Tram-trains to debut in passenger service this month!

Posted on Thursday 7 September 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Its the news that fans of UK light rail have been waiting for – Britain’s first tram-trains are set to make their debut in passenger-carrying service on the Sheffield Supertram network on Sunday 17th September! The units will be operating a special extra service on the blue and yellow routes on this day, with all proceeds raised from their operation being donated to charity, giving further good reason to go along and sample them for the first time.

Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on Tram-trains to debut in passenger service this month!

In Pictures: A detailed look at Supertram 111

Posted on Thursday 7 September 2017 by Gareth Prior

We reported earlier this week that Stagecoach Supertram Siemens Duewag 111 had undergone a makeover courtesy of IKEA to celebrate the imminent opening of a new superstore from the Swedish company at Carbrook tramstop. As well as enjoying an external vinyl wrap livery the tram has also undergone quite an interior transformation as these photos from Stuart Cooke illustrate.

Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on In Pictures: A detailed look at Supertram 111

In Pictures: 270 receives its C R Smith vinyls

Posted on Thursday 7 September 2017 by Gareth Prior

The C R Smith advert vinyls are continuing to be applied to trams in Edinburgh with the latest to be so adorned being 270. The theme of this tram is from Fraserburgh to Finnieston with two very different types of crane being used to illustrated the graphics!

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on In Pictures: 270 receives its C R Smith vinyls

Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloons 700 & 706

Posted on Thursday 7 September 2017 by Gareth Prior

We have two celebrity Balloon Cars for today’s Picture in Time image as we head back to 2004 for a view of 700 and 706.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloons 700 & 706

In Pictures: Supertram 111 gets an Ikea makeover

Posted on Tuesday 5 September 2017 by Gareth Prior

With a new Ikea superstore due to open close to the Stagecoach Supertram stop at Carbook on 28th September one of the Siemens Duewag trams has received a complete makeover – both inside and out! The tram in question is 111 which has now lost its long term vinyls advertising East Midlands Trains for a new light blue wrap.

Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on In Pictures: Supertram 111 gets an Ikea makeover

Picture in Time: Great Orme Tramway 5 & 4

Posted on Tuesday 5 September 2017 by Gareth Prior

We are heading up the Great Orme in Llandudno for this edition of Picture in Time as we take a look at the two trams which have operated the lower section of the route ever since it opened in July 1902.

Continue reading →

Posted in Great Orme Tramway | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Great Orme Tramway 5 & 4

Edinburgh Trams extension agreed “in principle”

Posted on Monday 4 September 2017 by Gareth Prior

Trams could be running to Leith and Newhaven in 2022 following an agreement “in principle” by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Transport and Environment Committee. Meeting on Monday 4th September some concerns were expressed over the plans and the expected disruption along Leith Walk but despite these the plan was voted through. However, this is not the final go-ahead with this not coming until 2018, by which time it is hoped that the Inquiry into phase one will have released a report to allow lessons to be learned for the extension.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 1 Comment

Tramlink drivers threaten industrial action

Posted on Monday 4 September 2017 by Gareth Prior

Strikes could be on the way for London Tramlink with drivers reportedly considering the action because of the proposed introduction of new devices into the cabs which are hoped to detect if a driver has fallen asleep. Members of the Aslef union are to be balloted with anger being expressed as drivers have not been consulted on the new devices.

Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams | Comments Off on Tramlink drivers threaten industrial action

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 3 September 2017 by Gareth Prior

This week we bring you another couple of Photo Galleries:

Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village, South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on This week on British Trams Online

Picture in Time: Midland Metro 03

Posted on Saturday 2 September 2017 by Gareth Prior

In this edition of Picture in Time we are back in the West Midlands for an image from Midland Metro of T69 03.

Continue reading →

Posted in Picture in Time, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Midland Metro 03

Edgbaston Midland Metro extension gets full government go-ahead

Posted on Friday 1 September 2017 by Gareth Prior

The Department for Transport have confirmed their full support for the further extension of Midland Metro through Birmingham City Centre to Edgbaston. The government have pledged £59.8 million towards the project which combined with the £84 million already secured will fully fund the line.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Special trams to Pedal for Scotland

Posted on Friday 1 September 2017 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams will be running bike only trams for special ticket holders attending the Pedal for Scotland event at the Royal Highland Centre. A pre-purchased “Tram Transport” wristband will allow cyclists to get to the centre of the event with special morning non-stop trams running between Haymarket and Ingliston Park and Ride.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 1 Comment

Manchester Metrolink Engineering Works: Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd September

Posted on Friday 1 September 2017 by Gareth Prior

Engineering Works on Manchester Metrolink will see a change to services on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd September with the Bury line affected both days and the Eccles line on the Saturday only. Part of the work taking place over the weekend will be at Crumpsall in connection with the upgrade works to allow services to turn here.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Manchester Metrolink Engineering Works: Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd September

Balloon 721 to be repainted

Posted on Thursday 31 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

There hasn’t been much news from the North Eastern Electrical Traction Trust (NEETT) and its collection of trams based at the North East Land, Sea & Air Museum near Sunderland for quite a while. However, that looks likely to change with the Trust announcing its intentions to treat Blackpool Balloon car 721 to a full repaint in a traditional livery, for which donations are now being sought.

Continue reading →

Posted in North Eastern Electrical Transport Trust | 3 Comments

In Pictures: Tram-Train works continue in Rotherham

Posted on Thursday 31 August 2017 by Gareth Prior

The continued slow progress for the Tram-Train pilot in South Yorkshire has seen further work take place at Rotherham in recent weeks, including railway closures to allow for further construction to take place. In this pictorial update from Glyn Hill we take a look at the current state of play around Rotherham.

Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 8 Comments

Picture in Time: Blackpool Jubilee 762

Posted on Thursday 31 August 2017 by Gareth Prior

Off to Blackpool again for this instalment of Picture in Time. This time around it is Jubilee Car 762 which interests us which a couple of photos dating from 2004 included.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Blackpool Jubilee 762

In Pictures: More trams get C R Smith vinyls

Posted on Wednesday 30 August 2017 by Gareth Prior

The continued spread of advertising vinyls for C R Smithin Edinburgh has seen 260, 263 and 272 all debut in service recently with their new look. As part of the two year deal, 18 trams will be so adorned with each tram enjoying a unique design – so far five trams are known to have received adverts.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on In Pictures: More trams get C R Smith vinyls

In Pictures: get me there vinyls added to some M5000s

Posted on Wednesday 30 August 2017 by Gareth Prior

Get me there – Manchester’s own public transport smart card – has recently been expanded to allow passengers to travel across Greater Manchester’s Metrolink and bus network and to celebrate the fact a number of trams are carrying vinyls for the smartcard. Photos by Dave Elison.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on In Pictures: get me there vinyls added to some M5000s

Busiest ever month for Edinburgh Trams

Posted on Wednesday 30 August 2017 by Gareth Prior

Over half a million passengers took a ride on Edinburgh Trams during August – the busiest ever month the line has enjoyed since opening to the public at the end of May 2014. Largely driven by the ever popular Edinburgh Festivals the increased passengers carried led to over £1 million in revenue.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on Busiest ever month for Edinburgh Trams

713 and the faceless woman!

Posted on Wednesday 30 August 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Balloon car 713 has seen occasional use in the last few years, as the only operational tram in the fleet left with an all-over advert. The livery in question, for the Houndshill shopping centre in Blackpool town centre, was applied in 2011 when 713 first emerged with widened centre entrances and other modifications for use on the upgraded tramway in a supplementary role.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | Comments Off on 713 and the faceless woman!