Monthly Archives: April 2012

Box 40 returns to Fleetwood!

In just a few short weeks, there have been some great surprises on the Blackpool tramway already in 2012 – but quite possibly the highlight of the year so far occured on Monday 30th April, when Blackpool & Fleetwood ‘Box’ … Continue reading

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13th Flexity arrives in Blackpool (eventually!)

The numbers of the Flexity2 class in Blackpool have swelled again, with car 013 arriving in town late on Friday 27th April. Although the rumour mill had suggested that the tram had arrived some two weeks ago, this turned out … Continue reading

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Return of the Twin car!

In what is probably the best piece of news involving the Blackpool tramway for quite some time, Twin set 672+682 has been moved into the Electrical Compound where it is being prepared for a return to service as one of … Continue reading

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Beamish and the “Big Three” or The Great North Steam Fair 2012

In the last few years, Beamish, the Living Museum of the North has become a ‘must-see’ destination for anyone with an interest in traditional British trams. The ambitious transport events held at this location have featured the trams in increasingly … Continue reading

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Centro formally sign contract with CAF for new trams

There has been further progress on the expansion and improvement of Midland Metro this week with Centro and CAF formally signing contracts to provide up to 25 new trams. It had previously been announced that CAF were the preferred bidder … Continue reading

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And then there were four! Variotram 2557 arrives in Croydon

The fourth of the Variotrams for Tramlink arrived at Therapia Lane Depot on Thursday 26th April at 2100 before being unloaded the following morning. The arrival of 2557 means that there are just two of the initial six tram order … Continue reading

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Further details revealed for Seaton Weekend Extravaganza in June

The programme of events for the Trains, Trams and Buses Gala Weekend on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th June at the Seaton Tramway has now been revealed on their website. This event is a joint event between the tramway, the … Continue reading

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More DLR Olympic test timetables to operate

As part of the continued preparations for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games the Docklands Light Railway will be running revised services on Saturday 5th, Saturday 19th and Sunday 27th May and Sunday 3rd June. These services have been … Continue reading

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Another tram failure causes delays in Manchester

Unfortunately Manchester Metrolink made the headlines in the Manchester Evening News again this week with another tram failing and causing large delays. The tram failed at Victoria at around 1230 and according to the MEN this led to delays on … Continue reading

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Bank Holiday? Must mean more Supertram engineering works!

It has been announced that this forthcoming May Day Bank Holiday will see further engineering works undertaken on Stagecoach Supertram to “ensure a smooth, safe and reliable ride for years to come.” This time the work will see track replacement … Continue reading

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Amended Midland Metro service for May Day Bank Holiday

Trams on Midland Metro will run to an amended service on Bank Holiday Monday 7th May. Services will run every 15 minutes starting from 0800 and finishing at 2300.

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Free Metrolink travel for Greater Manchester Marathon runners

Following in the footsteps of the Docklands Light Railway and the London Marathon, it has been announced that all runners taking part in the Greater Manchester Marathon will be able to travel on Metrolink for free. The race takes place … Continue reading

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Birkenhead 20 returns home

Following a highly succesful three-week stay at Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, Birkenhead 20 returned home to the Wirral heritage tramway on Wednesday 25th April. The tram had arrived at Beamish on March 30th to participate in the … Continue reading

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Luff’s legacy lives on at Beamish

Following its public debut at the Great North Steam Fair event, Blackpool ‘Boat’ 233 was formally launched into service at Beamish Museum by its owners, the Lancastrian Transport Trust, at a brief ceremony on Sunday 22nd April. Unfortunately despite our … Continue reading

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Brush car 630 launch event confirmed

It is pleasing to announce that Blackpool Brush Railcoach 630 is set to be launched into passenger service at Crich Tramway Village on Saturday 12th May. The tram last ran at Blackpool in late October 2011 and was then withdrawn … Continue reading

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Positive news for two Blackpool ‘Boat’ cars

The eagerly anticipated move of Blackpool ‘Boat’ 236/607 to Crich Tramway Village took place as expected on Monday 23rd April, making it the second Boat car to leave Blackpool this year. Meanwhile, one of its sisters is being prepared for a … Continue reading

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The Balloons are back!

So far the 2012 season in Blackpool has been dominated by the new Flexity2 trams and much older cars such as Bolton 66 and Standard 147; however a growing number of the retained Balloon cars have also been in service … Continue reading

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‘Boat’ 236 prepares to set sail

The restoration of Blackpool ‘Boat’ car 236 (ex-607) is now virtually complete, and the tram is currently being prepared to leave Blackpool for a new home at Crich Tramway Village on Monday 23rd April. Following some succesful test runs on … Continue reading

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Another milestone in NET Phase Two works

Work has begun on constructing a new bridge over Nottingham railway station which will carry Phase Two of Nottingham Express Transit to Clifton via Wilford and Chilwell via Beeston. The first stage of work – which will see a pier … Continue reading

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Edinburgh Council claim trams could be running early!

Just as well we aren’t uploading this story a few weeks ago or you probably wouldn’t believe us, but the City of Edinburgh Council are now claiming that the project is running ahead of schedule (well the revised, revised, revised … Continue reading

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