Brush Car 634 returns home

Brush Car 634 on the back of Calkeld Heavy Haulage's low loader on Lytham Road in Blackpool

Brush Car 634 returned home to Blackpool on 26th February after six years in exile. 634 was purchased from Blackpool Transport in 2009 by Andy Ashton for private preservation, the tram was in outside storage for several years at Rushden, where Andy and his daughters spent a lot of time restoring both the outside and particularly the inside of the tram into its current excellent condition. Latterly 634 has been a resident at the North East Land, Sea and Air Museum at Sunderland for a couple of years, from where it began its journey back to Blackpool on 25th February. Andy has kindly agree to donate 634 to the Blackpool Heritage Trust, so that ultimately the tram can become part of the active heritage fleet, and once again operate on its home rails along the Promenade.

Unloading the trolley tower from the trailer with the depot fork lift truck

634 being lowered down the rail ramp off Calkeld Heavy Haulage's low loader by an electric winch

634 being lowered down the rail ramp off Calkeld Heavy Haulage's low loader by an electric winch

634 being pulled along Blundell Street by the depot fork lift truck

A view showing the tremendous amount of work that Andy and his daughters have done on the interior

Saloon clocks have been refitted to both ends of the tram above the cab doors

A brass plaque commemorating the work that Andy and his daughters have done on 634

Brush Car 634 being towed along Blundell Street by Unimog 939

Brush Car 634 being towed out of Blundell Street by Unimog 939

Brush Car 634 being shunted along Hopton Road into Rigby Road depot by Unimog 939

Enviro 200 Demonstrator

Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 demonstrator YX65 RLO being used on service 5 on Lytham Road

Blackpool Transport are currently evaluating an Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 single deck demonstrator. YX65 RLO is being trialled in passenger service alongside BTS's own Palladium branded Mercedes Citaros on the service 5, that runs between Halfway House and Victoria Hospital. BTS currently have on order ten ADL Enviro 400 City double deck buses, that are due to be received later this year for use on service 9.

A rear view of Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 demonstrator YX65 RLO on East Park Drive

Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 demonstrator YX65 RLO on Waterloo Road bridge on service 5

Norbreck North Update

Flexity 011 proceeding at slow speed through the construction area at the new Norbreck North tram stop

Construction on the new tram stop at Norbreck North is progressing well, both of the platforms are now finished, with the final coat of tarmac now in place along with the new lighting stanchions. Work still remaining to be done includes adding the fencing, shelters and tram stop name posts, and laying of the safety plates in between the rails.

An overview of construction progress on the new tram stop at Norbreck North

700 on Driver Training

 Driver Training Balloon 700 taking a short break on the Pleasure Beach turning circle

Balloon 700 was noted in use out on the Promenade on driver training duties again on Wednesday 10th February.

Balloon 700 northbound on driver training with Flexity 011 approaching the platform at the Pleasure Beach

Balloon 700 heading south past the Lifeboat Station while on driver training duties

Training Trams Galore

Balloon 711 at Fleetwood Ferry while in use as a Heritage Tram crew driver trainer

Wednesday 3rd February saw no less than four purple and white trams in use on driver training duties in Blackpool. Fat door Balloons 700, 711 and 719 were in use training Heritage Tram drivers, and Flexity 003 was also out on the Promenade training service tram crew. The purple Balloons ranged over the full system throughout the day, from Starr Gate to Fleetwood Ferry.

Balloon 700 southbound at Central Pier on Heritage crew driver training

Balloon 719 heading north from the Starr Gate terminus while on Heritage Tram crew driver training

Southbound driver training Flexity 003 passing Balloon 711 on Heritage Tram crew training near Starr Gate

Trident Driver Trainer 973

Dennis Trident 973 (ex 303) seen leaving Fleetwood along Amounderness Way on 1st February

Blackpool Transport Dennis Trident 303 (PJ02 PYG) now 973, which is the second of the batch to be converted into a driver training vehicle, was noted in use in Fleetwood today. Trainer 973 is in the same "Palladium" style livery of grey and pale yellow that sister vehicle 974 received. Some of the top deck seats from 973 have been cannibalised and removed for use as spares to replace damaged seats on Tridents in the passenger fleet.

Dennis Trident 974 (ex 304) driver training vehicle seen heading south on Clifton Drive in October 2015

Winter Heritage Day 2

Railcoach 680 pauses at a very wet Bispham on its return journey from Thornton Gate in Cleveleys

The gale force winds that held sway during Saturday had abated by the second day of the January Heritage Tram Tour weekend, only to be replaced by drab, dismal, wet weather throughtout the day. This was definitely a day for riding and not photography, however for the record the early morning tram output as recorded at Bispham was Frigate 736 to Little Bispham, Railcoach 680 to Thornton Gate, Centenary 642 turning at Bispham, Twin Set 675/685 on the first Fleetwood run of the day, then 700 and 147 both turning at Little Bispham. Centenary 642 and Railcoach 680 both suffered from problems and had to return to the depot during the day, being replaced in Heritage Tour service by Balloon 717 and Brush Car 631.

Twin Set 675/685 southbound at Anchorsholme Crossing, returning from the first run of the day to Fleetwood

Standard 147 passing Norbreck Castle Hotel on its way south to the Pleasure Beach

Centenary Car 642 leaving the Bispham heritage stop in order to reverse direction using the centre loop

HMS Blackpool heading south through Bispham towards the Pleasure Beach

Balloon 700 bound for Little Bispham passes southbound Railcoach 680 at the Bispham heritage stop