WMCA approve refreshed business case for Eastside extension

Posted on Tuesday 3 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

You may be forgiven for thinking I’m sure I’ve heard that approved before, and you’d probably be right, but the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board have recently given approval for sections 3 and 4 of the Birmingham Eastside West Midlands Metro extension. Said in a lot of media reports to be linked to Birmingham City FC’s new ground and larger sports complex, this is actually just a previously approved section of the line already under construction, but its hoped by its approval it will give confidence for a future major expansion further eastwards.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on WMCA approve refreshed business case for Eastside extension

UKTram joins global transport leaders at UTIP meeting in Turin

Posted on Tuesday 3 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

Taking place between 25th and 27th March 2025, the UTIP Joint Bus and Light Rail Committee met in Turin, Italy as they explored integrated solutions for the future of public transport. UKTram were represented at the meeting by Phillip Terry, Lead Engineer, as best practice examples and case studies from across Europe were showcased.

Continue reading →

Posted in UKTram | Comments Off on UKTram joins global transport leaders at UTIP meeting in Turin

Two more new Tyne and Wear Metro units delivered

Posted on Monday 2 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

The early hours of Friday 30th May saw two more new trains arrive on the Tyne and Wear Metro network having made their way across from Switzerland – once again completing the journey solely by rail over several different legs. The two to arrive this time were 555 016 and 555 035.

Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Two more new Tyne and Wear Metro units delivered

Nottingham tram derailed after being hit by car

Posted on Monday 2 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

Article updated 03/06/2025 following resumption of services

Nottingham Express Transit services on the Clifton line have been severely disrupted after a collision between a car and a tram at the Queens Walk/Robin Hood Way junction. Citadis 228 was derailed in the collision with the emergency services stating it would take several days to fix the issue.

Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | Comments Off on Nottingham tram derailed after being hit by car

Stop by Stop London Trams: New Addington line – Fieldway

Posted on Monday 2 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

We have another edition of “Stop by Stop” as our journey on London Trams’ New Addington line continues.

Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams, Stop by Stop | Comments Off on Stop by Stop London Trams: New Addington line – Fieldway

Manchester Metrolink Then & Now: St Peter’s Square

Posted on Sunday 1 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

A return to Manchester for this latest edition of “Then & Now” as we once again look down on St Peter’ Square before and after Metrolink.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink, Then & Now | Comments Off on Manchester Metrolink Then & Now: St Peter’s Square

Royal Highland Show returns – Edinburgh Trams best way to get there

Posted on Sunday 1 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

With the Royal Highland Show returning once again to Edinburgh between 19th and 22nd June, Edinburgh Trams are putting plans in place to transport people to the event. The Royal Highland Show is Scotland’s biggest celebration of the best of food, farming, and rural life and Ingliston Park and Ride is just a short distance away from the Royal Highland Centre.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on Royal Highland Show returns – Edinburgh Trams best way to get there

Winner of West Midlands Metro’s Bull design announced

Posted on Sunday 1 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

Earlier this year West Midlands Metro launched a competition amongst local primary schools to help design a bull for the forthcoming “Bull in the City” art trail (think the Elmer trail in Blackpool last year but will bulls instead of elephants!), and now they have announced the winner although the actual design is remaining under wraps for now.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Winner of West Midlands Metro’s Bull design announced

What’s New on British Trams Online? 1st June 2025

Posted on Sunday 1 June 2025 by Gareth Prior

This week photos come from Beamish in early May 2025:

Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway, Site News | Comments Off on What’s New on British Trams Online? 1st June 2025

In Pictures: Emirates starts a takeover of Edinburgh Trams

Posted on Saturday 31 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

So far in 2025 its been a relatively quiet year for new adverts on Edinburgh Trams with just eight trams having seen new designs applied. But the end of May 2025 could be the start of that changing with (so far) five trams having received full wraps for Emirates – and if rumours are to believed they may not be alone!

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on In Pictures: Emirates starts a takeover of Edinburgh Trams

Around the World in Trams: East Berlin 218 023-8

Posted on Saturday 31 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Its that time of the week again where we feature a tram from outside the UK, and East Berlin is once again the location.

Continue reading →

Posted in Around the World in Trams | Comments Off on Around the World in Trams: East Berlin 218 023-8

West Midlands Metro 45 loses its advert

Posted on Saturday 31 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Article updated 1/6/25 with photo added.

The longest lived West Midlands Metro advert is no longer the longest lived as 45 has returned to standard fleet livery following the removal of its advertising vinyls for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on West Midlands Metro 45 loses its advert

Alstom and ATM join forces to bid for Luas operating contract

Posted on Saturday 31 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Alstom and ATM Group (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi) have announced that they are preparing a joint bid for the upcoming operations and maintenance (O&M) contract for Dublin’s Luas tram system. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have started a tender process for the contract which has been held by Transdev since the network opened in 2004 and signed their latest contract in 2019 for six years (with an option for a further five).

Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Luas | Comments Off on Alstom and ATM join forces to bid for Luas operating contract

Southampton 11 reunited with its truck

Posted on Friday 30 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Ahead of this year’s Solent Sky Tram Event (21st and 22nd June 2025), Southampton 11 is back on is very own truck and track for the first time in over 75 years! The truck was taken away in January but returned to Southampton after restoration during May to allow the reunion to take place.

Continue reading →

Posted in Southampton Tram Project | Comments Off on Southampton 11 reunited with its truck

Race the Tram! in Edinburgh

Posted on Friday 30 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Have you ever sat on a tram and thought “I could probably run faster than this and get there quicker”? If so a new planned event in Edinburgh on 22nd June could be just up your street – “Race the Tram! 2025”.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on Race the Tram! in Edinburgh

Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink 1006

Posted on Friday 30 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

We continue our series of “Picture in Time” from Manchester.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink 1006

555 007 the latest to enter service on Tyne and Wear Metro

Posted on Thursday 29 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

11 of the Stadler built Tyne and Wear Metro trains have now carried passengers with 555 007 the latest to enter service – although its initial entry was a brief one with it removed from service after a short period.

Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on 555 007 the latest to enter service on Tyne and Wear Metro

Next phase of Metrolink improvement works to start 3rd June

Posted on Thursday 29 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Major improvement works on the Manchester Metrolink are set to get underway from Tuesday 3rd June 2025 and last for over two months with the section between Piccadilly Station and Piccadilly Gardens to be closed, leading to changes to the timetabled service.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Next phase of Metrolink improvement works to start 3rd June

Industry voices unite for light rail roundtable

Posted on Thursday 29 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Steve Edwards, UKTram Chair, has recently joined key industry voices for a light rail roundtable hosted by Rail Forum. This is just the start of a collaborative partnership between the two organisations which will be formally launched in May. The session was an opportunity to support light rail’s unique benefits and potential within the UK’s wider transport strategy.

Continue reading →

Posted in UKTram | Comments Off on Industry voices unite for light rail roundtable

In Pictures: Very Light Rail starts running in Coventry – but without passengers

Posted on Wednesday 28 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Wednesday 28th May 2025 should have been an important day for the development of Very Light Rail (VLR) as it was due to have been the first time that the Coventry demonstration line would welcome passengers. Unfortunately, slight delays in getting ready meant that a couple of planned dates have been cancelled (and replaced with additional dates later on in the period – also now sold out) including the first day, although it still saw the vehicle being tested.

Continue reading →

Posted in Very Light Rail | 1 Comment