Northern by Arriva

331 016 & 020 approaching Blackpool North on a service from Hazel Grove on 26th February

Saturday 29th February marked the last day of operation of the Arriva Rail North franchise, otherwise known as Northern. From Sunday 1st March the Northern operations were to be handed over to HM Government's Operator of Last Resort and known as Northern Trains. Since it was announced on the 29th January that Northern were to lose the franchise, the "by arriva" part of the "northern by arriva" branding has gradually been removed from the side of trains. The photos shown here were taken during the last few weeks of Arriva operation, by which time most of the trains were simply branded as "northern", removing any reference to the Arriva franchise.

331 020 on the 09:34 to Hazel Grove at Poulton-le-Fylde on 27th February

331 019 still carrying arriva branding, at Layton Station on 26th February

331 111 at Preston on a Manchester Airport service on 28th January

DMU 195 101 at Layton Station on a Blackburn train on 17th February

331 016 at Manchester Piccadilly on 27th February

319 386 at Layton Station on 17th February

331 020 & 021 approaching Layton Station on 17th February

Network Rail test train at Blackpool

DRS 37558 'Avro Vulcan XH558' passing through Layton Station at speed

A Network Rail test train was in Blackpool on 28th February. The train was spotted as it left Blackpool passing through Layton Station at 1435, while two Blackpool bound Northern trains were held at red signals, one at Layton and the other on the approaches to Blackpool North. The Network Rail train was hauled by DRS 37558 'Avro Vulcan XH558' with 37423 'Spirit of the Lakes' bringing up the rear.

DRS 37423 'Spirit of the Lakes' on the rear of the test train

Tram Replacement Bus Service

Enviro 454 on tram replacement service with Flexity 002 at Fisherman's Walk

At the beginning of February a tram replacement bus service had to be implemented due to welding work taking place on the track. On 3rd February the tram service terminated at Thornton Gate, with the service north of here being operated by Enviro 400 City buses. On 4th February the tram service was turning round at Fisherman's Walk, a replacement bus service operated from here to Bold Street.

Flexity 008 turning short at Fisherman's Walk

Flexities 002 & 008 at the temporary terminus at Fisherman's Walk

Enviro 424 on tram replacement service at Thornton Gate

Flexities 006 and 018 at the temporary Thornton Gate terminus

Tram replacement bus 450 and Flexity 003 at Thornton Gate

Flexity 006 entering the centre siding at Thornton Gate

Track welding taking place on Pharos Street in Fleetwood on 4th February