Reporting system roll out aims to enhance tram safety

Posted on Thursday 30 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

A new and enhanced accident and incident reporting system has been welcomed by light rail leaders and is now ready to help boost tramway safety across the country. Senior executives from all UK networks heard at a pre-launch event in Birmingham that the Tram Accident and Incident Reporting System (TAIR) had reached an important milestone.

Continue reading →

Posted in General | Comments Off on Reporting system roll out aims to enhance tram safety

In Pictures: Advert changes on Manchester Metrolink

Posted on Wednesday 29 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

There are a few livery changes to report on Manchester Metrolink with an advert being removed while there have also been a few more applied to some trams – including one which if you weren’t aware it was on a different tram and that the last one had been removed you’d think it was the same!

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on In Pictures: Advert changes on Manchester Metrolink

Another fare increase in Blackpool

Posted on Wednesday 29 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

Sunday 2nd April will see the latest fare increase in Blackpool affecting both trams and buses. Not only does that date see prices rise but is also sees the removal of return tickets on the tramway (although a 1 day ticket is cheaper than this would have cost and gives you unlimited travel) and possibly more significantly the change from 24 hour tickets to 1 day tickets and validity of saver tickets being until the end of a days service rather than an exact 24 hour/weekly period.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 6 Comments

Most track now down on Lower Bull Street as Birmingham Eastside extension work continues

Posted on Wednesday 29 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

All track on Lower Bull Street has nearly been installed following a recent successful concrete pour. Lower Bull Street is the first section of the Birmingham Eastside extension after the delta junction at Corporation Street/Bull Street but its still likely to be some time before trams get to travel on this track due to delays further on the extension.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Most track now down on Lower Bull Street as Birmingham Eastside extension work continues

In Pictures: Blackpool Replica Vanguard 619 relaunched into service

Posted on Tuesday 28 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

Blackpool Replica Vanguard 619 is now officially back in service at the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester after its relaunch on the first day of the 2023 season on Sunday 26th March. The tram had run briefly in December 2022 during Lightopia but aside from this it had last run in 2017 and has recently been undergoing an overhaul and repaint to bring this popular tram back into the operational fleet.

Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | Comments Off on In Pictures: Blackpool Replica Vanguard 619 relaunched into service

In Pictures: 24 continues to be worked on at Dudley

Posted on Tuesday 28 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

The Very Light Rail Innovation Centre in Dudley is continuing to be used to complete repairs on some of the CAF Urbos3 fleet of the West Midlands Metro. 24 has been on site since January 2023 and work is continuing on completing its repairs as we seen in this short pictorial article.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on In Pictures: 24 continues to be worked on at Dudley

More money to be given to Edinburgh Trams Inquiry

Posted on Tuesday 28 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

Although we’ve recently had the excellent news that testing has started on the Trams to Newhaven extension it shouldn’t be forgotten that the Edinburgh Trams Inquiry which was convened to look into what went wrong with the original construction project is still ongoing. Originally announced in June 2014 by the then First Minister, Alex Salmond, we still have no sign of just when Lord Hardie may reveal his findings and now STV News have reported that the City of Edinburgh Council are to give another £100,000 towards it.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 3 Comments

Spring opening for WMM Wolverhampton City Centre extension?

Posted on Monday 27 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

Trams could be running to Wolverhampton Railway Station later this spring if the latest press release from the Midland Metro Alliance can be believed. Detailing a forthcoming road closure to allow for resurfacing works on Piper’s Row (which will take approximately five days) it states that trams will be running later this spring – but we have been here before and its unlikely many will believe it until a tram actually runs under its own power onto the extension.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Spring opening for WMM Wolverhampton City Centre extension?

Official launch of the Tyne and Wear Metro trains takes place

Posted on Monday 27 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

The first of the new Stadler built trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro has been officially unveiled at Gosforth Depot. The celebration event was hosted by Nexus and Stadler on Friday 17th March and was seen as an opportunity to thank many different people who have helped to make the new fleet a reality.

Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Official launch of the Tyne and Wear Metro trains takes place

The Number 20: Blackpool 642

Posted on Monday 27 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

For the last time in this series we feature a tram connected to “The Number 20” and its off to the seaside to take a look at a tram in Blackpool.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, The Number 20 | Comments Off on The Number 20: Blackpool 642

Stop by Stop Nottingham Express Transit: Hucknall & Phoenix Park – Hucknall

Posted on Sunday 26 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

Our journey to Hucknall comes to an end today as we reach the terminus as part of “Stop by Stop”. (We’ll go back to the Phoenix Park branch in the next edition).

Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit, Stop by Stop | Comments Off on Stop by Stop Nottingham Express Transit: Hucknall & Phoenix Park – Hucknall

In Pictures: More snow in Birmingham

Posted on Sunday 26 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

Well, its not more snow as it’s the same snowfall as before but its more photos of trams on the West Midlands Metro in the snow! Whereas last time we were out on the original stretch of the line in this pictorial article we head into Birmingham City Centre to see the Urbos3 and Urbos100 trams in action through the snow.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on In Pictures: More snow in Birmingham

Seaton Tramway staff complete inclusivity and accessibility training

Posted on Sunday 26 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

Staff at the Seaton Tramway have recently completed inclusivity and accessibility training sessions. The programme aims to provide the staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to make the tramway more accessible and inclusive for all visitors. It was developed in collaboration with disability advocates and accessibility experts.

Continue reading →

Posted in Seaton Tramway | Comments Off on Seaton Tramway staff complete inclusivity and accessibility training

RAIB to look at passenger dragging incident on NET

Posted on Sunday 26 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch have confirmed that they have conducted a preliminary investigation into an incident on Nottingham Express Transit which saw a passenger dragged a short distance. The incident occurred at 1804 on 22nd February 2023 at Beeston Centre.

Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | Comments Off on RAIB to look at passenger dragging incident on NET

First Tram-Train for South Wales arrives

Posted on Saturday 25 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

Transport for Wales are celebrating after the delivery of the first of 36 Citylink Tram-Trains arrived at the new Taff’s Well Depot. Arriving by road the vehicle – to be designated class 398 – arrived overnight on Tuesday 21st March.

Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiff Metro | Comments Off on First Tram-Train for South Wales arrives

Around the World in Trams: Santa Cruz 14

Posted on Saturday 25 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

In this latest edition of “Around the World in Trams” we are again in Tenerife as we take a look at the only tramway or railway in the Canary Islands.

Continue reading →

Posted in Around the World in Trams | Comments Off on Around the World in Trams: Santa Cruz 14

Two new Transport Trust Red Wheels unveiled

Posted on Saturday 25 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

The National Transport Trust have recently unveiled two more “Red Wheels” at tram related locations. The significance of Blackpool’s Rigby Road Depot and the Kingsway Tram Subway in London have been recognised by these latest “Red Wheels” and join over 150 other sites across the country.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Still Standing! | Comments Off on Two new Transport Trust Red Wheels unveiled

Metrolink delays after collision between Police car and tram

Posted on Saturday 25 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink services on the Oldham and Rochdale line suffered delays early on Wednesday 22nd March after a collision between a Police car and a tram in Oldham Town Centre.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Metrolink delays after collision between Police car and tram

Still no sign of a case for re-extending Douglas Bay Horse Tramway

Posted on Friday 24 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

The new season on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway will be starting on 6th April 2023 but when it does it will once again be only running part of its former route as the section between Broadway and the Sea Terminal is still to be constructed. A recent debate at Tynwald again mentioned the prospect of returning the trams to the Sea Terminal but it seems there are currently no definite plans of when funding may be sought for this to be built.

Continue reading →

Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway | 7 Comments

Forthcoming Metrolink Engineering Works: March-June 2023

Posted on Friday 24 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

There will be various service changes on the Manchester Metrolink network over the next few months. All the work planned is only at weekends but will impact the Rochdale, Airport, Bury and Ashton lines as well as an early morning complete network shutdown.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Forthcoming Metrolink Engineering Works: March-June 2023