2014 Santa Special

The Western Train parked on the siding at North Pier as the sun slowly sets below below the horizon

On Saturday 20th December the Western Train was parked on the siding at North Pier from 1000 to 1600 with Santa and his helpers onboard so that children could pay him a visit and also receive a present. After a very busy day, Santa Claus and his elves rounded off the proceedings with a well patronised return trip to Little Bispham and back.

The Western Train on the siding at North Pier where it was parked all day in order that children could visit Santa Claus

The Western Train preparing to depart from North Pier with nearly a full load of passengers on board

The Western Train departing from North Pier just after 1600 on its return trip to Little Bispham and back

The Western Train at Bispham tram station on the return leg of the journey from Little Bispham to North Pier

The Western Train heading back to North Pier, with Santa and his elves on the rear platform of the carriage

Routemaster Snowplough

Snowplough equipped Balloon 701 at the front of Rigby Rd depot on the 7th Dec, with 700, 723 and 754 also in view

Balloon 701 was noted carrying its usual seasonal snowplough at the front of Rigby Road tram depot on 7th December, despite the tram now being classed as part of the heritage fleet. It will be very interesting to see if 701 is still fitted with the snowplough when it operates the Fylde Tramway Society's 2014 Christmas Tour on 28th December.

Oakwood Travel Has Ceased To Be

Ex Lothian Buses Volvo Olympian P269 PSX southbound on the service 22 to Mereside on 2nd December 2014

When is a bus not a Classic Bus, that's the Catch 22 question. Former Lothian Buses Olympian P269 PSX was still operating with the Classic Bus North West logo on the upper deck windscreen on 2nd December, over a year after the company ceased to exist and a day after its successor company was renamed. Classic Bus North West Ltd ceased trading in December 2013, with their buses coming under the umbrella of Oakwood Travel Services Ltd. It was announced earlier this week that with effect from 1st December, Oakwood Travel Services would henceforth be known as Catch22Bus Ltd. Several of the single deckers have already been repainted and rebranded into the new Catch22Bus orange and turquoise livery, hopefully the rest of the fleet will receive the corporate livery in the not too distant future before another name change takes effect.

Former Metroline of London Dennis Dart T143 AUA in the full Catch22Bus livery and branding on December 2nd

Oakwood's former London United Volvo B7TL

Ex London United Volvo W139EON passing Coral Island on Oakwood Travel's Catch 22 service on 2nd December

Former London United Volvo B7TL W139 EON (ex VA103) with two door Alexander ALX400 bodywork made its debut on Oakwood Travel's Catch 22 service three weeks ago. 139 has also been noted operating on the seasonal Red Rocket service to Manchester, which is running a single daily round trip on Saturday and Sundays during the run up to Christmas.

Former London United Volvo W139EON heading for Mereside on Oakwood Travel's service 22 on December 2nd

Oakwood's Volvo B7TL W139EON leaving Blackpool on the Red Rocket service to Manchester on November 29th