Monthly Archives: December 2017

British Trams Online at 15 – Tram Loans: Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40

Posted on Sunday 17 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40 is a tram which is officially on loan to Blackpool from the Tramway Museum Society but for the purposes of this series we actually feature when the tram went back to Crich for the Electric … Continue reading →

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Around the World in 18 Trams: Nordhausen 80 & 103

Posted on Sunday 17 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

A small tram system totalling only 5.5km can be found in the town of Nordhausen, Germany and that is where our around the world trip finds us today.

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British Trams Online at 15 – Tram Loans: Manchester 765

Posted on Saturday 16 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

Another tram which has enjoyed loan periods at two separate tramways over the past 15 years is Manchester 765, a tram which usually resides in its home city at the Heaton Park Tramway but has also been seen in Blackpool … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: North Station extension preparatory works

Posted on Saturday 16 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

As we have reported on these pages previously the preparatory works for the extension of the Blackpool Tramway up Talbot Road to North Station commenced during November. This first stage of the works will see utilities moved out the way … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

British Trams Online at 15 – Events: Variobahns introduced on Tramlink

Posted on Saturday 16 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

In preparing this series we have tried to include as many different tramways across the UK but when we came to look at London Tramlink we had to think what key events have actually taken place over the past 15 … Continue reading →

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Damning report released into tram-train pilot

Posted on Friday 15 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

It has been delayed, it is well over budget and now the tram-train pilot – which will eventually run between Sheffield and Rotherham – has been heavily criticised by the Public Accounts Committee. As well as being very critical of … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 7 Comments

Fares to increase on Midland Metro

Posted on Friday 15 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

As from Tuesday 2nd January 2018 most fares will be increased on Midland Metro although City Hop and Group Fares will remain frozen at 2017 prices. In all cases all fares will still be cheaper for those paying by Swift … Continue reading →

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Around the World in 18 Trams: Zurich 1307 with trailers 620 and 616

Posted on Friday 15 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

We have a real golden oldie for you as we continue our world tour of trams. We visit Zurich in 1959 for this latest image.

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In Pictures: Edinburgh mock-up gets ready for Christmas

Posted on Thursday 14 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

It isn’t long until Christmas (only 11 days to go!) and Edinburgh Trams is getting into the festive spirit. We have already seen tram 276 in its special Christmas/Hogmanay livery but up at Edinburgh Airport the mock-up tram – now … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: More snow for Midland Metro

Posted on Thursday 14 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

After its first dusting of snow the West Midlands has continued to be at the forefront of the heavier snowfall for the country (as far as trams are concerned anyway) with two more periods of the white stuff falling on … Continue reading →

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British Trams Online at 15 – Tram Loans: Newcastle 114

Posted on Thursday 14 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

A lot of this series has been of trams from Crich heading off to other locations on loan but there hasn’t been a huge amount of traffic in the opposite direction, indeed the only trams to visit Crich did so … Continue reading →

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British Trams Online at 15 – Events: Seaton Tramway 40th Anniversary

Posted on Thursday 14 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

You probably won’t be surprised to find out that a number of our anniversary events feature actually concerns significant anniversaries on tramways from across the UK. We have already been on the Isle of Man for the Douglas Bay Horse … Continue reading →

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Luas Cross City line opens

Posted on Wednesday 13 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

At 1400 on Saturday 9th December the crucial Cross City line on Dublin’s Luas network was officially opened with services on the Green line now extended to travel through to Broombridge. The current Taoiseach Leo Vardaker – a former Transport … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Luas | 1 Comment

Plans for new Midland Metro penalty fare approved

Posted on Wednesday 13 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

A new £70 penalty charge for passengers travelling on Midland Metro without a ticket is set to be introduced by the end of 2018 after the West Midlands Combined Authority board approved the plan. This new charge would replace the … Continue reading →

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British Trams Online at 15 – Tram Loans: Blackpool & Fleetwood Rack 2

Posted on Wednesday 13 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

Another tram not originally intended to travel to Blackpool for the 125th anniversary was Blackpool & Fleetwood Rack 2 but following the problems with transporting double deckers from Crich it was offered as a substitute and thus made its way … Continue reading →

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Around the World in 18 Trams: Hong Kong 68

Posted on Wednesday 13 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

Another visit to Hong Kong as we continue our trip around the world. This time around we see double deck tourist tram 68.

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In Pictures: 110 fails on Supertram

Posted on Tuesday 12 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

On Friday 8th December Stagecoach Supertram 110 failed at Bamforth Street and with a repair not able to be completed on the scene 115 was coupled to the errant tram and pushed it through to Malin Bridge. The fault was … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Metrolink puts up the Christmas decorations

Posted on Tuesday 12 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

As has become traditional Manchester Metrolink have added vinyls to a few of their trams to celebrate Christmas. 3011, 3025 and 3032 are amongst the trams which have received the vinyls which feature Noel the elf along with some “lights” … Continue reading →

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British Trams Online at 15 – Tram Loans: Lisbon 730

Posted on Tuesday 12 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

There are three operational Portuguese trams in the UK and all three of them have been loaned at some point in the past 15 years. We have already seen Oporto 273’s aborted loan to Blackpool but this time we take … Continue reading →

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British Trams Online at 15 – Events: Birmingham City Centre extension

Posted on Tuesday 12 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

It may not have expanded as much as some of the other UK second generation tram systems (yet – that will be for our next big anniversary maybe!) but one of the main achievements of the Midland Metro system over … Continue reading →

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