London Trams Engineering Works: July 2025

Posted on Thursday 3 July 2025 by Gareth Prior

The second half of July will see more engineering works take place on the London Trams network with services through the centre of Croydon once again being impacted by the works.  Starting from late evening on Sunday 13th July until the end of service on Sunday 27th July there will be two main stages of work.

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UKTram Light Rail Engineering Group meet in Sheffield

Posted on Thursday 3 July 2025 by Gareth Prior

UKTram – the body that represents tram and light rail systems across the British Isles – have a number of groups made up of representatives from various systems who regularly meet to share best practice and other updates. One of those is the Light Rail Engineering Group (LREG) who recently met in Sheffield for two half days of valuable discussion and knowledge sharing.

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In Pictures: Balloon 708 getting surrounded

Posted on Wednesday 2 July 2025 by Gareth Prior

As we’ve seen before Blackpool Balloon 708 is now in a secure home at the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft where it is to be used as a children’s play tram as the museum attempts to provide more activities for visiting families. Whilst work on this conversion has not yet started in earnest it will should not be too far off with it started to get surrounded by other developments at Sandtoft.

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Poor internet and offices partly to blame for length Edinburgh Tram Inquiry

Posted on Wednesday 2 July 2025 by Gareth Prior

When the results of the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry – which was set-up to find out why the original Edinburgh Tram project went so far over budget and took so much longer to produce only a small section of the planned route – were unveiled in 2023 there was one question that most people were asking, and it had very little to do with what the Inquiry actually said. Many were asking how did the Inquiry take nine years to report its findings and cost over £13 million? Although we may never know the complete reason some answers are now out in public with Lord Hardie having given a written submission to the Finance and Public Administration Committee who are looking into why public inquiries take so long and cost so much.

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Light Rail sector to continue support of rough sleepers

Posted on Wednesday 2 July 2025 by Gareth Prior

UKTram have reiterated their support for an important national initiative which is aimed at helping those sleeping rough. Following previous discussions during a UKTram Light Rail Operators Committee meeting they are now encouraging their members to provide support where they notice those who are having to sleep rough.

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In Pictures: 3100 advertises The Hundred

Posted on Tuesday 1 July 2025 by Gareth Prior

Most of the time when a tram is chosen to receive an advertising livery it appears pretty random, and then there are times like we’ve just seen on Manchester Metrolink. With franchise cricket tournament The Hundred taking out a contract for an advert the tram which has been chosen to receive it is the very appropriate 3100!

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VIPs visiting Coventry Very Light Rail

Posted on Tuesday 1 July 2025 by Gareth Prior

The testing of the Coventry Very Light Rail demonstration line has now come to a close but before it ended various VIPs visited to see the new technology in action. This included the UK government’s Minister for Local Transport, Simon Lightwood MP.

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Nexus win prestigious health and safety award from RoSPA

Posted on Tuesday 1 July 2025 by Gareth Prior

Nexus have won a Gold Award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in recognition of their dedication to keeping its customers and workforce safe. This award is part of the world’s largest health and safety awards programme and recognises those organisations and individuals who have set the highest standards in accident prevention.

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Consultation opens on DLR Thamesmead extension

Posted on Monday 30 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

Transport for London have launched their latest consultation as they seek views on the proposed route, new station locations and how the DLR extension to Thamesmead via Beckton Riverside could be delivered. It opened on 23rd June and will remain open until 17th August.

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In Pictures: 53 back in fleet livery

Posted on Monday 30 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

Although the fleet list was updated at the time, we didn’t seem to mention on the news pages that there was another advert removal on the West Midlands Metro during May 2025. The tram involved in this change was 53 which lost its KFC vinyls.

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Stop by Stop London Trams: New Addington line – Lloyd Park

Posted on Monday 30 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

We are nearly at the end of this latest “Stop by Stop” as our journey on the New Addington line of London Trams reaches Lloyd Park.

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Out and About 2025: West Midlands Metro bits and pieces – June 2025

Posted on Sunday 29 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

As we go “Out and About” again we feature some odds and ends from the West Midlands Metro in early June 2025.

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In Pictures: Newcastle 117 body dismantled

Posted on Sunday 29 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

Some disappointing news to report on from the Rocks by Rail Museum near Cottesmore in Rutland where it has been confirmed the remains of Newcastle tram 117 have been scrapped after an attempt was made to lift it off the wagon it was being stored on.

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New appointment to boost Blackpool Tramway team

Posted on Sunday 29 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

Blackpool Transport have announced the appointment of a new Tramway Operations and Safety Manager. Steve Staley joins Blackpool Transport and brings with him 30 years of experience in tramway operations in both the UK and Middle East.

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West Midlands Metro win awards at local event

Posted on Sunday 29 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

West Midlands Metro are celebrating after winning three awards at the Dudley College and Black Country Skills Shop Adult Awards. This ceremony celebrates the hard work, growth, and commitment of adult learners and local professionals and this year West Midlands Metro one an accolade whilst two of their employees were also recognised.

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In Pictures: Metrolink 3133 returns to service

Posted on Saturday 28 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

In the scheme of lengthy periods out of service on Manchester Metrolink a year isn’t a long time (when you compare it with the six years of 3027 when it returned to action earlier this year!) but mid-June has seen another tram return to use with 3133 re-commissioned for service.

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Around the World in Trams: Gent 6360

Posted on Saturday 28 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

And we move on again in the random location month of June and its Belgium this time as we feature a tram from Gent.

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New pay deal agreed for drivers on London Trams

Posted on Saturday 28 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

A new three year pay deal has been agreed for drivers working on London Trams. This comes following negotiations between union ASLEF and Tram Operations Limited (TOL) and will cover the backdated period from 4th November 2024 and then in 2025 and 2026.

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New Metro fares to be introduced from 1st July

Posted on Saturday 28 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

Fares on the Tyne and Wear Metro (as well as the Shields Ferry) will be increased from Tuesday 1st July. As part of the reminder of the new fares, Nexus are encouraging people to switch to Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG) which will continue to provide discounts on travel when compared to buying from ticket machines on the day.

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Cardiff tram plans progress – still aiming for 2028

Posted on Friday 27 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

Trams could be running in Cardiff for the first time in almost 80 years within the next three years as plans for the first phase of Cardiff Crossrail progress. Phase one may only be a short section of line linking Cardiff Central and Cardiff Bay but it is intended to be the start of a larger network which will revolutionise transport in the Welsh capital city.

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