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

No	Reg	IOM No	IOM Reg	Chassis No	Body No	Arrived	Service
354	L50BTS	97	FMN835J	009267	38310	6/7/12	c10/9/12
355	L100BTS	95	FMN622J	009266	38309	17/7/12	5/9/12
356	L200BTS	93	FMN621J	009261	38304	27/7/12	5/9/12
357	L300BTS	94	FMN620J	009264	38307	27/7/12	5/9/12
358	L400BTS	96	FMN623J	009262	38305	30/7/12	6/9/12
359	L500BTS	98	FMN836J	009265	38308	31/7/12	awaited
360	L600BTS	89	FMN299J	009259	38302	30/7/12	Awaited
361	L700BTS	90	FMN503J	009260	38303	22/8/12	Awaited
362	L800BTS	92	FMN619J	009263	38306	?/8/12	Awaited
363	L900BTS	91	FMN618J	009258	38301	30/8/12	Awaited
364	tbc	54	FMN181P	009431	41101	25/9/12	Awaited
365	tbc	81	FMN804T	009830	41109	25/9/12	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.

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Olympian 368 has become the second of the new to Blackpool Olympians to be withdrawn joining 370- and the first bus in the new livery to be laid up.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

No	Reg	IOM No	IOM Reg	Chassis No	Body No	Arrived	Service
354	L50BTS	97	FMN835J	009267	38310	6/7/12	awaited
355	L100BTS	95	FMN622J	009266	38309	17/7/12	5/9/12
356	L200BTS	93	FMN621J	009261	38304	27/7/12	5/9/12
357	L300BTS	94	FMN620J	009264	38307	27/7/12	5/9/12
358	L400BTS	96	FMN623J	009262	38305	30/7/12	6/9/12
359	L500BTS	98	FMN836J	009265	38308	31/7/12	Awaited
360	L600BTS	89	FMN299J	009259	38302	30/7/12	Awaited
361	L700BTS	90	FMN503J	009260	38303	22/8/12	Awaited
362	L800BTS	92	FMN619J	009263	38306	?/8/12	Awaited
363	L900BTS	91	FMN618J	009258	38301	30/8/12	Awaited

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