Full details announced for Tram Day

Posted on Monday 5 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

One of the most anticipated events at Crich this year, Tram Day, takes place on Saturday 10th September and following the announcement last month that Oporto C65 would be on display during the day full details have now been released including the tram allocations and photographic opportunities on offer.

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Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 4 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 4 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Just the one Photo Gallery for you this week as we head back to the Isle of Man once again:

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Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Manx Electric Railway, Site News, Snaefell Mountain Railway | 1 Comment

Event Report: Isle of Man Heritage Transport Festival and preceding charters by the Isle of Man Fifty Group, 20th July – 1st August

Posted on Sunday 4 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

The Isle of Man is an heritage transport jewel in the middle of the Irish sea. On an island barely 38 miles long and 13 miles wide you can experience three different steam railways, vintage bus, commercial vehicle, car and of course motorbikes, plus three wonderful and very different tramway’s. These tramway’s comprise a seventeen mile long electric tramway with interurban, country and coastal sections; a five mile long mountain tramway and the worlds last regularly operated Horse Tramway along the impressive Douglas waterfront.

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Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Event Reviews, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway | 1 Comment

Another busy Bank Holiday for Blackpool’s heritage trams

Posted on Friday 2 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The August Bank Holiday weekend saw the latest period of intensive operation for Blackpool’s heritage tram tours which was largely blessed with fine weather. This slightly belated report summarises the events of the long weekend, including which trams ran on each day, starting with the now established Friday evening ‘warm-up’ event.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 10 Comments

Heaton Park Tramway suspend a Saturday service

Posted on Friday 2 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The Heaton Park Tramway have stated that the planned Saturday service will not operate on 3rd September. However, the trams will be running on Sunday 4th September with a three-car service expected to coincide with the annual Trans Lanc Rally taking place in the grounds of the Manchester park.

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Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 19 Comments

Picture in Time: Blackpool Brush 632

Posted on Wednesday 31 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

We are off to Blackpool in 1973 for today’s Picture in Time as we take a look at Blackpool Brush Railcoach 632.

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New Midland Metro DVD out now

Posted on Tuesday 30 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

The latest DVD from Bob Hodges Transport DVDs is out now and features 75 minutes of action from Midland Metro, including the latest city centre extensions. As usual there is no commentary to get in the way of the sounds of the trams and surroundings with footage filmed between 2011 and 2016. A sneak peek of what to expect from the DVD is available on YouTube and you can an order a copy of the DVD directly from Bob Hodges Transport DVDs.

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In Pictures: T69 16’s name lives on…

Posted on Tuesday 30 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

The one remaining T69 at Wednesbury Depot is the last to have run in service – 16. 16 was named Gerwyn John in November 2005 but as with all withdrawn T69s it soon had its nameplates removed but it has never been worked out just where the plates went. Well one of the plates from 16 has now resurfaced – being used as part of a headboard at the Severn Valley Railway!

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Tuesday 30 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

It may be Tuesday but that doesn’t mean we have forgotten about this week’s main site update as it is now online and includes three more Photo Galleries:

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink, Manx Electric Railway, Site News, Snaefell Mountain Railway, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on This week on British Trams Online

Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink 1001

Posted on Monday 29 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

29th August marks the 25th Anniversary of the arrival into the UK of the first of a new generation of trams with Manchester Metrolink’s T68 1001 being delivered on this date in 1991. To mark the occasion our latest edition of Picture in Time heads back to Manchester for some images showing the tram during its operation career in Manchester.

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In Pictures: St Peter’s Square reopens after 14 months

Posted on Monday 29 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

After 14 long months a full Manchester Metrolink service is once again running through St Peter’s Square with the transformation works now having progressed sufficiently to allow passengers to board at the all new and expanded stop. The work is by no means complete as yet with finishing works still set to take place over the next few weeks but at least passengers will now be able to board a tram at this key stop on the network once again.

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Metrolink 3098 named Gracie Fields

Posted on Monday 29 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

Throughout their history the original T68 trams on Manchester Metrolink all (eventually) received a name even if this was just as a form of advertising. However since their introduction the M5000s have not been so lucky with only two having previously received names. However that has now changed with 3098 being named Gracie Fields to celebrate the Rochdale born superstar as part of celebrations being planned in September as a new statue is unveiled in her home town.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

Going, going, gone! Six horse trams sold – but what now?

Posted on Monday 29 August 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The much-discussed auction on Saturday 27th August on the Isle of Man, resulted in the sale of six long-withdrawn Douglas horse tramcars. The six raised a combined total of £9,200 – some would say a rather measly sum considering the historic merits of these vehicles, but one that is perhaps understandable bearing in mind the fairly short notice given for the auction. This sum also compares favourably with the selling price of various Blackpool cars offered for sale a few years ago.

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Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway | 10 Comments

Horse tram stables put up for sale

Posted on Friday 26 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

The historic Summer Hill stables, home to the trammers of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway since 1877, have been put up for sale by Douglas Borough Council. Although not an unexpected move it is still disappointing that such an historic building is considered suitable for selling as a development opportunity. Possibly the most shocking aspect of the sale is that the property will be available with vacant possession in early 2017 – hopefully this means that Isle of Man Railways have alternative arrangements already in hand to home the horses for their next two confirmed seasons of operation.

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Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway | 8 Comments

St Peter’s Square to reopen on Sunday 28th August

Posted on Friday 26 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

It has been confirmed – that subject to final testing and commissioning – a full tram service will resume through St Peter’s Square on Sunday 28th August bringing to an end a 14 month closure of the stop. Major rebuilding works have been taking place here with a relocated and enlarged stop having been constructed which will be used by passengers for the first time over the Bank Holiday weekend.

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Find out about destination blinds with Peter Watts

Posted on Friday 26 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

On 1st September destination blind guru Peter Watts will be presenting the monthly Fylde Tramway Society meeting at Wing’s Club, Victoria Road West, Cleveleys. Titled A Blind Approach: Blackpool tram blinds from 1960 Peter will be covering not only historical information on Blackpool tram blinds from 1960 onwards but there will also be a section on the replica Heritage blinds showing the conception, fabrication and end results. All are welcome.

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Oporto C65 and Bournemouth 85 set to change owners

Posted on Thursday 25 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

One of the most elusive trams of the national collection is set to enjoy a rare period in the limelight ahead of a change of ownership. Oporto C65 was acquired by the National Tramway Museum in 2005 but upon transfer from Portugal was immediately stored at Clay Cross and has not actually been seen in public since. However all that is now set to change with news that the tram is set to move to Beamish but not before it is one of the stars of Tram Day on Saturday 10th September.

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Posted in Beamish Tramway, Crich Tramway Village | 15 Comments

Picture in Time: Douglas Bay Horse Tramway 21

Posted on Wednesday 24 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

After a summer break Picture in Time is back! Continuing our current Douglas Bay Horse Tramway theme we head to the Isle of Man for this instalment as we feature one of the Toastracks still plying its trade along the Prom today, although it looks different from this photo taken in 1993.

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Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Picture in Time | 3 Comments

In Pictures: Chesterfield 7 back in service & Models on display at Crich

Posted on Tuesday 23 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

This latest pictorial update from Crich features two recent events. Over the weekend of 20th and 21st August there was a Models Weekend which saw a number of layouts on display in the Great Exhibition Hall. Meanwhile as we reported last week Chesterfield 7 has now returned to service following attention to its paintwork in the Workshop required after the removal of its Recruiting Tram decorations of last year. Photos from Hazel Quarmby.

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Book Review: ‘Bispham to Fleetwood – the Blackpool Tramway since 1960’

Posted on Monday 22 August 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The third and final installment of acclaimed tramway historian Brian Turner’s detailed review of the Blackpool system is finally here, covering the stretch north of Bispham right up to the northern terminus at Fleetwood Ferry. This section of tramway is shown in photographs examining the many changes that have gone on since 1960, in particular chartering the transition from traditional tramroad to modern light rail system.

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Posted in Reviews, Uncategorized | 1 Comment