Trams in Video: Prague – Stejskalova “Californien” crossings

Posted on Sunday 27 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

Its time to head to Prague once more for today’s “Trams in Video”. This time out we are at Stejskalova where we see a temporary crossover in action to allow normal services to run during some bridge replacement work. The temporary crossover installed and seen in this footage is known as a “Californien” crossing in Prague or “Kletterwichen” (climbing turnout) – something which could prove useful in the UK but has yet to be used during trackworks on any of our modern tram systems.

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More overhead line problems on West Midlands Metro

Posted on Sunday 27 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

This article has been updated since original publication.

Sometimes in an uncertain world its nice to have some things which remain constant, although we think in this case the fact that there has been another “wires down” incident on the West Midlands Metro doesn’t quite fit into that category. Yes, that’s right the West Midlands Metro is again running a revised service after an overhead line fault was discovered at the start of service on Saturday 26th June.

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Lockdown Walks: Manchester Metrolink 3070

Posted on Sunday 27 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

Off to Manchester we go again for this edition of “Lockdown Walks”.

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NET memorabilia donated to Crich Tramway Village

Posted on Sunday 27 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

For obvious reasons a lot of the collection at the Crich Tramway Village relates to first generation tramways but to help fill a gap in the collection Nottingham Express Transit have recently donated signage with a view to a new display on the history of trams in Nottingham being created at the museum.

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Manx Electric Railway and Snaefell Mountain Railway announce summer operating dates

Posted on Saturday 26 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

Whilst the Manx Electric Railway and Snaefell Mountain Railway have been running since May we had only known operating dates up until July but that has now changed with confirmation of the plans up until mid-September being recently released. This will see services running five days a week and also includes an evening service on the MER with a nice round-trip available from Derby Castle to Ramsey at 2055 (arriving back in Douglas at 2340).

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 26th June 2021

Posted on Saturday 26 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

This week it is into the recent archives again with Nottingham Express Transit the latest location:

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Around the World in Trams: San Francisco 1062

Posted on Saturday 26 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

In this edition of “Around the World in Trams” we see another of the San Francisco PCCs in action on the F-line streetcar service.

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More details announced of Metrolink closures this summer

Posted on Saturday 26 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

As was mentioned in the recent article on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Transport Committee report this summer will see a number of closures on the Metrolink network to allow for maintenance works to take place. Starting off at the start of July on the Rochdale line more major works will also be taking place on the Eccles line, at Victoria and through Manchester City Centre as well.

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Lockdown Walks: Stagecoach Supertram 123

Posted on Saturday 26 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

We have another edition of “Lockdown Walks” for you today as we head off towards Meadowhall for another view of Stagecoach Supertram.

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English Light Rail journeys for 2020/21 see dramatic fall

Posted on Friday 25 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

In possibly not the most shocking news of the year the latest light rail data released for the Department for Transport has shown a drastic fall in passenger journeys with an overall decrease of 69% ranging from 57.4% on London Tramlink to 81.8% on Nottingham Express Transit.

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Evening operation on the Volk’s Electric Railway this summer

Posted on Friday 25 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

In normal circumstances come 1830 (at the latest) the trains on the Volk’s Electric Railway will all be tucked up in the depot after a hard day running along Brighton seafront, potentially missing out on increased revenue from holidaymakers wanting some evening entertainment. But in recent years the volunteers of the Volk’s Electric Railway Association have stepped in to operate an evening service – and 2021 will be no different with four dates now announced for this running.

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NET Event Ticket available for travel to COVID vaccinations

Posted on Friday 25 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

The NET Event Ticket – which gives discounted return travel for £2.50 – is to be made available for anyone travelling to get their COVID-19 vaccination at either The Forest Recreation Ground or Queen’s Medical Centre over the weekend of 26th and 27th June. Usually only available in conjunction with events at the Royal Centre or other locations around the city this one weekend only offer is in place to help those travelling for vaccinations to easily get there.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 703

Posted on Friday 25 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

This latest edition of “Picture in Time” is in Blackpool as we go back over 25 years to view one of the iconic Balloon cars.

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In Pictures: West Midlands Metro 41 the latest new tram to arrive

Posted on Thursday 24 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

Wednesday 23rd June 2021 saw the fourth of the new batch of trams for West Midlands Metro arrive at Wednesbury Depot. 41 was delivered to the depot having made the now familiar journey from Spain to the UK, landing in Bristol before it was transferred by road to the West Midlands.

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In Pictures: Another update from Wilko’s

Posted on Thursday 24 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

The former Wilko’s site in Talbot Road, Blackpool remains a hive of activity as preparations continue for what we’re all waiting for – the laying of track to the all new tramway terminus which its hoped will first see passengers in 2022. In this latest pictorial update we take a look to see what has been happening during the week of 21st June – and you can see some of the progress which has been made.

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Stop by Stop Nottingham Express Transit: Toton Lane line – Cator Lane

Posted on Thursday 24 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

We return to our journey along the Toton Lane line of Nottingham Express Transit and reach the stop at Cator Lane for this edition of “Stop by Stop”.

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In Pictures: More B fleet usage in Blackpool

Posted on Wednesday 23 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

It appears that the future for Blackpool Transport’s B fleet Balloons may be a bit brighter as after last weekend’s usage of three of the sub-class they were back out again over the weekend of Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th June. Once again they were running top deck closed as they only had one conductor assigned but it is still a positive step for these trams which have rarely been used for their intended purpose.

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In Pictures: Supertram’s Citylink 399 205 back in service

Posted on Wednesday 23 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

As we’ve mentioned a few times before during the pandemic, with reduced frequency services being operated on many tramways in the UK there have been some trams which haven’t been seen in service for some time. This has seemed particularly prevalent on Stagecoach Supertram and included Citylink Tram-Train 399 205 which had been out of service for at least four months – that was until Thursday 17th June!

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Still Standing! Manhole cover in Atherton

Posted on Wednesday 23 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

After 78 editions we come to the end (for now?) of our “Still Standing” series as we take a look at old tramway infrastructure still in situ, even if it was being used for something very different to its original purpose. Throughout this series  we have featured buildings, track, poles, rosettes and even section boxes nowhere near a tramway route but this is a first – it’s a manhole cover! Located in Atherton, Greater Manchester the history of its ownership can clearly be seen.

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In Pictures: Blackpool Standard 40 returns to service at Crich

Posted on Tuesday 22 June 2021 by Gareth Prior

It has been another busy week in the Workshops at Crich with another tram being commissioned for passenger service as progress continues on the ongoing restoration projects. Blackpool Standard 40 is the tram which has now re-entered service while London County Council 1 and Newcastle 102 have seen progress on their respective restorations. This pictorial article not only sees updates on these three but also a few other trams running at Crich recently.

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