Around the World in Trams: San Diego 1001

Posted on Saturday 17 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Before we return to Europe from our brief stay in the United States of America during 2006 we move on for a very quick look at the streetcar system in San Diego.

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Official Tyne and Wear Metro merchandise available now!

Posted on Saturday 17 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Have you ever wanted a Tyne and Wear Metro tea towel or even a branded face mask? Well, if you have now is your chance as Nexus have just launched an online shop for various items of merchandise – all available for under £10!

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Lockdown Walks: Stagecoach Supertram 399 207

Posted on Saturday 17 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

We head back to Sheffield for another “Lockdown Walk” with a view taken of one of the Citylink tram-trains which is able to run on the conventional tram network.

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Introducing the Mini Manx Heritage Transport Festival!

Posted on Friday 16 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

The past 18 months have been a case of restrictions introduced, events cancelled or severely scaled back so its always nice to bring some positive news as Isle of Man Transport have confirmed that a three day Mini Manx Heritage Transport Festival will be taking place. Running from 30th July to 1st August the Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway, Douglas Bay Horse Tramway and Isle of Man Steam Railway will all be taking part to celebrate the heritage transport on the island!

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£56 million more committed by government to support English light rail

Posted on Friday 16 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

The Department for Transport have announced a further £56 million worth of funding for tram and light rail systems in England (outside of London) to help the operators continue to operate services as restrictions start to be eased across the country. The funding will be from 20th July 2021 until April 2022 (the longest period of funding announced so far).

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In Pictures: Wolverhampton City Centre extension

Posted on Friday 16 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

One of two extensions of the West Midlands Metro which are expected to open in the near future, the line to Wolverhampton Railway Station still has some work to be completed but after the opening of the second phase of the railway station redevelopment last month the Midland Metro Alliance are back along the route to make progress to trams able to run this way. Ken Jones recently took a trip into Wolverhampton and this pictorial article shows some of the sights of the extension.

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Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink 1004

Posted on Friday 16 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

We move forward a little in time for this week’s modern tram edition of “Picture in Time” as it’s the first day of passenger services across Manchester City Centre.

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Lockdown Walks: West Midlands Metro 18

Posted on Friday 16 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Its time for another “Lockdown Walk” with the West Midlands Metro the location again.

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In Pictures: More tram tracks unearthed in Southend

Posted on Thursday 15 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

We were last on the streets of Southend-on-Sea back in October 2020 when we saw some unearthed tram tracks and now we return there as more has now been discovered during further works in the town.

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In Pictures: Overhead update in Blackpool

Posted on Thursday 15 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

We have now entered the second of four weeks which were originally scheduled for the installation of overhead wires along the route of the tramway extension along Talbot Road in Blackpool and the progress being made continues to be at the Prom end of the line as we see in these latest images from Tony Armitage.

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Legal COVID restrictions set to change from 19th July

Posted on Thursday 15 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

You will probably have heard in the news that Monday 19th July has been dubbed “freedom day” (even though its not really) and most legal restrictions introduced earlier in the pandemic. Although legally things such as the wearing of face masks in enclosed areas will be removed the government advice remains firmly that they should be worn and this includes when travelling on public transport. Some public transport operators and museums/heritage lines have also gone a step further by keeping this requirement mandatory. In this summary article we take a look at what various tramways and museums/heritage lines have said about the situation from 19th July.

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Lockdown Walks: Stagecoach Supertram 123 & 109

Posted on Thursday 15 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

In this edition of “Lockdown Walks” we are back into Sheffield for a view taken at Hillsborough.

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Update on Bradford Cabmen’s Shelter

Posted on Wednesday 14 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Last December the latest restoration for the Crich Tramway Village arrived back at the museum but this wasn’t a tram but the historic Bradford Cabmen’s Shelter which had been away in Bristol undergoing a major restoration back to a near original condition. Since it came back little work has been possible because of the ongoing Covid situation but at the start of July this changed with it being moved onto a new proper base at Wakebridge.

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In Pictures: Trams &…. Bears?!

Posted on Wednesday 14 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

If you go down to Sheffield today you’re be in for a surprise! Following in the traditions of other cities who have had sculpture trails, there are 100 little bears and 60 big bears scattered around Sheffield to find and its all in aid of The Children’s Hospital Charity with the aim of funding a new Cancer and Leukaemia Ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. And with 160 to find in the trail there are also opportunities to capture photos of the special bears alongside trams!

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New Metro fleet to be showcased at Light Rail Conference

Posted on Wednesday 14 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

The fifteenth UK Light Rail Conference, which took place in mid-July in Gateshead, provided the ideal opportunity for Nexus to showcase its Metro Futures project including the introduction of a complete new fleet of trains being built by Stadler.

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Lockdown Walks: West Midlands Metro 35

Posted on Wednesday 14 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Today’s “Lockdown Walks” is off to central England again as we take a look at the West Midlands Metro.

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In Picture: Burton & Ashby 14 in action at the Statfold Barn Railway

Posted on Tuesday 13 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

The Statfold Barn Railway may be more well known for their extensive collection of steam locomotives, but it is also home to one tram – Burton & Ashby 14. Usually operating on special event days at the railway the tram has its own dedicated line and although there is no overhead – it runs on batteries – it is the newest heritage tramway in the UK. The latest period of operation was over the weekend of 10th and 11th July with an Enthusiast Weekend taking place to celebrate the 150th (plus one!) anniversary of the Quarry Hunslet. Unfortunately, limited volunteer availability meant it was only able to run for an hour in the morning of 10th July but David Mee managed to capture some images of the tram nonetheless.

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Another new advert on Metrolink

Posted on Tuesday 13 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink M5000 3075 is the latest tram on the network to receive an advertising livery. The tram was first noted in early July carrying a vinyl wrap for The Trafford Centre with the slogan “Summer Social”.

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In Pictures: More span wires in Blackpool

Posted on Tuesday 13 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

The very slow and steady pace of the overhead installation in Blackpool is continuing for the Blackpool North Railway Station extension. To recap the overhead installation recommenced on Monday 5th July and is taking place overnight to minimise disruption. So far, attention has been concentrated at the Talbot Square end of the extension with span wires being installed ahead of the main overhead going up. In this update we also take another look at the old Wilko’s site where the first sections of track have been laid in preparation for trams to start running.

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Lockdown Walks: Stagecoach Supertram 399 202

Posted on Tuesday 13 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Another trip off in South Yorkshire for this latest instalment of “Lockdown Walks” with a view taken on the Tram-Train line.

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