Launch of Standard 143

Standard 143 at North Pier before the short launch ceremony

The launch event for newly restored Blackpool Standard 143 took place on the evening of Monday 23rd September. 143 departed Rigby Road shortly before 6pm and made the short journey to the siding at North Pier. Jane Cole, the Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, officially launched the tram with a bottle of bubbly, before the invited guests boarded 143 for a run to the Pleasure Beach. At the Pleasure Beach the guests crossed the road for the official launch evening which took place in the White Tower Restaurant. After the celebrations were over the guests returned to 143 for a tour of the illuminations.

Standard 143 leaving Rigby Road tram depot for the launch event

143 being launched by Jane Cole, the Managing Director of Blackpool Transport

143 at the Pleasure Beach lit up by the lights of the illuminated Frigate tram

143 at the Pleasure Beach, with Balloon 718 and Engineering Car 754

A special cake was made to commemorate the launch event

Standard 143 at North Pier alongside Flexitys 012 & 013

Balloon 711 on Specials

Balloon 711 loading at North Pier on 16th September

Balloon 711 has been working on afternoon and evening specials for the last couple of weeks, supplementing the normal Flexity LRT service. The general routine has been for 711 to leave Rigby Road depot around 15:00, work a round trip Starr Gate to Little Bispham service, with the crew then taking their break at Starr Gate. After the crew break 711 has been operating more Starr Gate to Little Bispham and return workings during the evening.

Balloon 711 and Flexity 006 at Starr Gate

Balloon 711 at Central Pier

Balloon 711 and Flexity 011 at Starr Gate

711 beginning its southbound run from Little Bispham on 16th September

711 entering the loop at Little Bispham with Flexity 010 passing by southbound

Balloon 711 northbound at the Cabin on 11th September

Balloon 711 heading south at Bispham on 11th September

Balloon 711 loading at the Tower tram stop on 11th September

711 using the crossover at Starr Gate to enter the depot confines and await its departure time

Balloon 711 waiting to enter service from Starr Gate depot with Flexity 004 passing

2019 Bus Driver of the Year

National Express West Midlands ADL Enviro400 MMC 6990

The National Final of the Bus Driver of the Year competition took place in Blackpool on Sunday 1st September. During the final, entrants gain points for successfully completing a series of tasks on the driving course, or correctly answering questions in the theory test. The driving part of the competition takes place along the North Promenade between Gynn Square and the Metropole Hotel, returning along Middle Walk where a further series of tests are set for the drivers.

Lothian Buses 1062, a Volvo B5TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 3

Xplore Dundee 4905, an Alexander Dennis Enviro400 new to West Midlands

Stagecoach ADL Enviro400 MMC 11213

Go-Ahead Ireland 11588, a Volvo B5TL Wright Gemini 3

London United LT1000, the last 'Borismaster' to be built

Lothian Country 575, a Volvo B5LH Wright Eclipse Gemini 3

Blackpool Transport ADL Enviro400 City 451

Bluestar ADL Enviro400 City 1245

Go North East Wright Streetdeck 6333

Stagecoach London ADL Enviro400 MMC 11033

East Coast Buses 20008, a Volvo B5TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 3

Stagecoach ADL Enviro200 MMC 26083

Blackpool Transport ADL Enviro200 MMC 570

Northern Class 331 Launch at Blackpool

Class 331 EMU 011 on display at Blackpool North station

Northern had an official press launch for their new Class 331 EMU at Blackpool North railway station on 30th August. In the morning after the press launch 331011 made a round trip to Preston and return. The EMU was open for the public to inspect from 3.30 pm until 6.00 pm in the afternoon. The Class 331s are due to begin operating on the Blackpool North to Liverpool Lime Street service from 9th September, and will be introduced onto the Manchester route later on. The Class 331 Civity EMUs are manufactured by CAF at their Zaragoza factory in Spain.

331011 on display at Blackpool North railway station

EMUs 319367 and 331011 at Blackpool North station

A view showing the tables and seating arrangement

A view showing the doors at the driving end of the train

The location of the toilet compartment in the Class 331

A view of the driver's cab of 331011

Merlin Entertainments advert on Flexity 001

Flexity 001 advertising the Incredible Hulk at Madame Tussauds

Flexity 001 entered service this week in one of Blackpool Transport's most colourful overall adverts yet. 001 is carrying a Merlin Entertainments advert for several of the group's local attractions, such as Blackpool Tower, the Sealife centre and Madame Tussauds waxworks. Of additional interest are the extra large fleet numbers applied to this tram, which are easily read from a great distance, although maybe black numerals should have been used on the cab side which is advertising Bar 380, as the white numbers are virtually invisible on the light background. The advert is a welcome addition to the tram fleet and is bound to become popular with the public.

Flexity 001 advertising the Sealife centre

001 advertising Mooky the clown at the Tower Circus

Flexity 001 at Cleveleys advertising various Merlin attractions

The centre section of the tram showing various attractions being advertised

Ribble Running Day at Lytham Hall

1931 Ribble Leyland Lion 1161

The Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust held their annual running day and display based at Lytham Hall on August Bank Holiday Monday. A frequent free bus service was in operation throughout the day between Lytham Hall and St Annes Square via Fairhaven Lake using vintage buses. In addition to vehicles from the Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust collection, there were preserved buses from other former local operators such as North Western, Lytham St Annes Corporation, Blackpool Corporation, Preston Corporation, Liverpool Corporation and Fishwick.

1936 Ribble Leyland Cheetah 1568

1934 Lytham St Annes 24, a Leyland Lion LT5A

1960 Ribble Leyland Atlantean 1686

Ribble 831, a 1980 Leyland National 2

North Western 1960 Leyland Tiger Cub 796 and 1962 Leyland Leopard 916

Fishwick 23, a 1975 Leyland Atlantean AN69

1968 Preston Corporation Leyland Panther 204