Another lengthy closure of Eccles line amongst latest Metrolink engineering works to be announced

Posted on Saturday 13 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

There will be no trams running between Weaste and Eccles for just over two months from mid-July as more major engineering works take place on the Manchester Metrolink network. Work will get underway on Saturday 15th July with trams not set to resume until Friday 22nd September.

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In Pictures: Supertram 120 does The Full Monty

Posted on Friday 12 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Advertising liveries can be divisive at the best of times – you either like them or you don’t! – but we’re sure that this one is going to be even more controversial with some than ever as Stagecoach Supertram 120 has received a wrap for The Full Monty television series. Of course, this means that 120’s long-standing short-term Sheffield Corporation livery has now been removed after over 12 years.

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Work starts at Ramsey – trams should be back at Ramsey Station in time for TT week

Posted on Friday 12 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

How about some positive news from the Isle of Man? The past few years when we discuss track laying its often been to talk about the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway and the on-off-off-off return of trams to the Sea Terminal. But leaving that tramway aside and heading to the Manx Electric Railway there is a positive development at Ramsey which should see trams returning to the main terminus in time for TT week this June.

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Picture in Time: Tyne and Wear Metro 4027

Posted on Friday 12 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Today we take another trip into the archives for this edition of “Picture in Time” with another view of one of the Tyne and Wear Metro’s Metrocars in service.

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In Pictures: Another tram delivered to the West Midlands Metro

Posted on Thursday 11 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Wednesday 10th May 2023 saw the West Midlands welcome another new tram with 57 being delivered from Spain, continuing the arrivals being out of number sequence! Whereas recent deliveries have been made on Bilston Road after the service ended this one was back to being delivered directly to the depot during the middle of the day.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 4 Comments

Edinburgh Tram Inquiry sent to the printers!

Posted on Thursday 11 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Who would have thought a report being sent to the printers would be headline news! But when it’s a report into an Inquiry which has been going on for very nearly nine years and has cost over £13 million its quite an important step towards finding out the results and to learn for the future. Of course, the report we are talking about is the Edinburgh Trams Inquiry which looks as if it could be just a few weeks away from being released.

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First test run of new Metro trains

Posted on Thursday 11 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

The first of the new trains being built by Stadler for the Tyne and Wear Metro has started testing outside of the depot. 555 003 made its first moves on the mainline in the early hours of Wednesday 10th May with the runs described as successful with the train reported as performing well.

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In Pictures: Blackpool’s heritage trams go on parade for the Coronation

Posted on Wednesday 10 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

For the second major joyous royal celebration in a row a selection of Blackpool’s heritage trams were used for a Parade from Pleasure Beach to Little Bispham with a stopover at the Comedy Carpet for photos. The parade took place on Sunday 7th May 2023 with eleven trams running which included a late change of trams.

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Existing Metro trains to receive TLC

Posted on Wednesday 10 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Their days of operation may be numbered by the original Tyne and Wear Metrocars are set to enjoy some TLC with a major programme of deep cleaning and interior repair works to be initiated by Stadler. The idea is that it will improve the customer experience during the transition to the new trains.

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In Pictures: Crich celebrates the Coronation

Posted on Tuesday 9 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

We’d previously reported on Crich’s plans for the Coronation weekend which was to see Leeds 602 on display (on account of its entry into service in 1953 at the time of the last Coronation and being painted into a purple livery) but that wasn’t all that happened at the home of the National Tramway Museum as it was joined on the depot fan by Glasgow Coronation 1282!

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Resurfacing work in Wolverhampton as extension edges closer to opening

Posted on Tuesday 9 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Its been confirmed that there will be resurfacing works in Wolverhampton City Centre from late May as work to open the West Midlands Metro extension to the Railway Station continues. Last month saw the first tram on the extension and further tests will take place before a planned for opening at some point in the spring.

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In Pictures: Blackpool Heritage Trams over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend

Posted on Monday 8 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

The May Day Bank Holiday weekend (29th April to 1st May) saw the second Enhanced Weekend of 2023 for Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours, this one coinciding with the Fylde Tramway Society’s annual convention. With a revised timetable in operation over the weekend – using just five trams instead of six and on the Saturday and Sunday including trips to Starr Gate to help connect visitors to a Tramway Model Exhibition at the Solaris Centre – it was the usual set of trams which were out, including some swaps and changes, particularly with the weather on the Sunday being inclement. These photos come from Stuart Cooke.

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The Metro back on the Metro!

Posted on Monday 8 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Anyone travelling on the West Midlands Metro will once again be able to pick-up a free copy of The Metro newspaper after the return of the onboard newsstands at the start of May.

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Out and About: Waterthorpe on Stagecoach Supertram – June 2022

Posted on Monday 8 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Today “Out and About” is going back to June 2022 and the location is Waterthorpe on the Supertram network in South Yorkshire.

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Still Standing! Tram track, Southsea

Posted on Sunday 7 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

We return with more from our “Still Standing!” series and head to the south coast for some surviving tram track in Southsea near Portsmouth.

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In Pictures: Metrolink 3079 in an advert for Soccer Aid

Posted on Sunday 7 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Back in April we brought you the news that Manchester Metrolink 3047 had received an advert for Soccer Aid and now it would appear that its not alone as 3079 is also in an identical advert!

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The Polar Express Tram Ride back at the Seaton Tramway this Christmas!

Posted on Sunday 7 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Yes, we know its only just May and we haven’t even reached summer, let alone autumn or winter!, and you probably really don’t want to think about Christmas but in case you like to be prepared and are looking for something to do with the family ahead of the big day you can now secure your tickets for The Polar Express Tram Ride at the Seaton Tramway.

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Police and tram operator welcome sentencing of man who assaulted employee

Posted on Sunday 7 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Officials at Nottingham Express Transit and Police officers have welcomed the news that a man who assaulted a travel officer has received a prison sentence. Salmou Njie was sentenced at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday 24th April after being found guilty of assault by beating and pleading guilty to possession of cannabis.

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In Pictures: 26 & 29 return to service on the West Midlands Metro

Posted on Saturday 6 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Although a number of trams have gone to and come back from Dudley to allow repairs to take place on the bodyside cracking issue very few of these have yet to return to passenger service with until recently 17 the only one to have done so. The ranks of this category have now increased by two though with 26 returning to action on Monday 1st May and swiftly followed by 29 the next day.

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Around the World in Trams: Christchurch 152+115

Posted on Saturday 6 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

We swap Europe for New Zealand for the next few weeks of “Around the World in Trams”. We will be taking a look at a few of the vehicles which operate on the Ferrymead Tramway in Christchurch.

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