Council to look at trams for Bath once again

Posted on Sunday 2 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

Bath and North East Somerset Council have revealed that they are planning to conduct a feasibility study into whether a tram system could help to solve some of the traffic congestion problems being experienced in the historic city. The idea of returning trams to Bath is nothing new with discussions seeming to have gone on for well over 10 years but this latest development apparently comes in response to public enthusiasm.

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Tram shortages causes Purple route amendments

Posted on Sunday 2 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

The poor old Purple route on Stagecoach Supertram. Every time there are temporary tram shortages it becomes the sacrificial lamb and is either completely suspended or runs an amended service. And that it exactly what has happened this week with trams only running at the start and end of the days.

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Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 2 Comments

Excellent progress being made on Bilston Road

Posted on Sunday 2 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

As previously reported on these very pages work to replace the track along Bilston Road commenced on Sunday 11th June with Midland Metro services curtailed at Priestfield. With the six month project now underway the Midland Metro Alliance have given a brief update on the “excellent” progress being made so far.

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Try a tram days a success

Posted on Sunday 2 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

Stagecoach Supertram and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) have run six session special “Try a Tram” sessions on board the new Citylink trams set to enter service on the current Supertram network from late summer. More than 100 vulnerable passengers were invited to the sessions with staff on hand at Meadowhall Interchange for informative and fun learning sessions.

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Picture in Time: Stagecoach Supertram 107

Posted on Saturday 1 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

This edition of Picture in Time is in Sheffield for an image taken on the Stagecoach Supertram system back in 2005.

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TfGM seek views on Metrolink fare rises

Posted on Friday 30 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

It’s a subject which isn’t exactly going to get regular travellers on Manchester Metrolink jumping up and down with joy but fares on the network are set to rise from January 2018 – although by how much hasn’t been decided yet. A consultation has just been launched asking for passengers views on how the increases will be applied.

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Not much new for trams and light rail in Mayor’s Transport Strategy

Posted on Friday 30 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

The latest version of the Mayor of London’s draft Transport Strategy has recently been released into the public domain and despite a hefty document there isn’t a huge amount new to report for trams and light rail. Of course currently London has just the one tram network (London Tramlink) and one light rail systems (Docklands Light Railway) and although there are plans to extend both this is nothing which hasn’t been reported before, and just because its in the strategy doesn’t mean it will happen as it all comes down to the f word as usual – funding.

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Posted in Docklands Light Railway, London Trams | 1 Comment

Record passengers carried on UK tramways once again

Posted on Thursday 29 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

It’s been a day of statistics with the Department for Transport releasing their annual light rail and tram statistic for 2016/17. The figures have shown the now inevitable increase in passenger numbers with all tramways in England enjoying increased passenger numbers although the Tyne and Wear Metro – included in the stats as a light rail system – has seen a significant decrease. In total 267.7 million passenger journeys were made in England – this is an increase of 6.2%.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Docklands Light Railway, Edinburgh Trams, London Trams, Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit, South Yorkshire Supertram, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Record passengers carried on UK tramways once again

Edinburgh Trams make profit ahead of schedule

Posted on Thursday 29 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

Further evidence, if any was needed, of the success of Edinburgh Trams has been released with news that the trams are making an operating profit – two years ahead of the (admittedly revised) schedule.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Coronation 663

Posted on Thursday 29 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

Sometimes there are trams which often seem to encourage people to take photos and they keep cropping up in this series and one such tram is Blackpool Coronation 663.

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A Fleetwood fest for tram enthusiasts!

Posted on Thursday 29 June 2017 by Andrew Waddington

In recent years the annual Fleetwood Festival of Transport – more commonly known as Tram Sunday to many people – has regained something of its reputation as an important date in the tram enthusiasts’ calendar. Aside from the festival itself, the rejuvenated heritage tram operation has seen this event boast an extensive heritage output, and this year looks like it could well be the best yet!

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In Pictures: Aberdeen Horse Tram 1 on the move

Posted on Wednesday 28 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

One of the most northerly trams to exist in the British Isles has recently been on the move on a temporary basis. The tram in question is Aberdeen Horse Tram no. 1 which made the trip between its usual home at the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford to the Aberdeen Science Centre, where it is to be on public display until October.

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Luas Cross City line starts testing

Posted on Wednesday 28 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

Saturday 17th June was a key milestone in Luas Cross City line project with the initial gauging runs taking place ahead of the line’s opening planned for the end of 2017. Two of the system’s Citadis 401 trams had been specially selected to undertake these first runs – with the city centre section of the line the first to see tram movements shortly after 0300 on 17th June.

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Posted in Dublin Luas | 3 Comments

Another collision on Supertram

Posted on Wednesday 28 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

Saturday 24th June saw another low speed collision on Stagecoach Supertram with trams 110 and 116 coming together at Hillsborough Corner at approximately 1630. Damage to the trams only seemed to be minor and no injuries were reported that there was disruption to the Blue and Yellow routes as a result.

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Heaton Park get set for a Tramtastic day

Posted on Wednesday 28 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

The latest special event to take place at the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester will be a Tramtastic Day Out on Sunday 2nd July with an intensive tram service the main feature of the day.

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Picture in Time: Snaefell Mountain Railway 5

Posted on Tuesday 27 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

In this instalment of Picture of Time we are featuring the Snaefell Mountain Railway with a view of one of the six vehicles which has carried passengers up to the summit over the years although today it features new bodywork.

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Posted in Picture in Time, Snaefell Mountain Railway | 1 Comment

Totally Models is a total triumph!

Posted on Tuesday 27 June 2017 by Andrew Waddington

A few years after the last ‘Totally Transport’ event held on Blackpool’s New South Promenade, a brand new event was launched to take its place in late June 2017. ‘Totally Models’ was created to add to the existing June gold heritage tram operating weekend, and the first ever event was a huge success with crowds of visitors flocking to enjoy a fantastic model exhibition, as well as heritage tram tours, of course!

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Crich depot fund update

Posted on Monday 26 June 2017 by Andrew Waddington

It has been a while since any updates were given on the project to upgrade the main tram depots at Crich Tramway Village, home of the National Tramway Museum – but that doesn’t mean that nothing has been happening! In fact, behind the scenes a lot of planning has been going on, whilst the appeal for donations to boost the money already raised by grant funding has now reached a very credible £20,000.

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Picture in Time: Croydon Tramlink 2542

Posted on Saturday 24 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

Heading back to 2000 today for Picture in Time as we feature one of several Bombardier CR4000 trams on Croydon (now London) Tramlink to have featured an advertising livery.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 700

Posted on Thursday 22 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

In this edition of Picture in Time we are back in Blackpool as we take a look at the original Balloon Car – 700.

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