Dynamic AutoStop system under test in Blackpool

Posted on Friday 19 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Officials from Alstom have recently been in Blackpool to test the Dynamic Autostop fitted to one of the Flexity2 trams. 017 has been fitted with the equipment and cameras for a while and the system has been under test to see the effectiveness with this latest visit being used to further evaluate it as well as film to showcase the system.

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Picture in Time: Tyne & Wear Metro BL2 on the rail head treatment train

Posted on Friday 19 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

We stay on the Tyne and Wear Metro for this latest edition of “Picture in Time” although its not one of the passenger vehicles that is the focus of the feature this time.

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In Pictures: Urbos3 27 on Driver Training

Posted on Thursday 18 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

There seems no slowing down in the return to or entering service for the first time on the West Midlands Metro with Urbsos3 27 now on the road to a return having been used for Driver Training. Its first appearance out on the mainline was Wednesday 17th May and although its not yet been used in passenger service its use means four of the trams went to Dudley have now returned to action during May so far.

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Timetable testing starts in Edinburgh!

Posted on Thursday 18 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Its getting closer! The start of services on Edinburgh’s Trams to Newhaven project is edging closer after it was announced that the full timetable will now be in operation on the extension as from Thursday 18th May. This will see trams operating to normal frequencies on the line as part of the commissioning process to make sure that the planned service can be maintained effectively.

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Whitley Bay canopy set for £5.3 restoration

Posted on Thursday 18 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

The historic canopy at the Whitely Bay Tyne and Wear Metro station is set to enjoy a £5.3 restoration with planning permission having been granted for the work last year. The work will start soon and comes soon after an incident where panes of glass were blow out during a storm earlier this year.

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In Pictures: Another visit to Carlton Colville

Posted on Wednesday 17 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

On Sunday 7th May the two trams in service at the East Anglia Transport Museum were Blackpool Marton VAMBAC 11 and Sheffield 513. These two trams have now both run on the same three different tramways although the EATM is the only one they have been operational on at the same time (the other two tramways are Blackpool and Beamish, indeed 513 is still owned by Beamish but on long-term loan to Carlton Colville). In this latest pictorial article we take a look at the sights at the museum on this day including the trams in service. Stuart Cooke is our photographer.

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In Pictures: A quick update from Dudley

Posted on Wednesday 17 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

One of three West Midlands Metro extensions currently being worked on – and the longest of the trio – is that to Dudley and Brierley Hill. Due to be delivered in two phases (because of funding shortfalls), the section between Wednesbury and Dudley is due to open in 2024 and with this in mind work on installing the infrastructure to allow trams to run has been progressing in recent months.

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Special announcements on Metrolink for the Great Manchester Run

Posted on Wednesday 17 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

If you head out onto Metrolink over the next few days you may be hearing different voices on the announcements a series of special recordings have been made by Sir Mo Farah and Eilish McColgan ahead of the Great Manchester Run taking place on Sunday 21st May.

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In Pictures: The Beamish Tramway celebrates 50 years!

Posted on Tuesday 16 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

The Beamish Tramway has reached a major historical milestone with it having clocked up 50 years of operation – and rapidly approaching becoming the longest running of all tramways in the north east of England! To celebrate the 50th anniversary a special event was planned at the museum over the Coronation Bank Holiday weekend (6th to 8th May) which included all four operational trams in action along with a number of buses.

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Extra trams in Edinburgh for Beyonce

Posted on Tuesday 16 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams will be running extra services on Saturday 20th May to cater for people attending a Beyonce concert at Murrayfield Stadium.

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Another repaired tram returns to service on the West Midlands Metro

Posted on Monday 15 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Its getting hard to keep up with what is and isn’t back in service, delivered, commissioned, testing and just plain old stored on the West Midlands Metro! (As you’ll tell from some of our articles recently!) After the first week of May saw two repaired Urbos3 return to service (26 and 29) we can now report that another of the Dudley visitors has been used again.

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NET become supporter of Consent Coalition

Posted on Monday 15 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit have become the first transport operator in the city to become a supporter of the Consent Coalition. This is just one of a number of initiatives and measures NET now have in place to help make Nottingham safer.

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Out and About: A return to Beamish in December 2022

Posted on Monday 15 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

We continue to go back in time a bit for this edition of “Out and About” as we make a return visit to Beamish.

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Still Standing! Tram track, Dundee

Posted on Sunday 14 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

In this latest “Still Standing!” article we head to the Scottish city of Dundee to take a look at some track.

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Unite to ballot Metrolink workers on strike action over “woeful” pay offer

Posted on Sunday 14 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Unite the Union have announced that they are to ballot their members working on the Manchester Metrolink network over what they describe as a “woeful” pay offer from KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM). If the ballot results in a vote in favour of strike action its likely that the union will aim to strike over the Parklife weekend which is usually one of the busiest of the year on the Metrolink network.

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Nexus workers raise over £5,000 for charity

Posted on Sunday 14 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Staff at Nexus have donated over £5,000 to charity following a year of fundraising. £5,535.34 has been presented to the Great North Air Ambulance Service, a charity nominated by Nexus staff as their chosen charity for the year.

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 14th May 2023

Posted on Sunday 14 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Back after a week’s break with a double-helping of photos – coming from the East Anglia Transport Museum and Douglas Bay Horse Tramway.

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In Pictures: 51 becomes latest Urbos100 to enter service

Posted on Saturday 13 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

13 may be unlucky for some but it was a lucky number for a time on Thursday 11th May on the West Midlands Metro as the thirteenth Urbos100 to carry passengers was used in service, albeit briefly. The tram to enter service for the first time was 51 which was one of two to be delivered in March.

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Around the World in Trams: Christchurch 178

Posted on Saturday 13 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Its another couple of photos from the Ferrymead Tramway in Christchurch for this weeks edition of “Around the World in Trams”.

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In Pictures: Newcastle 102 goes out on test

Posted on Saturday 13 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Friday 5th May saw Newcastle 102 take a significant step towards returning to service after it was taken on its longest test run yet as part of the Tramcar Sponsorship Organisation funded overhaul. 102 ran the full length of the line on this test which took place on a Friday when the museum was closed to the general public.

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