In Pictures: M5000s 3122 & 3123 out on mileage accumulation

Posted on Monday 26 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

A few days ago we brought you pictures as the first of the new batch of M5000s for Manchester Metrolink was used in service for the first time since Christmas and now the next two are on the road to being introduced with both 3122 and 3123 undergoing mileage accumulation on the Bury line. The two operated as a coupled double unit for runs from Queens Road Depot on the Bury line on Friday 23rd April are our intrepid photographer was out and about again to capture these images.

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All change at Rossall School as Trailer 687 now selected for the move

Posted on Monday 26 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

They say a week is a long time in politics and so it seems a couple of weeks is a long time in tram preservation! After reports came out that Rossall School were preparing to take on Blackpool Balloon 710 from the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust to cosmetically restore it and display within the school grounds it would now appear that there has been a change of mind and Twin Trailer 687 has been selected again. Maybe 710 failed the entrance exam to the independent school?!

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Posted in Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust | 9 Comments

Whatever Happened To? Crich Tramathon 2005 – Blackpool 167

Posted on Monday 26 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

Today “Whatever Happened To?” continues its look at those trams which operated during the Crich Tramway Village Tramathon on 12th June 2005 and this time we have reached Blackpool 167.

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Updated list of Heritage Tramways planned operation for 2021

Posted on Monday 26 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

This is the latest list of when you can enjoy a ride on a heritage tram across the British Isles in 2021. Updated up to and including Monday 26th April this list only includes those tramways which have announced an opening date for 2021 and is correct to the best of our knowledge. If you notice any errors or omissions please let us know and we will correct.

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Posted in Beamish Tramway, Blackpool Tramway, Crich Tramway Village, East Anglia Transport Museum, Heaton Park Tramway, Manx Electric Railway, Seaton Tramway, Snaefell Mountain Railway, Summerlee Museum Tramway, Volk's Electric Railway | 1 Comment

Trams in Video: Belgian Coastal Tramway 125th Anniversary Parade 2010

Posted on Sunday 25 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

2010 was a year of Parade’s as it wasn’t just the Blackpool Tramway celebrating their 125th anniversary as the Belgian Coastal Tramway also commemorated the same birthday. Included in this video is not only the Belgian Coastal Tramway but also the diesel tram to the Grottes de Han and the Vicinal Discovery Centre in Thuin.

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Archaeological investigations continue in Edinburgh

Posted on Sunday 25 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

While for many reading the website the most interesting thing about the Trams to Newhaven project will be what comes at the end ff it – i.e. an operating tram line in 2023! – there is also some interest to be found during the initial construction phase, especially with the continued archaeological investigations. As part of these works forensic artists have started to reconstruct the faces of remains uncovered to give an insight into what life was like in Leith and Edinburgh up to 700 years ago.

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Lockdown Walks: Stagecoach Supertram 104

Posted on Sunday 25 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

This latest “Lockdown Walks” is on the way to Hillsborough in Sheffield with another view of a tram running on the Supertram network during the latest period of lockdown.

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Ticket Inspectors return to Edinburgh Trams ahead of Scottish Covid restrictions easing

Posted on Sunday 25 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

Monday 26th April is the next key date for the easing of Covid restrictions in Scotland (Scotland is on a different roadmap out of restrictions to England) and although there will be a bit more freedom at the current time there will be no increase in services on Edinburgh Trams. One change on board the trams, however, is the return of Ticket Inspectors.

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In Pictures: Sleeper replacement work underway at the Heaton Park Tramway

Posted on Saturday 24 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

The Heaton Park Tramway may still be closed to the public but that doesn’t mean that the dedicated volunteers aren’t busy – far from it! Several different jobs are being undertaken at the moment and in this article we feature some vital sleeper replacement work on the section of track between old Lakeside and Whitegate.

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 24th April 2021

Posted on Saturday 24 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

This week’s main site update has been uploaded and includes another two photo collections – from the archive and more recently.

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Around the World in Trams: Freiburg 259

Posted on Saturday 24 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

We head to Freiburg in Germany one last time in this edition of “Around the World in Trams”.

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Lockdown Walks: Edinburgh Trams 255

Posted on Saturday 24 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

In this latest instalment of “Lockdown Walks” we take another look at the Edinburgh Trams system.

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Track works confirmed for Nottingham Express Transit from 29th April

Posted on Friday 23 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit services between Nottingham Station and Old Market Square won’t run between 29th April and 10th May to allow for rail replacement works close to the Lace Market stop in the city centre during this period. A revised tram service will run either side of the closure with a replacement bus service bridging the gap between the two.

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In Pictures: Another update from Wilko’s

Posted on Friday 23 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

After a period when it was difficult to see the progress being made on the future site of the Blackpool North Railway Station extension terminus the past few weeks have again shown tangible change. In this latest update we see the former site of the Wilko’s store – now long gone – where the bulk of the rubble has now been removed and a start has been made on flattening the surface in preparation for actual construction work. Tony Armitage provides us with the latest images.

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Picture in Time: Bradford 104

Posted on Friday 23 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

Over the next few weeks our traditional tram edition of “Picture in Time” won’t have a specific theme but will be looking at some of those trams which don’t really fit into any one location but still warrant inclusion! First up is Bradford 104 on the move.

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Appeal launched to restore Laxey Goods Shed

Posted on Thursday 22 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

Volunteers from the Manx Electric Railway and Great Laxey Mine Railway have launched an appeal to help restore the historic Manx Electric Railway Laxey Goods Shed – which has been the base of the volunteers for a number of high quality restorations of MER rolling stock in recent years.

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Posted in Manx Electric Railway | 2 Comments

West Midlands Metro and Seaton Tramway back government Kick Start scheme

Posted on Thursday 22 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

Young unemployed people are being given the opportunity to get their first steps on the job ladder thanks to the government’s Kickstart scheme – and both the Seaton Tramway and West Midlands Metro are backing the scheme which is aimed at 16-24 year olds on Universal Credit.

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Stop by Stop Nottingham Express Transit: Toton Lane line – NG2

Posted on Thursday 22 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

As we continue our journey on Nottingham Express Transit’s line to Toton Lane we reach what is possibly the stop with the shortest name on a UK tramway – NG2.

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Manx Electric Railway and Snaefell Mountain Railway announce the start of a new season

Posted on Wednesday 21 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

For anyone on the Isle of Man who has been missing their fix of the Isle of Man Transport run heritage railways and tramways the news they have been waiting for is in – services will resume on the Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway and Isle of Man Steam Railway in May!

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In Pictures: Construction works continue at Newhaven

Posted on Wednesday 21 April 2021 by Gareth Prior

In this latest pictorial look at progress on the construction of the Trams to Newhaven project in Edinburgh we head to the end of the line at the aforementioned Newhaven where more work is taking place. Roy Calderwood took the trip.

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