Comments for British Trams Online News

Comment on LRV found abandoned in quarry! by Frank Gradwell

Frank Gradwell — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:54:38 +0000

Why on earth didn’t the TMS grab a Muni Boeing when those two sets were shipped over for Metrolink trials?

The chance will never arise again.

Comment on Tram-train pilot between Sheffield and Rotherham given the green light by Frank Gradwell

Frank Gradwell — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:49:43 +0000

No they don’t!

Heavy Rail trains on Network Rail lines and other operations are completely segregated, albeit that they run alongside each other, they do not share the same running rails or power supply. In fact the difference between DC and AC electrification causes ground currents that interfere with signalling – but for God’s sake don’t tell Thales!

Tram trains is a whole new concept requiring a radical re-think of crash worthiness approval as current light rail vehicles cannot in any way meet Network Rail group standards and there will have to be completely new understandings and derogations to permit this scheme to fly. 2015 will not happen because these issues have not yet been addressed in any way.

Comment on Tram-train pilot between Sheffield and Rotherham given the green light by Clifford Stead

Clifford Stead — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:40:51 +0000

Finally someone has seen the light! This is such a no brainer!!!!! Why it has taken so long beggars belief! Tram Trains? Tyne and Wear “LRV`s” share track with trains to Sunderland! Manchester Metrolink is a Tram Train and then we have the pleasure of whizzing around the north in our Leyland National railbuses (Pacers) which share routes with heavy and fast express trains! I`m sure this concept could be used to get trams back in Leeds and Liverpool?

Comment on Designs revealed for new Nottingham trams by Andy Hillyman

Andy Hillyman — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:05:43 +0000

Part of the Nottingham development was to made some changes on their system , plans and further acquaintances with projects. This make them more manageable and wonderful to transact to.

Comment on Goodbye Paisley 68 – Hello Glasgow 1068! by John Henderson

John Henderson — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:28:27 +0000

It is great that Paisley 68 is being painted in Glasgow colours in order to take part in the special event later this year. I gather the STMS are funding some of the work, but I would hope they will also be contributing to funding its return Paisley colours at some stage in the early future. The top deck was removed from Glasgow 1068 as part of the original grand plan to create Paisley 68; initial work carried out be Iain Stewart and team. This was not completely successful, and a tremendous amount of money was spent on this car in the late seventies in order to create a well restored Paisley tram, able to operate in service at Crich . The funding requiring approval, was a partnership between the TMS and Government funding, deployed through the second phase of Adult Employment scheme measures. The creation of the final restored product demanded a great deal of research, not to mention both paid and voluntary labour. The standard of the seventies restoration is a testimony to the team who produced Paisley 68. I hope it is a case of enjoying a temporary “new tram” before reverting to its original intended portrayal; just like Blackpool 31 at Beamish, and soon to occur Gateshead 10, depicting G.&I.26.

Comment on Bank Holiday brings more firsts in Blackpool by Pete C

Pete C — Sun, 13 May 2012 17:43:44 +0000

I thought I read somewhere that a consultant’s report had or was being commissioned regarding extensions to the system. If so, then nothing’s going to happen until that has been done and digested. Then there would be the problem of raising the finance. I would expect too that the new modernised system would have to prove itself, as far as reliability and passenger numbers are concerned, before any real progress is made.

Comment on Designs revealed for new Nottingham trams by WatcherZero

WatcherZero — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:39:09 +0000

Not surprisingly no couplers I see.

Comment on Metrolink construction work moves into Rochdale Town Centre by Ken Walker

Ken Walker — Sat, 12 May 2012 19:26:59 +0000

I don’t know what Philip Purdy thinks is exciting about this town centre link, their efforts on the first stage to Rochdale station have been nothing but a big disappointment. Traction poles had reached Newhey 6 weeks ago but since then there appears to have been no work done whatsoever between Newhey and Rochdale. The computer excuse for the delay in opening is beginning to wear a bit thin with commuters who have now been saddled with disruption on the streets and a 3rd-rate bus service for 2 1/2 years, with no buses from Newhey or Milnrow to or from Oldham after 6pm on weekdays, and no direct service at all on Sundays and bank holidays. When this scheme started residents along the route were promised regular progress updates, but when it all started to go wrong the updates stopped – perhaps because there is no progress to report! With the failure to open anywhere near on time, and from the regular news items the prospect of regular failures of trams and infrastructure, together with what seems to be regular weekend closures on the present system, I think Mr Purdy may be one of very few people who find this “exciting” any longer.

Comment on Bank Holiday brings more firsts in Blackpool by John Gilbert

John Gilbert — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:16:22 +0000

Just to comment that, as the news from Blackpool is so good, and acknowledging with thanks the money supplied by HM Government, may we ask for just that little more so that the extension to the north station be built SOON – please!

Comment on Civil engineers claim Edinburgh Tram project more out of control than ever by Pete C

Pete C — Tue, 08 May 2012 07:59:14 +0000

When someone is consistently anti-tram, then it’s difficult to take their criticisms on face value, as you suspect nothing about the project would ever satisfy them. This group of people may be right in some of their comments. I’ve no idea, but I would pay more attention if they were less biased. At the end of the day, every place in the UK that has installed a tramway has seen benefits ranging from improved environment, rising property prices and of course improved transport. That has happened even in Sheffield, which got off to a bad start. I don’t doubt that once the Edinburgh system is up and running, people will be glad they have it, but unfortunately there is no doubt it has been very badly handled, so it’s no surprise there is currently such cynicism about it.