Coronation 304 on Driver Training

Coronation 304 heading north from Bispham on training, with the trolley wheel arcing brightly against the heavy sky

After Coronation 304's successful test outing on 20th August, the following day the tram was due be used in familiarising a group of drivers with the intricacies of operating a Vambac controlled tram. During the training run the tram made the journey all the way to Fleetwood Ferry and back. Problems arose at Fleetwood when 304 tried to exit Bold Street, it became apparent that the overhead at this point was too high for the trolley pole which became dewired. The tram was manoeuvred round to the Ferry loop with the trolley leading so that it could reach the overhead. Further problems were encountered with the overhead being too high until 304 reached North Albert Street, where it was then able to continue its journey back south without further incident.

Vambac Coronation 304 on Copse Road in Fleetwood as it approaches the Fisherman's Walk tram stop

Coronation 304 taking a short break at the Fleetwood Ferry tram stop in Bold Street

The trolley pole on 304 dewires as the tram exits Bold Street due to the overhead being too high at this point

304 being trolleyed round onto the Ferry loop with the trolley pole leading so that it could reach the overhead wire

Coronation 304 sitting on the inner loop track at Fleetwood Ferry

Southbound Flexity 014 passing Coronation 304 as it sits on the inner loop at Fleetwood Ferry

Coronation 304 passing the clock tower as it rounds the curve from North Albert Street into Lord Street

Coronation 304 passing St Peter's Church on Lord Street in Fleetwood as it makes its way back to Rigby Road depot

Vambac Coronation 304 out on Test

Coronation 304 turning from Hopton Rd into Lytham Rd on its first outing under power on Blackpool rails since 2010

Former LTT Vambac Coronation 304 of the Blackpool heritage fleet ventured out for a test run along the Promenade on Wednesday 20th August. 304 last operated in Blackpool in November 2010, the intervening time has been spent in open storage at Marton and also on loan to Beamish museum from October 2012 to March 2013. On its return to the Fylde, 304 spent some time in open storage at Fleetwood before returning to the fold at Rigby Road depot on 11th June 2013, only a day after it was announced that most of the LTT tram collection were to come under the custodianship of Blackpool Transport. 304 begin its test run along the Promenade at 1230, heading north to Bispham, after a short break on the centre track the tram headed south to the Pleasure Beach before returning to the crossover at Foxhall and back into Rigby Road depot. 304's test run enabled the opportunity to see the Vambac Coronation running alongside the new Flexity 2 LRVs for the first time.

Coronation 304 crossing the Promenade at Manchester Square, closely followed by BTS Plaxton bodied Volvo 527 

Coronation 304 headed north to Bispham, stopping for a break on the centre track before returning south again

Fleetwood bound Flexity 012 passes Vambac Coronation 304 taking a mid-test break on the centre track at Bispham

Southbound Flexity 011 passing Vambac Coronation 304 laying over on the centre track at Bispham

Coronation 304 heading off south on its test run, passing northbound Flexity 001 at Bispham tram station

Manchester Victoria Station Redevelopment Update

Metrolink trams 3002 and 3007 pass through the work site at Victoria Station on the way to Altrincham on 18th August

Network Rail are partway through a £44 million redevelopment of Manchester Victoria Station, the work is ongoing concurrently with the upgrade work for the Metrolink "Second City Crossing", this has entailed the Metrolink stop at the station being closed due to single track working taking place while the tram tracks are being replaced and realigned. A major feature of the station upgrade is the complete replacement of the old leaky station roof with a sweeping new curved roof structure which is in the process of being constructed. The refurbished station is due to be completed early in 2015.

A view showing how the new curved roof structure sits next to the refurbished Grade II listed 1909 station building

Metrolink trams 3004 and 3026 passing under the partly completed new roof structure at Victoria Station on 18th Aug

Northern Rail 158755 departing from Victoria on the 1348 service to Leeds, note the absence of the old station roof

Metrolink tram 3030 heading for Bury entering Victoria Station through the original side portal in July 2012

Altrincham bound T68 tram 1002 in March 2005, showing the original station roof and side entrance portal

Metrolink T68 tram 1024 at Victoria Station in March 2004, showing the old station roof structure as it used to be

An artist's impression showing how the Metrolink side of Victoria Station will look when completed in 2015

Brush 627 in Green and Cream

Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust's Brush Car 627 at the Pleasure Beach in its new green & cream colour scheme

Brush Car 627, owned by the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust, has nearly had its green and cream repaint completed, the tram just requiring a cream gloss finish to be applied. 627 has been painted in a 1970s style half green and cream colour scheme, but with the addition of streamlined beading along each side. The windows on the landward side of the tram still retain their former graffiti style artwork, the intention was to cover these over with adverts instead of stripping the paint off. 627 presents a much smarter appearance now than it has done for the last year, it's just a pity that the gold based graffiti paint couldn't be removed from the windows.

The northern end of 627 still displaying its unfulfilled destination of "Fleetwood Tram Museum 2014"

A broadside view of Brush Car 627 in its new 1970s style green and cream paint scheme

Brush Car 627 loses it Graffiti Paintwork

Brush Car 627 partly repainted into a green and cream colour scheme, seen on Saturday 9th August

Brush Car 627 opposite Blackpool Pleasure Beach is having the gold based graffiti artwork painted over by its owners the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust. The tram first arrived for display on 22nd August 2012, painted in a white and gold Queen's Diamond Jubilee livery. The following year saw 627 being controversially painted by urban street artist "Inkie" in a graffiti style paint scheme of a blue haired lady in June. 627 is currently being repainted into a green and cream livery, unfortunately the painted over windows will retain their graffiti scheme, and will be covered over with adverts instead of being stripped of paint.

A broadside view of Brush 627, with its fresh green paintwork standing out against the heavy grey clouds over the sea

Flexity 014 passing partly repainted Brush Car 627 at the Pleasure Beach loop on 9th August

Members of the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust applying undercoat over the gold graffiti paint scheme on 4th August

Inkie working on his blue haired lady urban artwork on Brush Car 627 on 15th June 2013

Brush Car 627 on 26th August 2012, four days after being located onto its display track at the Pleasure Beach

Red Rocket on the Seafront 12

Mercedes-Benz Citaro MAL53 heading south on the Seafront 12 promenade service in Cleveleys on 7th August

One of Oakwood Travel's Mercedes-Benz Citaro bendy buses was noted in use on the Seafront 12 promenade service on the morning of 7th August. MAL53 (BL52ODK) was spotted heading south in Cleveleys near Anchorsholme Lane, with a temporary destination display on the inside of the left hand side of the windscreen above the dash panel. New electric roller blinds are currently on order, from the same German firm that supplied the ones used on London Citaros. Driver training is due to commence next week for a pool of drivers who will be able to operate the Mercedes Citaros.

Dennis Trident 311 in overall Sainsbury's advert

Trident 311 carrying an overall advert for the new Talbot Road Sainsbury's store, passing Wilton Parade on 4th August

Blackpool Transport Dennis Trident 311 has received an overall advert on both sides and the rear of the bus for the new Sainsbury's supermarket which opened recently on Talbot Road. 311 entered service wearing the new advert a couple of weeks ago.

A rear three-quarter view of the new Sainsbury's advert on Trident 311, seen at Starr Gate on 4th August