15 Years Apart: Blackpool Trawler 633/737

Posted on Sunday 18 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

For today’s then and now series “15 Years Apart” we return to Blackpool to view one of the illuminated tram fleet – and it’s a tram which has seen a fairly major change including a new number!

Continue reading →

Posted in 15 Years Apart, Blackpool Tramway | Comments Off on 15 Years Apart: Blackpool Trawler 633/737

Not much change for NET performance in October

Posted on Sunday 18 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

With the next meeting of the Greater Nottingham Light Rapid Transit Advisory Committee due to take place on 13th December the latest performance figures of the network have been released. As this meeting is less than two months since the last meeting of the Committee little performance information is given as only one full month was available but the figures released do show very little change to the last time out.

Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 2 Comments

Crich Photo line-ups: Newcastle Trams – 2014

Posted on Sunday 18 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

Its another small line-up for this latest look at Crich depot fan photo line-ups – but what a combination!

Continue reading →

Posted in Crich line-ups, Crich Tramway Village | Comments Off on Crich Photo line-ups: Newcastle Trams – 2014

UKTram sets up new working group to tackle rising costs

Posted on Sunday 18 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

UKTram – the industry body representing UK light rail – has recently set-up a new working group to help to coordinate efforts to mitigate the impact of rising costs in the sector. The working group will explore joint procurement options for the operators with a hope that this will help to save some money.

Continue reading →

Posted in UKTram | Comments Off on UKTram sets up new working group to tackle rising costs

What’s New on British Trams Online? 18th December 2022

Posted on Sunday 18 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

Its the final main site update of British Trams Online for 2022 and we have another “20 Years in 20 Photos” collection for you – this time from Blackpool:

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Site News | Comments Off on What’s New on British Trams Online? 18th December 2022

Scottish Government report backs more Edinburgh Trams extension

Posted on Saturday 17 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

The chances of extending the Edinburgh Trams network further have been given a boost with the release of the final Scottish Government’s Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) report. The wide ranging report has been published by Transport Scotland and aims to inform transport investment in Scotland for the next 20 years (up until 2042). Although there is no guarantee funding will be forthcoming for the projects mentioned in the report it does give preliminary backing to the plans with local authorities now able to develop them further.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on Scottish Government report backs more Edinburgh Trams extension

Around the World in Trams: Timisoara 3546

Posted on Saturday 17 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

For the next couple of editions of “Around the World in Trams” we are heading to eastern Europe as we feature the tramway in the Romanian city Timisoara.

Continue reading →

Posted in Around the World in Trams | Comments Off on Around the World in Trams: Timisoara 3546

The Number 20: Seaton Tramway 9 & 11

Posted on Saturday 17 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

You can probably tell how we’re keeping this series going by now and today “The Number 20” features a couple of trams from the Seaton Tramway.

Continue reading →

Posted in Seaton Tramway, The Number 20 | Comments Off on The Number 20: Seaton Tramway 9 & 11

In Pictures: Balloon 717 – the ice breaker!

Posted on Saturday 17 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

If you are out in Blackpool early in the morning and saw a heritage tram you would probably think you were seeing things (or had enjoyed a bit too much of the Christmas spirit!) but that is exactly what has happened on several mornings recently as Balloon 717 has been used as an ice breaker ahead of the first service car. That’s right a heritage tram has been making sure the modern Flexity2 trams don’t have too many problems in running.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

15 Years Apart: Croydon/London Tramlink 2544

Posted on Saturday 17 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

Its back to Croydon for this edition of “15 Years Apart”.

Continue reading →

Posted in 15 Years Apart, London Trams | Comments Off on 15 Years Apart: Croydon/London Tramlink 2544

Investment in new equipment in Crich’s workshop

Posted on Saturday 17 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

We often report on this tram has been through the workshop and that tram has had some attention in the workshop at the Crich Tramway Village but we very rarely think about the equipment which the staff and volunteers who bring trams back to life use. Thanks to the Tramway Sponsorship Organisation (TSO) and London County Councils Tramway Trust (LCCCT) new equipment has just been installed into the workshop which will both allow for more work to be completed in-house and to improve the working environment.

Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | Comments Off on Investment in new equipment in Crich’s workshop

In Pictures: Surprise! Blackpool 619 back in service at Heaton Park

Posted on Friday 16 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

This article was updated 18th December 2022 with the addition of photos.

This is a story we didn’t expect to be reporting on before the end of 2022 – the return to service of Blackpool Replica Vanguard 619 at the Heaton Park Tramway. It has been used during the Lightopia event after its overhaul reached a stage where it could operate again, although there do remain some works to be completed next year.

Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | Comments Off on In Pictures: Surprise! Blackpool 619 back in service at Heaton Park

In Pictures: Burst water main causes Supertram disruption

Posted on Friday 16 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

There have been delays to Stagecoach Supertram services on the Blue to Malin Bridge since Friday 9th December because of a burst water main. This has caused flooding of the gas system in Stannington, Malin Bridge and parts of Hillsborough leaving some residents without gas for nearly a week. With CADENT attempting to fix the problem they have had a lot of vehicles in the area which had led to traffic disruption which in turn leads to delays for trams. Then to compound matters on Wednesday 13th December contractors severed the main power cable which blacked out all the traffic lights at Hillsborough Corner.

Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on In Pictures: Burst water main causes Supertram disruption

Picture in Time: Manx Electric Railway 22

Posted on Friday 16 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

Having spent the past few weeks at Derby Castle Sheds our final 1977 image from the Isle of Man goes back outside.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manx Electric Railway, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Manx Electric Railway 22

Crich Photo line-ups: Mini Blackpool – 2016

Posted on Friday 16 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

In this latest look at Photo line-ups on Crich’s depot fan we head back to 2016 for a line-up of a small selection of Blackpool trams resident at the museum.

Continue reading →

Posted in Crich line-ups, Crich Tramway Village | Comments Off on Crich Photo line-ups: Mini Blackpool – 2016

The Number 20: Great Orme Tramway 4 & 5

Posted on Friday 16 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

Its time to get the calculator out as we continue looking at trams with a connection to the number 20. Today its off to the Great Orme Tramway.

Continue reading →

Posted in Great Orme Tramway, The Number 20 | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Trams back to full fleet livery in Manchester

Posted on Thursday 15 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

December has seen a number of trams on Manchester Metrolink return to full fleet livery as their previous adverts have been removed. This has included the trio of trams which were carrying adverts for the #GetOnBoard campaign as well as 3064 in its USDAW advert.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on In Pictures: Trams back to full fleet livery in Manchester

Tramlink pay deal accepted

Posted on Thursday 15 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

The pay dispute on London Tramlink has come to an end after members of ASLEF voted to accept the offer made last month. The ballot of members had a 76% turnout with 85% of those responding in favour of the deal.

Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams | Comments Off on Tramlink pay deal accepted

West Midlands Metro extension to Brierley Hill under threat

Posted on Thursday 15 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

The chances of trams reaching Brierley Hill anytime soon seem to be receding with a new report for Dudley Council stating that there is a strong “likelihood” that the second phase of the line between Dudley and Brierley Hill could either be delayed further or withdrawn in its entirety. It had originally been planned to complete the line from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill in one phase but earlier this year it was confirmed that it would be split into two phases, although with no timeframe commitment for the section to Brierley Hill.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

15 Years Apart: Seaton Tramway 11

Posted on Thursday 15 December 2022 by Gareth Prior

The last time this series of “15 Years Apart” went to the Seaton Tramway in Devon we featured a tram which was pink but isn’t any more and this time it’s a tram which wasn’t pink but is now!

Continue reading →

Posted in 15 Years Apart, Seaton Tramway | Comments Off on 15 Years Apart: Seaton Tramway 11