City Sightseeing Starts

City Sightseeing liveried 873 shows the new fixed destination for the Blackpool Tour

The City Sightseeing service started today with Olympians 857 and 873 in use. Two buses are required and the service is run as a tour so Metro Savers, Zone Cards and Travelcards are not valid. Ten stops are served - Corporation St, Tower, Central Pier, South Pier, Pleasure Beach, Solaris, Starr Gate, Thursby Home (for Nature Reserve) St. Annes Pier and St. Annes Square. Times and fares are available here.

Light Blues on the 10 again



Solo 292 loads a solitary passenger at Midgeland Road/School Road junction

Something of a 'what might have been' occurred yesterday with the use of light blue liveried Solo 292 on route 10. 292 is the last of eight Solos to carry this livery - the other seven (286-291/3) are all in the new livery though 286/7 also carried Line 2 green for a period. The Solos were purchased for Lifestyle Line 16 in 2007 but prior to this the line colour was used for the one bus Line 10 operation. This was a unique example of a route colour swapping routes - discounting the merger of the 26 and 2 in 2002. Metrorider 593 was the dedicated bus for the 10 from December 2005 to March 2007.
 

292 on arrival at Midgeland Road before turning onto School Road.



292 departs for Blackpool Town Centre



The old era - 593 at Midgeland Road in 2006

 

One Careful Owner

No less than 27 pre-owned Leyland Olympians have been operated. New to Lothian 415, still in Blackburn colours leads sister buses 414, 417, 413, Ex West Yorkshire 365 and ex Trent 408 at St. Bedes School, Lytham at the start of school term in September 2007

The early months of 1986 saw two landmarks in the history of the Blackpool bus fleet. 8 January saw the entry into service of Routemaster RM1583 on loan from London Bus Sales for a three month evaluation period. Deemed a success, it - and five sisters - were acquired in April. Then on 12 March Leyland National 548 made its debut. This was the first of four purchased from Crosville Motor Services who had fitted them with Gardner engines as part of a conversion process that replaced their original Leyland engines with Gardners from prematurely withdrawn Seddon RUs. So the era of second hand bus operation in the Blackpool fleet was born. Prior to this only three second hand vehicles had been purchased - a Tilling Stevens demonstrator in 1922; a similar chassis in 1924 and a Southampton AEC Swift bought for spares in 1977. 

Curiously the 15 second hand Nationals arrived in Blackpool in all-over grey primer rather their previous operators' liveries. Here three of the Crosville examples (545-547 right to left) await a slot in the paint shop in February 1986

The six Routemasters and four Nationals were joined by three Olympians at the end of October 1986. The month had started with a fire on Atlantean 310 in the depot yard which destroyed it and spread to neighbouring 335 and 342. This was just before deregulation and Blackpool took advantage of an unusual decision by West Yorkshire PTE's bus operating subsidiary not to take on some quite young leased buses. Three of its Olympians (5005, 5011, 5015 UWW5, 11, 15X) were purchased and became Blackpool 365-367 to address the loss of the Atlanteans. They initially ran in West Yorkshire livery and managed extremely long lives lasting over 23 years in the resort before final withdrawal in April 2010.

Blackpool's first Olympian 365 stands amongst an eclectic collection of new colleagues - active PD3 540 and withdrawn Permanent Way bus 434, a cannibalised Swift and the doomed One Man tram 4.

Former demonstrators could be attractive second hand purchases for operators and Blackpool bought three such City Pacers from Optare. 565/6 (D854MUA, D898NUA) arrived in August 1987 to help launch route 26 as the most of its new buses had not yet arrived. Both were then purchased and repainted into black and yellow and lasted until 1996. The third was F934AWW which was on loan in early 1989 and then purchased at the end of the year. It retained its demonstrator livery at first before receiving Handybus livery in the summer. It survived to be the last City Pacer to return to depot on their final day of operation - 29 January 2000.



Former Optare Demonstrator 565 leads a sister bus on the fuel pumps at Rigby Road after a duty on route 26 

Purchases then reverted back to the Routemaster and National mix. A desire to rid the fleet of the 13/14 year old AEC Swifts saw the purchase of 11 eight year old Leyland Nationals from Strathclyde Buses where they had seen little recent use in a predominately double deck fleet. They arrived between December 1987 and January 1988 and were repainted into the new fleet livery from grey primer. Fleet numbers matched their registrations as 156, 158, 161/2/4-167, 170/2/4 (GGE156T etc) and they operated until December 1990 when new Deltas replaced them. The ex Crosville examples had been withdrawn in March 1990. 



Ex Strathclyde 158 passes newly repainted Routemaster 530 in the depot yard in May 1988. The second batch of six Routemasters received this simplified livery for Promenade route 55 before later receiving the fully lined out version applied to 521-6

The Routemaster fleet was doubled by the purchase of 527-531/3 in April 1988 to introduce a Promenade bus service in response to a similar route from Fylde. They were joined in December 1989 by 534. This had been in the town for some time as a promotional bus for Burton's Biscuits and a deal was entered into where Blackpool took on the bus and operated it in Burton's livery. On 9 December 1991 year round Routemaster operation ended and 527-534 joined sisters 521-6 in store - the latter on their winter break following the end of the Promenade route for the year. From 1992 to 1994 half the fleet was reinstated for each summer use, but 534 never ran again and returned to Burtons in 1994. The other 12 spent 1995 in store and ran again in Summer 1996 for the Open Golf tournament before departing for a new life in Reading.


National 158 again in February 1988 shortly before entering service

Perhaps the most unusual second hand purchase was 532 (DHC784E), an open top East Lancs bodied Leyland PD2 swapped with Eastbourne Buses for new to Blackpool PD3 532 (LFR532F). The swap was done in February 1989 and 532 made its debut at Easter in Routemaster red on Zoo route 21. It didn't have a particular role but saw sporadic use on the Promenade route 40, Zoo route 21 and sometimes route 12 to St. Annes as well as various eccentric duties that open toppers tend to suffer. Its saw little use as time went by and was finally sold in March 1999 to Mac Tours in Edinburgh.



PD2 532 on its first weekend in service in Blackpool at Stanley Park

 532's purchase took the second hand fleet to 35 buses, representing 27% of the fleet total. The demise of the Nationals in 1990 dropped this to 20 (13 RMs, 1 open topper, 3 Olympians and 3 City Pacers). The purchase of Fylde in 1994 and its absorption in 1996 then distort the picture. 84 buses joined the Blackpool fleet in July 1996 of which 34 had been purchased second hand by Fylde.

Amongst the collection of Fylde buses acquired in 1996 were these four rebodied single deck Atlanteans. 136 loads at Tower on Promenade service 1.

The Fylde purchase gave Blackpool a headache. Having renewed its single deck fleet in the early 1990s it had a credible average age of 7.5 years at the start of 1994 (excluding the seasonal Routemasters) but the Fylde purchase meant this had risen to 11 years in 1997. Six new double deckers had arrived in 1994 but the need to replace the City Pacers became pressing and new vehicle purchases from 1995 to 1998 were Metrorider minibuses. The fleet was reduced by retrenchment from some school contracts but to replace the older of Fylde's Atlanteans ten 1983/4 vintage Olympians were purchased from Trent Buses. These became 401-410 (XAU701-5Y, XCH706Y, A707-10DAU) and the first pair entered service in February 1997 with the rest following over a six week period. Like 365-7 these have had a long life with the first not withdrawn until October 2010 and six still in service today.



410 was one of the first two Trent Olympians to enter service and is seen here on a rail replacement contract for the South Fylde line in its first few months

Second hand purchases have continued as the opportunity arises. With the disposal of the minibuses and Routemasters, the 13 Olympians were the only second hand buses in the fleet at the start of 2001.Since then several more have arrived:

• Excels 219-221 from Go North East in December 2004
• Tridents 333-337 and Olympians 411-417 from Blackburn in August 2007
• Excels 222-226 from Reading Buses in October 2008
• Tridents 338-341 from Blue Triangle in October 2008 (338/9) and February 2010 (340/1)
• Trident 342 from South Lancs in April 2010
• Volvo 520-524 from Anglian in July 2010 

Excel 219 is one of eight second hand examples of the type purchased from operators who disposed of them prematurely

Finally there is the City Sightseeing fleet. Like the Fylde buses this distorts the story somewhat as most of the Metrobuses were on loan for the franchised operation. When taken in house in 2006 Blackpool took on Olympians 813, 849 (D213/149FYM) and Metrobuses 815 (VRG415T) and 864 (A964SUF). It later bought more Olympians 818/44/57/8/73 (D218/44/57/8/173FYM) and the Manchester Metrobuses 802 (BYX302V), 814 (BOK68V) and 892 (GYE392W). Of these just 818, 857, 858 and 873 remain.



Open top 857 on service 20 seen from the front of enclosed 401 operating route 1



So today there are 40 second hand buses in the Blackpool fleet representing 26% of the fleet - a similar proportion to the 1990 situation. The fleet comprises:

• 8 Optare Excels (219-226)
• 10 Dennis Tridents (333-342)
• 17 Leyland Olympians (402, 405-408, 410-417, 818, 857/8, 873)
• 5 Volvo B7 (520-4)

Two of the long wheelbase Tridents purchases for the Promenade service in 2007 seen when freshly painted shortly before entering service at Solaris on 1 November.



Solo Scenes

Solo 253 has just turned onto the Promenade from Pleasant Street while working Line 4. For many years this used short wheelbase Solos but the revised network in July 2010 saw a reduction in frequency along Whitegate Drive and larger buses were allocated as a result 



Sister bus 257 shows the narrow width of the revised roadway alongside the Metropole Hotel



Line 3 liveried 295 turns from Market Street into Church Street shortly before the Town Centre diversions ended



News Update

The last 11 bus, swings into Adelaide Street from the Promenade alongside the Lion and Albert pub

Further to yesterday's report about 322 and 379 entering the paint shop; they have replaced Solo 287 and Trident 323. The demise of Line 11 livery follows the loss of the 6, 10 and 15 schemes. Solo 291 is also in the paint shop which leaves just one bus in Line 16 colours (292). The former liveries of Lines 1 (15 buses), 2 (10 buses), 3 (6 buses), 4 (5 buses), 5 (7 buses), 7 (8 buses) and 14 (16 buses) remain evident. 50 buses are in the new livery and 29 in the old pool livery.



Now sold City Sightseeing Olympian 813 on the former service 20.

The new City Sightseeing service starts on Monday 18th July, though little information is available on the City Sightseeing website other than the price (£5 adult, £3 children, £15 family). The service will operate every 30 minutes from 1000 to 1600 from Corporation Street and 1000 to 1630 from St. Annes. The route is direct along the Promenade and Clifton Drive North with southbound buses turning via Beach Road, St Annes Promenade, Links Road and Clifton Drive South.

Finally Solo 264 has entered service with Huddersfield Bus Company - part of Centrebus - as its 228. It has received an LED destination display. Picture here

End of Line 11

322 was taken out of service for repaint after use on Tuesday 5th July while Volvo Olympian 379 has also entered the paint shop as the first of its type to receive the new livery. 379 was last used last week so 322 becomes the last of the 40 Line 11 buses to operate in the now defunct livery.

The 11 livery debuted on Volvo Olympian 374 and later appeared on 375-379. Here is 376 in Lytham in May 2004. 379 regained the livery in November 2007 and became the penultimate bus to operate so painted

When the Metro network was introduced, 14 Olympians 370-373, 401-410 and three Deltas 101-13 were dedicated to Line 11 with small stickers applied to the front. 374 entered the paint shop in late 2001 and returned to use on 23rd January 2002 in turquoise and yellow as the fourth Metro livery to see the light of day (after the 7, 6 and 26 resp). It was followed in February by 401 and 406. It was decided to use the Volvo Olympians in preference to the Trents ahead of the arrival of new Tridents which would take over the Volvo duties on Line 14. 375-7 were painted in March/April and 378/9 in August.

406 beat sister 401 into service by a few days and both lasted just under two years.

368-373 all received Line 11 livery after their 2002/3 refurbishment but were replaced by the 2004 Tridents

Deltas 101-103 were destined not to carry 11 livery and were replaced by 122, 130-133 which were partially painted out of the original pool livery into Line 11 colours in October 2002 and November. Leyland Olympian 368 became the 14th branded bus returning to use after refurbishment in mid November. 2003 saw the other five East Lancs bodied Olympians refurbished and outshopped in Line 11 livery with 370-373 in January/February and 369 in August.

122 was one of the first Deltas in 11 livery in November 2002. It was never repainted again

Line 11's first new buses - Tridents 322-327 arrived in May 2004 having be preceded by new Solos for Line 5 which cascaded Excels to Line 7 and Deltas from there to Line 11. 119, 125-129 were repainted into turquoise during May and June. These led to a reduction in the Line 11 Olympian fleet with 368-373 and 375 part painted black/yellow in May/June 2004 followed by 374/6/7 in March/April 2005, 379 in November 2005 and finally 378 in March 2006. The Volvos were replaced by Deltas 115-118 transferred from Line 6 - while on the debit side Delta 131 was destroyed by fire in 2004.

Trident 323 of 2004 in St. Annes on a peak working to Lytham Saltcotes Road

The second batch of Tridents for the 11 (328-332) arrived in June 2006 and were the final vehicles to appear in 11 livery for the first time. They replaced Deltas 115-117, 129 and 130 which were withdrawn in the autumn. 129/30 became driver trainers, 117 was used for spares and 115/6 were reinstated as dedicated buses for Tramway Replacement work while still in 11 livery; before receiving pool livery in April 2007. Surprisingly they regained Line 11 livery in November as did 379, but Delta 128 left the fleet for sale to Preston Bus as a driver trainer.

The final Line 11 fleet - from November 2007 to July 2010 was:
10 Deltas 115/6, 118/9, 122, 125-127, 132/3
11 Tridents 322-332
1 Olympian 379
Other buses to carry the livery were: 117, 128-131, 368-379, 401/6 making 40 - more than any other Line livery. Twin Car 673+683 represented the Line 11 livery in the short lived Metro era on the tramway.

115 and 116 had their livery modified for use as Tram Replacement buses during winter 2006/7. After a brief period in pool livery during the summer they returned to Line 11 colours in November 2007

The Deltas continued to run after the end of the Metro livery for a few more months - finally replaced by new Volvo B7s in September 2004. Trident repaints out of turquoise started in November with 332 and have progressed in almost reverse numerical order (325 snook through ahead of 326).

Reliability issues with Line 11 meant that buses could often be seen overtaking as the 7/8 minute frequency lead to bunching. 323 on a St. Annes working, overtakes 322 heading for Lytham Square at Starr Gate

Final Fylde Farewell

Delta 132 turns onto Squires Gate Lane at the Airport

Wednesday 29th June saw the disposal of 132 for scrap having been cannibalised to provide a replacement engine for one of the driver trainers. This was the last Fylde bus to remain in Blackpool's ownership (discounting 102, 364-366 which were transfers in to Fylde in the Blackpool era). It was almost 15 years - mid July 1996 ago that the two fleets merged, two years after Blackpool had purchased Fylde. Blackpool quickly disposed of the 14 Renault Minibuses acquired (all sold by April 1997), and disposed of the 12 coaches between 1997 and 1999. The 49 Atlanteans were progressively withdrawn between 1996 and 2004. Two of the three Deltas lasted until last year - the exception was 131 which ignominously cought fire in 2004. Lion 934 passed to LTT in 2008.

In other news repaints of Solos 287, 291 and Trident 323 continue in the paint shop while Excel 221 has finally returned from Cummins with its new engine having been away since January. Ex Reading 222 has gone in its place.

416 on the 1



416 at Fleetwood Freeport (Tony Caddick)

 The sight of an orange and yellow liveried ECW bodied Leyland Olympian on route 1 was far from rare 12 months ago, but since the change to mainly single deck operation appearances are now few and far between. Today 416 was reported on the 1215 from Starr Gate to Freeport at Cleveleys and was still in use at 2200 with just the 2300 Fleetwood to Depot working left. The seven ex Blackburn Olympians were rarely used on the 1 with the Trent and West Yorkshire examples preferred. 413 and 414 provided the two bus workings on route 20.

Something from the Weekend



Newly repainted Olympian 368 belies its 23 years with a duty on route 14 (Fleetwood to Mereside) as it turns onto the Promenade from Church Street. The last Line 11 livery Trident 322 is following on Line 7 which was Trident operated for the day

Saturday was Lytham Club Day which, as usual, saw the main roads into Lytham and its town centre closed. As Blackpool Transport no longer run buses to the East of Lytham; their two routes terminated in Ansdell  from 830 to 1330. Stagecoach and Coastal services followed diversion routes via South Park, Park View Road and Mythop Road and at least still served parts of Lytham. Route 11 terminated at Ansdell Commonside and then turned via Blackpool Road and Albany Road to resume service at Lytham St. Annes High School while route 7 terminated at the Fairhaven Hotel. As has become tradition, the 7 was turned over to double deckers for the day with several Tridents noted.


322 later heads into Lytham after the Club Day closure had been lifted.

Double Deck operation continues on the Promenade service - now whole again as route 1. Unfortunately the new roller blinds fitted a year ago do not include Starr Gate as the 1 terminated at the Airport then. Efforts were made to maximize the number of LED display fitted Tridents but with only eight such buses and eight workings roller blind buses deputised. This was not an issue for much of Sunday as route 1 was truncated to turn at Pleasure Beach during Totally Transport.


New as RM910, this was one of several Routemasters purchased by Scottish Bus Group firm Kelvin Scottish for use on competitive services in Glasgow. It was purchased recently by Martin Gurr and Gary Conn and was restored back to Kelvin livery by The Busworks, Blackpool. 1929 came down for a visit earlier this month and put in a one off appearance on the 12 complete with specially made Kelvin style blinds

 Totally Transport itself saw a display of about 350 Classic Vehicles along New South Promenade with Blackpool Buses PD3 501, Atlanteans 353 and 364 and Fylde Atlantean 45 amongst the display. Blackpool PD3 529; Lytham PD1 19; visiting Kelvin Scottish RM 1929 and Bristol VR open topper WTG360T provided the extended Seafront 12 service with Routemaster RM1568 replacing 1929 for its last round trip.

Round Up

Solos 287 and 291 are currently in the paint shop to receive the new livery in place of Line 2 and Line 16 livery respectively. Sister bus 286 has just been outshopped. Repainted 368 is back in use, noted on route 9 on Wednesday. Today Volvo 532 was towed in with rear end accident damage, while sister 525 has been away for engine work.

Meanwhile former Blackpool PD3 518 has seen use with Chepstow Classic Buses at the Glastonbury Festival for the second year in a row.

On the Prom again

The new bus stop style which differs from those introduce in the Town Centre last year is in council purple with contrasting Blackpool black and yellow route stickers

Blackpool Promenade reopened on Monday lunchtime from Central Pier to Gynn Square (but northbound only from North Pier to Pleasant Street for now.

The ambiance is completely different from the previous dual carriageway, though the lane width, minimalistic markings  and shared space concept has caused a fair degree of controversy.

308 swings from Church Street onto the Promenade

Routes 1 and 1A have merged back into route 1 and the 5, 7, 10, 11, 14 and 17 have also returned to the Prom. Diversions for tram work in Cleveleys; and the weak bridge on Lytham Road remain. Route 14 continues to terminate at Fleetwood Ferry - the Freeport section now permanently switched to route 1 - with the 14 using its traditional Kent Street route out of Fleetwood.

Trident 337 loads at the number 1 bus stop at West Street. A further stop for this service is just beyond North Pier, replacing the badly sited stop at the Cenotaph which caused delays to the tramway

Solo 295 on Line 5 approaches the turn into Adelaide Street in front of the Tower

The stop in front of Blackpool Tower has been replaced by one outside Sands Venue just south of Adelaide Street. Volvo 522 is on the 1 to Starr Gate - note how the bus emblem on the stop is hollow!

 

Trident 333 is on the 14 and heads north along the new roadway with the recently refurbished tramway in the foreground

A 223 day life story



Tridents saw use on the 1 and 1A at weekends. On the final Saturday 324 heads to Pleasure Beach as 342 loads for Fleetwood on route 1

Sunday saw the end of route 1A. Although the planned reopening of the Promenade was delayed until early afternoon today route 1 was restored to its Fleetwood to Starr Gate route with morning buses following the diversion route.

Excels were commonly used on the 1A - here 217 heads down Reads Avenue on the revised southbound diversion that increased route length by over 50%

Due to the effective closure of the Promenade to buses as a through route in November it was decided to split the 1 into north and south sections. The southern section ran from Corporation Street to Pleasure Beach turning via Clifton Drive and Burlington Road West. This controversially left the section to Starr Gate unserved. Two buses were allocated for a half hourly service with 22 minutes running time allowed. Northbound buses initially used the Promenade with an average speed of 6mph for the 2.2mile route leading to some slow journeys. Southbound buses were diverted via Grosvenor Street, Adelaide St, Bethesda Square and Chapel Street - a 3.4 mile route at just over 9mph.

Finally back on the Promenade 216 heads south at Foxhall.

February saw the full closure of the Promenade and northbound buses now diverted via Chapel St and Albert Road to the Town Centre; southbound buses now served Park Road rather than Adelaide St between Grosvenor Street and Reads Avenue.

Manchester Square was the intermediate timing point and 218 waits in a characteristically bleak winter scene - albeit this one was taken in May!

Single deckers were typically allocated - Excels seemed the more common but Volvo B7s regularly appeared. Buses with LED blinds often showed "Burlington Road West" rather than the more familiar "Pleasure Beach" on the roller blinds.

Busy spring weekends saw Tridents emerge such as 315 on Sunday 19th - the last day

Route 1A had previously appeared as a variation to route 1. In the 1990s it variously denoted buses terminating at St. Annes Square instead of St. Annes Pleasure Island; evening buses to Pontins or Pleasure Beach and general short workings. This version ran for 223 days - every one except Christmas day - showing the length of 'winter' disruption. Presumably it will not appear again though the long term future of route 1 must be in doubt in view of the modernisation of the tramway.

215 turns into Burlington Road West as part of the terminus manoeuvre.

The revised timetable for route 1 provides for an eight bus operation on the daytime 20 minute frequency; reducing to four for the half hourly evening service. Daytime buses run to Freeport.

Last 11s and a Correction

Olympian 379 heads up Talbot Road on the penultimate full day of Town Centre diversions - 18 June.

Just two buses remain active in Line 11 livery - Trident 322 and Olympian 379 and both saw service on their former route on Saturday 18th June.

The 11 remains on long term diversion via Bond Street between Station Road and Watson Road. Here 322 approaches Withnell Road junction

Meanwhile Optare Solo 250 has emerged from the paint shop as the second former Line 5 Solo to receive the new fleet livery.


Also on service 11 on Saturday was Line 7 liveried Excel 225 - one of five purchased from Reading. Here it is seen through the panoramic front upper deck windscreen of 379

 Correspondents have recently confirmed the continued existence of Atlantean 330 at Liddels of Cumnock. (Flickr photo). This was one of six purchased in 2002 (325-327, 329, 330 and 332) and only briefly ran in its new home before being withdrawn in 2003. Amazingly it remains in store eight years later, long after its sisters have departed. Atlantean Afterlife has duly been updated.