere Holiday Park in Blackpool saw an open-top bus being used on Wednesday 31st July. Alexander bodied Dennis Trident V158 MEV is usually to be seen on the Sightseeing Manchester tours, operated by Transpora. The bus was previously owned by Golden Tours for use around London. V158 MEV was noted in service again on 1st August (photos added).

V158 MEV on Park Road in Blackpool on its return journey to New Bonny Street

V158 MEV on Seasider's Way on 1st August

V158 MEV turning left out of New Bonny Street onto the Promenade on 1st August

V158 MEV at Marton Mere Holiday Park, displaying a TUI advert for Manchester Airport on the rear

V158 MEV returning to Blackpool along Preston New Road on 1st August

V158 MEV on New Bonny Street on 31st July