Metrolink to Exchange Square

Metrolink 3104 at the new Exchange Square stop adjacent to the Corn Exchange and the Arndale Centre

Sunday 6th December saw the opening of the first section of the new Second City Crossing line on Manchester's Metrolink system, that will eventually run all the way between Victoria Station and St. Peter's Square by 2017. The initial section of the line between Victoria Station and the new Exchange Square stop on Corporation Street commenced operation early on the morning of the 6th. The Sunday service runs between Exchange Square and Rochdale, for the rest of the week (Monday to Saturday) the route will operate a shorter service terminating at Shaw and Crompton.

3088 to Exchange Square crossing over the junction at Victoria Station towards the new Corporation St line

Metrolink 3105 leaving Exchange Square bound for Rochdale along Corporation Street

Metrolink 3085 passing the Printworks on Corporation Street as it nears the new Exchange Square stop

Metrolink 3103 from Rochdale pulling up at the new Exchange Square stop in Corporation Street

3085 at Exchange Square alongside The Roast Hog Lounge Bar which is part of the 2015 Christmas Market

3085 departing from the Exchange Square stop empty after it has unloaded its passengers

A bird's eye view of tram 3075 approaching the northbound platform of the new stop at Exchange Square

Metrolink 3085 at the current terminus of the line just south of the Exchange Square stop in Corporation Street

X70 Red Rocket

Dennis Dart W371 VHB, new to Cardiff Bus in 2000, waiting to depart from stand 3 at Blackpool Coach Station

Catch22Bus resumed operation of their X70 Red Rocket Express from Blackpool to Manchester on 21st November. Plaxton bodied Dennis Dart W371 VHB has been painted in an overall red livery for use on the express route. The seasonal service is currently operating on a daily basis, and more information and bus times can be found on http://www.redrocketexpress.co.uk.

The Red Rocket Express has to leave Blackpool via Chapel St car park due to Seasiders Way being closed

Blackpool Atlantean on route 22

Atlantean 334 seen heading along Anchorsholme Lane in rather murky conditions in Cleveleys

Former Blackpool Leyland Atlantean 334 (AHG 334V) made a brief foray in service on the 22 from Mereside to Cleveleys and return on Sunday 1st November. This short outing was the first time that an Atlantean has been used on the 22 route since 2001.

New Trident Driver Trainer

Dennis Trident 974 (ex 304) the new driver training bus, seen heading south on Clifton Drive

Some more views of grey and yellow Dennis Trident 974, Blackpool Transport's new driver training vehicle.

The rear off-side of Dennis Trident 974 as it returns back to Rigby Rd depot after use on driver tuition

Palladium Trident

Dennis Trident 974 (ex 304) seen in its new role as a driver training bus on Rigby Road

Dennis Trident 304 is now in use as a driver training vehicle. 304 has been renumbered to 974 and is painted in a grey and pale yellow colour scheme, based on the livery that was first used on the ten new 'Palladium' branded Mercedes Citaros that entered service at the end of May.

Palladium Mercedes Citaro 550, showing where the inspiration came from for the new driver training livery

DRS Class 37 at Preston

Direct Rail Services 37422 at Preston Station at the head of the 2C47 to Barrow-in-Furness on 8th October

While out on a shopping trip, I accidently came across a Class 37 on a passenger working at Preston Station. Direct Rail Services 37422 was operating the 2C47, departing from Preston at 1004 for Barrow-in-Furness. Unfortunately the weather wasn't very conducive to photography as it was raining when I arrived and then it started lashing down as the train departed from the station!

Direct Rail Services 37422 departing from Preston Station at 1004 on the 2C47 to Barrow in heavy rain

Direct Rail Services 37422 at Preston Station, waiting to depart for Barrow-in-Furness on the 2C47

Wright Streetdeck Demonstrator

Wrightbus Streetdeck demonstrator SL15 ZGP southbound on route 1 on the Promenade at Waterloo Road

Blackpool Transport currently have one of the new 'Stealth' styled Wrightbus Streetdeck integral demonstrators on loan. The Streetdeck has been in use on the coastal route 1 between Starr Gate and Fleetwood since it arrived in the resort last week. SL15 ZGP was new in June, and is currently in its second week of use on the Fylde Coast. One notable feature of this demonstrator is the glazed staircase, similar to that used on London's Borismasters, however most production Streetdecks omit this option and are constructed with normal panelling in this area.

Wrightbus Streetdeck demonstrator SL15 ZGP near Ash St. in Fleetwood, clearly showing the fully glazed staircase

A rear three-quarter view of Wrightbus Streetdeck demonstrator SL15 ZGP at Cleveleys

The lower deck of Wrightbus Streetdeck demonstrator SL15 ZGP, showing the glazed staircase area

The upper deck of Wrightbus Streetdeck demonstrator SL15 ZGP