Farewell to Blackpools last Atlanteans

Twenty nine years of Atlanteans - October 2006.

Blackpool Transport bought it's first Atlanteans in 1977 and over the next seven years, built up a fleet of 62 nearly identical East Lancs. bodied 86 seaters - plus two coach-seated examples.

The acquisition of Fylde buses in the 1990's brought a much more diverse fleet of older Atlanteans into the company, the most unusual were four PDR's re-bodied as single deckers by Northern Counties. Sadly these were unsuccessful and were soon sold.

In recent months only five Atlanteans have been seen in Rigby Road depot.

363 and 364 have been retained in the short term for school work, which traditionally peaks in the first six weeks of the school year.
The former 322 and 323, now driver trainers 922 and 923, whose upstairs windows have been removed to provide spare windows for the rest of the AN68's, continue to amass big mileages. However, the new VOSA requirement for tests to be conducted on ABS-braked vehicles will probably see them sidelined in favour of Delta's soon.
Bus 350, newly re-painted in Blackpool Council white/maroon, has been sold to the council to replace the decomposing Roe-bodied AN68 used as a crew bus for their Track Services gang.
Other vehicles have been sold to enthusiasts, including LTT who have built a remarkable fleet of ex-Blackpool and Fylde buses and trams at Marton.

Four de-licensed Atlanteans were to be re-licensed and taxed for the weekends events, joining 363 and 364 on the Line 20 and Line 6 routes.

The event was well attended and there were plenty of photo opportunities for enthusiasts.

The Lancastrian Transport Trust also had an open weekend to coincide with the farewell event.

You will find a few photos of the event below and we will be offering more on a CD shortly...Watch this space!

Jim's 'World of Buses'

Photo's; Articles; news; events and more... Sunday, 19 October 2008 15:38:34