Football Tram Unveiled

641, now complete with its pantograph tower, after it had been officially unveiled opposite to the Pleasure Beach

Centenary 641, which is now located in the centre of the Pleasure Beach turning circle, has had the temporary sheeting removed that was covering the sides of the tram. 641 is part of the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust collection and was unveiled at an informal event on the evening of Friday 18th September, this being attended by representatives from the Supporters Trust which included former players from Blackpool Football Club.

723 back in green and cream

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

Balloon 723 has had its black based overall advert vinyls for The Sands Venue removed to reveal the former green and cream livery. 723 was painted into 1980s livery in 2008 as part of an advertising contract, after the contract had expired the tram ran in the plain green and cream colour scheme the following year. 723 was noted on the track fan at Rigby Road depot on 22nd September devoid of the black advertising vinyls that it has worn until recently.

Balloon 723 on the depot track fan at Rigby Road after having its black overall advert vinyls removed

Balloon 723 seen in heritage service at Cleveleys on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend in 2013

The Blackpool FC Tram

Centenary 641 sat on its display track at the Pleasure Beach on the afternoon of Thursday 17th September

After the recent removal of Brush Car 627 from the short display track in the centre of the Pleasure Beach turning circle, the spot has now been filled with another tram from the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust collection. Centenary 641 was transported from the fish docks at Fleetwood by Calkeld Heavy Haulage and unloaded at the Pleasure Beach in the early hours of Thursday 17th September. 641 has been decorated with pictures and information celebrating the history of Blackpool Football Club, the windscreens are protected with covers to protect the glass, and the pantograph tower was reunited with the tram later that day in the afternoon. 641 currently looks very scruffy with various bits of plastic sheeting temporarily covering up parts of the sides of the tram, however these are due to be removed at an unveiling ceremony on the evening of Friday 18th September.

Blackpool Atlantean on the Zoo Bus

Former Blackpool Corporation Atlantean 334 turning into Reads Avenue on its way back to the Tower on service 21

Another former Blackpool Corporation Transport vehicle made its debut on the heritage bus operated Service 21 to the Zoo today. 1980 East Lancashire bodied Leyland Atlantean 334 (AHG 334V) made its first outing on the 21 to Blackpool Zoo, resplendent in full Blackpool green and cream livery. Atlantean 334 has been owned by the Lancastrian Transport Trust for 10 years, and is a welcome addition to the varied collection of preserved buses that are being used on the Zoo service.

Former Blackpool Atlantean 334 turning from Adelaide Street West into Bank Hey Street on its way to the Zoo

Former Blackpool Corporation Atlantean 334 heading along Mere Road on its way towards Stanley Park

New Solo Track Gang Bus

Blackpool Council's new mobile mess room for the track gang, Optare Solo 1114 (formerly BTS No. 267)

Blackpool Council's Engineering Services department have begun to use a new track gang mess bus. The new mobile mess room has been converted from former Blackpool Transport Optare Solo 267 (V267 HEC)), delivered new in 1999.

Flexity 004 passing Blackpool Council's new Optare Solo mobile mess room at Norbreck

Blackpool Council Optare Metrorider track gang bus 1064 was still in use on 21st August (seen at Little Bispham)

Blackpool Council's first track gang bus to carry the purple and white livery was Atlantean 270 (ex BTS No. 350)

Lytham Hall Running Day

Brush bodied Leyland Cheetah LZ2 No. 1568, new to Ribble Motors in 1936 and completely restored in 2013

The highlight of the local transport events on the Fylde Coast on August Bank Holiday Monday was undoubtedly the Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust's annual running day at Lytham Hall. This was the second year that this event has been held, and it gives a unique opportunity to photograph and ride a large selection of preserved buses from a variety of local operators. A regular free bus service was operated all day between Lytham Hall, Lytham town centre and Fairhaven Lake. As well as a large selection of buses from the Ribble group's own collection, there were preserved buses that formerly operated with Lytham St. Annes Corporation, Blackpool Corporation and Fishwick's of Leyland to be seen and sampled. This rally is quickly becoming an event not to be missed for local transport enthusiasts, and as well as seeing the buses around the very picturesque setting of the grade 1 listed Lytham Hall and its grounds, many of them were also in use on the frequent circular bus service that ran throughout the day.

From L to R, 1954 Leyland Tiger Cub, 1965 Leyland Leopard and 1961 Leopard with Harrington Cavalier coach body

1934 Lytham Leyland Lion LT5A No. 24, this bus had been exported to Canada but was repatriated and fully restored

A 1958 Leyland Titan PD2 with lowbridge Weymann bodywork, new to local operator Fishwick's of Leyland

Former Blackpool 512, a 1967 Leyland Titan PD3 in front of Lytham Hall and about to take part in the running day

Ribble 1939 Leyland Titan TD5 No. 2057, this bus was rebodied with Alexander bodywork in 1949

Leyland Lion 1161, the oldest restored bus in the RVPT's collection, new to Ribble Motors in 1931

Former Lytham St. Annes Corporation No. 10, a 1948 Leyland Titan PD2/1 with Leyland bodywork

August Bank Holiday Monday

Railcoach 680 heading north towards Bispham at Coral Island on its second day of use on Heritage Tour service

August Bank Holiday Monday saw the gold timetable in use again, with Box 40, Twin Set 272+T2, Brush Car 631, Railcoach 680, 706 Princess Alice and Balloon 717 operating on the Heritage Tour service. Fat door Balloon 711 was used in normal passenger service again on specials.

Balloon 717 waiting at the southbound Heritage Tour stop at North Pier while Fleetwood bound Flexity 016 passes by

Brush Car 631 heading north past Central Pier on a Heritage Tour run to Little Bispham

Twin Set 272+T2 and Box Car 40 taking a break on the outer loop at the Pleasure Beach

Box Car 40 southbound at Coral Island

Open-top Balloon 706 Princess Alice approaching the Pleasure Beach on a morning Heritage Tour service

Balloon 711 heading south at the Pleasure Beach on a special to Starr Gate