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.

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West Midlands Metro latest to join Two Lines = Stop safety campaign

Posted on Wednesday 28 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

The LRSSB led safety campaign “Two Lines = Stop” has now been launched on the West Midlands Metro network. Already seen on tram networks in Blackpool, Edinburgh, Manchester and Sheffield, the West Midlands Metro will be the latest to take advantage of national safety campaign which is designed to raise awareness and help reduce the risk of collisions between pedestrians and trams.

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LRSSB upgrade tramway safety guidance library

Posted on Wednesday 28 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) have recently given their reference library a new fresh look making this vital resource easier to navigate. The Reference Library contains more than 60 guidance documents ranging from the design of crossings to effective fatigue management.

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West Midlands Metro 30 returns from Dudley

Posted on Tuesday 27 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

The great West Midlands Metro tram swap has continued with 30 coming back from Dudley with it being replaced by another with the repairs on the Urbos3 trams ongoing at the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre.

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3081 back in yellow on Metrolink

Posted on Tuesday 27 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

There’s another tram running in fleet livery on Manchester Metrolink with 3081 returning to yellow and grey (not forgetting its spots!) during mid-May. It had been carrying a bright red advert for JD Sports since March 2025.

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Get ready for Classic Motorcycle Day at Crich

Posted on Tuesday 27 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

In recent years one of the most popular events at the Crich Tramway Village has become the Classic Motorcycle Day and this year’s event will take place on Sunday 6th July. This will be the eighth event it has been presented in partnership with Vincent HRD Owners Club and with sponsorship courtesy from Derwent Waste Management.

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In Pictures: Latest trackworks in Sheffield

Posted on Monday 26 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

The continued investment by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) in improving the infrastructure of the Supertram network is seeing another line closure for a full week between Saturday 24th and Friday 30th May inclusive. The work is being undertaken on Langsett Road impacting both the Blue and Yellow route services.

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Car v Metrolink collision at Manchester Central leads to Metrolink changes

Posted on Monday 26 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Wednesday 14th May saw Metrolink services running through central Manchester operating a revised service after a collision between a car and a tram at the bottom of the ramp leading to and from Deansgate-Castlefield outside the main entrance to Manchester Central.

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Stop by Stop London Trams: New Addington line – King Henry’s Drive

Posted on Monday 26 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Its time for the next part of “Stop by Stop” as we continue our journey on London Trams’ New Addington line.

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Manchester Metrolink Then & Now: St Peter’s Square

Posted on Sunday 25 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

We are back in Manchester for another edition of “Then & Now” as we see two pictures – one before Metrolink came along and the other once it was running.

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11 leads the Seaton Tramway mileage charts for April

Posted on Sunday 25 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Another month has been and gone at the Seaton Tramway and with April being the first month of the year which has seen trams run every single day there have been plenty of trams out on the line at various points. Of the operational passenger trams – which excludes long-term absentee 7 – all but one carried passengers during the month and the top three trams mileage wise will come as no surprise with the trip of 21st century cars taking the bulk of journeys.

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Temporary road surface leads to WMM tracks being at wrong level

Posted on Sunday 25 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Construction of the West Midlands Metro line to Dudley is continuing with the aim being to start passenger services by the end of 2025, but there is a slight issue which was discovered late last year with one section of line as it appears the track may not be at the right level close to Dudley Castle tramstop. A bill of at least £100,000 is now to be met by Dudley Council and Transport for West Midlands to rectify the problem.

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 25th May 2025

Posted on Sunday 25 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Another Bank Holiday weekend and another couple of sets of photos – some from May 2025 in Manchester as we also go into the heritage tram archives:

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Two more Stadler trains arrive on the Tyne and Wear Metro as one more into service

Posted on Saturday 24 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

The Tyne and Wear Metro welcomed the latest couple of new trains to their network in the early hours of 9th May 2025 when 555 012 and 555 014 were delivered from Switzerland.

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Around the World in Trams: East Berlin 217 089-6

Posted on Saturday 24 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Back to East Berlin we go for another “Around the World in Trams”.

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Snaefell Mountain Railway recruit for engineer

Posted on Saturday 24 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

The Department of Infrastructure on the Isle of Man are currently in the process of recruiting for an Electrical/Mechanical Rolling Stock Fitter to join the team on the Snaefell Mountain Railway.

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Tram damaged in Edinburgh after collision with lorry

Posted on Saturday 24 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams 262 suffered damage after it was involved in a collision with a lorry on Leith Walk during the late afternoon of Thursday 22nd May 2025. Online eyewitness reports say that the tram was hit by the back of a lorry at Dalmeny Street with photos showing damage to at least one of the passenger doors and surrounding area of the tram.

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In Pictures: New advert for West Midlands Metro 36

Posted on Friday 23 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

For the first time in around two years, a West Midlands Metro Urbos3 is carrying advertising vinyls following the application of an advert for a new Adidas store at the Bullring on 36. This advert, as usual, keeps the ends of the tram in the fleet livery but the remainder of the tram is wrapped in a mainly pink design.

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In Pictures: Very Light Rail Vehicle arrives in Coventry

Posted on Friday 23 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Having only played a starring role in Dudley a few days ago, the Very Light Rail Vehicle has been on the move again – this time on the road as its been transported to Coventry ahead of the test/demonstration runs starting later this month.

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Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink T68

Posted on Friday 23 May 2025 by Gareth Prior

Another edition of “Picture in Time” featuring Manchester Metrolink.

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