The wait for Edinburgh Tram Inquiry report goes on as details revealed of Lord Hardie’s salary

Posted on Sunday 25 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

Despite the fact that the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry report was sent to the printed at the end of April we are still waiting to find out the findings (which some may argue is a little late considering an extension has been designed, built and opened in that time). But the media aren’t letting it go away quietly as the newspaper the Daily Record have recently challenged an earlier decision of Transport Scotland not to reveal the wages earnt by Lord Hardie during the inquiry – and as a result this has now been released.

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Tram driver found not guilty over Sandilands accident

Posted on Sunday 25 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

Alfred Dorris, who was driving the tram on Croydon’s Tramlink network when it left the rails at Sandilands in November 2016, has been found not guilty of failing to take reasonable care at work. The charges had been brought against him by the Office or Road and Rail following a lengthy investigation and led to a trial at the Old Bailey in June 2023.

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 25th June 2023

Posted on Sunday 25 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

Six months to Christmas and a double helping of photos for you – Tyne and Wear Metro and Manchester Metrolink are the locations:

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In Pictures: Works taking place on the West Midlands Metro

Posted on Saturday 24 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

The final weekend of June and the first weekend of July will see service alterations on the West Midlands Metro as work is due to take place at both Dartmouth Street and Dudley Street stops. There have been temporary speed restrictions in place through these stops for a while and its hoped this work will remove those. Ahead of the works taking place there have been preparatory works as seen in the below photos.

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Around the World in Trams: Gothenburg 836

Posted on Saturday 24 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

We have one final photo to share with you from a trip to Gothenburg in 2011 as part of our “Around the World in Trams” series.

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Pay offer accepted on Metrolink

Posted on Saturday 24 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

The threat of strike action on Manchester Metrolink has ended after members of Unite the Union accepted a new pay offer. Strikes had initially been planned earlier in June after staff rejected a 5% pay increase (which was combined with a  change in when the annual pay award would be made from January to April so this was in effect a pay rise covering 15 months) but after further negotiations a new offer was made which has now been accepted.

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Nexus and students work together to promote the green credentials of the Metro

Posted on Saturday 24 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

Nexus has teamed up with a group of four business students to work out how they can promote the green credentials in order to further boost passenger numbers on the Tyne and Wear Metro network. The students are studying at Northumbria University’s Business Clinic and were tasked with capturing the environmental credentials of the network as a unique selling point.

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In Pictures: Restored Edinburgh Cable Tramway pulley wheel on display

Posted on Friday 23 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

During the construction of the Edinburgh Trams extension to Newhaven many historical artefacts were discovered. City archaeologists were called in to undertaken further investigations of bodies which had been untouched for hundreds of years along with the usual pots, coins and other day to day items. But there was also something else discovered which has interest to this website – two pulley wheels which were once used in the operational of the Edinburgh Cable Tramway. After restoration these have now been placed on public display on Leith Walk at the junction with Iona Street.

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NET services finally resume to Hucknall

Posted on Friday 23 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

A full Nottingham Express Transit has resumed following the completion of repairs at Bulwell. Services had been suspended between Wilkinson Street and Hucknall (although alternative services were running from Wilkinson Street to Highbury Vale as part of the Phoenix Park service) from late afternoon on Monday 12th June.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 716, Brush 637 & Boat 606

Posted on Friday 23 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

“Picture in Time” is back in Blackpool with another photo taken during 1977.

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In Pictures: Busy and warm at the Seaton Tramway!

Posted on Thursday 22 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

The Seaton Tramway in Devon runs on a unique gauge in the UK with a fleet of purpose built trams and some which have been converted from original first generation vehicles. When the weather is good it’s the purpose built trams which take centre stage as they have open areas so you can enjoy the conditions and see the wildlife found alongside the tramway. Towards the end of May Kevin Bartolf visited the tramway and captured some of the trams in service including some bunching at Seaton Wetlands because of delays elsewhere on the line.

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Long-serving Metro worker retires after 43 years

Posted on Thursday 22 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

A long-serving member of the Tyne and Wear Metro team is to retire after 43 years of service to the network. Steve Griffin started off as part of the train maintenance team at Gosforth Depot but since 1990 he has been looking after the ticket machines across the network.

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In Pictures: Blackpool 017 gets some new adverts

Posted on Wednesday 21 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

The Blackpool Tramway’s Flexity2 017 has recently received some new adverts with the Affinity Outlet Lancashire taking out a contract to advertise the tram. This is not a full advertising livery with the tram just carrying vinyls at roof level as well on the lower section of the centre car.

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New West Midlands Metro safety campaign launched

Posted on Wednesday 21 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

As new lines start to open and as a reminder for where trams have run for many years, the West Midlands Metro are launching a new safety campaign to remind passengers and the general public of basic safety tips when around the tramway.

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In Pictures: 3079 swaps adverts in Manchester

Posted on Tuesday 20 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

Having never carried an advertising livery before April this year, 3079 is now on its second in a couple of months after the expiry of its Soccer Aid ads. The tram is now in a new advert for the Greater Manchester Good Employment Week, although this also looks set to be a short-term advert.

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RAIB Safety Digest into NET passenger dragging incident released

Posted on Tuesday 20 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

The RAIB have released a Safety Digest into a passenger dragging incident which occurred at Beeston on 22nd February 2023. The incident happened after a man put his walking stick in the doors to prevent them from closing but the driver of the tram was unaware and started to set off from the tramstop.

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In Pictures: More sunshine in Brighton on the Volk’s Electric Railway

Posted on Monday 19 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

In this article we make another brief visit to the Volk’s Electric Railway as the sun again shines on the line in Brighton. The 1 mile (and a little bit!) line runs on a 2 foot 8½” gauge and is powered by third rail. Whether it’s a railway or a tramway is a debate often to be had but it’s a seaside pleasure ride unlike any other and there aren’t many that are this close to the sea! Tony Sullivan is the photographer.

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Metro stained glass artwork to be restored

Posted on Monday 19 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

Stained glass artwork which has been on display at Monkeseaton Tyne and Wear Metro station for the past 40 years is to be restored to its former glory as part of a £400,000 scheme to refurbish the gable ends of the station canopy.

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Out and About: Heaton Park Tramway – April 2023

Posted on Monday 19 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

Today’s “Out and About” goes all heritage tram as we’re off to the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester!

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Manchester Metrolink Then & Now: Hardy Lane

Posted on Sunday 18 June 2023 by Gareth Prior

We continue our “Manchester Metrolink Then & Now” series today as we take a third look at Hardy Lane on the route of the Manchester Airport line.

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