Overhead problems caused major disruption for Midland Metro

Posted on Saturday 23 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

Midland Metro services have been disrupted this week following an overhead line problem in the West Bromwich area. Despite original reports suggesting that this was weather related Midland Metro have since said the problems were not caused by the heat. The problems started from 1730 on Tuesday 19th July with a full service not able to resume until Thursday 21st July once repairs had been fully completed.

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Tram derailed in collision with ambulance

Posted on Saturday 23 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

There were major delays for Nottingham Express Transit on Thursday 21st July following a collision between an ambulance and tram on Wilford Road which saw the tram suffer a minor derailment. Four people were treated for minor injuries, including the ambulance crew.

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In Pictures: Seaton Tramway July 2016

Posted on Saturday 23 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

The most southerly tramway in the UK also operates on the smallest gauge and is of course the Seaton Tramway in Devon. In this pictorial update we take a look at the tramway during July including a look behind the scenes at Riverside Depot where we see the latest progress in the conversion of 17 into an enclosed saloon tram. Photos from Keith Chadbourne.

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Can you help? Equipment required for Guernsey no. 3

Posted on Saturday 23 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

We have previously reported on the sole surviving tram from Guernsey which has remained stored on the island waiting for a brighter future. Well now we can report that there is a brighter future for no. 3 which will be restored to non-operational condition on Guernsey although before that can happen the volunteers in involved are looking for some equipment to complete the work.

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Edinburgh Trams Inquiry costs continue to soar

Posted on Saturday 23 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

The BBC have this week reported that the cost of the Public Inquiry into the Edinburgh Trams project has now gone beyond £3.7m. The Inquiry was called by the SNP led government to see what went wrong with the project for the final line to cost so much more and to be completed a lot later than planned but since being called for in 2014 the Inquiry has also, ironically, been taking a long time with spiralling costs.

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Man seriously injured after leg becomes trapped between tram and platform

Posted on Saturday 23 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

A man has suffered serious injuries after his leg became trapped between a tram and the platform at St Werburgh’s Road tramstop. A report in the Manchester Evening News states that the man was running for the last tram of the day in the early hours of Thursday 21st July when he became trapped with the tram then dragging him along the platform before coming to a stop. He was taken to hospital with serious leg injuries with Greater Manchester Police and Manchester Metrolink now investigating the incident.

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In Pictures: Rotherham Parkgate works progress

Posted on Saturday 23 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

Despite no further news coming out of Network Rail as to when they will be able to complete the work enabling the tram-train service to start construction works are continuing as these views taken on 19th July at Rotherham Parkgate show. Photos courtesy of Stuart Cooke.

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In Pictures: Metrolink Eccles line work

Posted on Saturday 23 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

No trams have been running on the Eccles line of Manchester Metrolink since the end of June to allow for the first major rail replacement work on this branch since it opened to the public. In this pictorial update from the camera of Keith Chadbourne we take a look at the scene on 6th July.

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Mobility scooters are go on Edinburgh Trams

Posted on Saturday 23 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

Mobility scooters are to be permanently allowed on Edinburgh Trams following the successful completion of a trial period. Class 2 mobility scooters will be allowed on board Edinburgh Trams from 1st August 2016 provided that the user has a valid permit. Holders of Scottish National Entitlement Card (SNEC) or Disabled Person’s Blue Badge parking permit can apply for the permit and a full assessment will be made of scooters before the permit can be issued.

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In Pictures: ‘B Fleet’ Balloons take over Tram Sunday!

Posted on Monday 18 July 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The Fleetwood Festival of Transport, more popularly known by many people as ‘Tram Sunday’, was held on Sunday 17th July and, as per last year, proved to be an excellent day for the heritage tram fleet. In fact, this was the climax of three days of interest on the Blackpool tramway – and unusually much of this centered around the modified ‘B Fleet’ Balloon cars, rather than the more traditional members of the fleet.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 17 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

Just the one Photo Gallery for you this week:

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In Pictures: Blackpool Brush 636 on its travels again

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

Earlier this week we talked about Blackpool trams ending up in unusual locations for unusual purposes and another tram which falls into that category is Blackpool Brush 636. The Brush Railcoach – which originally left Blackpool as long as ago as 2006 – has been on the move again with it finding its way to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway where it is believed further testing will take place.

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Another chance for a horse tram ride at Crich

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

There will be an unexpected chance to take a ride on Sheffield 15 at the Crich Tramway Village on Sunday 17th July as part of the Edwardian Event. Originally only due to be used on Friday 15th July the opportunity has now arisen for an extra Horse Tram Day in 2016 which has been gladly accepted by the event organisers! 15 will be in service between 1000 and 1300 and 1400 and 1600. There will also be at least five electric trams in service so if you haven’t got anything planned on Sunday yet why not pop along to Crich?

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Final NET Citadis receives a name

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

All 37 trams on Nottingham Express Transit now proudly carry names following the application of the name Dame Laura Knight to 216 in a special ceremony. Dame Laura was an acclaimed local artist and her childhood home now overlooks a tram stop.

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Midland Metro Alliance formally signed

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

A new partnership which will revolutionise the major expansion of future tram routes across the West Midlands has been formally launched. The Midland Metro Alliance establishes a team of planning, design and construction specialists building four new tram extensions on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

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NET Phase Two boosted local economy by over £100m

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

A major independent report has revealed that the construction project to expand Nottingham Express Transit boosted the local economy by more than £100m. The report also says that the project helped hundreds of local people to benefit from jobs and training.

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More cars find their way onto Metrolink tracks

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

It’s been a normal couple of weeks for Manchester Metrolink with the dreaded car v Metrolink rearing its ugly head once again. The standard cars driving onto tracks and cars colliding with trams incident have once again been taking place with a collision in Audenshaw whilst cars have driven onto the tracks at Piccadilly Undercroft and also at Victoria – the latter seeing an elderly driver apparently get distracted by a group of women!

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Overhead line problems cause delays in Nottingham

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit services saw delays on Sunday 10th July following a problem with the overhead. It was not possible to run trams between Nottingham Station and Toton Lane for over three hours whilst repairs were made with all other services also seeing delays.

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All change at the DfT

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

Following the resignation of David Cameron as Prime Minister and his subsequent replacement by Teresa May there have been changes to the cabinet which has included major changes at the Department for Transport. Out has gone Patrick McLoughlin – who must surely have been one of the longest serving Secretary of State’s for Transport in history – and he has been replaced by Chris Grayling. Mr Grayling was previously Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons. Despite the change at the top the likelihood of there being any major changes to government policy on trams and light rail seem to be fairly remote.

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LCC 106 steals the show at Carlton Colville

Posted on Wednesday 13 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

The London Event at the East Anglia Transport Museum in Carlton Colville over the weekend of Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July saw the very first short-term loan of a tram to this location with London County Council 106 proving to be a very popular exhibit throughout the weekend. Although the first day started off overcast and showery the majority of the weekend saw dry conditions – just the sort of conditions you need for an open top tram ride through the woods!

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