Monthly Archives: May 2012

Enthusiasts invited to design a tram livery!

Posted on Thursday 31 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The North Eastern Electrical Traction Trust recently confirmed their purchase of Blackpool Centenary car 647 following its withdrawal by Blackpool Transport at the end of 2011. 647 is undoubtedly a very important tram as it represents the very last traditional … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, North Eastern Electrical Transport Trust | 2 Comments

Crich confirm Blackpool tram parade

Posted on Thursday 31 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

More details have now been revealed about the various events planned at Crich Tramway Village for Sunday 3rd June. This day will see the launch of newly overhauled Blackpool ‘Boat’ 236 which co-incides with the now annual ‘Beside the Seaside’ … Continue reading →

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Welcome back to Centenary car 648!

Posted on Wednesday 30 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

In a welcome move, Blackpool Transport have confirmed that Centenary car 648 will shortly be making a return to service as an extra car for use on their new heritage tram tours. Having last run on the final day of … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 7 Comments

New works vehicle for Heaton Park

Posted on Sunday 27 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

May 2012 saw a new addition to the fleet of working vehicles at Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway. Unlike the last two arrivals, Stockport 5 and Blackpool 623, this one arrived almost unnoticed with no launch ceremony and no celebratory cake – … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 1 Comment

‘George Formby’ tram prepares for service

Posted on Sunday 27 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Work on preparing Blackpool Boat car 604 for a return to service is nearing completion, with the tram having now left the Paint Shop in a fresh coat of green and cream. As we have reported previously, the tram is … Continue reading →

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Metrolink 3053 arrives in Manchester

Posted on Saturday 26 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

Metrolink M5000 3053 has become the latest of the new trams for Manchester to arrive in the City. The tram was seen coming off the M602 at 1110 on Saturday 26th May from where it would then have gone to … Continue reading →

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Lost Trams 2: Blackpool Dreadnought 59

Posted on Saturday 26 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

With much of the UK currently sweltering under nice warm sunshine it is rather apt that the second tram to feature in our irregular “Lost Trams” series is an open topper – Blackpool Dreadnought 59. This very popular tram has … Continue reading →

Posted in Lost Trams | 8 Comments

Tramlink Engineering Works

Posted on Saturday 26 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

Two sets of engineering works on London Tramlink are taking place over the next few days as work progresses on increasing capacity on the network. Firstly the line between Mitcham and Mitcham Junction is closed again on Saturday 26th and … Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams | 3 Comments

More Engineering Works for Supertram

Posted on Saturday 26 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

The ongoing programme of works to replace track on the Stagecoach Supertram network will continue over the forthcoming Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend with the City Hall area being the latest to be worked on. The work here will take place … Continue reading →

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More problems for Metrolink

Posted on Saturday 26 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

Unfortunately the past week has seen more delays on Manchester Metrolink with the Eccles, Bury and Altrincham lines all seeing problems at some point with not only the usual tram failures to blame but also overhead line failures.

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Residents lose latest challenge over tramway crossing closure but vow to carry on

Posted on Saturday 26 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

The bid for a judicial review over the decision to close the Lauderdale Avenue crossing between Little Bispham and Cleveleys on the Blackpool Tramway has been thrown out by the Court with the applicant even being given £2,000 costs for … Continue reading →

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Event Preview: Launch of Blackpool Boat 236 at Crich Tramway Village

Posted on Saturday 26 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

Event: Launch of Blackpool Boat 236 Where: Crich Tramway Village When: Sunday 3rd June 2012

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R.I.P. Richard Lomas

Posted on Saturday 26 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Richard Lomas, one of the longest-serving active members of the Tramway Museum Society, has sadly died. Richard passed away peacefully following a fairly long illness in the early hours of Friday 25th May. He had spent a lengthy spell in hospital … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village, People | 5 Comments

Trams celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee

Posted on Saturday 26 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Many people across Great Britain are celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in early June, with the late spring Bank Holiday extended by one day to give many workers a four-day weekend. Britain’s tramways have not been left … Continue reading →

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Boat car sails to Glory Mine

Posted on Friday 25 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Another major milestone in the restoration of Blackpool Boat car 236 for operation at Crich Tramway Village, home of Britain’s National Tramway Museum, took place on Wednesday 23rd May when the tram ran all the way to Glory Mine on … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 3 Comments

Flexity versus motor car – Round 1!

Posted on Friday 25 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

There have been a whole host of noteworthy firsts involving Blackpool’s brand new Flexity2 trams in the past few weeks, but an unwanted first occured on Tuesday 22nd May. For the first time, a member of the class was involved … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

New blood for Fylde Tramway Society

Posted on Friday 25 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

At a time of major change for the Blackpool tramway, it seems highly appropriate that the Fylde Tramway Society, which was formed to support the retention of the system back in 1971 when its future looked increasinly bleak, is also … Continue reading →

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Blackpool trams to star at Crich seaside event

Posted on Monday 21 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

More details are now available regarding the planned launch into passenger service of newly restored Blackpool ‘Boat’ car 236 at the Crich Tramway Village on Sunday 3rd June, as part of the ‘Beside the Seaside’ event being held over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 1 Comment

Blackpool ‘Balloon’ set for open-top restoration

Posted on Sunday 20 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

What could potentially be one of the most exciting projects involving a recently preserved Blackpool tram has been announced, as part of a collaboration between the Manchester Transport Museum Society and the North Eastern Electrical Traction Trust. It has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway, North Eastern Electrical Transport Trust | 8 Comments

Access Tram restored to service

Posted on Sunday 20 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

It is pleasing to report that the sole wheelchair-accessible tram at Crich, Berlin 223 006-4, has finally returned to use following a prolonged overhaul and repaint. The car last ran in passenger service in September 2011 and since then its … Continue reading →

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