Saturday 2 July 2011

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 The 49 Atlanteans were progressively withdrawn between 1996 and 2004.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.