Thursday 27 September 2012

Brief Round Up

The first two of the second batch of DAFs have now arrived as 364/5 ex Bus Vannin 54 and 81. Sister bus 56 is now at Blackburn for refurbishment. 359-363 are expected to enter service shortly with Olympians 369 371-373 due for withdrawal.

Manx DAF Status
NoRegIOM NoIOM RegChassis NoBody NoArrivedService
354L50BTS97FMN835J009267383106/7/12c10/9/12
355 L100BTS95FMN622J0092663830917/7/125/9/12
356L200BTS 93FMN621J 0092613830427/7/125/9/12
357L300BTS 94FMN620J0092643830727/7/125/9/12
358L400BTS 96FMN623J0092623830530/7/126/9/12
359L500BTS 98FMN836J0092653830831/7/12awaited
360L600BTS 89FMN299J0092593830230/7/12Awaited
361L700BTS90FMN503J0092603830322/8/12Awaited
362L800BTS92FMN619J00926338306?/8/12Awaited
363L900BTS91FMN618J0092583830130/8/12 Awaited
364tbc54FMN181P0094314110125/9/12 Awaited
365tbc81FMN804T0098304110925/9/12 Awaited

Classic Bus North West commenced route 22 on 10 September. Four ex London Dennis Darts have been acquired as V162/3MAX (Stagecoach London) and X512/33UAT (RATP). http://www.catch22bus.co.uk/ details the route and timetable. An illustrated update will follow when time permits.

Saturday 8 September 2012

DAF and Olympian Update

Olympian 368 has become the second of the new to Blackpool Olympians to be withdrawn joining 370- and the first bus in the new livery to be laid up. It is believed to have been stored in late August. 

DAF 355-358 have now entered service - 355-357 on Wednesday and 358 on Thursday. 354 is likely to debut early next week after attending a classic car rally at Fairhaven Lake. Volvo single deckers 531 and 533 have been noted in use for the annual Bus Driver of the Year event on North Promenade

Manx DAF 354-363 Status
NoRegIOM NoIOM RegChassis NoBody NoArrivedService
354L50BTS97FMN835J009267383106/7/12awaited
355 L100BTS95FMN622J0092663830917/7/125/9/12
356L200BTS 93FMN621J 0092613830427/7/125/9/12
357L300BTS 94FMN620J0092643830727/7/125/9/12
358L400BTS 96FMN623J0092623830530/7/126/9/12
359L500BTS 98FMN836J0092653830831/7/12Awaited
360L600BTS 89FMN299J0092593830230/7/12Awaited
361L700BTS90FMN503J0092603830322/8/12Awaited
362L800BTS92FMN619J00926338306?/8/12Awaited
363L900BTS91FMN618J0092583830130/8/12 Awaited 


Wednesday 5 September 2012

DAFs emerge

After a lengthy gestation, the first DAFs entered service today with 355-357 used on school duties. Olympians have continued in use in early September with 371 noted on route 9 today with 374 on the 14. Either 368/9 has been reported in the tram depot however, suggesting it may now be stored. Work has progressed on the fitting of LED blinds to the 2004 and 2006 former Line 11 Tridents with most now treated. 322 and 330 were noted still with roller blinds, 323, 324, 326, 329 and 332 confirmed with LEDs.

Streetscene's 270 - former Blackpool 350 - still puts in regular appearances catering for the staff keeping the upgraded tramway in order

Cumfybus Solo MX05OTA carries a silver base livery from a former promotional livery for Edge Hill University

Preston Bus's Delta training bus - ex Blackpool 128 -has made on of its periodic visits back to the Fylde on driver training duties as seen here in Bispham

Donuts - a staple for Blackpool tourists - draw eyes away from Trident 336 heading south on route 1

The Manx Tridents have settled in well - here 349 heads south on a quite North Promenade

Solo 241 on Whitegate Drive contrasts with a mixture of modern and classic architecture and the archetypal British post box