Transpora South Coast Enviro400 LF59XDZ on route 21 to Fleetwood on 24th April A couple of Transpora Group buses from their southern operating areas were noted in Blackpool recently. Transpora South Coast ADL Enviro400 LF59XDZ was running on the Transpora North West route 21 between Fleetwood and North Pier last week. LF59XDZ was formerly with Abellio London, and is currently in the Transpora southern region livery of white with blue flashes. Transpora Bristol Scania Omnicity LX58CEV was spotted parked in Bispham, still in full Stagecoach London red livery, complete wi ..read more

Flexity 001 using the scissors crossing as it approaches the North Station terminus Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th April saw only one tram being used on the North Station tramway extension route testing. Flexity 001 commenced its runs up and down Talbot Road around 1630 on both days, with testing continuing into the evening. Flexity 001 heading down Talbot Road over the Dickson Road junction Flexity 001 and BTS Enviro 568 passing each other at the Abingdon Street traffic lights Flexity 001 crossing over Dickson Road into Talbot Road Flexity 00 ..read more

Flexity 010 returning from its first run to the North Station tram stop at 1120 Route testing along Talbot Road to North Station resumed on Tuesday 23rd April after a two year hiatus, the last Flexity testing having taken place in July 2022. Two trams were in use at various times throughout the day, with Flexity 010 arriving at the North Station terminus at 1015 on its first run. After a significant pause due to technical issues, 010 made its way back down to the Promenade at 1120. Flexity 015 joined the proceedings at 1220, from which point the two trams trams continued testing the s ..read more

Manchester Carriage & Tramways Company 1890 horse bus L2 and horse tram L53 200 years ago in 1824, Salford toll keeper John Greenwood began running a horse bus service between Pendleton and Manchester. The Manchester Museum of Transport are celebrating 200 years of bus services in Britain by holding several events throughout the year. The first event, celebrating the years 1824 to 1940, took place over the weekend of the 20th & 21st of April. The bus museum in Boyle Street had been rearranged to display a collection of buses that pre-dated 1940, with some visiting vehicles als ..read more

Elmer Tram basking in the sunshine at North Pier on Sunday 14th April In conjunction with Brian House Children's Hospice, a series of colourful elephant sculpures have been positioned around the town centre and promenade, collectively called Elmer’s Big Parade Blackpool. The sculptures are inspired by the character Elmer the Patchwork Elephant from the children's books writted by David McKee. Of particular interest to tramway enthusiasts will be the elephant that has been placed outside North Pier, called "Elmer Tram" sponsored by Blackpool Transport. Elmer Tram is painted in green an ..read more

Flexity 015 was the last southbound tram to pass before repair work commenced Strong westerly winds along the Fylde Coast saw part of the tramway closed due to overhead line damage on Tuesday 9th April. Just before 5.30 pm Blackpool Transport posted on their social media pages "Due to damage to the overhead wires in the Norbreck area trams are only running between Starr Gate and Bispham until further notice."  Unimog 939 was despatched to attend the incident, which was located between the Sandhurst Avenue and Norbreck tram stops. The overhead crew waited for southbound servi ..read more

Flexity 016 at Fleetwood Ferry on Easter Sunday afternoon Some more photos of Flexity 016 wearing its new 'yellow brick road' advert for the Coral Island amusement arcade in Blackpool. These photos were all taken in Fleetwood on Easter Sunday. Flexity 016 heading north past the clock tower at Ash Street in Fleetwood on 31st March The faint brickwork pattern, just about visible in this view of the centre section of 016 ..read more

Fleetwood Police laying in wait for Balloon 717 on Lord Street on 30th March Easter Saturday saw two heritage trams in Fleetwood in the morning instead of just the one timetabled Coastal Tour. A trip to Fleetwood to see Balloon 717 on the morning run saw Brush 631 paying a visit to the town at the same time. Brush 631 was on a private hire to Fleetwood and had a long layover at the Ferry loop. During a visit to Blackpool in the afternoon, Brush 631 was noted running on the Mini Prom Tours with Bolton 66 in charge of the Promenade Tours. Balloon 717 arriving in Fleetwood on the m ..read more

Flexity 016 at Fleetwood Ferry on 29th March, wearing its new yellow advert for Coral Island Flexity 016 has received a new overall advert for Coral Island. The tram is basically all-over yellow, with Coral Island logos on the ends and above and below the windows along the sides, with contravision text covering the windows on three sections of the tram. The advert is rather unimaginative and bland compared to previous ambitious advert schemes that have graced the Flexity trams. Flexity 016 previously carried a pink overall advert for the fashion retailer PrettyLittleThing which w ..read more

ADL Enviro200 MMC 230 crossing the traffic lights at Springfield Road Several pedestrian crossings on Dickson Road in Blackpool have been given a colourful facelift this week. The rainbow crossings appeared overnight earlier in the week as part of a Blackpool Council ‘Be Who You Want To Be’ Action Plan. The crossings that have been repainted so far are two zebra crossings near the junctions at Cocker Street and Banks Street, and a four-way multicoloured crossing at the Springfield Road traffic light controlled junction. Mercedes Citaro 559 heading north along Dickson Road at Coc ..read more