Second Hong Kong open-topper on the Zoo Bus

 MCW Metrobus F69 SYE turning into Albert Road on the Service 21 to Blackpool Zoo

Catch22Bus Ltd's 1988 ex China Motor Bus 12m MCW Metrobus F69 SYE was in service on route 21 to Blackpool Zoo on Saturday 25th July. For some reason the bus was displaying a route board with the destination Tower on when en route to the Zoo, and then displaying Zoo when it was heading back towards the Tower, all rather confusing.

MCW Metrobus F69 SYE in New Bonny Street on the way back towards Blackpool Tower

MCW Metrobus F69 SYE turning right from Albert Road into Coronation Street on the Service 21 to Blackpool Zoo

MCW Metrobus F69 SYE on Hornby Road crossing Park Road on the way towards Blackpool Zoo

Hong Kong Metrobus on Service 21

Former Hong Kong Metrobus F326 UJN negotiating the roundabout at the Stanley Park end of Mere Road

Catch22Bus Ltd's open-top former Hong Kong Metrobus F326 UJN was noted in use on their Service 21 route to Blackpool Zoo on Tuesday 21st July.

Former Hong Kong Metrobus F326 UJN heading along East Park Drive towards the Tower on Service 21

Open Top Tiger back from the Dead

Former Southport Corporation Transport Leyland Tiger PS2/5 No.12 on display at Burscough on 12th July

Leyland Tiger PS2/5 CRN 993, with a Blackpool built Burlingham body, was delivered new to Ribble Motor Services as their fleet number 2793 in 1950, part of a batch of twenty vehicles. Southport Corporation Transport purchased three of the 1950 Tigers from Ribble in 1960, converting them to open-top configuration for use on circular tours around the resort. CRN 993 became No.12 in the fleet of Southport Corporation, surviving the takeover by Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive (MPTE) in 1974, before eventually being withdrawn in 1985 at the grand old age of 35. No.12 was sold to a coach operator in North Wales, before eventually ending up as a derelict hulk at the rear of the funfair in Rhyl. The bus was subsequently rescued for preservation, but it wasn't until the current owner purchased the vehicle that it was restored to its present condition over the last two and a half years. This set of photos were taken at the Merseyside Transport Trust's open day at Burscough near Ormskirk on Sunday 12th July.

A rear three-quarter view of former Southport Corporation Leyland Tiger PS2/5 No.12 on display at Burscough

A three-quarter view of former Southport Corporation Leyland Tiger PS2/5 No.12 at Burscough

A rear three-quarter view of former Southport Corporation Leyland Tiger PS2/5 No.12 at Burscough

An interior view of former Southport Corporation Leyland Tiger PS2/5 No.12 on display at Burscough

An elevated rear three-quarter view of former Southport Corporation Leyland Tiger PS2/5 No.12 at Burscough

Former MPTE Atlantean 1551 that was converted to open-top condition for use on circular tours in Southport

Former Southport Leyland Titan PD2 No.54 that was converted to open-top condition by MPTE for use in the resort

PD3 516 in Routemaster Red

Former Blackpool Corporation Leyland Titan 516 carrying a wedding party along the Promenade past the Tower

Former Blackpool Corporation Leyland Titan PD3 No 516 (HFR 516E) has been repainted into a Blackpool Routemaster style colour scheme of red and white. 516 was noted on a private hire taking a wedding party to the chapel at Festival House on the Promenade. The bus is now carrying legal lettering for Catch22Bus Ltd, and looks resplendent in its new livery, although it still needs one or two final cosmetic touches before it will be complete.

Former Blackpool Corporation Leyland Titan 516 arriving at North Pier with a wedding party onboard

Former Blackpool Titan 516 at North Pier after dropping off its wedding party, with Boat 227 on Heritage Tours

Balloon 715 on Private Hire

Centenary 648 southbound at the Cabin on driver training as 715 heads north towards Fleetwood

Balloon 715 was used for a private hire of the tram system during the afternoon and evening of 8th July. 715 made several trips up and down the tramway, visiting Fleetwood twice and Starr Gate once. The tram was parked on the loop at the Ferry on the second visit to Fleetwood while a meal break was taken.

Balloon 715 on the turning circle at the Pleasure Beach

Balloon 715 stopping for a photographic break on the loop at Fleetwood Ferry

Overall advert Dennis Trident 329 passing Balloon 715 at Fleetwood Ferry

Northbound Flexity 014 passing Balloon 715 at Cleveleys

Northbound Flexity 012 passing Balloon 715 at Bispham

Balloon 715 southbound at the Pleasure Beach

Balloon 715 about to leave Starr Gate headed for Fleetwood

Southbound Flexity 006 passing 715 near Starr Gate

Balloon 715 heading north from Starr Gate

Balloon 715 northbound at the Imperial Hotel

Balloon 715 on North Albert Street in Fleetwood

Balloon 715 entering the loop at Fleetwood Ferry while the party took a meal break

Balloon 715 parked on the loop at Fleetwood Ferry while the party who hired the tram were taking a meal break

Boat 227 dewires at the Cabin

Boat 227 waiting to reverse at the Cabin on the afternoon trip from the Pleasure Beach, while Flexity 010 passes by

On the blue timetabled Heritage Tour service on Saturday 4th July, Boat 227 was the tram which operated the scheduled late afternoon trip from Pleasure Beach to the Cabin. As 227 reversed and ran over the crossover at the Cabin, the trolley pole dewired on the overhead junction frog at the southbound exit of the crossing. Recovering the errant pole was a two man business due to it being so high in the air.

Everything appears to be going smoothly as Boat 227 uses the crossover at the Cabin on its way back south again

Boat 227's trolley pole reaching for the sky after it became dewired while passing over the overhead frog at the Cabin

Recovering 227's dewired trolley pole was a two man operation

Bolton 66 receives new adverts

Bolton 66 showing its new adverts for Stephensons catering supplies, while in use on heritage service at the Tower

Bolton 66 has received some new adverts this week, with blue based advertising for Stephensons catering supplies being applied in the usual location between the decks. Unfortunately small square adverts with Facebook and Twitter logos on have also been positioned on the dash panels on the sides of the tram. These computer age adverts looking totally out of place on a 1901 tramcar, with their internet logos inappropriately emblazoned on both ends of the tram. With 715 and 66 both now carrying modern style adverts, it is to be hoped that the rest of the heritage fleet don't all become covered with advertising, albeit that the extra income is no doubt useful for the upkeep and running of the trams.

Flexity 007 unloading passengers at Central Pier while Bolton 66 passes by on the way to the Pleasure Beach

Heart Radio advert for Trident 301

Dennis Trident 301 southbound near to the Tower with its new overall advert for Heart Radio

Blackpool Transport 301 has joined the list of Dennis Tridents to be outshopped with new overall adverts this year. 301 is carrying a new red based advert for Heart Radio, replacing the previous overall ad for the British Legion which was applied at the latter end of last year.

Trident 301 northbound at the Tower with the new overall advert for Heart 105.4 Radio

301 seen at Cleveleys Bus Station in November last year while it was still carrying an advert for the British Legion