Centenary 643 on the Move

Centenary 643 leaving Broadwater Caravan Park in Fleetwood for pastures new on 28th February

In a surprise move, Centenary 643 has left its home of the last two years for pastures new. 643 was originally transported to Broadwater Caravan Park in Fleetwood on 13th January 2012, today saw the tram removed by Scotts Heavy Haulage due to the park no longer having any requirement for it, despite having converted the interior into a cafe and repainted the outside of the tram into a pleasing green and cream colour scheme, reminiscent of the Coronation Cars. 643 left the caravan park on the back of Scotts low loader on the afternoon of 28th February.

Centenary 643 being winched onto Scotts low loader at Broadwater Caravan Park on 28th February

Centenary 643 departing its home for the past two years on the back of Scotts Heavy Haulage low loader

Scotts Heavy Haulage delivering Centenary 643 to Broadwater Caravan Park in Fleetwood on 13th January 2012

Blackpool 346 returns to Brinwell Road

Blackpool PD2 No 346 (PFR 346), parked outside the depot of Oakwood Travel in Brinwell Road, Marton on 27th Feb

A former Blackpool Corporation 1959 Leyland PD2/27 with a Metropolitan-Cammell FH35/24R body made a return to the resort today. Blackpool 346 (PFR 346) has been part of the collection of buses owned by the Lancastrian Transport Trust for several years, latterly the bus has been stored at the LTT premises in Weeton village. 346 survived in operation in Blackpool until 1975, at which point it was transferred to the Illuminations Department as a mobile mess room. The bus was sold for preservation in 1985, after three years of storage out of use, initially being owned by the North West Museum of Transport, the vehicle became surplus to their requirements in 2005 and was sold to the LTT. 346 was towed to Brinwell Road in Marton on 27th February, and was noted parked outside the premises of Oakwood Travel.

346 seen at Bispham in 1981, while being used as a mobile mess room by Blackpool Illuminations Department

Mercedes Bendy Bus back in Action

Citaro MAL53 on a roadworks diversion, turning from Chapel St onto Central Drive bound for Mereside on 25th Feb

Mercedes-Benz Citaro MAL53 (BL52ODK) is back in service again on the Catch 22 route. The Citaro was initially trialled in passenger service on the 22 route back on 20th January, but has been off the road in the interim having a few problems resolved. The bus has now been fitted with vinyl lettering over the destination box which reads "Mereside Cleveleys Via Town Centre 22".

Citaro MAL53 southbound on Bispham Rd in Bispham on its first day back in service on the 22 since being repaired

Third Week of Mercedes Demonstrator

Mercedes-Benz Citaro Euro VI demonstrator BG63VVE departing from Freeport in Fleetwood on 24th February

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro Euro VI demonstrator that is currently on trial with Blackpool Transport is now in its third week of use with the operator. BG63VVE has been working on the service 1 route along the Promenade since 10th February, the bus was noted at the route's northern terminus at Freeport in Fleetwood on 24th February. 

Mercedes Citaro demonstrator BG63VVE passes Stagecoach Solo 47484 on the 84 route at Freeport in Fleetwood

Mercedes-Benz Citaro Euro VI demonstrator BG63VVE turning onto Fisherman's Walk in Fleetwood on service 1

Balloon 703 sold to Beamish

Sunderland 101 (Blackpool 703) running down the main street at Beamish in November 2012

Balloon 703 (masquerading as Sunderland 101) has been on loan to Beamish Museum from the Lancastrian Transport Trust since September 2010. The tram was painted into Sunderland red and cream livery prior to its move north, inspired by Sunderland English Electric built centre entrance car 99, which resembled a less streamlined version of a Blackpool Balloon in appearance. Beamish have now announced that they have concluded a deal to purchase 703 from the LTT, thus ensuring its long term future at the museum as part of their well maintained collection of trams. There is now a possibility that 703 will at some point in the future revert to its former twin destination display layout, in order that the tram more closely resemble its predecessor Sunderland 99.

Balloon 703 on the Golden Mile at Blackpool, still wearing its attractive 1980s livery in September 2002

Seaton Tramway becomes latest storm victim

Replica Blackpool Boat car No 4 southbound on the embankment alongside the River Axe at Seaton in August 2002

The Seaton narrow gauge tramway in Devon has become one of the latest casualties of the stormy weather which has swept across the country over the last few weeks. The tramway runs right alongside the estuary of the River Axe for nearly a mile, and has suffered major damage to its infrastructure, with the trackbed and ballast being washed away for about half a mile and overhead poles uprooted due to the soil being completely washed away from their concrete foundations. The Riverside Depot also suffered from flooding, but the most serious damage is that which has been done to the track and overhead poles. The tramway are planning to run a reduced service between Colyford and Colyton until the trackbed southwards to Seaton can be rebuilt.

Seaton Boat car No 4 seen in August 2002 approaching the Riverside Depot that was flooded in the recent storms

Trailer Towing Car 671 changing ownership

Trailer Towing car 671 in the yard at Marton in Blackpool on 10th December 2013, where it has spent the last two years

Twin-Set Trailer Towing car 671, formerly part of the Lancastrian Transport Trust collection, is being acquired by a new preservation group called the Tyne Tees Transport Trust (TTTT), in a deal brokered between themselves, the LTT and the North Eastern Electrical Traction Trust (NEETT). The tram will initially be transported to Rigby Road where work is planned to be undertaken on it, before 671 moves on to its new home.

671 being moved by Scotts Haulage to open storage at Marton for the LTT two years ago on 7th February 2012