In Pictures: A truncated World War II Home Front event at Crich

Posted on Tuesday 3 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

As we reported yesterday the World War II Home Front event which was due to take place at Crich on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday was cancelled on the second day after the unwelcome arrival of yet more snow. Despite the best efforts of volunteers at the museum it wasn’t even possible to run a tram service at Crich on Easter Monday – the first Easter that trams haven’t run there for 60 years! Although it was only an one day event there was still plenty for visitors to see and do on Easter Sunday 1st April 2018.

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Around the World in Trams: Leipzig 1129

Posted on Tuesday 3 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

Today we are off to Leipzig for the latest image in our tour of tramways from around the world.

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Yet more poor weather causes problems (**updated 3rd April**)

Posted on Monday 2 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

It seems to be a never-ending winter weather wise – even though we are now officially in spring! – and Monday 2nd April (a Bank Holiday, of course, which means we probably shouldn’t be too surprised the weather isn’t exactly playing ball!) has seen the latest disruption with the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway and Snaefell Mountain Railway suspended whilst at Crich the second day of the World War II Home Front event was cancelled although the museum did open to visitors.

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In Pictures: New Seaton terminus progresses

Posted on Sunday 1 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

There may have been delays over the winter but construction of the all new Seaton terminus is continuing to progress with a hoped for opening date later in the spring. The poor weather over the winter – not helped by the Beast from the East which caused the tramway to be closed on two separate occasions – has meant that the work programme has fallen behind schedule but the basic structure is now in place showing how it fits into the general environment. In this pictorial update we take our first look at what the new building looks like.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 1 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

We head over the Irish sea to Dublin for this week’s photographic offerings:

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147 returns to use on the Blackpool tramway

Posted on Saturday 31 March 2018 by Andrew Waddington

On Saturday 31st March – the first day of the Easter ‘Gold’ operating weekend in Blackpool – Standard car 147 made its long awaited return to service after a period of two years away from its home tramway. The tram has received extensive workshop attention over the past year, including a full repaint which has seen a few livery alterations, restoring a livery not seen on any tram for a considerable amount of time.

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Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink 1002

Posted on Saturday 31 March 2018 by Gareth Prior

The second of the once 26 strong class of T68 trams built for the return of trams to Manchester is the feature of this edition of Picture in Time.

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Major disruption during DLR strike

Posted on Saturday 31 March 2018 by Gareth Prior

As expected the 48 hour strike on the Docklands Light Railway caused massive disruption for passengers with only limited services able to run between Beckton and Poplar and from Canning Town to London City Airport. Trains were only able to run between 0700 and 1600.

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Snaefell Mountain Railway and Douglas Bay Horse Tramway start another season

Posted on Friday 30 March 2018 by Gareth Prior

Despite doubts expressed whether the Snaefell Mountain Railway would reopen at the start of 2018 the first services to the Summit were operated on Good Friday, 30th March – a day later than planned but it now seems to be all systems go with the Health and Safety Inspectorate satisfied with the changes made to the braking system over the winter. Meanwhile the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway is also back up and running for the year with the first trams operating on Thursday 29th March.

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Blackpool heritage output for Easter announced

Posted on Friday 30 March 2018 by Andrew Waddington

The full provisional list of which trams will be operating the enhanced heritage service in Blackpool over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend has now been revealed, with at least six historic trams set to appear over three days. As usual, these will be a good mix of different vehicles which will hopefully keep everybody happy.

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Volks 4 runs again as a new season begins in Brighton

Posted on Friday 30 March 2018 by Gareth Prior

The first of the three Volks Electric Railway vehicles which have undergone restoration in Ross-on-Wye has run once again with 4 undergoing its commissioning runs on Thursday 22nd March – just over a week before the new season began.

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Crich get ready for first big event of 2018

Posted on Thursday 29 March 2018 by Gareth Prior

With an early Easter this year the very first major event at Crich for 2018 is nice and early with the popular World War II Home Front event taking place on Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd April.

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A day to forget in Blackpool!

Posted on Thursday 29 March 2018 by Andrew Waddington

We often write about days to remember for the Blackpool tramway – but Monday 26th March was a day that Blackpool Transport would probably rather forget about! This is because of two separate incidents, which affected both LRT and heritage trams, and caused major disruption to passengers.

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Picture in Time: Snaefell Mountain Railway 4

Posted on Thursday 29 March 2018 by Gareth Prior

Today we feature an image from the Snaefell Mountain Railway shortly after nationalisation.

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Sheffield 74 returns to service

Posted on Wednesday 28 March 2018 by Gareth Prior

Having missed the last two seasons at Crich, Sheffield 74 has returned to service following the completion of its full overhaul and repaint in the workshops over the winter. 74 was first used for the year on Wednesday 28th March – becoming the seventh tram to be used for the main service so far in 2018.

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In Pictures: Wolverhampton extension works commence

Posted on Wednesday 28 March 2018 by Gareth Prior

Work is now starting on extending Midland Metro at both ends of the current line with the commencement of road closures and diversions at Wolverhampton to allow the first construction works to take place. Bus services were diverted from Sunday 18th March and the location of the works will also affect the bus station.

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In Pictures: Burton & Ashby 14’s first use of 2018

Posted on Tuesday 27 March 2018 by Gareth Prior

The first Enthusiasts Open Day of 2018 at the Statfold Barn Railway – winner of the British Trams Online Tramway of the Year 2017 lest we forget – on Saturday 24th March saw Burton & Ashby 14 make its first public runs of the year with the tram proving to be as popular as ever. Kevin James took a trip to Staffordshire.

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Around the World in Trams: Strasbourg 1033

Posted on Tuesday 27 March 2018 by Gareth Prior

We head into France as we continue to take a look at trams from around the world. This time the location is Strasbourg.

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NET only fares frozen for third year in a row

Posted on Monday 26 March 2018 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit have confirmed that all tram only fares will remain at the same levels for a third year in a row. There will be a modest rise in the cost of multi-operator fares as a result of some local bus operators introducing increases in their fares.

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Tram passengers across England continue to be satisfied

Posted on Sunday 25 March 2018 by Gareth Prior

It seems that it doesn’t take long for another survey of passenger satisfaction to come along with the latest results of the Transport Focus survey showing a continued high rating on five tramways: Blackpool Tramway, Manchester Metrolink, Midland Metro, Nottingham Express Transit and Stagecoach Supertram. The overall satisfaction rate is at 91%, which although down from the 2016 figure – mainly because Edinburgh Trams chose not to be involved – is still very high, with the Blackpool Tramway leading the way at 97% satisfaction.

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