FTS Depot Tour

A panoramic shot of Rigby Road tram depot during the annual FTS Convention weekend visit

As part of the Fylde Tramway Society's 2017 Convention weekend, a visit had been arranged around the Heritage Workshops at Rigby Road tram depot. While there were much of interest to see and hear during the tour, unfortunately an embargo was placed on the publication of any photographs taken inside the workshops, therefore the only record of this years visit is a panoramic shot of the depot taken from outside the main running shed.

2017 Enviro 400 City Launch Day

The cavalcade of Enviro 400 City buses on New South Promenade

Blackpool Transport held a launch ceremony for their new 2017 batch of 25 ADL Enviro 400 City buses on Sunday 9th April. The proceedings began at Starr Gate tram depot, where several of the Flexity trams had been parked on the loop track and around the tram terminus to allow the depot to be used for the start of the days proceedings. The Enviros began to leave from Starr Gate at 0800, departing in numerical order beginning with 411 and ending with 435 at the rear of the parade. The cavalcade of 25 buses processed northwards along the tramway, with the majority of them turning off the tracks at Manchester Square to return to Rigby Road depot, 431 to 435 continued along the tram tracks and parked up at the Tower headland. Several of the new Enviros were required for passenger service that day, but 421 to 430 were gradually brought from Rigby Road and arranged in front of the Tower alongside 431 to 435, forming a display of 15 of the new vehicles. The Enviro display remained on the Tower headland throughout the afternoon until around 4pm.

Enviro 435, which had yet to enter service, arriving at Starr Gate with tyre blacking applied

Enviros 422, 423 and 424 arriving at Starr Gate

Enviros 434 and 435 entering Starr Gate tram depot

The Enviros beginning to line up inside the tram depot at Starr Gate

Flexities stabled on the loop track with Enviros queuing up alongside Starr Gate depot

The Enviros on the depot forecourt at Starr Gate with stabled Flexities in the foreground

The 25 Enviro 400 City buses at Starr Gate awaiting their departure time

The rear of the Enviro cavalcade heading north near the Pleasure Beach

Enviros 433, 434 & 432 waiting to take up their position on the Tower headland

Enviro 435 being walked into its display slot on the Tower headland

Enviro 430 manoeuvring into position on the Tower headland

421 to 426 which formed part of the display of 15 Enviro 400s on the Tower headland