Monday 4 June 2012

Seafront 12 - new to Blackpool Promenade

Seafront 12 has seen the first use for RML887 in Blackpool. Purchased from London General by Graham Oliver in 2011 it has been overhauled and repainted by Classic Bus and joins Graham's other two RMLs 2290 and 2734 as part of the fleet. One of the initial 24 RMLs of 1961, like 2734 it features the modern Cummins B series engine and Allison Transmission, fitted for London General during its period in their private hire fleet. This shot at Central Pier was taken from Olympian 324.
Saturday saw the introduction of a new Promenade bus service between Pleasure Beach and Cabin operated by Oakwood Travel on behalf of Classic Bus North West. A 15 minute frequency is provided from 900 to 1800. 
Two of the three Volvo Olympians previously used on college contracts for Classic Bus North West have received red front and rears and share the duties with the Routemasters. N324NHG - originally Dublin Bus RH264 is seen at the Pleasure Beach

Sister P269PSX retains a Pleasure Beach resort side advert.

RML2290 has also seen use on the 12 - unlike its sisters this features an Iveco engine and original gearbox. RM1568 - one of the Cummins engines Marshall refurbished 'Dartmasters' is also part of the fleet

Spare bus for the service is Optare Metrorider P502UFR. This has seen some use this weekend standing in for open top Bristol VR DCA528X which has also been repainted into the company's red fleet livery. This was lasted used by Classic Southdown Omnibuses on a similar operation in Bournemouth during 2008. Metrobus 945 (A945SUL) is also likely to join the service during the summer.

502 again, seen from Olympian 324. Four vehicles are required, though this is usually from a rotation of five during the day