Brush 621 fails on the first 2020 Heritage Gold weekend

Balloon 723 towing demic Brush Car 621 back to Rigby Road depot

Brush Car 621 was rostered as the first Heritage Tour tram to run to Fleetwood on Saturday 18th June, during the first Winter Gold event of the year. On the return journey from Fleetwood to Starr Gate, 621 unfortunately failed while ascending the incline from Anchorsholme to Little Bispham. Northbound Balloon 723 came to the rescue and towed the stricken 621 back to Rigby Road tram depot. Balloon 723 was uncoupled from 621 in Hopton Road, and the Brush Car was towed into the depot by Boat 227. Balloon 723 re-entered service shortly afterwards, and Brush Car 631 replaced demic 621 on the afternoon Heritage Tours.

Balloon 723 towing Brush 621 into Hopton Road

Balloon 723 towing Brush 621 near Foxhall Square

Boat 227 towing 621 along Hopton Road into the depot

Class 37s visit Blackpool

37259 passing Cottam Hall playing fields in Poulton on the rear of the train

A Derby based Network Rail track inspection train visited Blackpool on 3rd January. The train (181X) was scheduled to depart from Blackpool North at 1413 heading back to Derby, and was top and tailed by DRS 37059 and 37259.

37059 with the Network Rail track inspection train approaching Poulton

DRS 37059 on the Network Rail test train at Poulton-le-Fylde

First BTS Enviro 400 buses withdrawn

Enviro 401 wearing its Remembrance Day poppy in November 2016

In a surprise move, Blackpool Transport Services have withdrawn two of their first batch of  Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 City buses from passenger service for disposal. Enviros 401 and 402 were delivered new in 2016, and entered service in July of the same year, they were last used earlier in December. See http://fyldebus.blogspot.com/2019/12/surprise-e400-disposal.html for further information.

401 prior to entering service, during the Bus Driver of the Year in July 2016

401 in Cleveleys in August 2016, shortly after entering passenger serice

Blackpool's Christmas Bus

Enviro 564 in Talbot Square on service 7 to Clifton Hospital

Blackpool Transport have applied a Christmas vinyl wrap to one of their 11.8m ADL Enviro 200 single deck buses. The Christmas wrap covers most of the sides and rear of Enviro 564.

An offside view of 564 at the service 7 stop in Market Street

A rear view of 564 in Market Street

Northern Class 142 Pacer

142031 at Layton on a service to Manchester Oxford Road in July 2018

With the imminent demise of the Class 142 Pacers in service with Northern, here are a selection of photos taken around the Fylde in 2018.

142004 on the approach to Blackpool North in July 2018

142067 leaving Poulton-le-Fylde on a train to Manchester Oxford Road in June 2018

The Last Day of Virgin Trains

Pendolino 390013 "Blackpool Belle" passing through Layton Station, Blackpool in July 2018

Virgin Trains last day of operation on the West Coast Main Line was on Saturday 7th December, as of Sunday 8th December the service will be rebranded Avanti West Coast operated by First Trenitalia. The last few weeks of Virgin Pendolino operation saw the trains running in an unbranded grey livery in preparation for the franchise change. Virgin Voyagers could still be seen operating in the Virgin colour scheme, although mostly without the Virgin name on the side. Note, all photos were taken on the last day of operation of Virgin Trains apart from the view at Layton Station, which was taken in 2018.

Pendolino 390134 at Preston on a Euston Train with its rear coupling door open

Pendolino 390136 at Preston on a Glasgow Train

Pendolino 390047 on a London Euston train at Preston

Super Voyager 221106 on a southbound train at Preston

Pendolino 390008 departing Preston for Glasgow Central

Pendolino 390008 on a Glasgow bound train at Preston

Pendolino 390002 at Preston leaving for Glasgow

The Poppy Bus

Enviro 218 on service 4 at Mereside bound for Cleveleys

Blackpool Transport have decorated ADL Enviro 218 with vinyls to represent a cascade of poppies flowing along the sides and rear of the bus in order to commemorate Remembrance Day on 11th November.

Enviro 218 in Cleveleys on service 4 to Mereside

Enviro 218 turning into Langdale Road at Mereside