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| PD3 516 and Routemaster RM1583 pose at North Pier towards the end of the day |
Today marked the Fylde Transport Trust's first event of 2021 a running day to mark 60 years of the end of Lytham Road trams; celebrate two new restorations and one new purchase and mark 35 years since the first Routemaster ran in Blackpool. FTT assembled a credible six buses - with plenty more in reserve. Fylde Paladin 7 kicked off proceedings at 1200 from North Pier to Squires Gate its first run with FTT. Lytham Atlantean 77 making its first passenger trip in over 20 years followed at 1230. In between Blackpool PD3 529 and RM1583 (Blackpool 521) ran between North Pier and Halfway House over the 5A route via Lytham Road, Watson Road and Lindale Gardens - the route the RM was trialed on in 1986. These four buses maintained the scheduled 15 minute departures from North Pier. A second PD3 516 ran extra trips on the 5A, finishing with the last trip of the day over the long lost 13 via Marton Drive to Lindale Gardens and back to town as a 5. Excel 225 - recently purchased by FTT from the Busman of Knutsford duplicated the Paladin - and completed its duties when a air system fault sidelined the Atlantean. Plenty came for a ride - with masks and social distancing to the fore - it is 2021 after all!
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| Blackpool's first Routemaster RM1583 was tested on the 5/5A (Halfway House to Grange Park) from January 1986. It was later purchased and became 521. It joined the FTT collection in 2003 and after several years in Blackpool colours it reverted to London red as a wedding bus. Today it recreated its trail operation (albeit infinitely smarter) and is seen here waiting time at the Halfway House time point (all Paul Turner) |
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| Lytham 77 has recently had a restoration with a rebuilt front end and platform. Its 1998 coat of original Lytham livery has been retained for now - though it is due to revert to its 1977 Fylde Borough blue, white and yellow livery. It was last used for the farewell photos at the closure of Squires Gate Depot in April 1999 and is seen here setting off from North Pier on its first passenger carrying journey since then. |
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| 77 has also been treated to a retrim in its original moquette - with most seats now looking as good as they did over 50 years ago when the bus first entered service. |
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| A year after 77, TKU469K was delivered to Bradford Corporation. In 1993 Fylde had it rebodied as a single decker. Today was its debut after restoration - though some issues with the air system curtailed its day. |
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| Debut number 3 - former Blackpool Excel 225 has been purchased by Fylde Transport Trust from the Busman, Knutsford. It arrived on Saturday and was pressed into service as a dupe today. |
