Archway takes over Route 80

Former Go North East Dennis Dart X502WRG heading towards Preston on the new Archway Travel operated route 80

On Monday 13th January Archway Travel took over the short lived Service 80 between Blackpool and Preston after Classic Bus North West suddenly terminated operation of the route on 20th December last year, after less than two weeks of running it. Archway have purchased Dennis Darts X502WRG and X503WRG from Go North East in order to operate the service commercially for an initial three month trial basis.

Archway Travel Dennis Dart X502WRG arriving in Blackpool town centre along Talbot Road on Tuesday 14th January

AEC Swift 554 at Rigby Road

Former Lancastrian Transport Trust collection AEC Swift 554 at Rigby Road tram depot in Blackpool on 13th January

A bus which formed part of the Lancastrian Transport Trust collection was spotted in Rigby Road depot on Monday 13th January. Former Blackpool Corporation 1970 AEC Swift No 554 with Marshall bodywork was noted parked at the far side of the tram depot, the reason for it being on BTS premises is not known.

Routemaster on Catch 22

RML887 seen working a Mereside bound Catch 22 service at Bank Hey Street in Blackpool on 13th January

Monday 13th January saw an unseasonal vehicle in use on the Oakwood Travel operated Catch 22 route in Blackpool, when Routemaster RML887 was noted operating a service to Mereside at Bank Hey Street in Blackpool town centre at lunchtime.

Ex Fylde Delta appears on eBay

Former Fylde Transport Optare Delta H3 FBT is currently being offered for sale on eBay

Another vehicle from the Classic Bus North West stable has appeared for sale on eBay. Former Fylde Transport Optare Delta H3 FBT was purchased for preservation after being withdrawn by Blackpool Transport in 2011, and is being sold off due to the current owner thinning out his collection of preserved buses. F3 FBT was new in 1991, and latterly became No.133 in the fleet of Blackpool Transport after Fylde were absorbed by BTS.

Delta H3 FBT on Market Street in Blackpool while running as No. 133 in the fleet of Blackpool Transport in 2003

Optare Delta H3 FBT is seen being stored in the garage of Classic Bus North West in November 2013

Sandbag Wall at Manchester Square

The temporary sandbag wall at Manchester Square on 7th January, with Flexities 013 & 001 passing at the tram stop

Some views of the temporary sandbag wall that has been constructed at Manchester Square, at the point where Blackpool's expensive new coastal defences failed to stop the sea encroaching onto the tram tracks and Promenade during the very high tide on 3rd January.

Manchester Square on 3rd Jan, showing how the sandbags dismally failed to prevent the promenade from flooding

Classic Bus Volvo for sale on eBay

Classic Bus North West Volvo B10M R899 XVM for sale on eBay due to now being surplus to requirements

As a result of the demise of Classic Bus North West in December and the withdrawal of two of their routes, the 80 to Preston and the X70 to Manchester, a number of vehicles are now surplus to requirements. 1997 Volvo B10M R899 XVM with Alexander 49 seat bodywork has appeared for sale on the auction website eBay.

The details of surplus CBNW Volvo B10M R899 XVM that has been put up for sale on eBay

CBNW Volvo 899 standing in for failed ex Harrogate Volvo 611 on the X70 Red Rocket on 25th November 2013

Tidal Surge Floods Tramway

Flexity 010 northbound near Central Pier with stormy seas caused by a tidal surge and strong winds

For the second time in a month the tram service in Blackpool has had to be curtailed due to the tramway being flooded by a tidal surge. The whole West Coast of England was predicted to be at risk from flooding on 3rd January, due to a combination of high tides combined with low pressure and strong winds. The Flexity tram service operated normally throughout the morning, but at midday Flexity 008 was the last tram to run through the Central Promenade area, continuing on south to Starr Gate depot. The tramway was flooded by the noon high tide from Manchester Square to St Chad's Road tram stop, there was also flooding right across the tram tracks at New Bonny Street, just south of the Tower. The Flexity trams operated a reduced service from North Pier to Fleetwood Ferry during the afternoon. See Blackpool Trams on Flickr for more photos taken during the day.

Flexity 008 splashing through sea water at Manchester Square. This section was closed due to flooding after this

The tracks were flooded from Manchester Sq to St Chad's, causing a reduced service on the tramway from North Pier

Flexity 012 with North Pier on the display. A curtailed passenger service was operated between here and Fleetwood

Flexity 013 reversing over the crossover at North Pier before heading back north to Fleetwood Ferry

Flexity 016 laying over, while 012 has pulled up behind to unload. 013 is just visible parked on the northbound track