TRAM NINETEEN IS REFRESHED IN SHEFFIELD
South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 11th May 2008
113 has become the nineteenth tram on the South Yorkshire Supertram network to be “refreshed”. It has once again been released in the revised Stagecoach blue livery with its place in the program now taken by 102.
Source: South Yorkshire Supertram

CENTENARY 647 BACK IN SERVICE IN ALL OVER YELLOW
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 11th May 2008
Blackpool Centenary 647 has rather disappointly returned to service in the all over yellow “livery”, the tram previously advertised Tiffany’s Hotel. 647 becomes the second Centenary to feature this yellow livery (642 being the other) and features Metro Coastlines stickers on one side only. Follow the link below for a photo. Click here for more on this story

METRO 07 TO BE NAMED BILLY WRIGHT
Midland Metro – Sunday 11th May 2008
As previously reported on British Trams Online Midland Metro are to name one of their trams Billy Wright after the former Wolverhampton Wanderers and England footballer following a poll in a local newspaper. The ceremony to name the tram will take place on Tuesday 13th May and it has been confirmed the tram involved will be 07.
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MORE RELIEF FOR LEITH WALK TRADERS?
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 11th May 2008
Edinburgh City Council are investigating to see whether traders on Leith Walk can be given extra financial assistance during the tram construction works – this may include a 100% rebate on their business rates. This study comes after the SNP members of the council successfully passed a motion asking for more assistance for businesses.
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NEW FENCING FOR TRAMWAY IN CLEVELEYS
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 11th May 2008
Blackpool Borough Council are set to embark on a summer of fence replacement around the tramway around Rossall Road in Cleveleys. The fences separate the tramway tracks from pedestrians and traffic and it is hoped that the replacement fences will make it more difficult for people to put their lives at risk by trespassing on the tramway.
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MORE OUTINGS FOR MANCHESTER L53
Heaton Park Tramway – Sunday 11th May 2008
The recently restored horse tram Manchester L53 is to make more outings at the Heaton Park Tramway in the coming months. Full details of these can be found either by visiting the Diary of Events or by clicking below.
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TRAM-TRAINS FOR EDINBURGH?
Edinburgh – Sunday 11th May 2008
Edinburgh’s South Suburban rail line may have tram-trains introduced in a bid to revitalise the project which has had doubt thrown at it due to the huge costs involved. The plan would see the vehicles operating on both the railway which links Newcraighall and Haymarket and then on the tram lines about to be constructed in the city centre.
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METROLINK TRAM UPDATE
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 11th May 2008
A quick update from Manchester Metrolink as regards adverts. 1001 has now received additional advertising for System One Travelcards below the windows (follow the link below for a photo). Also, 2001 carries window adverts for Reed Recruitment Agency despite the fact it has not been spotted in service for a while.
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MIDLAND METRO TRAM UPDATE
Midland Metro – Sunday 11th May 2008
A brief update from Midland Metro and the current tram situation can be found just by clicking below.
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BID TO REVIVE AREAS AROUND TRAMWAY
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 11th May 2008
It has been revealed that plans are underway to ensure that the areas around the tramway in Edinburgh are revived to the same high standard as the tramway will be constructed. A £12.5 million scheme is now being considered by Edinburgh City Council which would see new public performance areas, trees, benches, signs, paths and pedestrian crossings upgraded along with the tramway.
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MORE DELAYS ON MIDLAND METRO
Midland Metro – Sunday 11th May 2008
More delays were experienced on Midland Metro on Wednesday (7th May) after a signalling failure at Wolverhampton St Georges. Trams were only operating between Birmingham Snow Hill and Priestfield during the disruption with passengers advised to change at Priestfield for onward journeys by Travel West Midlands buses.
Source: Midland Metro

METROLINK DELAYS AFTER COMPUTER FAILURE
Manchester Metrolink – Friday 2nd May 2008
Services on Manchester Metrolink were delayed on Wednesday 30th April after a computer server failed three times within two hours. The incident affected trams between 0900 and 1100 and was in the main Metrolink control room – it caused the signals to turn red (as they are setup to do in an event such as this). Trams ground to a halt several times during this period and many passengers claimed that they were not given any information as to what was happening.
Source: Manchester Evening News

MEETING WITH TIE FAILS TO APPEASE LEITH WALK TRADERS
Trams for Edinburgh – Friday 2nd May 2008
This week saw a meeting between bosses at tie and traders in Leith Walk (some who claim business is down by 90% because of the tram work) to try and explain what was going on and to hear the concerns. However, most of the traders who left the meeting are still not convinced and were made angry by the tie representatives leaving the meeting early.
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CRICH TRAMWAY VILLAGE NEWS ROUND-UP
Crich Tramway Village – Friday 2nd May 2008
Our regular news round-up from the trams of the Crich Tramway Village – home of the National Tramway Museum – is here with news from Cardiff 131, LUT 159, Gateshead 5, Blackpool Toastrack 166 and Leeds 399.
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WARRINGTON 2 RESTORATION UPDATE
Birkenhad Tramway – Friday 2nd May 2008
The restoration of Warrington 2 continues with the new stairs having been removed temporarily to allow the brand new timberwork for the enclosed platforms to be constructed. The tram also has DB1 controllers which have recently been purchased by the MTPS and they have been rebuilt and fitted with brand new contacts. The latest photos of the restoration can be found at the link below.
Source: Birkenhead Tramway

ALL BLUE LIVERY FOR RAILCOACH 680
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Friday 2nd May 2008
Railcoach 680 has seen use in service this week in Blackpool operating in an all over blue livery. The tram has now lost its vinyls for Joey Blower at Merrie England Showbar and has received a fresh coat of dark blue paint. It is expected that new vinyls for the same sponsor will follow.
Source: Alan Robson

DLR IMPROVEMENT WORKS UPDATE
Docklands Light Railway – Friday 2nd May 2008
Read on for our regular update on the forthcoming “Improvement Works” on the Docklands Light Railway network. Most of these works are concerned with infrastructure improvements to enable the three car trains to operate and also the extensions to the network.
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SPECIAL DAY FOR TRAMS & BANANAS AT BIRKENHEAD
Birkenhad Tramway – Friday 2nd May 2008
This coming Sunday (4th May) is to be a special day out for all the family at the Birkenhead Tramway – it is SuperTrambanana Day. There will be free rides for children who accompanied by a parent or guardian and bring along a banana! Bring your camera along and have the chance of taking a picture of the family standing alongside the famous Banana yellow tram (Lisbon 730). Trams will be running from 1300 to 1700.
Source: Birkenhead Tramway

MORE DELAYS ON MIDLAND METRO
Midland Metro – Friday 2nd May 2008
On Monday 28th April there were more delays on Midland Metro after a minor fire on board tram 15. There were no visible flames on board but there was smoke and a strong smell of burning plastic/rubber coming from the Birmingham end of the tram. The tram returned to depot with an engineer on board.
Source: Stephen Leigh

WOMAN ATTACKED ON METROLINK
Manchester Metrolink – Friday 2nd May 2008
A 47 year old woman has been attacked on board a tram in Manchester after she challenged a group of youths about their behaviour. Julie Pickford was attacked after asking a young boy to stop throwing popcorn at passengers on board the tram. A mob of 30 teenagers are reported to have been involved and they punched, kicked and stamped on Mrs Pickford. She suffered a suspected fractured eye socket, a cut lip, bruising and grazes and was thrown off the tram by the group at Brooklands station. She was released from hospital the next day but had to return because of suspected kidney damage. A 14 year old girl has been arrested and released on bail on suspicion of assault.

* A special report on the violence affecting Metrolink currently is available from the Manchester Evening News. Click here to read it.
Source: Manchester Evening News