Tyne and Wear Metro punctuality down

Posted on Thursday 25 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

The latest punctuality figures released by the Tyne and Wear Metro on posters put up at stations across the network have shown that punctuality has again fallen – both in comparison with the previous four weeks and the same period in 2020.

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In Pictures: Scottish Rugby change trams with new advert

Posted on Wednesday 24 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

Scottish Rugby once again have an advert on Edinburgh Trams with a revised design having been added to a different tram. That tram is 261 which hasn’t had any external advertising since it lost vinyls for Standard Life in March 2020.

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In Pictures: Back to Talbot Square for Blackpool Tramway extension works

Posted on Wednesday 24 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

After all the excitement last week of the major overhead wire installation along the length of Talbot Road and into the old Wilko’s site, this week has been altogether quieter on the construction front although from the location of the cherry pickers it appears work has returned to the Prom end of the line in Talbot Square.

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Another light rail summit to take place in 2022

Posted on Wednesday 24 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

After the success of the Light Rail Summit which took place in Edinburgh during September and organised by UKTram and the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board it has been confirmed that another event will take place in 2022 – with Manchester set as the venue.

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In Pictures: Trackworks at Bilston Central

Posted on Tuesday 23 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

You may remember that before the complete West Midlands Metro service was abandoned to allow the cracks on the trams to be repaired that it was announced that there would be some overhead and track replacement on sections of the network during November. It may not be as high profile after the tram issue but over the past couple of weekends there has been some track replacement works at Bilston Central as we see in this latest pictorial update.

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In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams 275 becomes a ghost!

Posted on Tuesday 23 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

We mentioned in passing last week that Edinburgh Trams 275 had lost its advertising vinyls for Scotland Rugby and we now show you the pictures! Not only has the tram lost its adverts but it has also lost a lot of the livery detail so it now has a pretty ghostly white look along the sides with just the cab sections still having some of the lining still in place.

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Another revised timetable for Supertram from 28th November

Posted on Tuesday 23 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

Once upon a time in a pre-pandemic world the only tram system which used to regularly change its timetables was the Blackpool Tramway. But now in the new post-pandemic world and its getting increasingly difficult to keep up-to-date with all the timetable changes! The latest changes will be on Stagecoach Supertram where new timetables will be introduced from Sunday 28th November on all lines except for the Tram-Train service.

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What does the Integrated Rail Plan mean for light rail?

Posted on Monday 22 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

You probably can’t help but have noticed that over the past few days there has been a major transport announcement from the government affecting the midlands and north of England with details of the Integrated Rail Plan –  which includes £96 billion worth of investment – made public. Whilst the headline of the announcement is not really one for this website as it is all to do with the axing of the eastern leg of HS2 which will cut Leeds out of the high speed line there is also some possible green shoots for light rail, although as always there is no guarantee of this!

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NET strike suspended

Posted on Monday 22 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

The planned strike which would have seen no trams running on Nottingham Express from this evening (Monday 22nd November) and throughout Tuesday 23rd November has been suspended. This will allow a fresh vote to take place amongst members of the GMB Union who had previously voted to take strike action over the pay offer made.

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Trams &: Amsterdam 904 & Coach

Posted on Monday 22 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

“Trams &” is heading overseas today as we head to Amsterdam for an archive view of a tram and a coach.

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Stop by Stop Nottingham Express Transit: Central – Old Market Square

Posted on Sunday 21 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

In another edition of “Stop by Stop” we continue our journey on Nottingham Express as we find ourselves at one of the busiest stops of the line – Old Market Square.

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Independent review launched as West Midlands Metro service remains suspended

Posted on Sunday 21 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

It has now been over a week since the last trams ran on the West Midlands Metro network and with at least a further three weeks before any type of service resumes it has been announced that an independent review into the operations and governance of the system has been launched. The cracks on the CAF built Urbos3 trams are continuing to be looked at and repaired with one local newspaper suggesting that seven of the 21 strong fleet have already been completed – at least nine will be needed to operate any service.

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Tram of the Year returns for 2021!

Posted on Sunday 21 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

Is it that time of the year again? Yes, that’s right today marks the launch of our “just for fun” British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2021! For the second year in a row it has been anything but a normal year for the modern and heritage tramways of the British Isles with a lot of “nearlys” (trams returning to service, extensions opening etc.) but despite that we are still planning to have a full contest of all four categories as all that depends on you as to whether there are any ideas you have for nominations!

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 21st November 2021

Posted on Sunday 21 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

Another two Photo Gallery week with images from London Tramlink and the Crich Tramway Village:

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In Pictures: Balloon 723 goes on The Magical Express Tour

Posted on Saturday 20 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

New adverts always used to be part and parcel of the Blackpool Tramway as each year we waited with anticipation to see which trams would get new designs. But with the advent of the upgraded tramway new adverts started to reduce (there have only been 6 adverts on the Flexity2 trams in almost 10 years) and for the traditional trams they have obviously been almost non-existent (with the exception of Centenary 642’s Travelcard design and Brush 634’s Terror Tram advert which has yet to be seen in anger) – until now! As part of the new Magical Express Tour which is running in conjunction with the Christmas by the Sea event taking place on the Tower Headland, Balloon 723 has received an all new vinyl wrap which certainly marks a big change for the tram!

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NET strike confirmed for Tuesday 23rd November despite continued talks

Posted on Saturday 20 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

There will be more disruption for travellers on Nottingham Express Transit on Tuesday 23rd November after it was confirmed the planned strike by members of the GMB Union will be taking place, despite recent talks between the two sides which led to a revised pay offer.

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Around the World in Trams: Melbourne 939 “Cuthberts”

Posted on Saturday 20 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

The Ballarat Tramway Museum is again the location for the “Around the World in Trams” today.

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New TFI 90 Minute fare to make seamless travel across Dublin easier

Posted on Saturday 20 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

Starting from Sunday 28th November it will be easier to seamlessly travel across Dublin with the introduction of a new TFI 90 minute fare which will allow passengers free transfer between Dublin Bus, Luas and most DART, commuter rail and Go-Ahead Ireland services in the city within 90 minutes of touch-in. And for a promotional period (up until the end of March 2022) it will cost adults and students just 2.30 euros for this new fare – available when using the TFI Leap card.

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Replacement bus to run in lieu of Llandudno & Colwyn Bay 7 at 2021 Christmas Parade!

Posted on Friday 19 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

Over the past 18 months we have seen many things delayed as a result of the Covid pandemic and that has not only included some of the larger heritage tram organisations we often feature on these pages but also some of the smaller groups – such as the Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Tramway Society. Having lost significant time and fundraising opportunities replica tram no. 7 will not be able to attend one of its higher profile events at the Llandudno Christmas Parade this year (with the event having been cancelled in 2020 this will be the first time it has happened since 2019) but to still give the Society some publicity on the day they have arranged for a replacement bus to feature instead!

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In Pictures: Sheffield 460 at South Yorkshire Transport Museum

Posted on Friday 19 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

This article has been updated since original publication of 21st November 2021.

While we often feature Sheffield trams – old and new – there is one surviving tram which has very little mention – Sheffield 460. It may not be a complete tram but the lower saloon of this former double decker has been cosmetically restored and can now be found at the South Yorkshire Transport Museum in Rotherham where it is used to hold a display on the city’s trams.

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