Rocket tram to be reborn this year!

Posted on Wednesday 22 February 2012 by Andrew Waddington

One of the most unusual and popular trams ever built in Britain – Blackpool’s illuminated Rocket 732 – is set to shine again later this year when it takes pride of place as a static exhibit in the annual illuminations display. This is the result of an exciting agreement between the Lancastrian Transport trust, who own the tram, and Blackpool Council’s Illuminations Department who will carry out the necessary work to restore it to a presentable condition.

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Heaton Park’s depot plans go public

Posted on Wednesday 22 February 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Plans to build a new tram depot at Manchester’s Heaton Park, in which to house some of the Manchester Transport Museum Society’s growing collection of historic trams, have made another small but potentially significant step forward, with the plans for the building now available to view on the tramway’s website. The design drawings have been on display at the current depot/museum building for a while now, but this move allows intersted people who may not be able to visit the park to get a glimpse of what is in store.

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Trams reach Cleveleys crossover

Posted on Tuesday 21 February 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Driver training on Blackpool’s new Flexity2 class tramcars is being stepped up a notch, with the entry into service of the new generation of trams rapidly approaching. Generally two cars have been utilised every weekday, but this now seems to have increased with three cars noted in action on Monday 20th February, including car 003 which was thought to be making its debut on the tramway. Perhaps more importantly though, the section of track available to be used for the training runs has also been extended.

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More Blackpool departures expected soon

Posted on Monday 20 February 2012 by Andrew Waddington

So far this year, the hard-working team at Scott’s Heavy Haulage in Derbyshire have been kept very busy, moving various redundant Blackpool trams to new homes. The departures seem to have halted for the time being, but it is strongly believed that this situation will change soon, with up to four trams expected to leave Blackpool for the last time in the next few weeks.

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Good times ahead for preserved Brush cars

Posted on Sunday 19 February 2012 by Andrew Waddington

In their 75th year of service, Blackpool’s Brush Railcoaches are enjoying some high-profile activities despite their days as front line service cars in Blackpool having now come to an end. Already this year has witnessed 623 become the first of its class to carry passengers away from the Fylde coast when it was launched in spectacular style at Heaton Park, and now plans are afoot for 630 to enter museum service, whilst the class in general look set to steal the limelight at what could well become one of the year’s ‘must-see’ tramway events.

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Final approval given for Midland Metro New Street extension

Posted on Saturday 18 February 2012 by Gareth Prior

The Department for Transport have announced that Full (final) approval has been given to the Midland Metro extension through Birmingham City Centre to New Street railway station. This means that work can really begin in earnest on getting the extension constructed along with the procurement of a fleet of new trams – with CAF already announced as preferred bidder – and a Depot Enhancement scheme. The DfT had previously given the green light to the scheme but this announcement means the funding is now fully in place and permission to go ahead in finalised.

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Fancy being a tram driver? Blackpool & Manchester advertise for staff

Posted on Saturday 18 February 2012 by Gareth Prior

Both the Blackpool Tramway and Manchester Metrolink are now advertising for tram drivers as the former continues to prepare for the opening of the upgraded tramway whilst Metrolink looks for extra drivers as the network expands.

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Flexity 007 arrives in Blackpool!

Posted on Friday 17 February 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The latest new addition to Blackpool’s tram fleet arrived in town on Friday 17th February, in the shape of Flexity2 tram 007. The car was delivered to Starr Gate and unloaded on the promenade, as has become familiar for the new vehicles, although this time the tram was driven inside rather than shunted with assistance from the new towing device recently acquired. Unlike one of the previous arrivals, 007 travelled from its manufacturers in Germany via Hull docks and did not travel to Bombardier’s UK premises in Derby.

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Crich Tramway Village re-opens

Posted on Friday 17 February 2012 by Andrew Waddington

After an unexpected delay to the start of the 2012 opening season as a result of heavy snowfalls, the Crich Tramway Village will re-open to the public on Saturday 18th February. The Museum will then be open to visitors every Saturday and Sunday up to March 31st, from which date the attraction will then open daily up to November 4th.

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Tram derails at East Croydon

Posted on Friday 17 February 2012 by Gareth Prior

London Tramlink services have been suffering delays throughout the day on Friday 17th February after 2538 derailed on the approach to East Croydon tramstop. The incident happened at about 0630 when the tram was approaching East Croydon from the east (from Sandilands) and occurred at low speeds as the tram was slowing for the stop. No injuries were reported.

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New Tramlink trams officially launched as Mayor pays a visit

Posted on Thursday 16 February 2012 by Gareth Prior

The first of the Stadler built trams for London Tramlink – 2554 – was officially launched to the media and other invited guests (although oddly British Trams Online’s invite seemed to have got lost in the post!) on Wednesday 15th February. Those who attended the event – which included Mayor of London Boris Johnson were able to study 2554 internally and were also able to see the tram being tested at Therapia Lane Depot.

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Manchester Metrolink Engineering Works: Sundays 19th & 26th February

Posted on Thursday 16 February 2012 by Gareth Prior

Essential engineering works are to take place on Manchester Metrolink on Sundays 19th and 26th February which will see changes to services on the Bury and South Manchester lines.

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City Centre tram works plan outlined

Posted on Thursday 16 February 2012 by Gareth Prior

The City of Edinburgh Council have announced the plans for the next stage of works in the City Centre which will see new traffic diversions put into place from the start of March.

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NET service suspension: Sunday 26th February

Posted on Thursday 16 February 2012 by Gareth Prior

To allow tree pruning to take place in the Moor Bridge area services between Moor Bridge and Hucknall will be suspended from the start of service until mid afternoon on Sunday 26th February. A replacement bus service will be in operation instead serving Hucknall, Butlers Hill (the bus will stop on Nottingham Road rather than at the tram stop) and Moor Bridge.

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Snow tram service at Heaton Park!

Posted on Monday 13 February 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Sunday 12th February 2012 threatened to be a rather boring day at Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway, with snow in the park threatening to prevent any trams from operating at all for the second consecutive weekend. However, the remarkable dedication of a small team of volunteers ensured that the tracks were cleared, enabling the trams to make a triumphant return once the rails had been cleared of ice and snow.

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Central Croydon Tramlink services suspended for engineering works

Posted on Saturday 11 February 2012 by Gareth Prior

Services on the central Croydon loop of London Tramlink are suspended until Thursday 16th February to allow upgrade works on the track to take place (the work commenced from the start of service on Saturday 11th February). Transport for London have said that this work will help provide a more comfortable journey on a more reliable service.

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Supertram 120 finally gets fleet numbers

Posted on Saturday 11 February 2012 by Gareth Prior

Supertram 120 has finally had fleet numbers applied to both ends – only 16 months after its special Sheffield Corporation livery was originally applied! As you may remember to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the closure of Sheffield’s original tram system Stagecoach painted 120 into an approximation of the old cream and blue livery (although the shade of blue are incorrect).

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Metrolink Services Performance Update

Posted on Saturday 11 February 2012 by Gareth Prior

The latest service performance statistics on the Manchester Metrolink system have been released on the TfGM Committee website – http://www.transportforgreatermanchestercommittee.gov.uk/download/4289/item_05_metrolink_service_performance. This latest report gives details on period 7 and 8 between Monday 17th October and Sunday 11th December 2011.

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Park and Ride approved for Sale Water Park

Posted on Saturday 11 February 2012 by Gareth Prior

Trafford Council have approved plans for a Park and Ride site to be built at Sale Water Park – a move which has been fought against by local residents who claim it will affect local wildlife and attract more crime to the area. Sale Water Park will be on the Manchester Airport extension of Metrolink and the Park and Ride site will have space for 300 cars with 16 spaces for disabled drivers.

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Tram and Car in collision in Sheffield

Posted on Saturday 11 February 2012 by Gareth Prior

A tram and a car had a minor collision at the junction of Park Grange Road and Arbourthorne Road on Wednesday 8th February during the morning rush hour causing minor delays for Stagecoach Supertram services. The tram was running on the Purple route between Herdings Park and Cathedral when the low speed collision took place. There were no injuries reported and damage sustained was said to be minor.

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