Day five of Heritage Crew Training

Balloon 717 passing Central Pier as it heads off north towards Fleetwood on its first driver training run of the day

The fifth consecutive day of heritage crew driver training saw Twin Set 272+T2 in use again along with Balloon 717. The Twin Set was the first to leave Rigby Road depot on its training run, followed an hour later by Balloon 717 which ran through to Fleetwood.

Twin Set 272+T2 heads north past the Hilton Hotel on the first heritage driver training outing of the day

Balloon 717 parked at the tram stop at Bold Street in Fleetwood while some driver tuition takes place

Twin Set 272+T2 with trailer leading, southbound at Norbreck on a driver training run

Balloon 700 on Driver Training

Balloon 700 at Fleetwood Ferry on driver training duties on 26th February

Prototype Balloon 700 was noted in Fleetwood on driver training duties today. The damage to the cab door that the tram received on Monday when the strong wind whipped it open and snapped the restraining chain was quite plain to see.

Balloon 700 at Thornton Gate, showing the damage to the cab door that occured on Monday when the wind caught it

Balloon 700 northbound along North Albert Street in Fleetwood heading for the terminus of the line

Box 40 on Driver Training

Box Car 40 heading north past Anchorsholme Park near Little Bispham on driver training duties

On the third day of heritage tram crew training this week, Blackpool & Fleetwood Box Car 40 was the tram selected for use. Box 40 left Rigby Road depot shortly after 0900, and then proceeded to make a driver training run right through to Fleetwood Ferry before returning to Blackpool.

Box Car 40 heads north past the clock tower at Ash Street in Fleetwood

88 years separate the boxy designs of 1914 built tram 40 and 301, Blackpool's first Dennis Trident delivered in 2002

Box 40 at Fleetwood Ferry turning right into Pharos Street to begin its return run to Blackpool

Box Car 40 heading south along North Albert Street in Fleetwood

Box 40 heading back towards Blackpool along Copse Road in Fleetwood

Single deck heritage car training

Centenary 648 passing the Grosvenor Casino as it approaches the Pleasure Beach on driver training

Tuesday 24th February saw another day of heritage crew driver training, this time using Twin Set 272+T2 and Centenary Car 648. Many unusual workings and little used crossovers were used during the days training.

Twin Set 272+T2 southbound at Gynn Square on a morning driver training run

Centenary Car 648 leaving the Pleasure Beach as it heads north on a driver training run

Twin Set 272+T2 heading south at Central Pier while on driver training

Centenary Car 648 northbound on a driver training run at Central Pier

Twin Set 272+T2 and Centenary Car 648 passing at the Cabin just before lunchtime

Diamond Dart goes orange and turquoise

Former Diamond Bus Dennis Dart V658 HEC on Westcliffe Drive in Layton on service 6 to Blackpool town centre

Former Diamond Bus of Kidderminster Dennis Dart V658 HEC has been repainted from its previous all blue colour scheme into the Catch22Bus corporate livery, and has now entered service on route 6 to Grange Park.

Three Balloons on Driver Training

Balloon 717 northbound at the Hilton Hotel on driver training on 23rd February

Balloons 700 and 717 were in use on driver training on Monday 23rd February. 700 had to retire to the depot early due to one of the cab doors being ripped open by the strong wind, causing the retaining chain to snap. Balloon 719 took the place of 700 on training duties for the rest of the day. 717 and 719 both made the journey through to Fleetwood, posing together on the Ferry loop for a few minutes.

Balloon 700 southbound at Sandhurst Avenue on driver training

Balloon 719 heading north on driver training at the Cabin, after it had replaced 700

Balloons 717 and 719 waiting behind Flexity 006 at Bold Street in Fleetwood

Balloons 719 and 717 taking a short break on the loop at Fleetwood Ferry

Multicoloured Darts to Grange Park

Former Diamond Bus Company Dennis Dart V657 HEC on Chepstow Road in Grange Park on service 6

Another second hand Mini Pointer Dart has entered service with Catch22Bus Ltd. The Dart, formerly with Diamond Bus from Kidderminster, has been noted in service on route 6 to Grange Park, the vehicle is V657 HEC and it is still running in the former owner's dark blue livery. Sister vehicle V658 HEC has also been acquired, but this bus is being repainted first before entering service. Green and white former Whittle Dennis Dart W468 UAG has also been in use on service 6, along with existing vehicles that are wearing the turquoise and orange Catch 22 fleet livery.

Former Diamond Bus Dennis Dart V657 HEC on Poulton Road in Layton on service 6 to Blackpool town centre

Green & white former Whittle Dennis Dart W468 UAG on Chepstow Road in Grange Park on service 6

Former Whittle Dennis Dart W468 UAG inbound along Poulton Road in Layton on service 6 to Blackpool town centre

Former Metroline Dennis Dart T143 AUA passing the new Sainsbury's store on Talbot Road on service 6

First day in service for the 'B' Fleet in 2015

Balloon 700 heading south at Gynn Square on the first day of passenger service for the 'B' fleet trams during 2015

Blackpool Transport decided to trial some of the 'B' fleet Balloons in passenger service on Saturday 14th February. The two Balloons selected for the trial were 700 and 719, both trams departing from Rigby Road depot around 1000, with 700 leaving first and heading north to Bispham, 719 followed and reversed at Foxhall before heading for the Pleasure Beach. The two trams then ran a Pleasure Beach - Bispham service for the rest of the day.

Balloon 719 passing St Chad's headland on its way to the Pleasure Beach

Balloon 700 approaching the northbound platform at the Pleasure Beach to pick up passengers

Balloon 719 departing from the Pleasure Beach bound for Bispham

Balloon 700 arriving at Bispham tram station during the 'B' fleet's debut into passenger service for 2015

Whittle Dart enters service in Blackpool

Ex Whittle Dennis Dart W468 UAG arriving in Blackpool town centre along Talbot Road on service 6 on 11th February

Former Whittle of Kidderminster Dennis Dart W468 UAG has now entered service with Catch22Bus Ltd. The bus made its entry into passenger service still in its previous Whittle livery, apart from an orange panel on the front which carries the Catch22Bus logo.

Former Whittle Dennis Dart W468 UAG on Clifton Street in Blackpool town centre on the service 6 on 11th February

Driver Trainer Pictorial

Balloon 700 crossing the road junction at Manchester Square after its short outing on driver training duties on Feb 6th

Here are a selection of photos from last Friday's heritage driver training day that used Blackpool & Fleetwood Box Car 40 and prototype Balloon 700.

Box Car 40 southbound at the Gynn while on a driver training run on 6th February

Balloon 700 just south of Central Pier on driver training duties on 6th February

Box Car 40 at Bispham as Flexity 003 passes by on the way to Fleetwood Ferry

Box Car 40 on the turning circle at Little Bispham as it returns south to the Pleasure Beach

Flexity 013 heading north at Bispham, passing Balloon 700 taking a short break on the centre siding

Balloon 700 sitting on the centre track at Bispham, as Box Car 40 passes by on its way back from Fleetwood

RML887 on Blackpool Promenade

RML887 turning from the Promenade into Adelaide Street on the service 22 on 5th February.

One last shot of RML887 working the service 22 of Catch22Bus, taken on Thursday 5th February.

Former Whittle Dennis Darts for Catch22Bus

Former Whittle Dennis Dart W468 UAG on a test run with its new owner Catch22Bus Ltd on 6th February

Catch22Bus Ltd have just taken delivery of two former Whittle Dennis Dart SLFs with Plaxton Mini Pointer bodywork. The two vehicles are W466 & W468 UAG, new to East Yorkshire Motor Services in 2000, they last operated with the EYMS subsidiary Whittle in Kidderminster.

Heritage Trams on Driver Training

Balloon 700 sitting on the centre track at Bispham on 6th Feb, as Box 40 passes by on its way back from Fleetwood

Friday 6th February saw two of the heritage fleet being used on driver training duties. Blackpool & Fleetwood Box Car 40 was the first tram out, heading to Little Bispham then back to the Pleasure Beach before running to Fleetwood Ferry and back to the depot. Prototype Balloon 700 also came out on driver training later in the morning, the two trams were spotted together briefly at Bispham just after midday.

Routemasters in action on the 22

RML887 heading south at Bispham Village on the service 22 to Mereside on 3rd February

This week saw both Routemasters from the Catch22Bus fleet in action on the service 22 between Mereside and Cleveleys. Monday 2nd February saw former Blackpool Transport Routemaster 521 (RM1583) in use, while from Tuesday it was the turn of all red RML887 to take over the reins.

RM1583 turning right from Langdale Road onto Clifton Road in Mereside on 2nd February

RML887 heading for Mereside along the bus contra-flow lane on Central Drive in Blackpool

RM1583 stopping to pick up passengers on Cherry Tree Road in Marton

RML887 approaching the southern terminus of the 22 route in Mereside

RML1583 heading south on Kelso Avenue in Cleveleys

RML887 pulling into the service 22 bus stop on New Bonny Street in Blackpool

RM1583 passing Mereside Primary School on Langdale Road in Mereside, on the way to Cleveleys

RML887 on the service 22 to Mereside, turning left into Anchorsholme Lane in Cleveleys

RML887 westbound on Anchorsholme Lane in Cleveleys on service 22