Preserving the Past (part 2)

AEC pair. One of the two surviving Blackpool AEC Swifts 570 poses alongside Routemaster 521 at the Blackpool Transport open day in 2010

Part one of the story (here) took us up to the PD3 era. 1969 saw the arrival of the first of 55 AEC Swifts. The first 15 (541-555) featured low driving positions, semi automatic transmission and barrel windscreens. They were withdrawn in the early 1980s with 554 taken out of use in 1981, despite being one of a handful to carry the later green and off-white livery. The following year it was purchased by Graham Oliver and rallied until sale to Wealden (dlr) in 1988. After several years in store it passed back to Graham in 1996 and onto the Lancastrian Transport Trust soon after. It ran initially in its faded green livery but regained its original allover cream in 1998. After several years in store it was sold to Gary Conn and Martin Gurr in 2013 and is expected to return to use in 2015.

The other 40 Swifts (556-595 of 1971/4) were high driving position, automatic buses with BET style windscreens. Withdrawals were spread through the 1980s until the last ceased service in February 1988. 570 was withdrawn in December 1987 and like many sisters was bought by Wealden. It was sold for further service to Blue Saloon of Guildford where it operated into the 1990s. Graham Oliver was its saviour and it was brought back to Blackpool for a repaint into its 1980s livery in 1987. Graham later passed the bus to LTT but despite another repaint in 2005 it has not seen use for several years.

The Atlantean era
64 Atlanteans followed the 55 Swifts from 1977 to 1984. Several had short lives, 301-21/35/42 were withdrawn by 1994, but most of the rest survived into the 2000s. Four are preserved.

334 of 1980 was withdrawn in May 2003 and purchased by Graham Oliver, passing to LTT in 2005. A full restoration took place in 2006/7 with the Atlantean regaining its original livery. It has been in store recently following a spell in PSV use with Classic Bus on college contracts.

Atlantean 353 in the 2010 open day line up. PD3 390 alongside was withdrawn a year after 353 joined the fleet

353 of 1982 lasted until 2008 - the oldest of its type to operate in routine service. It was bought by the Chesterfield 123 group and fully restored to its last livery first applied in the 1990s. It has visited Blackpool on a few occasions.

362 - the last bus seated example - ran from 1983 to 2006 and joined the LTT collection on withdrawal. More recently it has passed to Gary Conn and Martin Gurr and has been fully restored to the late 1980s livery. 364 - the last of all and one of two coach seated examples is still owned by Blackpool Transport but effectively preserved. It is currently in store.

The newly restored 362 at Mereside (Gary Conn)

Handybus Preservation - City Pacer 575 and Metrordier 589 at Rigby Road Depot Open Day 2010

Blackpool purchased two batches of six Routemasters in 1986 (521-6) and 1988 (527-31/3) and a 13th in 1989 (534). These ran until 1996 - though sporadically in later years and were sold onto Reading Mainline except for 534 which returned to Burton's Biscuits some time before. One was exported but the remainder remain. 521 was bought by LTT in 2003 and restored the following year. It is now considered part of the Catch 22 bus fleet. 522 is also preserved, but in its second London guise having been one of seven ex Blackpool examples purchased by Transport for London after service in Reading.
35 Optare City Pacer minibuses were bought from 1987 to 1990 and two are currently preserved. 560 of the first batch (May 1987) ran until 1995, later passing to Reading Buses. Following withdrawal it was purchased by a local enthusiast and has been stored since. 575 of August 1988 lasted until December 1999 and has been preserved since. Graham Oliver purchased it in 2000 and repainted in pseudo BT green and cream livery. It was later passed to LTT and returned to authentic Handybus Black and Yellow.

The City Pacers were followed by 31 Metroriders of which 589 is the sole preserved example. It was withdrawn in 2007 and sold for preservation locally in 2008. It is back in Handybus colours and regularly rallied.

Former Fylde Buses

Blackpool Transport took over Fylde Transport in 1994 and absorbed it fully in 1996 bringing a large fleet of mainly Leyland Atlanteans with it. Five of these - and one Delta - are preserved.

Atlantean 458 of 1970 failed to see out a year in Blackpool Transport ownership as it was withdrawn in October 1996. The following year it passed to LTT for preservation and was cosmetically restored to its original guise as Lytham 77 in 1998. Since 2000 it has been in store awaiting further restoration. 

Restored Fylde Atlantesns 45 (left) and 77 (right)

479 of 1975 operated until 2002. It was bought by LTT on withdrawal but is now privately owned for restoration as Fylde 79. Sister 471 of 1977 as Fylde 85  was refurbished in 1991 as 71 (OJI4371) it ran until 2004 and joined the LTT fleet, quickly returning to its guise as Fylde 71. It is now in private ownership.

Fylde 45 of 1984 was, like 71, amongst the last survivors of the Fylde Atlantean fleet in 2004. It was bought for preservation by the Blackpool Transport Omnibus Group and is restored as Seagull Coaches 45. 

Two former Fylde single deckers are preserved. Atlantean 137 is a 1993 rebody on a 1971 chassis and on disposal from Blackpool in 1999 passed via several owners ending up at Shamrock Poole from where it was purchased for preservation. Restoration is currently underway.

133 (Fylde 3) was the last former Fylde bus to operate in 2010 It was bought for the LTT collection but was sold on last year and is now restored to its 2001 condition post refurbishment.
Preserved 'Fleet' list

No	Reg	Chassis	Body	W/d	Preserved by	Status
7	FV9044	Leyland Tiger	Burlingham	1956	Private, Sussex	R Engineers
246	DFV146	Leyland Titan PD2	Burlingham	1967	LTT, Blackpool	AR
300	EFV300	Leyland Titan PD2	Burlingham	1969	Private, Huddersfield	UR
346	PFR346	Leyland Titan PD2	Metro Cammell	1975	LTT, Blackpool	AR
351	YFR351	Leyland Titan PD3	Metro Cammell	197x	Private. Blackburn	UR
390	CFR590C	Leyland Titan PD3	Metro Cammell	1983	Private, Cheshire	R 1980s
501	HFR501E	Leyland Titan PD3	Metro Cammell	1985	Private, Blackpool	R 1980s
511	HFR511E	Leyland Titan PD3	Metro Cammell	1988	Private, Liverpool	AR
512	HFR512E	Leyland Titan PD3	Metro Cammell	1988	Private, Blackpool	R 1970s
516	HFR516E	Leyland Titan PD3	Metro Cammell	1984	Private, Eastbourne	R Trainer
518	HFR518E	Leyland Titan PD3	Metro Cammell	1988	Chepstow Classic	R 1960s
529	LFR529F	Leyland Titan PD3	Metro Cammell	1980	LTT, Blackpool	R 1960s
540	LFR540G	Leyland Titan PD3	Metro Cammell	1988	Private, Cheshire	AR
554	PFR554H	AEC Swift	Marshall	1970	Private, Blackpool	R 1970s
570	OFR970M	AEC Swift	Marshall	1984	Private, Eastbourne	R 1980s
334	AHG334V	Leyland Atlantean	East Lancs	2003	LTT, Blackpool	R 1970s
353	UHG353Y	Leyland Atlantean	East Lancs	2008	Chesterfield 123 Gp	R 1990s
362	A362HHG	Leyland Atlanetan	East Lancs	2006	Private, Blackpool	R 1980s
364	B364UBV	Leyland Allantean	East Lancs	2009	Blackpool Transport	UR
521	583CLT	AEC Routemaster	Park Royal	1996	Catch 22 Blackpool	R 1980s
560	D560YCW	Volkswagen LT55	Optare	1995	Private, Reading	AR
575	F575RCW	Volkswagen LT55	Optare	2000	LTT, Blackpool	R 1980s
589	N589GRN	Optare Metrorider	Optare	200x	Private, Blackpool	R 1990s
133	H3FBT	DAF SB200	Optare Delta	2010	Private, Blackpool	R 1990s
137	TKU469K	Leyland Atlantean	Northern C	1999	Private, Blackpool	UR
458	ATD281J	Leyland Atlantean	Northern C	1996	LTT, Blackpool	R Lytham
471	OJI4371	Leyland Atlantean	Northern C	1996	Private, Blackpool	R Lytham
479	HRN99N	Leyland Atlantean	Northern C	1996	Private, Blackpool	R Lytham
445	NJI5505	Leyland Atlantean	Northern C	1996	BTOG, Blackpool	R Lytham

Notes:= R= Restored, UR Under restored, AR Awaiting Restoration

New Solos for Coastal Coaches

Coastal Coaches of Freckleton has taken delivery of three new Optare Solo SRs YJ15AFX/Y/Z. AFY was noted on service 76 today. It is believed these have replaced the 2009 Solos.

Solo SRs also appear on the Fylde with Kirkby Lonsdale Mini Coaches YD63VKL on evening service 42 (Lancaster to Blackpool) and one with Elite on service 87 (Cleveleys-Poulton)

News Round Up

Blackpool Transport has disposed of further Excels this week with 212 and 215 now collected by Partons. This leaves 214 in store and just 216-218 of the new to Blackpool buses in service.

The new Mercedes Benz Citaros are expected in late March and are understood to be for service 5 with an enhanced level of quality including passenger announcements, leather seating, free wifi and dedicated drivers. It is believed a customised livery will be used too.

Catch 22 Bus has purchased one of the Darts recently returned to a leasing company, 512 X512UAT. Ex Diamond 658 has returned from repaint and will enter service dedicated to route 6, as is sister 657 which awaits repaint. 

More Excels reach the end

Excel 210 was collected by Partons on Thursday, with 212/5 expected to follow next week. Sister 214 has now been withdrawn with effect from 13 February, though it is believed to have been out of use with faults already.

Routemasters stand in while Darts arrive

Catch 22 Bus operated Routemasters RML887 and former Blackpool 521 (RM1583) on service 22 regularly during the last week or so, as its fleet is stretched following the departure of leased vehicles. The recently acquired ex Cardiff Darts have now been joined by two from East Yorkshire Motor Services (latterly with their Whittle's fleet) as W466/8UAG and two from Diamond Bus, Kidderminster (V657/8HEC) which started life in Blackburn. 468 has entered service in Whittle's green and white, while 657 is expected to run in Diamond's blue livery - the other two are currently under repaint.

Catch 22 Bus Fleet List February 2015

No	Reg	Chassis	Body	Livery	Origins
69	F69SYE	MCW Metrobus	MCW	Pleasure Beach advert	China Motor Bus ML81 11/88
139	W139EON	Volvo B7TL	Alexander	Red/Grey	London United 3/00
143	T143AUA	Dennis Dart	Alexander	New Catch 22	Armchair, Hounslow 5/99
147	T147DAX	Dennis Dart	Plaxton	Orange/Green	Cardiff Bus 8/99
186	X186CTG	Dennis Dart	Plaxton	Cardiff	Cardiff Bus 9/00
326	F326UJN	MCW Metrobus	MCW	Pleasure Beach advert	China Motor Bus ML77 10/88
356	R356LER	Dennis Dart	Alexander	New Catch 22	Stagecoach new 10/97
466	W466UAG	Dennis Dart	Plaxton	New Catch 22	East Yorkshire 4/00
468	W468UAG	Dennis Dart	Plaxton	Red/Grey	East Yorkshire 4/00
617	X617JCS	Dennis Dart	Alexander	New Catch 22	Stagecoach 2/01
657	V657HEC	Dennis Dart	Plaxton	Blue	Blackburn 1/00
658	V658HEC	Dennis Dart	Plaxton	Blue	Blackburn 1/00
898	R898XVM	Volvo B10M	Alexander	Red	Stagecoach Manchester
RM1583	583CLT	AEC Routemaster	Park Royal	Red	London Transport
RML887	202UXJ	AEC Routemaster	Park Royal	Red	London Transport

Blackpool Disposals and Repaints

Parton's ERF wagon tows Olympian 379 on its farewell trip on Blackpool Promenade (Jono Niblock)

This week has seen Parton's of Barnsley visit Blackpool to collected stored buses for scrap. On Monday, 211 was the first of the Optare Excels to be disposed of, while Olympian 379 became the first of its type to go today (Tuesday). Excel 213 departed on Wednesday morning (11th)

The new Citaros are expected in late March and are likely to replace the six remaining non DDA complaint Excels 214, 217, 218-220 and 222. What else will depart is not yet known - though the Olympians may have a stay of execution until 2016.

Trident 341 has been repainted following 286 and 340 in January. 287 is now currently being treated.

updated 11/2/15

Preserving the Past (Part 1)

The bus display for the 2010 Blackpool Transport open day featured three contrasting restored Blackpool PD3s. On the left is 501, recently restored to its 1980s livery, in the middle is LTT's 529 in original scheme and on the right 390 in its experimental livery

As a follow up to "You Can't Save them All"  this article charts the status of the currently preserved former Blackpool Buses, over two posts.

Luff Era 
As noted in the earlier post, 7 (FV9044) of 1937 is the oldest surviving Blackpool Bus. It was preserved in the 1950s and purchased by its present owner in Sussex in 1977. It was restored to its latter day tow vehicle condition and was rallied from the late 1990s though has not been reported recently.

One of two surviving centre entrance PD2s, this is 246 being shunted at the former LTT premises on Brinwell Road. 

Two of the iconic postwar streamliners survive, both owing their current existence to post service use as tramway 'Permanent Way' buses. LTT owns 246, which spent over a decade as a site hut at the premises of Lister of Bolton - a well known dealer. In 1989 it was rescued and temporarily stored at Blackpool Transport depot by a local enthusiast, but LTT took it on the following year moving it to Burscough then St. Helens. 25 years on and the bus remains stored, back in Blackpool awaiting extensive restoration.

In February 2012 I was fortunate to view sister bus 300 at its then storage site in Huddersfield. Restoration is stalled while the owner works on a Sentinel single decker, but the bus has since been reassembled for towing to a new storage site near Wakefield

More complete is sister 300. Purchased by John Hinchliffe of Huddersfield, it was cosmetically restored and rallied during the 1980s. Since then structural work has commenced, but stalled while other projects took precedent. After many years stored under a railway arch in Huddersfield, 300 was moved to a new storage site still in West Yorkshire in July 2014.

Rear Loaders
Just two of the 80 full fronted rear loaders purchased from 1957 to 1964 remain. PD2 346 spent its first retirement as a mess bus for the Illuminations gangs. In 1985 it passed to North West Museum of Transport, then at Burtonwood, but soon moved to St. Helens. A collection downsizing saw it pass to LTT in 2005 where it remains in the restoration queue.

PD2 346 in its Illuminations Department yellow, at the former LTT Depot

Pioneer PD3 351 was preserved in 1992 after use as a playbus. Periods of outdoor storage and ownership changes saw it deteriorate. LTT stepped in to purchase it in 2000, but in 2013 passed it to a Blackburn based preservationist for restoration.

No less than eight half cab PD3s survive in preservation. The oldest is 390 (CFR590C) which represents the original 1965 batch. It is preserved in its experimental 1982 livery carried prior to withdrawal in 1983 when it was preserved by its current owner in Cheshire.

501 under restoration in Glasgow in 2007 - the lower panels have been replaced, all glazing removed prior to a full repaint and reglazing with new window rubbers (Gary Conn)

501 (HFR501E) was preserved back in 1985 straight from service by David Hunt and moved to his native Edinburgh. After a brief period of use, it deteriorated in store eventually moving to the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust premises. A group of enthusiasts purchased the vehicle in 2007 and began a restoration to its as withdrawn condition in the 1980s green and off-white livery which was completed in 2008. It is still owned by Martin Gurr, Gary Conn and Bill Thomson.

511, seen at Maghull Coaches depot in 2004 retains the faded Blackpool livery applied in 1985! (Keith Till)

511 (HFR511E) was one of the ten PD3s that survived until the type was withdrawn in 1988. It then passed to a driver training school in Liverpool with sister 538. The latter was scrapped following accident damage, but 511 survived until purchased by the owner of Maghull Coaches in Bootle, it is believed to be still in store there.

512 back on the road for the first time in over ten years at Fleetwood on 25 June 2014

Sister 512 (HFR512E) joined London & Country as a driver trainer in 1989 but was withdrawn a few years later. After a couple of further owners it was purchased by LTT in early 1998 from Danesbury Freight, Congleton. A quick restoration into 1970s all-over cream was completed in time for the summer. Mechanical problems sidelined the bus around 2003. In 2013 it was purchased by Bill Thomson and David Wilson and has been overhauled, returning to road last summer. 

516, as restored as a driver trainer on Ashfield Road in 2004

516 (HFR516E) was the last PD3 to operate with Blackpool Transport, as a driver trainer until 1999. It was purchased by Graham Oliver on withdrawal and restored, retaining its driver trainer configuration, but with a full set of seats reinstated. Sister 518 (HFR518E) was purchased by a Glasgow based preservationist in 1989 and even spent a Christmas operating in service with Stagecoach's Magicbus operation! It later passed to Chepstow Classic Buses were it forms part of their vintage fleet.

Only two of the 1968 batch of 15 PD3s survive. LTT owns 529 (LFR529F) withdrawn as early as 1980. Initially bought by Graham Oliver, it later passed to Mike Brady, before passing back to Graham and onto the LTT. It was restored over a number of years and returned to use in 2008. 

Last but by no means least, 540 (LFR540G) is the sole survivor of the three G-reg PD3s. These were licensed at the start of August 1968 when the registration year changed from F-G. At the time Blackpool's registration office started a new three letter series (eg CFR-C, HFR-E, LFR-F, PFR-H) and it is believed MFR/NFR were issued with G-suffices. 538-540 were allocated LFR538-40F, but with their late arrival, it was simply decided to change the last letter, rather than allocate new registrations! Throughout their life the front plates on these had a "G" in a different letter style than the rest of the plate. Even the surviving registration ledgers have the "F" crossed out and a pen written "G" inserted. All very informal by today's standards.

540 in a modified, but faded version of 1980s livery stored in St Helens Transport Museum in 2003

In 1988 540 was withdrawn along with its final sisters. Last painted in 1982 it was one of the scruffiest PD3s. A preservation attempted failed as the batch was in demand for training duties and 540 headed to London, working in the former Middlesex area, still mainly in BT livery. It was bought for preservation in the 1990s and moved to Huddersfield where parts from sister 510 were rescued for its restoration. This did not progress despite a move to the owners native Staffordshire. LTT had chosen to preserve two PD3s to display in different eras, 512 was initially joined by 515, but 540 became available and relegated 515 to spares. It was duly purchased and moved to St Helens Transport Museum and later the LTT depot at Brinwell Road, Blackpool. The availability of 529 from Graham Oliver meant that this usurped 540 which was relegated to a further spares donor. Thankfully others were determined this last of the breed should survive and David Wilson stepped in to secure the bus. It is currently dry stored in Cheshire, awaiting its turn for restoration.

Part two of this story will start with the surviving AEC Swifts.

News Round Up

Blackpool Transport Excel 215 was withdrawn on Monday 19th January, but sister 221 is expected now to return to service. Withdrawn Solos 281/2 have been sold to a private owner locally with one expected to be preserved. Sister 268 was scrapped on 20 January.

Solos 286 and 340 currently occupy the paint shop.

Catch 22 Bus has placed two more Darts into service. Both were new to Cardiff, T147DAX has had orange relief applied over the cream part of its former Cardiff livery green/cream livery as seen here on Alan Robson's flickr page while X186CTG retains the Cardiff orange and green livery which inspired the Catch 22 scheme.

As a result of the recent intake most of the buses inherited from Classic Bus North West have been returned off lease. This includes Olympians 269 and 325, Volvo B6BLEs 601/11, Mercedes Artics MAL41/53 and Darts 145, 162/3, 512/33 and 652.

This leaves five Darts (143, 147, 186, 356 and 617), Volvo B10M 898 and Volvo B7TL 103 for services 6 and 22 with RML887 as the spare bus.

You Can't Save Them All

7 is the oldest surviving Blackpool Bus - one of three 1937 single deckers bought for preservation, but the only one to survive - it retains its modified condition after withdrawal with the rear end cut back.

Centre Loaders
Three of the 12 1937 Leyland Tigers were purchased by David Ellor in 1964 after use as works vehicles having ended their passenger career. 6 was bought for spares for 7 and 8. 7 survives today having been sold on to Les Burchell in Sussex and was rallied in "Engineering Car" condition from 1999. 8 has was scrapped, but when, why and by whom seems lost to history.

Two of the 100 post war Centre Loader PD2s are preserved, but two more of the 1951 batch stood a chance. 298 was bought by a group for a world tour and preservation in 1970. It was taken through some remarkable territory on a trip to Karachi between 1970 and 1972 but on its return to the UK its preservation attempt ended in scrapping in 1979. Meanwhile in 1984 a surprising report emerged of 287 existing in Hampshire but a rescue attempt failed due to lack of storage.

Rear Loaders

PD2 309 survived thanks to disposal to Lytham St. Annes Corporation and use until 1982 by successor Fylde Borough as a trainer. Here at Tram Sunday 1988 it makes its debut after restoration, but sadly that winter lost its dome on a filling station canopy.  Eventually a replacement was found, but the bus was never fully repaired and eventually went for scrap (Brian Turner)

Today just one of the 50 rear entrance PD2s survives (346) plus full fronted PD3 (351) and eight half cabs  (390, 501, 511, 512, 516, 518, 529 and 540) in the preserved 'fleet'. A further PD2 was preserved. 309 of 1957 was unusually sold to Lytham St. Annes in 1970 and served as a driver trainer from 1975 to 1982 with Fylde Borough. Preserved locally on withdrawal, it was restored and rallied during 1988. Sadly that winter it suffered roof damage with the front dome destroyed. Eventually a replacement dome was fitted from sister 337 but 309 suffered from outside storage and didn't return to its former glories. After changes of owners it ended up with 351 on a farm in Westhoughton. A further new owner took it north to Carlisle but the trail went cold and its believed the bus was scrapped.

PD3 530 comes close to meeting its maker, derelict outside a scrapyard near Bacup in 2009. Converted as a caravan, 530 appeared at Totally Transport 2005 partially painted back into Blackpool colours, perhaps signifying a long term future that did not materialise (Paul Turner)

Of the half cabs:

• 394 of 1965 saw service with Porthcawl Omnibuses and had a brief period of use as a driver trainer than went into preservation in the early 1990s. This was shortlived as it ended up as a static cafe at Alton Towers. It has since been scrapped
• 505 was purchased by Blackpool and Fylde Sub Aqua group in 1983 and after six years was sold for preservation. Kept at Easyway depot in Blackpool with 309 it was soon sold onto a dealer who converted it to open top and exported it to Japan!
• 507 of 1967 was retained by BTS on the withdrawal of its last sisters in 1988 as a semi preserved bus. Demoted to training duties from 1995-1999, it was sold onto Mac Tours in 2000. Never used it passed with much of the Mac fleet to Ensign in 2002, but moved back to Blackpool for preservation in 2005. Sadly vandalised in open storage it was taken on by BTS again in 2008 but eventually was sold back to Ensign for spares - it was too far gone to restore
• 510 was preserved in 1982 and briefly rallied but it suffered damage in a fire which destroyed a nearby bus while stored in Huddersfield. After several years in store it was scrapped in 1998 having donated parts to sister 540. 
• 515 was used by London & Country as a driver trainer in 1989 then (with 512) saw several different owners until Graham Oliver purchased it in 1998 and moved it back to Blackpool. Sister 516 became available the following year, so 515 donated its seats and passed to LTT in 2000 for spares. In 2012 it was dismantled having donated parts for 512, 529 and 540.
• 522 and 527 both had brief spells in preservation after use as a Playbuses in Skelmersdale and Ireland respectively. 522 was destroyed by vandals after a few months, but 527 was found to be in a poor condition and eventually was used for spares around 2006.
• 530 was another playbus which was reportedly preserved in 1992, but was then converted to a caravan. A later owner started to paint it into BTS livery and it appeared unannounced at the 2005 Totally Transport event. By 2010 it was derelict outside a scrapyard between Rawtenstall and Bacup.

Single Deckers
Single deckers have generally been in the minority in the Blackpool fleet. The first post war examples were the Swifts bought from 1969 to 1975. Two are preserved, but a third (589) was secured by Graham Oliver from a nightclub in Dorset in 1997. It changed hands a few years later and was reportedly under restoration, but in the end donated parts to a restored West Midlands example and has now been scrapped.

Lancet 597 was restored before preservation unusually. Enthusiast Graham Oliver purchased it for his Thames Valley Training fleet in London and brought it to Blackpool to receive its original livery. He sold it in 2000 for preservation but sadly it saw little or no active use. In 2004 it was parked outside deteriorating and has not been reported since (Paul Turner)

Four Lancets followed in 1982. Of these 597 was bought by Graham Oliver for his "Thames Valley Training" business in 1995 and repainted into its original Blackpool fleet colours - these were adopted by TVT as a fleet livery. In 2000 it was sold to a North East enthusiast for preservation and was last seen in 2004 in outside storage. It was available for sale but with no interest is assumed scrapped. [Now confirmed thanks to investigations by John Docherty]

Four new and 15 second hand Leyland Nationals were purchased from 1984 to 1987. 542 and 543 were preserved, 542 by LTT and 543 by Kells Museum in Ireland. The latter is believed still extant in store, but 542 has recently been disposed of for scrap having donated parts to other vehicles in view of its parlous condition. One of the ex Strathclyde examples, 156, was bought by a Glasgow based enthusiast but restoration did not take place and the vehicle has now been scrapped.

Delta 101 was purchased for preservation in March 2011 but it believed to have since gone for scrap.

Minibuses

Metrorider 502 was never officially preserved, though when LTT disposed of sister 590 it was expected that 502 would replace it once Classic Bus had no further use for it. Sadly a seized engine put paid to that - here it is being rescued after its last ever journey (David Umpleby)

Both of the City Pacers preserved, 575 in Blackpool and 560 in Reading - survive, but Metroriders seemed to suffered a degree of attrition. LTT acquired 590 with a failed rear axle in 2009 but it was sold for scrap in 2012 as sister bus 502 was expected to replace it after service with Classic Bus North West. Sadly this suffered an engine seizure and it too was scrapped. Private owners have purchased 509 and 510 but both are believed now scrapped. This leaves just 589 preserved, 505 on the Isle of Scilly and 512 as the Council PW Bus.

Atlanteans

331 was bought by LTT in 2003, but replaced by sister bus 334 soon after. Sold to a dealer it saw further service with Fargo, Braintree in  who's yard it is seen on Boxing Day 2005 (Paul Turner)

There are four preserved Atlanteans, 334, 353, 362 and 364, but three, possibly four was preserved. 331 was bought by LTT in 2003, but was replaced by 334 the following year. It passed to Fargo of Essex for further service and was later scrapped. 337 was bought for preservation in Kent in 2003, but reappeared in Blackpool in 2005 but was scrapped in 2008. 343 was purchased by an Essex based enthusiast in 2009 and repainted into the late 1980s livery but was sold for scrap in 2011 after a failure. The fourth possibility is 322, reportedly preserved after use as a driver trainer, but without trace ever since.

Three of the Atlanteans purchased from Fylde were preserved for a while. New to Salford Open Top 451 ran with Hall's of Kennoway briefly but was bought for preservation in 2001 in Glasgow after a few years in a scrap yard. Sadly restoration did not commence and a proposed sale fell through so the bus was scrapped.

Ex Fylde and Hull open topper 454 was briefly preserved and is seen here at Freckleton.

Ex Hull open topper 454 was briefly preserved in 1999 but was sold to an operator in Hull who then sold it on for scrap. Finally 496 was bought locally for preservation and restored to Fylde livery, later replaced by a fictitious scheme. Sold a few years ago it has now been sold on again for spares and is expected to be scrapped in 2015.

Buses to the Caravan Park

Fylde's "Baby Blues" minibuses were the first services buses to operate into the Marton Mere Park in 1988. Here in 1990 Renault 115 departs for Blackpool (Brian Turner)

In 1988 as part of its expansion in competition with Blackpool Transport, Fylde Transport introduced a number of new minibuses services in Blackpool. In June 1988 it started "Fastlink 1" - a direct service from Blackpool to Mereside via Park Road and Preston New Road.  It ran every 20 minutes with two journeys per hour into Mereside estate and one (service 1A) running to Marton Mere Caravan Park. Prior to this the par was only served by Ribble service 158 which passed by hourly o Mythop Road - though residents could walk up to the Clifton Arms and enjoy the hourly 154 too.

The Fastlink routes changed in August 1988 with new service F4 running from Town Centre to Marton Mere via Whitegate Drive and Great Marton every 30 minutes with an hourly evening service added and Sunday service. With the park closed for the winter the F4 terminus moved to Mereside estate. Seasonal operation resumed from 1989 but under number 44. 

From March 1990 route 33 (the former F1, but now via Newhouse Road not Preston New Road) became the Caravan Park service - now operating every 20 minutes. The evening and Sunday service became the X44 via Whitegate Drive and Preston New Road - every 45 minutes. This lasted just a few months as in May 1990 the 33 was diverted to the new Mereside Tesco and a new daytime X33 via Park Road and Preston New Road serving Marton Mere every 20 minutes. The X44 continued unchanged. If this is hard to follow see "Line 4 Baby Blue to Cadbury Blue"

For 1991 it was the 33 which served Marton Mere and this now became a year round operation. Evening and Sunday saw circulars 333/444 run Gynn Square to Marton Mere every 30 minutes. May 1992 saw the route split into 33A/33B with the latter serving Marton Mere every 30 minutes. March 1993 saw a further recast, the 33A/B combined as 33 and the 44 split as 44A/B! The 44B now became the Marton Mere service again half hourly. It was extended cross town to Cleveleys in February 1994.

A second service was added from August 1996 when evening and Sunday journeys on service 23 (Staining to Tesco) was extended to Marton Mere on an hourly basis giving a link, albeit indirect, to Blackpool Pleasure Beach and South Pier.

The success of the Fylde minibus services was evident when they became the town's first low floor bus route. 8 early production Optare Excels were purchased for the 44A/B in 1996 just as Fylde was absorbed by its new parent Blackpool Transport. They proved troublesome a demonstrators regularly appeared on loan while Optare tried to rectify problems under warranty.  In September 1998, P447SWX departs for Cleveleys (Brian Turner)

A period of stability then ensured, until year round operation ended with the closure of the park for the winter in November 1999. This ended the 23, 44B and 333/444 era.

Route 20, from 2000, solved two problems. Firstly it served the Promenade, improving access to the main tourist destinations, and seconly provided extra capacity. At times, especially on Sunday, the previous routes could struggle with peak loadings. Atlantean 349 leaves the camp in August 2000 (Brian Turner)

April 2000 saw a brand new route introduced with summer only service 20 from Marton Mere via Preston New Road, Waterloo Road, Station Road to South Pier and then Promenade to Blackpool Town Centre. This used two double deckers - usually Atlanteans.  The 20 continued with minor changes each summer until 2006 when it was extended to Blackpool Zoo via Stanley Park and Model Village replacing service 21. 

Despite being a seasonal service, the 20 did not escape the Metro route branding. From 2004 it gained this lilac identity with three ex Trent Olympians painted (401-403). Sister bus 404 joined the roster for the 2006 season following an extension to Blackpool Zoo. City Sightseeing open toppers took over for the 2007 - 2010 seasons (Brian Turner).

This lasted one season, a complete revision took place from 2007. Buses now ran from Marton Mere along Preston New Road but then served the Model Village, Zoo, Stanley Park and Blackpool Town Centre then via the Promenade right through to Pontins Holiday Camp. The service became the City Sightseeing operation using Leyland Olympian open toppers - and this continued until the end of the 2010 season.

2011 and 2012 saw the 20 operate Marton Mere to Town Centre only, in 2013 it once again continued along the Promenade though only to Pleasure Beach, but this was dropped for 2014 again. For 2013 five Optare Solos received a dedicated livery promoting the 20 as the "Resort Hopper Bus" reflecting a new resort wide tourism pass, however they proved to be hopelessly inadequate capacity wise and after a brief use, the standard Tridents or DAFs resumed. 

Change here for Tesco: Town Centre redevelopment work caused disruption to most serves between February and August 2009. This included Line 15 (Poulton to Tesco) which passed Marton Mere on Mythop Road  and for the duration it turned short at Marton Mere to give more running time so as to cope with the Town Centre diversions. Service 4 was terminated in Great Marton so a shuttle service numbered 4A ran from Stanley School to Tesco via Marton Mere. Here Solo 264 on the shuttle overtakes 513 on the access road to Marton Mere (Brian Turner)

The East Lancs Olympians occasionally operated the 20. Here is 369 newly painted into Metro pool black and yellow. The dark appearance on this soon prompted some additional yellow and red stripes on the front.  (Brian Turner)

2004 saw an Indian Summer (well Spring) for the remaining ex Fylde Atlanteans which were normally used on school services. Here 27 year old 471 loads on the 20 on 8 May 2004 - three weeks before it was withdrawn. (Paul Turner)

A somewhat scruffy 471 turns onto Mythop Road, note the direction sign for services 33 and 444 on the lamppost - a legacy of the Fylde services of the 1990s. (Paul Turner)

The seven Olympians bought from Lancashire United with their Blackpool school operation in 2007 were sought after buses by enthusiasts as they rarely worked local routes. The six Lothian buses began to appear on the 20 in 2010/1, but new to London 411 seemed to be very elusive - this appearance on 25 July 2011 was quite rare

Having failed to locate a photo of an open topper at Marton Mere - here is 818 at Town Hall awaiting departure on an early season working to Marton Mere in May 2008 (Brian Turner)

This is new to Lothian Buses 414 departing from Marton Mere in July 2011 (Brian Turner)

January Round Up

Blackpool Transport

Excel 221 is the first second hand examples to be withdrawn

Not previously reported was the formal withdrawal of Solo 283 on 26 November after several weeks out of use. This leaves just 277-279 and 284 of the 2002/3 Lifestyle Line buses in service. It has been joined by Optare Excel 221 which was withdrawn on 9 January. 

Routine repaints are continuing slowly with Solos 289 and 340 completed during January. 520 has also been repainted recently, noted with new logos on 11 January.

Catch 22 Bus
This is the new name for Oakwood Travel (since 1 December). Two further Dennis Darts have been purchased, both new to Cardiff Bus. T147DAX was purchased from Aimee's Travel of Leek in December and X186TSG direct from Cardiff Bus in January. Olympian N325NHG is now withdrawn.

Lancashire County Council
December saw a flurry of press activity following reports that local bus service contracts were again under threat as part of a budget review, however this was dropped from plans and tendered service such as the 74, 75, 76, 80, 87 and parts of the 2C and 16 will remain for the foreseeable future.