Author Archives: Gareth Prior

Metro signalling engineer retires

Posted on Wednesday 31 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

A signalling engineer who has devoted 38 years of his working life to the Tyne and Wear Metro has retired. 66-year-old John Eagle has worked on the signalling since 1987 but has now bid an emotional farewell to his colleagues.

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Passenger numbers up and losses down for NET

Posted on Tuesday 30 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit has recorded its smallest loss since the year ending 2016 as efforts to improve the financial performance of the network, coupled with an increase in passenger numbers, start to be seen.

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UKTram Light Rail Engineering Group meet again

Posted on Tuesday 30 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

The Light Rail Engineering Group (LREG) at UKTram meet at the end of November in Manchester for two days of discussion about current engineering challenges, shared operational insights, and the examination of how emerging technologies can support long-term network resilience.

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Free Wi-Fi trial on Tyne and Wear Metro

Posted on Tuesday 30 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

Have you ever been on the Tyne and Wear Metro and bemoaned the fact that there is no Wi-Fi? Well, if you have you could be in luck as a new free Wi-Fi service is being piloted with the aim … Continue reading →

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Old and New – Blackpool: Pleasure Beach

Posted on Monday 29 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

For the last time in 2025 we go “Old and New” as we feature images of trams both heritage and modern on the Blackpool Tramway. And this time we find ourselves at Pleasure Beach.

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Public consultation launched for Greater Manchester transport plans

Posted on Monday 29 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

As we’ve already seen, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has bold plans to improve and enhance transport around the region, and now officials are seeking the views of the pubic with the launch of a major consultation. This consultation … Continue reading →

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New safety campaign in Nottingham to cut back on RTCs

Posted on Monday 29 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

2025 has seen an increase in the number of collisions between trams and other road vehicles and ahead of the busy December period, Nottingham Express Transit have launched a new safety campaign in a bid to reduce these occurrences.

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Funding to go towards sensors on Metrolink aimed to stop tram surfers

Posted on Monday 29 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

Transport for Greater Manchester have confirmed £4.6 million worth of funding to install new sensors on Manchester Metrolink trams to try and help stop tram surfers. Tram surfing – where individuals grab hold of the back of trams, or on … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 8 Comments

Out and About: Edinburgh Trams – December 2025

Posted on Sunday 28 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

For the last time in 2025 we go “Out and About” and it’s a popular location in Edinburgh City Centre that we feature this time around.

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Strong support for DLR extension to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead

Posted on Sunday 28 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

Plans to extend the DLR to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead are on course after backing from the Government in the Autumn Budget alongside strong public support in the recent consultation.

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Tram simulators upgraded with support from LRSSB

Posted on Sunday 28 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

Simulators developed by Avansim and used by various tramways in the UK have recently enjoyed upgrades based on risk models developed by the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB). The upgrades draw on data driving the LRSSB’s Safety Risk … Continue reading →

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London Trams Therapia Lane Depot makes green transition

Posted on Sunday 28 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

Therapia Lane, the home of London Trams’ fleet of CR4000 and Variobahn trams, has become Transport for London’s first depot to remove fossil gas usage following an upgrading of its heating system. This will improve energy efficiency and will also … Continue reading →

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Around the World in Trams: Bratislava

Posted on Saturday 27 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

One final photo from Bratislava in this current series of “Around the World in Trams”.

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In Pictures: Metrolink 3138 back in service

Posted on Saturday 27 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

There was a bit of an early Christmas present for Manchester Metrolink as 3138 returned to service on Saturday 20th December 2025, following almost five months out of use. Whilst not as severe as some other tram returnees (we’re talking … Continue reading →

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Independent MSP criticises Edinburgh Trams extension plans

Posted on Saturday 27 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

Jeremy Balfour, an Independent MSP for Lothian, has come out fighting against the City of Edinburgh Council’s plans for a north-south tram line between Granton and the BioQuarter claiming it’s a vanity project and that any cash spent towards it … Continue reading →

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Tram health and safety reporting reaches major milestone

Posted on Saturday 27 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

A project which is aimed at addressing possible under-reporting of health and safety concerns and hazardous events has reached a major milestone with the completion of research focus groups with frontline staff on four UK tram networks.

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Picture in Time: Midland Metro 06

Posted on Friday 26 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

Another “Picture in Time” coming from the Midland Metro and featuring a T69 in action.

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In Pictures: Llandudno & Colwyn Bay 7 parades for Christmas

Posted on Friday 26 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

The last outing of Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Electric Railway 7 for 2025 took place on Saturday 6th December 2025 with the tram taking pride of place in the annual Llandudno Christmas Parade.

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New CCTV cameras to be installed on Tyne and Wear Metro

Posted on Friday 26 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

40 new and improved digital CCTV cameras are to be installed at stations across the Tyne and Wear Metro network as part of North East Mayor Kim McGuinness’ commitment to making stations and trains safer for everyone travelling on the … Continue reading →

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Focus on Light Rail event highlights collaboration and innovation

Posted on Friday 26 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

Focus on Light Rail – an event jointly organised by Rail Forum and UKTram – took place in early November 2025 with representatives from across the sector getting together to explore opportunities and challenges across the evolving public transport landscape.

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