Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 726

Posted on Saturday 14 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

In this instalment of Picture in Time we are back in Blackpool as we take a look at the highest numbered of the iconic Balloon Cars to be built, now numbered 726.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 726

Punctuality and reliability up on Metrolink

Posted on Saturday 14 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

No sooner had we reported on the first two sets of performance data from Manchester Metrolink than the next period has been released with both punctuality and reliability on the increase.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Punctuality and reliability up on Metrolink

In Pictures: Works starts in earnest on Wolverhampton extension

Posted on Friday 13 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

As we’ve mentioned before the next phase of work to extend Midland Metro is now underway in Wolverhampton City Centre with roads now closed and bus services diverted to allow the work to take place. In this pictorial update we take a look at the first signs of progress in allowing trams to penetrate the city centre on their way to the railway station in 2020. Andy Walters with the photos.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on In Pictures: Works starts in earnest on Wolverhampton extension

Transdev wins at Irish Logistics & Transport Awards

Posted on Friday 13 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

Transdev – operators of Luas – have been named as Passenger Transport Operator of the Year at the Irish Logistics & Transport Awards. The company were praised for their focus on safety, efficiency and customer experience. The high standard of service had certified the company as ISO compliant with an emphasis on leadership, innovation and risk analysis.

Posted in Dublin Luas | Comments Off on Transdev wins at Irish Logistics & Transport Awards

Overhead brought down at Colyford (**updated**)

Posted on Thursday 12 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

You often hear about lorries hitting railway bridges and causing major delays to services but on Thursday 12th April a similar story occurred on the Seaton Tramway with a lorry causing damage to the overhead at Colyford road crossing. The lorry – which had a digger on the back causing it to be over height for the road – brought the wires down shortly before midday bringing a premature end to the day’s service.

Continue reading →

Posted in Seaton Tramway | Comments Off on Overhead brought down at Colyford (**updated**)

In Pictures: New advert for Metrolink 3069

Posted on Thursday 12 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

It seems to have been a while since we last saw a new vinyl wrap livery on Manchester Metrolink but that situation has changed with 3069 recently having an advert for Slater Menswear applied.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on In Pictures: New advert for Metrolink 3069

Picture in Time: Glasgow 1245 & Blackpool 159

Posted on Thursday 12 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

The early years of the East Anglia Transport Museum feature in this instalment of our archive photo series.

Continue reading →

Posted in East Anglia Transport Museum, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Glasgow 1245 & Blackpool 159

In Pictures: A busy day at Seaton

Posted on Wednesday 11 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

We’ve recently shown you a few pictures from the Seaton Tramway of a standard early season Saturday which saw three trams in service but just a few days later no fewer than seven trams were in action. The date was Thursday 5th April which included the Seaton Pearl – aimed at all the little Pirates out there! – aka no. 4! Also in action on this day was 2 (running on the car park extension presumably in connection with the construction works), 8, 10, 11, 15 (driver training) and 16 (driver training) – not bad for midweek in April! Photos courtesy of Mike Poole.

Continue reading →

Posted in Seaton Tramway | 4 Comments

Metrolink SPAD incident at Timperley

Posted on Tuesday 10 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink services were temporarily suspended between Timperley and Altrincham after a tram passed a signal at danger. The incident happened at approximately 0800 on Monday 9th April and was brought into the public eye after photos were posted on social media of a tram apparently heading towards another in the opposite direction. The tram was travelling from Timperley to Altrincham when the incident occurred with the tram bought to a halt and services suspended whilst an investigation took place.

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Metrolink SPAD incident at Timperley

Around the World in Trams: Budapest 1343

Posted on Tuesday 10 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

In this edition of Around the World in Trams we take a look at one of the trams which operates in the Hungarian capital, Budapest.

Continue reading →

Posted in Around the World in Trams | Comments Off on Around the World in Trams: Budapest 1343

Disruption for Tramlink after derailment at depot (**corrected 10/4/18**)

Posted on Monday 9 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

London Tramlink services have been disrupted on Monday 9th April following the derailment of an empty tram at Therapia Lane Depot at around 0645. Stadler 2565 was returning to depot with a minor fault when the low speed derailment occurred with no passengers on board and no injuries reported to the driver. As a result of the derailment no trams were able to run between Mitcham Junction and Reeves Corner until shortly before 1700. Meanwhile, on the same day a faulty team caused disruption between Beckenham Road and Beckenham Junction. This was due to be first day of a full service on Tramlink following the completion of rail replacement works in and around Croydon Town Centre.

Posted in London Trams | Comments Off on Disruption for Tramlink after derailment at depot (**corrected 10/4/18**)

Tram-Train enabling works take two!

Posted on Sunday 8 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

The works which will see the overhead connected between the Stagecoach Supertram and Network Rail lines will now take place between Friday 20th and Monday 23rd April – having previously been cancelled back in February as the parts hadn’t been received in time. As well as this work Supertram will also be taking the chance to carry out track replacement works near to Attercliffe.

Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on Tram-Train enabling works take two!

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 8 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

Another Photo Gallery forms part of this week’s site update:

Continue reading →

Posted in Seaton Tramway, Site News | Comments Off on This week on British Trams Online

In Pictures: Easter in Blackpool

Posted on Saturday 7 April 2018 by Andrew Waddington

The Easter weekend provided the first three-day ‘Gold’ operating weekend for Blackpool’s much-loved heritage trams, with the newly repainted Standard 147 stealing the limelight. However, there were plenty of other trams out and about over the Bank Holiday weekend, with Bolton 66 and Balloon 719 also making their year debuts in passenger service, and what follows is a brief summary of what happened!

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

Picture in Time: Blackpool Centenary 641

Posted on Saturday 7 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

As we return to Blackpool for another Picture in Time image we find ourselves in 1985 for a view of the first Centenary Car in action.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Blackpool Centenary 641

Douglas Bay Horse Tramway 45 back into service

Posted on Saturday 7 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

The second Douglas Bay Horse Tramway tram to have enjoyed a major overhaul – 45 – has been completed and returned to service on Friday 6th April. This follows in the footsteps of British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2017 36 which also enjoyed the attention of the staff at Derby Castle.

Continue reading →

Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway | Comments Off on Douglas Bay Horse Tramway 45 back into service

Plans revealed for new Strathallan tram depot

Posted on Friday 6 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

For several years the condition of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway depot at Strathallan has been a major cause for concern with the building currently cordoned off, although still used for the storage of the trams. Now in order to remedy this, plans have been unveiled for the building to be demolished and rebuilt with a new design that is to closely replicate the original 1902 built building.

Continue reading →

Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway | 2 Comments

Metrolink start to release performance stats

Posted on Friday 6 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

Following the major disruption on Manchester Metrolink earlier this week performance statistics are now starting to be released to show just how well the service is performing. So far two months worth of data has been released – performance period 11 and 12, the latter coincides with the major disruption caused by the overhead line damage at Bury and Deansgate-Castlefield.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Metrolink start to release performance stats

In Pictures: More from Crich’s WWII Home Front event

Posted on Thursday 5 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

As we have reported over the past few days the first major special event of 2018 took place at Crich on Sunday 1st April with the World War II Home Front themed event. Despite the cold weather – and at least it was snow free – we can now bring you some further photos from Hazel Quarmby.

Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 2 Comments

Picture in Time: Blackpool & Fleetwood Rack 2

Posted on Thursday 5 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

Back to Crich for the latest delve into the archives with a view of a tram which is currently on the list of those needing attention before it will run again.

Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Blackpool & Fleetwood Rack 2