Monthly Archives: February 2015

In Pictures: More destinations from the past appear in Blackpool

The dedication of French tram enthusiast Peter Watts continues to bear fruit, with three members of the Blackpool Heritage Trust’s collection of trams now sporting brand new period-style destination blinds which he has kindly made at no cost to the … Continue reading

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 16 Comments

Blackpool trams to line up at Beamish

A special mini-event aimed at tram enthusiasts is to be held at Beamish Museum on the weekend of Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th March. This will feature an intensive four-tram service, behind-the-scenes tours and photo opportunities, the highlight of which … Continue reading

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In Pictures: Liverpool 245 back on track for public launch

On Saturday 15th February, Liverpool 245 undertook a succesful day of test running on the Birkenhead heritage tramway. This follows some further remedial work to try and rectify problems which had been experienced with the tram following its initial testing … Continue reading

Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway | 2 Comments

Picture in Time: Leeds 155

Today’s archive image in the “Picture in Time” series comes from Leeds from way back on 8th November 1958 and shows Horsfield car 155 – the first production car of this famous class of trams.

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MTPS members to decide Warrington 2’s future

Members of the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society are set to be given a unique opportunity to decide on the future for one of the Society’s collection of vintage tramcars. The derelict lower deck of Warrington 2 was acquired by the … Continue reading

Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway | 9 Comments

Spring is in the air at Heaton Park

The 2015 season got underway at Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway on Sunday 15th February – the first public operating day for this popular attraction. Although trams had in fact operated for some private guests the week before, this was the … Continue reading

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A Valentines Day surprise from Blackpool Transport

To the amazement of many people, two of Blackpool Transport’s modified ‘B Fleet’ Balloon cars were used in ordinary passenger service on Valentines Day, Saturday 14th February. The two chosen cars were 700 and 719, both of which spent the … Continue reading

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 9 Comments

Picture in Time: Blackpool Coronation 642

We head back to Blackpool for our latest “Picture in Time” image and this time our time machine ends up in August 1968 with a view of one of the immensely popular Coronation Cars – no. 642.

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | 3 Comments

Market Street Metrolink stop to get makeover

Market Street stop in Manchester City Centre is set to receive a makeover to improve its appearance and to make it easier for passengers to circulate around the stop. The work will start from 2000 on Friday 13th February with … Continue reading

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 3 Comments

Next phase of Supertram rail replacement works announced

The 2015 phase of rail replacement works on Stagecoach Supertram will commence on 28th March and will continue until the end of August with four distinct phases of track closures. The first phase will be between Hillsborough and Infirmary Road … Continue reading

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Normal service is resumed – collision and errant car on tracks trouble Metrolink

The past few days has seen more problems for Manchester Metrolink with cars once again causing problems. On Tuesday 10th February a car drove into a tram close to St Peter’s Square and this was followed just two days later … Continue reading

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 11 Comments

Heaton Park Tramway prepares to re-open for 2015

Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway is set to re-commence public operations on Sunday 15th February, after a relatively short winter hibernation. This will be the first chance for members of the public to travel along the heritage tramway in 2015, with … Continue reading

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A new role for Blackpool Centenary 641

After three Illumination periods it has been announced that the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust’s Blackpool Brush 290 is to be replaced on the short section of display track adjacent to the Pleasure Beach loop and replaced by Centenary car 641. … Continue reading

Posted in Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust | 6 Comments

In Pictures: Metrolink Second City Crossing track laying

Manchester City Centre is the place to be at the moment if you want to see Metrolink construction works with three high profile projects currently underway. As well as the recently illustrated works at Victoria and Deansgate-Castlefield track is starting … Continue reading

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Daylight testing commences on NET Phase Two

The next step towards the start of public services on Nottingham Express Transit’s Phase Two extensions has been made with the commencement of daylight testing in The Meadows and on to Wilford Lane. The first test runs took place on … Continue reading

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Picture in Time: Sheffield 523

Nowadays if you think of the original Sheffield Tramway’s Roberts cars you think of the two preserved examples: 510 at Crich and 513 current at the East Anglia Transport Museum. But for our trip down memory lane today we feature … Continue reading

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Metrolink strike called off

It has been confirmed that the planned strike due to take place on Manchester Metrolink on Wednesday 11th February has been called off. MRDL and Unite met at ACAS on Monday 9th February and agreement was reached on an improved … Continue reading

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In Pictures: Blackpool trams on driver training

On Friday 6th February, two members of the Blackpool heritage fleet made winter appearances out on the tramway for driver training purposes. Both Fleetwood Box 40 and Balloon 700 were used for this role, and both trams were fitted with … Continue reading

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Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink T68s

Today our Picture in Time goes back to 1992 as we take a look at Queen’s Road Depot on Manchester Metrolink – before the network had welcomed its first fare paying passengers.

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Metrolink reveal plans for St Peter’s Square stop transformation

It has been confirmed that Manchester Metrolink services which normally run through St Peter’s Square are to be significantly altered from the summer due to the major transformation work due to take place here ahead of the opening of the … Continue reading

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 12 Comments