Monthly Archives: May 2012

1004 becomes second Metrolink T68 to be withdrawn

Posted on Thursday 17 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

1004 has become the second of the T68 trams on Manchester Metrolink to be withdrawn from service following on from 1011.  1004 last ran in service during the evening of Wednesday 16th May when it was paired with 1016 on … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 4 Comments

LRV found abandoned in quarry!

Posted on Tuesday 15 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

A recent visit to Crich Tramway Village revealed the rather strange sight of what appeared to be part of a modern tram sitting at the edge of the quarry, close to the car park. What could it be? Had the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 3 Comments

Goodbye Paisley 68 – Hello Glasgow 1068!

Posted on Monday 14 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

As reported previously, Paisley 68 has recently entered the workshop at Crich Tramway Village where work has already started on tranforming this tram ready for a starring role in a very special event later this year. To help mark the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 1 Comment

One in & one out at Starr Gate Depot

Posted on Monday 14 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Friday 11th May was yet another interesting day in Blackpool with the arrival of another member of the new Flexity2 class from Germany. 014 had actually touched down on British soil when it had arrived in Hull the previous day, … Continue reading →

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Brush cars galore at Crich

Posted on Saturday 12 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The official launch into service of Blackpool Brush Railcoach 630 at Crich Tramway Village took place on Saturday 12th May, with this providing the perfect excuse to hold a Brush-themed event day. Although intended as a relatively low-key event arranged … Continue reading →

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Designs revealed for new Nottingham trams

Posted on Saturday 12 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

As expected it has been confirmed that the fleet of new trams for the extended Nottingham Express Transit system will be constructed by Alstom – part of the Tramlink Nottingham consortium – in Barcelona. The trams will be first Citadis … Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 2 Comments

Metrolink delays after attempted cable theft at Cornbrook

Posted on Saturday 12 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

There were further major delays on Manchester Metrolink on Monday 9th May after an attempted cable theft at Cornbrook. It was reported that a group of vandals were attempting to steal the copper cables on Cornbrook Viaduct at around 0300 … Continue reading →

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Details unveiled for 2012 Manx Heritage Transport Festival

Posted on Saturday 12 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

Isle of Man Transport have unveiled details of the events due to take place between 25th and 29th July as part of the Manx Heritage Transport Festival 2012. As usual this event will include most forms of transport on the … Continue reading →

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Another broken down tram causes Metrolink delays

Posted on Saturday 12 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

Friday 4th May saw another broken down T68 causing delays in Manchester City Centre as the ongoing problems with the older vehicles makes headlines in the City.  This time the guilty parties were 1008+1005 which were running as a coupled … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Supertram Engineering Works at Shalesmoor

Posted on Saturday 12 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

On Sunday 6th and Monday 7th May further engineering works were undertaken on Stagecoach Supertram. This time the work concentrated on the curve on the outbound track just beyond the Shalesmoor tramstop. For the first time the replacement bus service … Continue reading →

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Metrolink construction work moves into Rochdale Town Centre

Posted on Saturday 12 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

Work to build the Metrolink extension in Rochdale Town Centre is continuing from this week with the closure of part of Drake Street. The section of Drake Street between Walter Street and Smith Street was closed to traffic from Tuesday … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

All change in Edinburgh as Labour and SNP coalition takes control of Council

Posted on Saturday 12 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

Following the recent elections the City of Edinburgh Council will now be in the hands of a Labour/Scottish Nationalist Party coalition with the Liberal Democrats the big losers. As a result in this shift of power all hopes of extending … Continue reading →

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Extra early morning Half Marathon trams for Supertram

Posted on Saturday 12 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

As a result of customer feedback, Stagecoach Supertram are going to run extra early morning services on Sunday 27th May for runners attending the Sheffield Half Marathon. With the race starting from the Don Valley Stadium extra trams will be … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Tracks and Trackless – Chesterfield’s Trams and Trolleybuses by Barry M Marsden

Posted on Saturday 12 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

This book is a collection of photographs illustrating the trams and trolleybuses which operated in the town of Chesterfield, including many extremely valuable images which have been gathered together as the result of years of painstaking research. The author does … Continue reading →

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All change at Crich with more tram launches

Posted on Sunday 6 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

As has been widely reported recently, the Crich Tramway Village operating fleet is set to increase by one this month, as Blackpool Brush Railcoach 630 is due to be launched into passenger service at a specical Brush car themed event … Continue reading →

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Bank Holiday brings more firsts in Blackpool

Posted on Sunday 6 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The May Day Bank Holiday weekend is traditionally the time when the Fylde Tramway Society host their annual Convention weekend, with a series of entertaining events for Society members as well as their Annual General Meeting. Although due to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 3 Comments

Boat 600’s naked ambition

Posted on Sunday 6 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

After an extremely rare winter appearance on February 29th, when it ran on test as far north as Thornton Gate, Blackpool Boat car 600 finally recorded its first normal passenger use on Saturday 5th May when it debuted on Blackpool … Continue reading →

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Improvements to Blackpool’s heritage tram tours

Posted on Thursday 3 May 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Transport have announced a few minor amendments to the heritage tram service being operated between Pleasure Beach and Little Bispham this season. The changes have been introduced following initial feedback from customers, and will hopefully encourage more people to … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

Preferred bidders named for Metro extension with work planned to start early 2013

Posted on Thursday 3 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

Balfour Beatty – the UK’s largest infrastructure group – have been named as the preferred bidder to build the extension of Midland Metro through Birmingham City Centre between Snow Hill and New Street stations. At the same time as announcing … Continue reading →

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Over £11 million to be pumped into local Nottingham economy as result of NET Phase Two

Posted on Thursday 3 May 2012 by Gareth Prior

Tramlink Nottingham – the consortium charged with constructing and operating the newly extended Nottingham Express Transit – have claimed that the local economy is going to benefit to the tune of £11 million as a result of the work. They … Continue reading →

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