Ribble Centenary Rally

A variety of preserved Ribble buses on display at the Globe Arena in Morecambe

Ribble Motor Services was established in June 1919, and to commemorate the centenary of the company the Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust held an event at the Globe Arena in Morecambe (home of the local football club). A wide selection of preserved Ribble buses and coaches from around the country were on display, along with vehicles from bus companies that used to operate joint services with Ribble. A number of free vintage bus services were in operation during the day to various local destinations.

Ribble 1161, a 1931 Leyland Lion, currently the oldest restored bus in the RVPT's collection

Ribble 1568, a 1936 Leyland Cheetah LZ2 with a Brush coach body

A rare 1929 Vulcan Duchess of Dallam Motors, who were taken over by Ribble in 1950

Ribble 1248, a 1950 Leyland PD2/3 White Lady with East Lancashire bodywork

Ribble 1036, a 1961 Leyland Leopard with a Harrington Cavalier body

Ribble 1729, a 1961 Leyland Titan PD3/5 with a Metro-Cammell body

Ribble 1274, a 1962 Leyland Atlantean White Lady with Weymann bodywork

Ribble 665, a 1966 short Leyland Leopard with Marshall bodywork

Ribble 1686, a 1960 Leyland Atlantean PDR1 with a Metro-Cammell body

Ribble 1481, a 1980 Leyland Atlantean AN68 with ECW bodywork

Ribble 1995, a 1972 Bristol VR converted to open top after being sold to Eastern Counties

Rawtenstall 18, a 1953 Leyland PD2/12 now painted in the livery of Scout Motor Services

Standerwick 60, a 1970 Bristol VRLL with ECW coach bodywork

Heritage Transport Tour

Standard 147 and Atlantean 864 running in parallel at Fleetwood Ferry

Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours began a new venture on the afternoon of Saturday 25th May. Standard 147 and 364 Blackpool's last Atlantean (now 864) ran a trip to Fleetwood and back called "The Transport Tour", starting from North Pier at 15:00. Participants on this new tour could opt to ride on either the tram or the bus, and swap vehicles at Fleetwood for the return journey if they so desired.

Atlantean 864 arriving in Fleetwood along North Albert Street

Atlantean 864 and ADL Enviro 404 at the Bold Street terminus

Atlantean 864 and Standard 147 at Bold Street in Fleetwood

Spring Bank Holiday Heritage

Balloon 715 arriving at the Pleasure Beach loop

The first day of the Spring Bank Holiday weekend saw the debut of 1970s liveried Balloon 715 in normal Heritage Tour service. The Saturday morning output comprised of Balloons 701, 715, 717, 723 and 711 as the shop, along with Boat 600 and Railcoach 680. Balloon 717 was replaced by Boat 227 in the afternoon, also Standard 147 was noted out and about on a private hire.

Balloon 715 on the first service of the day to Fleetwood

Balloon 717 at the Pleasure Beach heritage stop

Balloon 723 with its new advert for Tram Sunday

Standard 147 passing the Pleasure Beach on a private hire

Balloon 711 arriving at the Pleasure beach to operate a service to North Pier

Boat 600 entering the loop at the Pleasure Beach

Balloon 701 at the Pleasure Beach arriving to operate a Fleetwood tour

715 back to the 70s

Balloon 715 at Pharos Street in Fleetwood on the Ghost Tram service

Balloon 715 debuted in service today after its partial repaint and new adverts to give it a 1970s look. 715 operated the evening Ghost Tram tour from North Pier at 19:30. The tram ran through to Fleetwood where it passed Balloon 717 parked on the ferry loop working the Fish and Chip special.

Balloon 715 turning from North Albert Street into Bold Street in Fleetwood

715 passing 717 parked up on the ferry loop on the Fish and Chip special

Class 37s at Blackpool North

DRS 37402 with Northern EMU 319446 and new CAF Civity DMU 195103

Two Direct Rail Services Class 37s visited Blackpool North Railway Station today on a Network Rail test train. The train was parked up alongside platform 2 for several hours, with DRS 37423 at the seaward end of the train and 37402 "Stephen Middlemore" at the other end.

37402 "Stephen Middlemore" on the Network Rail test train at Blackpool North

Rail Grinder in Action

The rail grinder slowly making its way north near Norbreck

The Luddeneit und Scherf LRGM 1-6/AM65 rail grinder was in action again tonight, grinding the southbound track between Bispham and Little Bispham. These photos were taken while the rail grinder was approaching the Norbreck tram stop.

The rail grinder approaching the Norbreck tram stop

The rail grinder heading north at the Norbreck tram stop

Rail Grinder in Blackpool

Flexity 017 passing the German rail grinder parked on the centre track at Bispham

For the last few weeks a German rail grinder has been visiting the tramway in Blackpool. The Luddeneit und Scherf LRGM 1-6/AM65 rail grinder has been operating during the late evening and night time, to minimise service disruption. During its latest phase of operations, the little rail grinding machine has been stabled on the centre track at Bispham while not being used.

Centenary 648 passing the rail grinder at Bispham on 3rd May

The German rail grinder on the centre track at Bispham

A closer view of the LRGM 1-6/AM65 rail grinder at Bispham