The Poppy Bus

Enviro 218 on service 4 at Mereside bound for Cleveleys

Blackpool Transport have decorated ADL Enviro 218 with vinyls to represent a cascade of poppies flowing along the sides and rear of the bus in order to commemorate Remembrance Day on 11th November.

Enviro 218 in Cleveleys on service 4 to Mereside

Enviro 218 turning into Langdale Road at Mereside

Trackwork completed on new Trafford Park Metrolink line

The new line crossing over Barton Dock Road to the Trafford Centre (left)

The final concrete pour took place today on the track for the new Metrolink extension to the Trafford Centre in Manchester. Low speed testing can now begin on the new line before driver training is due to commence in the New Year. The Trafford Park line is scheduled to open to the public in the first half of 2020.

The Trafford Centre tram stop (and terminus) of the new line

The Event City tram stop on the new Trafford Park line

An aerial view of the new line crossing over Barton Dock Road to the terminus

North Fylde Running Day

Ribble 1805, 1997 & 366 at Cleveleys bus station

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ribble Motors, the Fylde Transport Trust decided to recreate some local bus routes from the 1970s based around the Cleveleys area on 3rd November. The North Fylde Running Day saw the following routes being operated out of Cleveleys bus station, 91 Cleveleys to Stanah, 92 Cleveleys to Poulton and 186 Cleveleys to Fleetwood Ferry. In addition to the former Ribble routes, Blackpool PD3 number 529 ran from Cleveleys to Bispham on route 22, returning as route 9 back to Cleveleys. The former Ribble vehicles in use were lowbridge Atlantean 1805, Bristol VR 1997 and newly repainted Bristol RE 366.

Ribble 1997 and 366 at Cleveleys bus station

Blackpool 529 in Cleveleys on route 22 to Bispham

Tornado railtour to Blackpool North

The Illuminati railtour ready to leave Blackpool North behind Tornado

West Coast Railways in conjunction with the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust operated a railtour from Birmingham to Blackpool Illuminations on 2nd November called 'The Illuminati". The train was hauled from Birmingham to Preston by Peppercorn A1 Pacific 60163 Tornado, with a diesel locomotive taking over at Preston so that Tornado could be turned around ready for the return trip. Shortly after 7pm Tornado departed from Blackpool North with the railtour for the return journey to Birmingham New Street.

A1 Pacific 60163 Tornado waiting for the off at Blackpool North

Tornado letting off steam at Blackpool North station