New Trident Driver Trainer

Dennis Trident 974 (ex 304) the new driver training bus, seen heading south on Clifton Drive

Some more views of grey and yellow Dennis Trident 974, Blackpool Transport's new driver training vehicle.

The rear off-side of Dennis Trident 974 as it returns back to Rigby Rd depot after use on driver tuition

Palladium Trident

Dennis Trident 974 (ex 304) seen in its new role as a driver training bus on Rigby Road

Dennis Trident 304 is now in use as a driver training vehicle. 304 has been renumbered to 974 and is painted in a grey and pale yellow colour scheme, based on the livery that was first used on the ten new 'Palladium' branded Mercedes Citaros that entered service at the end of May.

Palladium Mercedes Citaro 550, showing where the inspiration came from for the new driver training livery

DRS Class 37 at Preston

Direct Rail Services 37422 at Preston Station at the head of the 2C47 to Barrow-in-Furness on 8th October

While out on a shopping trip, I accidently came across a Class 37 on a passenger working at Preston Station. Direct Rail Services 37422 was operating the 2C47, departing from Preston at 1004 for Barrow-in-Furness. Unfortunately the weather wasn't very conducive to photography as it was raining when I arrived and then it started lashing down as the train departed from the station!

Direct Rail Services 37422 departing from Preston Station at 1004 on the 2C47 to Barrow in heavy rain

Direct Rail Services 37422 at Preston Station, waiting to depart for Barrow-in-Furness on the 2C47

Wright Streetdeck Demonstrator

Wrightbus Streetdeck demonstrator SL15 ZGP southbound on route 1 on the Promenade at Waterloo Road

Blackpool Transport currently have one of the new 'Stealth' styled Wrightbus Streetdeck integral demonstrators on loan. The Streetdeck has been in use on the coastal route 1 between Starr Gate and Fleetwood since it arrived in the resort last week. SL15 ZGP was new in June, and is currently in its second week of use on the Fylde Coast. One notable feature of this demonstrator is the glazed staircase, similar to that used on London's Borismasters, however most production Streetdecks omit this option and are constructed with normal panelling in this area.

Wrightbus Streetdeck demonstrator SL15 ZGP near Ash St. in Fleetwood, clearly showing the fully glazed staircase

A rear three-quarter view of Wrightbus Streetdeck demonstrator SL15 ZGP at Cleveleys

The lower deck of Wrightbus Streetdeck demonstrator SL15 ZGP, showing the glazed staircase area

The upper deck of Wrightbus Streetdeck demonstrator SL15 ZGP

Flexity 002 receives advertising

Flexity 002 with its new side advert for Fleetwood Market

Flexity 002 has received side advertising for Fleetwood Market. Previous to the advert being applied, 002 was one of the few Flexity trams remaining in unadorned fleet livery. The advert is rather uninspiring, with the writing being so small on the roof panels that at first glance from a distance it is not obvious what it's meant to be promoting.

2015 Wirral Bus & Tram Show

Baby Grand 245 passing two former Liverpool buses, 1953 AEC Regent III A36 and 1957 AEC Regent V A267

Sunday 4th October saw the annual Wirral Bus & Tram Show taking place, based around the Wirral Heritage Tramway in Birkenhead. The event was blessed with sunshine for much of the day, with the highlight being Liverpool Baby Grand tram 245 making its debut at the annual show. Liverpool 245 had only had its public service launch three weeks before the event, and the tram was unsurprisingly extremely popular, running with heavy passenger loadings throughout the day.

Wallasey No 1, the first production Leyland Atlantean from 1958, passing 1920 Wallasey tramcar No 78

Liverpool 245 with a Mersey Tunnel ventilation tower on the left and Liver Building in Liverpool in the background

1920 Wallasey Bellamy car No 78 with its slogan celebrating the Queen being our longest reigning monarch

1900 Birkenhead Milnes car No 20 approaching the end of Shore Road

1930s Liverpool bogie car No 762 heading down the incline towards Woodside Ferry Terminal

1930 built Lisbon tram 730 heading towards Woodside Ferry along Shore Road

 

 

 

1956 Crossley bodied Liverpool Corporation Leyland Titan PD2 L255 near the Woodside Ferry Terminal

1951 Wallasey Leyland Titan PD2/1 No 54 heading away from the Woodside Ferry Terminal

1967 Birkenhead Leyland Titan PD2 No 152 with a Massey body, passing the old dock entrance on Shore Rd

1950 Crosville Bristol L6B KW172 fitted with dual purpose ECW bodywork

1968 Llandudno Urban District Council Dennis PAX FJC 736F

Stagecoach Gold Enviro 400 bodied Scania 15228, which operates on the Preston to Bolton service 125

The two Hong Kong built trams masquerading as Birkenhead 70 and 69 in front of the Pacific Road building

2015 Blackpool Steam and Vintage Vehicle Rally

A line-up of traction engines on Blackpool South Car Park on the afternoon of Saturday 3rd October

The second Blackpool Steam and Vintage Vehicle Rally took place on the South Car Park over the weekend of 3rd and 4th October. There were a variety of exhibits again, including traction engines, steam lorries, miniature traction engines and steam lorries, tractors, commercial vehicles, military vehicles and classic cars, etc. On Saturday evening several of the traction engines and steam lorries took part in a road run to Central Pier and parked up on the adjacent headland.

A line-up of Sentinel steam lorries, from left to right, an eight-wheel DG8, six-wheel DG6 and four-wheel Super

Traction engines and steam lorries on the South Car Park in Blackpool

1916 Fowler showman's engine "Yorkshire Belle"

A line-up of preserved farm tractors

A 1940 Leyland Cub fire engine, formerly belonging to Windermere Urban District Council Fire Brigade

A line-up of preserved lorries

A 1925 Morris Commercial T-Type charabanc bus

A 1961 Ford Zephyr and 1966 Wolseley 1100 in the classic car display area