Blackpool Model Tramway Exhibition

The ever popular Rainy City layout featuring Manchester trams of the 1920s was in attendance again

The Blackpool Model Tramway Exhibition was held at Cleveleys Park Methodist Church for the second year running, right next to the Blackpool tramway and just a few steps from West Drive tram stop in Cleveleys. The event was well attended and was yet another successful show due to the work put in by exhibitors and organisers. The layouts were in a variety of scales, with many being 4mm. I will try to give the scale where they aren't 4mm, but I may not always get it right.

A 4mm scale tram layout

Mardling Mawkin Transport Museum in N gauge

A compact layout featuring a model of preserved Chester tram 4

The Hopkins Choice layout of Sunderland in the 1950s

Hampshire Hills is an HO scale American interurban layout

Two Manchester 4-wheelers on the Rainy City layout

Manchester Square is a work in progress Blackpool layout

Pavilion is a small 4mm tram layout

A small scale micro Hong Kong layout

3D printed 4mm scale Blackpool streamliner trams

An N gauge Fleetwood layout

An HO layout of the Fisherman's Wharf area in San Francisco

A general view of the 1920s Manchester Rainy City layout

The exhibition was right next to the Blackpool tramway at West Drive in Cleveleys

Bolton 66 on hire to American enthusiast group

Bolton 66 passing Flexity 006 near Central Pier

Bolton 66 operated a private hire on 8th May for the Electric Railroaders Association from the USA, who are on a two week tour of the UK. The tram ran from Starr Gate to Little Bispham turning circle and return with stops along the way.

Bolton 66 heading north near Manchester Square

Bolton 66 approaching Central Pier

Bolton 66 and Flexity 013 passing each other near the Gynn

Bolton 66 making its way north along the Promenade

Balloon 717 visits North Station twice during FTS tour

Balloon 717 at North Station after its first trip along the Talbot Road line

The Fylde Tramway Society hired Balloon 717 for a tour of the Blackpool tramway on 3rd May as part of their annual convention weekend. The tour of the system departed from the North Pier loop at 1300, before heading up Talbot Road to North Station, then to Thornton Gate, returning to North Station again, south to the Pleasure Beach, then to the Cabin where the tram reversed and headed south to Starr Gate, then back north to Little Bispham, with the tour concluding at the southbound North Pier heritage stop at 1630. The photos shown here were taken during the most interesting parts of the tour, these being 717's first trips along the Talbot Road line to North Station.

Balloon 717 heading up Talbot Road for the first time on the tour, with BTS bus 453 behind

Balloon 717 at North Station alongside Flexity 013 which was about to leave for Fleetwood Ferry

Balloon 717 leaving North Station on its way to Thornton Gate

Balloon 717 crossing over the junction with Dickson Road

Balloon 717 passing Flexity 006 on its way south to Starr Gate

Balloon 717 entering Talbot Square after its second visit to North Station

Balloon 717 turning left out of Talbot Square onto the Promenade

Voodoo Blue Transporabus E400 on Service 21

Transporabus ADL E400 LJ09 OLG near the Cabin on service 21 to St Annes on 30th April

The first Transporabus double decker to receive their striking new Voodoo Blue livery was noted in service on the Fylde Coast this week. ADL Enviro400 LJ09 OLG was spotted in use on route 21 to St Annes on Thursday 30th April wearing the stunning new colour scheme.

LJ09 OLG approaching the bus station on Rough Lea Road in Cleveleys

A rear view of LJ09 OLG at the South Pier in Blackpool

ADL Enviro200 MMC X21 RVK at Cleveleys in September 2025

Volvo MCV Evora BD74 FKE crossing the tram tracks at Cleveleys in September 2025

Bolton 66 goes for a test run along the Prom

Bolton 66 passing South Pier while out on a test run on 30th April

Bolton 66 went for a test run along the Promenade on the morning of Thursday 30th April, the tram was spotted heading north at South Pier late in the morning. 66 ventured as far north as the Little Bispham loop before turning around and heading back south, where it was spotted passing the Tower an hour after the first encounter at South Pier.

Bolton 66 passing Flexity 013 at the South Pier tram stop

Bolting 66 heading back south past the Tower around an hour later

Beach Bus 26 at Coral Island

Transporabus Enviro400 LJ09 CAE passing Coral Island while on the Beach Bus 26 service on 27th April

Transporabus ADL Enviro400 2603 (LJ09 CAE) on the Beach Bus 26 service, passing the iconic skull of the Coral Island amusement arcade while turning from New Bonny Street onto the Promenade on 27th April.

Stena Line Rotor Sail Truck Ferry at Heysham

Stena Connecta departing from Heysham harbour on 24th April heading for Belfast

Stena Line introduced their second ‘New Max’ RoRo truck ferry on the Belfast to Heysham service in January. Stena Connecta is similar to her sister ship Stena Futura, but with the addition of two rather prominent 28 metre high Norsepower Rotor Sails. These innovative rotor sails work by compressing and thinning the air to create thrust which assists in powering the vessel, in a similar process to that which makes a football spin. Stena Connecta entered service on the Heysham to Belfast route on 23rd January, and together the new larger ferries offer an additional 40% increase in freight capacity over the previous ships. Stena Connecta has a multi-hybrid propulsion system, enabling the use of battery power, biofuel, and methanol.

 Stena Connecta passing the remains of the old wooden South Jetty at Heysham

Stena Connecta drawing away slowly from her berth in Heysham harbour

Stena Connecta passing between the entrance piers at Heysham harbour

The old order - Stena Hibernia arriving at Heysham from Belfast in May 2021