NORTH BLACKPOOL

We've finally arrived at Blackpool, by train into North station.

 Prior to the recent electrification, Sprinters formed the majority of services.

The current station is on the site of the old excursion platforms. It will soon be served by a tramway extension. Here's the original station, closer to town.

Royalty came here once.

Opposite the present station was the dark and windswept Talbot Road bus station.

Within spitting distance was the Kings Arms, a fantastic Higson's pub, then (1976) but not now,

The nearby Wheatsheaf, on Talbot Road, has since been demolished.

Just up the road, the New Road Inn. Apparently, it no longer serves real ale.

Not far away, the Ramsden Arms, on CAMRA's heritage list.

The area around Talbot Road is good for taking photos of the municipal bus fleet. Here's an AEC Swift.

Some more modern vehicles of Blackpool Transport.

Other operators include Catch 22 Bus.....

.....and Rotala owned Preston Buses.

We now head to the North Shore and the area around the former Gynn Inn.

Here are a few tram photos taken around Gynn Square in the 1990s.

Various coaches could be found around Gynn Square. Here's one from Wright's of Nenthead, Northumberland.

Vintage vehicle rallies have been held on the North Shore. Here are preserved buses from Isle of Man Road Services, Ribble and SELNEC.

Also, a nice brewery dray from Thwaite's of Blackburn.

A couple of trams from the vintage fleet on the North Shore in the 1960s.

More modern trams on the North Promenade.

As the tramway heads south, it takes to the street for a short section, forming what is known as a "tram pinch".

Beyond is Talbot Square, beside North Pier.

A 'standard' car at Talbot Square circa 1966.

The year 1985 saw an Edinburgh car working in Blackpool, seen approaching Talbot Square.

A couple of 'balloon; cars at Talbot Square/North Pier in 1995.

The next post will see us in central Blackpool.

THE LONG WAY ROUND TO BLACKPOOL

To the south of Fleetwood is an industrial area called Burn Naze and a pub of the same name. Sadly, this cracking boozer has since been knocked down.

 Nearby was Thornton station on the Fleetwood branch.

Thornton once had a well known wndmill.

Back to the trams now, at Cleveleys, where a Blackpool & Fleetwood car is seen.

Blackpool single-deck tram 693 passes the permanent way siding at Cleveleys.

We follow the tramway towards Blackpool and soon get to Little Bispham.

There's a turning circle at Little Bispham and tram 706 has a little problem here.

An engineering car was often kept at Little Bispham for emergencies.

Further south, car 167 passes the Norbreck Hall Hydro.

Beyond that is Bispham Tram Station, seen here on two old postcards.

More modern trams at Bispham in the 1990s.

Bispham Sands - a postcard view.

Inland a bit is the Bispham, a Sam Smith's house.

Further inland - this is our next stop.

L&YR motor trains from Fleetwood to Blackpool North would avoid the main station at Poulton and call instead here.

The Fleetwood branch joined the main line by Poulton No. 3 signal box.

Let's go into Poulton-le-Fylde town centre (Creative Commons License).

There are several pubs around here. One is the Old Town Hall.

Nearby was the Grapevine. It used to sell real ale, but has now changed its name and purveys only the dreaded KEG!

Thankfully, the Thatched House is a brilliant pub with plenty of cask beer.

As we head into Blackpool, we find the suburb of Layton and some modern vehicles of Blackpool Transport.

There's a railway station at Layton. 

From here, we'll take a train to Blackpool North, but you'll have to await the next post. Meanwhile, follow the route here.