Monthly Archives: March 2019

New support package announced for businesses affected by Metro extension

Posted on Tuesday 19 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has agreed a support package for businesses affected by the construction of West Midlands Metro extensions. The initiative will be specifically targeted towards businesses who have frontages directly affected by construction.

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“Tram surfing” back in the news

Posted on Tuesday 19 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

It’s a story almost as old as trams have been about but “tram surfing” is once again in the news with several images appearing of youths “surfing” on the back of trams in Manchester leading to TfGM issuing a warning … Continue reading →

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 723

Posted on Tuesday 19 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

We stay in 1983 for this week’s archive image from Blackpool and this time we feature a couple of the iconic Balloon Cars.

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In Pictures: Prototype Metro cars in service

Posted on Monday 18 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

When the Tyne Wear Metro fleet went through refurbishment there were four which it was decided wouldn’t enjoy this work, the prototype pair 4001 and 4002 plus 4040 and 4083. These units can only work with each other and currently … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Beamish visitor’s at rest

Posted on Monday 18 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

As we have may have mentioned once or twice there are currently two visiting trams at Beamish – Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40 and Manchester 765. With both now having run in passenger service ahead of their full service introduction … Continue reading →

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Plans announced for trams in Leicester – if the Conservatives win local elections

Posted on Monday 18 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

It’s a type of story that springs up every now and then across the UK – proposals to build a new tramway to help traffic congestion. This time around it’s Leicester which is considering the proposals but it isn’t the … Continue reading →

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Around the World in Trams: Palermo 02

Posted on Sunday 17 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

We move on this week to Italy as we visit the system on the island of Sicily operating around Palermo. Only just over three years old the network is the second to run in the city following on from the … Continue reading →

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Season’s start on the MER and at Crich

Posted on Sunday 17 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

A sure sign that Spring has almost sprung is the return of more tramways for another season of operation – Saturday 16th March saw two more lines start their 2019 season, those at Crich and on the Manx Electric Railway.

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Tram derailed after collision with bus in Dublin

Posted on Sunday 17 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

Nine people suffered injuries after a tram was derailed in a collision with a bus in Dublin City Centre in the early morning of Saturday 16th March. Both vehicles suffered major damage in the incident which saw the front section … Continue reading →

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 17 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

This week we feature photos of battery trams now operating in West Midlands Metro:

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Canal tunnel reopened as Birmingham Westside works continue

Posted on Saturday 16 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

Work on the West Midlands Metro Birmingham Westside extension are continuing at a pace with the Broad Street Canal Tunnel reopening on Thursday 14th March – two days ahead of schedule. This is all part of the second phase of … Continue reading →

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Picture in Time: Croydon Tramlink 2546

Posted on Saturday 16 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

Another all over advert carried on one of the trams of Croydon Tramlink in the early days of the system features as the latest image in Picture in Time today.

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Details announced for 2019 Manx Heritage Transport Festival

Posted on Saturday 16 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

It may still only be March but that doesn’t mean it is too soon for details of what will be happening at the 2019 Manx Heritage Transport Festival to be announced. Traditionally one of the earliest events of the year … Continue reading →

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Punctuality up, reliability down on Metrolink

Posted on Saturday 16 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

The latest performance statistics of Manchester Metrolink have been released ad whilst the figures remain fairly consistent they have shown an increase in punctuality with a small decrease in reliability. These figures relate to two four week periods from 9th … Continue reading →

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2019 NET Community Hero tram named

Posted on Friday 15 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

One of the recent traditions on Nottingham Express Transit around its anniversary is the naming of a tram after a Community Hero with Citadis 222 the tram reserved for this honour. The 2019 renaming took place on Friday 15th March … Continue reading →

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Planning application submitted for tram marquee in Douglas

Posted on Friday 15 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

Whilst we still don’t quite know when the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway may start running in 2019 (25th April is still the nominal date announced but is subject to change depending on progress on the Prom reconstruction works) plans are … Continue reading →

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London Tramlink strike set for 28th March

Posted on Friday 15 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

ASLEF have confirmed that they are instructing their members to go on strike on Thursday 28th March in a dispute over the latest pay offer made to staff on London Tramlink. As we reported earlier this month a ballot was … Continue reading →

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Box 40 enters service at Beamish

Posted on Thursday 14 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

Thursday 14th March was a momentous day for Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40 as it entered service at Beamish – becoming the third tram to run on four different tramways in UK tram preservation. 40 is unlikely to be used … Continue reading →

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It’s a yes! Trams will go to Newhaven after approval given to extension

Posted on Thursday 14 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

It’s the news we have been waiting for – Edinburgh Trams will be extended to Newhaven via Leith Walk after councillors at a full council meeting on Thursday 14th March voted in favour of the £207.3 million project going ahead. … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 6 Comments

Picture in Time: Seaton 19

Posted on Thursday 14 March 2019 by Gareth Prior

Another of the trams converted for operation on the Seaton Tramway from an original first generation tramway is no. 19 – which started off life on the local Exeter Corporation Tramways system.

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