Monday 29 July 2013

Catching up with SeaFront 12

Summer is passing by so quickly and blog posts have been few and far between over recent weeks, which are our busiest months of the year. Catching up with SeaFront 12, the service was extended to St.Annes from 20th July, as well as starting the evening operation with later journeys between Pleasure Beach and Norbreck Hotel only.
On the bus front, Routemasters are now making some appearances on SF12 and also "Wallace & Gromit" liveried Olympian 269 has returned to service and will be dedicated to the sea front operation until the autumn closure. The next Olympian to return to Sea Front service is no stranger to the Promenade, having previously operated in orange/yellow Line 1 livery with Blackpool Transport. It is ex-Trent Olympian 701 (XAU701Y) which has received a poppy red & white front (echoing its NBC Trent days) and an all-over advert for the Pleasure Beach Hot Ice show.
701 - returning to active duty on SF12 after returning to Classic Bus North West custody following its previous loan to the LTT collection. In this view it was posed at Mereside and clearly shows the NBC inspired Poppy Red and White front echoing its early days at Trent. (Philip Higgs)