Hitachi Rail and SYMCA sign 15-year partnership to modernise Supertram

Posted on Thursday 7 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

A new 15-year partnership has been signed between Hitachi Rail and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) which will aim to modernise and improve the network using the latest available technology. The signing of the partnership is another milestone in SYMCA’s plans to enhance passenger services, connecting communities and helping to build a bigger and better economy.

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First trams run on Birmingham Eastside extension

Posted on Wednesday 6 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

Testing has commenced on the Birmingham Eastside extension of the West Midlands Metro. The first trams ran onto the extension as far as Millennium Point in the early hours of Wednesday 6th August as the testing and commissioning period gets underway ahead of the planned opening of the first phase of the line in late 2025.

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One goes for scrap as another enters service as the Metro fleet continues to evolve

Posted on Wednesday 6 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

The changing of the guard on the Tyne and Wear Metro has been seen in action again over recent days with one of the new Stadler built trains entering service before another of the original fleet went to Shildon for scrapping.

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National Transport Awards 2025 shortlist announced

Posted on Wednesday 6 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

The National Transport Awards 2025 will be taking place on 2nd October 2025 in London and in preparation for the glitzy ceremony (to be hosted by TV presenter Steph McGovern with Lilian Greenwood MP – Minister for Future of Roads at the DfT – the keynote speaker) the shortlist for the lengthy number of categories has been announced.

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Passenger numbers increase on English tram and light rail systems

Posted on Tuesday 5 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

2024/5 has been a mostly successful year for tram and light rail systems in England with a 1% increase across all eight systems where figures are reported to the Department for Transport. But whilst the overall picture is a positive one it is a mixed bag with some systems seeing a rise in passenger with others having a fall. These figures are also the first time since 2007 that the two London systems do not account for at least 50% of the total numbers in England.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Docklands Light Railway, Edinburgh Trams, London Trams, Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit, South Yorkshire Supertram, Tyne and Wear Metro, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Passenger numbers increase on English tram and light rail systems

In Pictures: Supertram trackworks continue

Posted on Tuesday 5 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

In this article we return to South Yorkshire Supertram for an update of the current improvement works taking place on Ridgeway Road, between the tramstops at Manor Top and Hollinsend. As well as seeing the actual rail replacement works we also feature some of the unusual tram moves taking place with a revised service in operation. Stuart Cooke is our photographer.

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Crich to hold special evening talk from Christian Wolmar

Posted on Tuesday 5 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

Christian Wolmar, a well-known journalist, author, and railway historian, will be giving a talk at the Crich Tramway Village on the evening of Friday 19th September 2025. Entitled Trams for the Future – It’s a Moving Story, the talk will look at the changes in public transport in Britain.

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In Pictures: 3075 receives Captain Morgan adverts as two more go back to fleet livery

Posted on Monday 4 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

More Manchester Metrolink advert changes to report on with one receiving new vinyls whilst two have returned to full fleet livery again. The three trams we look at in this article are 3075, 3003 and 3038.

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Edinburgh Trams recruit for new Project Engineer

Posted on Monday 4 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams are advertising for a new Project Engineer, with the role created as a result of an increased workload. The job will assist in managing and coordinating works around Edinburgh Trams infrastructure in various stages, from concept through to on-site works.

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Side by Side: Blackpool Coronation 304 & Trawler 737

Posted on Monday 4 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

We are again looking at trams “Side by Side” in this pictorial article.

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Trams &: South Yorkshire Supertram 119 & bendy bus

Posted on Sunday 3 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

Today “Trams &” is heading into Sheffield and with the return of bendy buses to the streets of the city during rail replacement works we take the chance to see a tram with one of those vehicles.

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Temporary NET timetable extended

Posted on Sunday 3 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

Trams will continue to operate at a lower frequency during peak times on Nottingham Express Transit for at least another month. The temporary timetable introduced during June had originally been planned to be in use for four weeks but with repairs of the trams taking longer than originally expected it will now be in place until 31at August.

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Tyne and Wear Metro Overhead line works: 4th to 8th August 2025

Posted on Sunday 3 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

The section of the Tyne and Wear Metro between Hebburn and South Shields will be closed for five days between Monday 4th and Friday 8th August 2025 to allow overhead line works to take place.

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 3rd August 2025

Posted on Sunday 3 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

To northeast England for this week’s photos with a trip to Beamish:

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In Pictures: Crich launch Crowdfunder to support Access Tram 2

Posted on Saturday 2 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

If all goes according to plan, Crich Tramway Village could be the proud owners of a fully functional new Access Tram by March 2026 with the project to convert Blackpool Centenary 645 moving up a gear as a Crowdfunder is launched to help fund the work.

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Around the World in Trams: Schoneiche Rudersdorf 27

Posted on Saturday 2 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

As we enter August our world tour of trams moves on and we go from Czechia to Germany. We’re in Berlin for the next few weeks, although its not the main Berlin system which is featured.

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Tyne & Wear Metro signalling system upgrade confirmed

Posted on Saturday 2 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

It has been confirmed by the UK Government that they will be funding a major upgrade of the signalling system on the Tyne and Wear Metro. The DfT made the announcement on Tuesday 8th July.

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UKTram go to Rail Live 2025

Posted on Saturday 2 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

UKTram’s Lead Engineer, Phill Terry, was amongst 7.000 professionals from across the heavy and light rail industries who recently attended the Rail Live 2025 event at Long Marston. At the event he assessed what emerging developments could benefit the light rail community at this crucial point in its evolution.

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In Pictures: Summer Supertram trackworks get underway

Posted on Friday 1 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

Its summer and what more excuse is needed for some more improvements works on the South Yorkshire Supertram network at a time which is traditionally quieter with schools out for their summer holidays. The first stage of works this summer are on the Blue and Purple routes near Manor Top, Hollinsend and Park Grange and work got underway on Monday 28th July as seen in these images from Stuart Cooke.

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Seaton Tramway to celebrate 55 years over the August Bank Holiday weekend

Posted on Friday 1 August 2025 by Gareth Prior

2025 is the 55th anniversary of the Seaton Tramway and to celebrate this latest milestone they will be holding an Anniversary Gala Weekend on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th August (the Bank Holiday weekend).

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