Class 37s visit Blackpool on Network Rail Track Monitoring Train

37425 'Sir Robert McAlpine' in Regional Railways livery on the rear of the train at Poulton-le-Fylde

A Network Rail PLPR (Plain Line Pattern Recognition) track inspection train visited Blackpool South and North railway stations on 12th June. The train was parked up from the early hours at Blackpool North station, departing at 1509 for Derby RTC (Railway Technical Centre). Colas Rail 37421 is seen leading 1Q83 though Poulton-le-Fylde on the way to Derby, with 37425 'Sir Robert McAlpine' in Regional Railways livery bringing up the rear.

Colas Rail Freight 37421 with the PLPR train passing through Poulton-le-Fylde station

37421 on the front of the track inspection train at Poulton

2026 Cleveleys Car Show

This unusual 2012 customised Suzuki Carry DA63T pickup was imported from Japan

The annual Cleveleys Car Show took place on Sunday 7th June. Although the weather forecast wasn't great for the afternoon, the sun did put in a short appearance in the morning. The visiting cars began assembling along Victoria Road West, the side streets and the sea wall from early on in the day. These photos were taken before the clouds rolled in and the massed crowds had arrived. As usual it was a very popular free event, with vehicles of all types to interest the public and fellow exhibitors.

A 1957 Austin Metropolitan and 2006 Daihatsu Copen on the sea wall

A 2011 Mini R58 coupe parking up on Victoria Road West

A pair of Volvo P1800 coupes

Two Ford Mustangs parked down a side street

A line-up of Chevrolet Corvettes on the sea wall

A classic Swedish 1973 Saab 96

A 2000 Sylva Jester kit car arriving along the sea wall

A chopped and customised 1960 Ford Zephyr Mk II

A shortened 1977 Mini arriving at the event along Victoria Road West

Vehicles were already beginning to park up early on the Sunday morning

Victoria Square tram crossing in Cleveleys closed to road traffic

Flexity 013 passing through the closed roadway at Victoria Square

Victoria Road West in Cleveleys is closed at Victoria Square to allow for traffic light replacement work to be undertaken at the major junction, Plastic barriers have been placed alongside the tram tracks to prevent any East/West road traffic from using the junction. The closure has impacted several bus routes forcing diversions to be put in place. Any buses arriving in Cleveleys from the east along Victoria Road West are being diverted left at Victoria Square, before having to travel south to the next road crossing over the tramway at Anchorsholme Lane, then heading back north again to regain their normal routes. Archway Travel's route 75 from Preston is being diverted via North Drive, Anchorsholme Lane, Fleetwood Road and the Crescent before continuing along its usual route. The road closure is due to be in place from 1st to 5th June.

Road work signs on Victoria Road West at the closed tram crossing

A Flexity heading north at Victoria Square between the plastic barriers

Blackpool Transport 437 on route 8 from Blackpool diverts south at the closed junction

Flexity 008 passing through the road works approaching Cleveleys tram stop

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