Monthly Archives: June 2012

2013 Heaton Park Tramway calendar goes on sale

Summer is here – not that you would always know it judging by the recent weather – and so it is of course time to start thinking about a calendar for 2013! For the second year running, British Trams Online … Continue reading

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Finishing touches for LUT 159

The hugely anticipated public launch of London United Tramways 159 at Crich Tramway Village is fast approaching, and in readiness for this some final touches are being made which will ensure that this magnificent tram is looking its best for … Continue reading

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Heaton Park Tramway disrupted by events

In scenes co-incidentally reminiscent of those recently witnessed in Blackpool, the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester is currently enduring a period of disruption thanks to two unrelated events being held in the park’s grounds. A concert by reformed rock band … Continue reading

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Meet ‘Spongebob the Second’!

Flexity 015 has become the fifth of Blackpool’s new articulated trams to receive external advertising. Once again, the tram is being used to promote one of the attractions at the Pleasure Beach and this time the design chosen is for … Continue reading

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Rocket tram prepares to take flight!

In a very welcome development in Blackpool, it has been confirmed that the illuminated Rocket 732 has been transferred to the Electrical Compound, presumably in readiness for a move away from Rigby Road. Some time ago it was mooted that … Continue reading

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In Pictures: Variotram 2554 and its Croydon livery

A couple of days ago we reported that new Variotram 2554 had received a special vinyl wrap livery for Croydon in time for the launch of the new line 4 at the start of this week and made an attempt … Continue reading

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8 launched in new livery at Seaton Extravaganza

After a year without a gala at the Seaton Tramway a Weekend Extravaganza returned to the calendar in 2012, this time it being a joint event with the Yeovil Railway Centre and Pecorama at nearby Beer. The main highlight of … Continue reading

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Appeal to recreate Grimsby & Immingham 26 launched

Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, have announced details of an appeal for donations from members of the public to help return one of their resident trams to an appearance in which it has not operated for over five … Continue reading

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Line 4 starts operation in Croydon as 2554 is unveiled in new livery

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson was in Croydon on Monday 25th June to officially launch the new Line 4 service between Therapia Lane and Elmers End with new Variotram 2554 also present in a vinyl wrap livery for Croydon. … Continue reading

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Beamish 196 retrucked

Progress on a thorough overhaul of Beamish 196, the ex-Oporto four wheel tramcar resident at Beamish Museum, is making good progress. The car has spent almost a whole year out of service but the wait for its return will certainly … Continue reading

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Final Flexity arrives in Blackpool

A milestone event occured on Monday 25th June 2012, when Flexity 016 arrived in Blackpool and was unloaded at Starr Gate. This is of course the last of the new Flexity2 class to be delivered, thus completing the prolonged programme … Continue reading

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Illuminated trams light up Totally Transport

The annual Totally Transport festival took place on Blackpools’ New South Promenade on Sunday 24th June, and for the first time since 2009 a full tram service ran through the event. Blackpool Transport’s heritage tram tours received a welcome boost … Continue reading

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Standard 147 carries Olympic flame

Blackpool Standard 147 became the first tram in mainland Britain to carry to Olympic flame when it was used for the iconic object’s visit to the Fylde Coast as it travels across the country ahead of the summer’s Olympic Games. Unfortunately … Continue reading

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TLC for Sheffield 513

Since transferring to the East Anglia Transport Museum over a year ago, Sheffield ‘Roberts’ car 513 has rarely made the news on British Trams Online, but the latest newsletter distributed to members of this organisation enables us to provide an … Continue reading

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More disruption at Blackpool on June 22nd

It is extremely disapointing to report that the Blackpool tramway is set to be subjected to major disruption for the second time in less than a week on Friday 22nd June. On this day, the famous Olympic torch reaches the … Continue reading

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Balloon 717 runs to Fleetwood

Since the Blackpool tramway re-opened in April as modern light rail system, journeys by heritage trams to Fleetwood Ferry have been extremely rare. The only double-deck tram to have run to the northern terminus with passengers thus far in 2012 has … Continue reading

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Leeds horse tram prepared for painting

The ongoing project to restore Leeds horse tram 107 has not been featured on British Trams Online for several months, but it’s now time to change that with an update on recent progress. A lot of recent work on this … Continue reading

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Big purple tram promotes Big Blue Hotel

Yet another of Blackpool’s brand new Flexity2 trams has received side panel advertisements. Following on from the earlier designs for Redrow Homes, on one side only of car 011, and the Pleasure Beach Ice Arena on 007, comes the latest … Continue reading

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Metrolink services to Oldham start

Last week on British Trams Online we reported that subject to the successful completion of testing services on the new Manchester Metrolink line to Oldham would start on Wednesday 13th June and that is exactly what happened when at 0524 … Continue reading

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NET 211 celebrates the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Earlier this week we reported on the latest progress of turning Blackpool Brush 290 into a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee tram for the 2012 Blackpool Illuminations, but that will not be the first tram in the UK to receive a special … Continue reading

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