A Balloon in the Park

702 passing the Middeton Road gates at Heaton Park so that it could turn around at the M60 junction roundabout

Blackpool Balloon 702 has finally made it in to undercover accommodatation. On 29th April Scotts Heavy Haulage made an early morning departure from Blundell Street in Blackpool, where they had delivered Pantograph Car 167 from Beamish the previous day. Scotts were bound for the East Lancashire Railway at Bury to collect Balloon 702 from open storage, and transport it the short distance to the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester where it can now be kept undercover and dry in the new Lakeside Depot. After a tricky loading at Bury due to not being able to get the trailer close enough to the tram, Scotts set off for Heaton Park. The approach to the park was made from the south along Middleton Road, the low loader having to continue north past the entrance gates and turn around the M60 junction roundabout in order to return south so that it could swing across the dual carriageway at the Middleton Road entrance gates and gain access the tramway, 702 passing through the park gates at 13:05. The unloading process was completed with the aid of a tractor from Manchester Parks Department, and 702 was then towed by replica Vanguard 619 to the new depot at Lakeside with photo stops being made along the way. Balloon 702 was pushed the last few yards into the depot building by Brush Car 623 at 15:20, thus completing the successful retrieval of 702 from its years of exposure to the elements while being stored at Bury.

Balloon 702 returning from the M60 roundabout along Middleton Road on the final approach to the park entrance

Scotts low loader swings right across Middleton Road before entering the gates of Heaton Park at 13:05

Scotts low loader entering the park along the old Manchester Corporation Tramways spur line

Scotts parked up at the unloading position on the straight section of track between the park gates and the old depot

 702 being unloaded from Scotts trailer with the assistance of a tractor belonging to Manchester Parks Department

Balloon 702 being pulled off Scotts low loader by a Manchester Parks Department tractor

Replica Vanguard 619 towing heavy Balloon 702 up the steep hill behind the old depot building

Replica Vanguard 619 towing Balloon 702 towards its new home in the depot at Lakeside

Replica Vanguard 619 towing Balloon 702 to the new depot with Brush car 623 following closely behind

Before 702 entered Lakeside Depot it was posed with replica Vanguard 619 and Brush 623 on the depot approach

Balloon 702 being pushed into the dry secure storage of the new Lakeside Depot at 15:20 by Brush Car 623

Pantograph 167 arrives in Blackpool

Scotts Heavy Haulage and Pantograph 167 reversing from Lytham Rd into Hopton Rd just after 9pm on 28th April

Pantograph 167 arrived in Blackpool this evening courtesy of Scotts Heavy Haulage. There had been a delay in loading 167 earlier in the day due to a problem with Scotts low loader, the departure from Beamish eventually being at 5pm. Scotts finally arrived at Rigby Road depot in Blackpool just after 9pm, being met by an intrepid band of enthusiasts, some of whom had been waiting many hours for the delayed arrival. After Scotts positioned the low loader in Blundell Street, the unloading process went very smoothly, with 167 being pushed into the depot by Unimog 939 at 10pm.

Scotts low loader with Pantograph Car 167 onboard reversing along Hopton Road towards the depot

Scotts Heavy Haulage low loader parked up in the unloading position in Blundell Street

Pantograph 167 hooked up to the hydraulic arm of Scotts tractor unit with a webbing strop ready to be lowered

167 being lowered down the ramp of Scotts low loader with the depot fork lift truck pulling at the opposite end

Unimog 939 and Pantograph Car 167 traversing the curve from Blundell Street into Hopton Road

Pantograph Car 167 being pulled from Blundell Street into Hopton Road by Unimog 939

Unimog 939 pushing Pantograph Car 167 into Rigby Road depot at 10pm on 28th April

Flexity 016 on Little Bisphams

Overall advert Flexity 016 taking a short crew break on Little Bispham turning circle during the morning of April 26th

On Saturday 26th April the new overall advert Flexity was allocated to a short working during the day. Flexity 016 was noted operating between the Pleasure Beach and Little Bispham turning circles throughout the morning and afternoon.

Flexity 016 with Pleasure Beach on the destination display, about to depart from Little Bispham at 1125 on 26th April

Flexity 016 at Cocker Street heading north bearing the destination Little Bispham just before 10am on 26th April

Dart 143 enters service in the new Catch22 livery

Oakwood Travel Dennis Dart T143AUA making its passenger service debut in the new Catch22 livery on 26th April

Oakwood Travel's Dennis Dart T143AUA entered service today in the new Cardiff inspired Catch22 fleet livery of orange and turquoise. 143 received its new paint scheme a month ago, but has been undergoing MOT preparation work in the meantime before today's rebranded debut into passenger service. The vehicle is the second one to enter service in the new Catch22 colours, Volvo B6BLE W601CWX was the first bus to see service in the new livery, making its first appearance on the Catch22 route on Thursday 17th April.

Dennis Dart T143AUA crossing the tram tracks at Anchorsholme Lane in Cleveleys on the Catch22 route

A rear three-quarter view of Dennis Dart T143AUA as it nears the northern terminus of the Catch22 in Cleveleys

Centenaries on the move

Centenary 648 returning to Starr Gate depot via the loop line passing Flexity 012 waiting to depart from the terminus

Centenary cars 642 and 648 were moved from Rigby Road depot to Starr Gate on 25th April, in preparation for the next heritage tram weekend at the beginning of May. Before the two Centenary cars made the journey south, Twin Set 272+T2 and Balloon 706 were returned to Rigby Road from Starr Gate. Centenary 642 is only going to Starr Gate depot to act as a backup for 648 which is planned to feature in the weekends events.

Centenary 648 at the end of Hopton Road about to depart on its journey to Starr Gate depot

Centenary 648 heading up Lytham Road towards the Foxhall crossover in order to reverse and run south again

Centenary 642 emerging from Hopton Road onto Lytham Road

Centenary 642 on the South Promenade approaching Starr Gate

Centenary 642 returning to Starr Gate depot via the loop line passing Flexity 012 waiting to depart from the terminus

Centenary 642 passing through the sanding bay as it enters the depot confines at Starr Gate

Centenary 642 entering the engineering side of Starr Gate depot

Centenary 648 passing through the sanding bay as it enters the depot confines at Starr Gate

Centenary 648 following 642 into Starr Gate depot

Easter Sunday Heritage Tours

Brush car 631 passing St Peter's Church at the end of Lord Street on the Sunday morning Heritage Tour to Fleetwood

Sunday 20th April was the third and last day of heritage tram operations in Blackpool over the Easter Weekend. The day began with the morning tour to Fleetwood which was operated by Balloon 717 and Brush car 631. Bolton 66 and Balloon 700 were brought into service later operating Promenade tours as required. Between about 1pm and 3pm snowplough equipped Balloons 701 and 723 were displayed alongside the fitting shop in Blundell Street, with Balloon 715 being positioned on the depot fan. The trams used on the late afternoon tour to Fleetwood were Standard 147 and Balloon 700.

Balloon 717 and Brush 631 seen together at Fleetwood Ferry during the morning Heritage Tour to the seaside town

Snowplough equipped Balloons 701 and 723 were displayed alongside the fitting shop in Blundell Street

Snowplough equipped Balloons 723 and 701 were displayed alongside the fitting shop in Blundell Street

Former Lancastrian Transport Trust Balloon 715 was pulled out onto the depot fan for display

Balloon 717 and Bolton 66 (with Balloon 700 behind it) sit on the Pleasure Beach loop awaiting their next duties

Probably the most popular Balloons in the heritage fleet, 717 and 700 sit alongside each other at the Pleasure Beach

Standard 147 rounding the curve from Lord Street into North Albert St as it arrives in Fleetwood on Sunday evening

700 passing the clock tower on the curve from North Albert Street into Lord Street in Fleetwood on Sunday evening

Easter Saturday Heritage Tours

Boat 230 and Balloon 717 pose at Fleetwood Ferry during the late afternoon heritage tour to the fishing port

Saturday 19th April was the second day of heritage tram operations in Blackpool over the Easter Weekend. The day began with the usual morning tour to Fleetwood which was handled this time by Twin Set 272 and T2 and Boat 600. Standard 147 and Bolton 66 followed into service later operating Promenade tours as required. Between about 1pm and 3pm widened Balloons 719 and 713 were displayed alongside the fitting shop in Blundell Street, with Balloon 720 being pulled out onto the depot fan, exhibiting its missing centre door that was damaged during a depot move several months ago. The trams used on the late afternoon tour to Fleetwood were Balloon 717 "Walter Luff" and Boat 230 "George Formby".

Twin Set 272+T2 passing the Ferry on the morning heritage tour that ran through to Fleetwood

Bolton 66 loading passengers at a temporary heritage stop on the northbound running line at the Pleasure beach

Boat 600 on its return from Fleetwood passing a line of horse-drawn landaus near to South Pier

Standard 147 heading south past North Pier while on an early afternoon Heritage Tour

Twin Set 272+T2 taking a break on the loop line at the Pleasure Beach during Saturday afternoon

Widened Balloons 719 and 713 were displayed on the track in Blundell Street during middle of the afternoon

Widened Balloon 720 displayed on the track fan, showing the missing door that was damaged during a depot move

Balloon 717 "Walter Luff" taking a mid afternoon break on the loop track at the Pleasure Beach

Boat 230 "George Formby" turning at North Pier on a round trip Heritage Tour from the Pleasure Beach

Newly renamed Balloon 717 "Walter Luff" with the late afternoon sun reflecting off its new varnish in North Albert Street