Storm Arwen Curtails Tram Service

Manually changing the points at North Pier with a point iron

Storm Arwen caused Blackpool's tram service to be cut back to North Pier from Saturday 27th November. A partially collapsed building on the corner of Springfield Road and Brighton Parade forced police to close the Promenade around the back of the Metropole Hotel. A partial tram service was in operation between Starr Gate and the North Pier tram stop, with trams reversing direction using the crossover near North Pier.

Flexity 002 crossing over to the southbound line at North Pier

Flexity 002 approaching the temporary northern terminus at North Pier

The partially collapsed building on the corner of Springfield Road

A close-up of the collapsed gable end on the wind damaged building

Magical Express Tour 723

Balloon 723 heading north past Coral Island on Sunday 21st November

Balloon 723 has received an overall vinyl wrap for a new festive seasonal service called The Magical Express Tour. The new tour takes 25 minutes and runs from the loop at North Pier to Pleasure Beach and return. The service operates every half hour on selected dates, commencing on 19th November through to Monday 3rd January 2022. Sadly 723 has lost its 1980s green and cream livery, which was repainted for the 2016 heritage season, after the removal of a black vinyl wrap overall advert for The Sands Venue that it wore for a few years. Until the application of the Sands advert, 723 had previously worn the 1980s style livery since 2008. Sadly upon removal of the Sands vinyls, the paintwork on 723 was badly damaged necessitating a repaint.

723 northbound at Central Pier on The Magical Express Tour

Balloon 723 at North Pier about to cross over to the southbound track

723 southbound on the Golden Mile with the new Star Flyer ride on the Tower Headland

The North Pole Tram Stop where The Magical Express Tour commences

Balloon 723 at Cleveleys in 2016 after being repainted into 1980s livery again

723 on heritage service at Cleveleys in 2013 wearing a vinyl advert for The Sands Venue

723 on Lord Street in Fleetwood in 2009 after it had been painted into 1980s livery the previous year

Stagecoach Poppy Bus

Stagecoach 10534 on Carlisle Street near Preston bus station

Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 MMC 10534 is wearing a special livery for the 2021 Royal British Legion poppy appeal. 10534 was noted working on service 59 between Preston and Royal Blackburn Hospital on 4th November.

10534 turning out of Pole Street onto Lords Walk in Preston

Route 14 to Fleetwood Running Day

Leyland PD3 No. 516 passing Marsh Mill in Thornton on Fleetwood Road North

The Fylde Transport Trust held a "14s to Fleetwood" vintage bus running day on Sunday 7th November, operating on Route 14 from Blackpool to Fleetwood, as part of the 100 years of Blackpool Buses celebrations. The vehicles taking part in the event were four former Blackpool Corporation Transport buses, PD3s 516 and 529, Atlantean 334 and AEC Swift 570. The buses operated a 30 minute service between Blackpool North Pier and Fleetwood during the afternoon, starting at 1200 with the last bus due to return to North Pier at 1716.

Leyland Atlantean 334 passing Marsh Mill in Thornton on its way to Blackpool

PD3 No. 529 heading north in Thornton past Marsh Mill on Fleetwood Road North

AEC Swift 570 in Thornton heading north to Fleetwood