Monthly Archives: October 2021

In Pictures: Newcastle 102 starts testing

Posted on Wednesday 13 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

We’ve recently seen one Newcastle tram made available for service again – 114 at Beamish after a protracted motor overhaul – and now another one is on the road to return. This time we are talking about Newcastle 102 which … Continue reading →

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New book looks back at 40 years of the Metro

Posted on Wednesday 13 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

A local author has written a new book on the Tyne and Wear Metro which celebrates 40 years of the network after he was inspired by his late father who worked as an engineer on the project. “The Tyne and … Continue reading →

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WM5G to showcase benefits of 5G technology at Birmingham Tech Week 2021

Posted on Wednesday 13 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

West Midlands 5G (WM5G) – the company who brought the UK’s first 5G enabled tram to the West Midlands Metro – are set to showcase their expertise and the benefits that 5G innovation can bring to the transport sector during … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Tarmacking continues in Birmingham City Centre

Posted on Tuesday 12 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

As the project to relay the tracks along Bull Street and Corporation Street along with the installation of the new junction to the Birmingham Eastside extension continues to come to a close we take another look at recent progress. More … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Newcastle 114 cleared for return to service

Posted on Tuesday 12 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

Beamish once again have five trams available for service with Newcastle 114 now commissioned for use following testing after the refitting of its overhauled motors. Its not known whether it has yet carried any passengers and the weather may not … Continue reading →

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New digital radio system for Blackpool Transport

Posted on Tuesday 12 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

All of Blackpool Transport’s modern trams and buses are set to enjoy a major radio upgrade utilising a brand new digital radio system. Being designed by North West communications specialist TES Communication Solutions the upgrade will see the transport operator … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Blackpool Centenary 644 in a sticky situation…

Posted on Monday 11 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

Back in January 2012, Blackpool Centenary 644 became the first of the class to leave Rigby Road Depot permanently as part of the great tram sale following the tramway’s upgrade. Its new owners were a long-term sponsor on the tram, … Continue reading →

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Punctuality down and reliability up in latest Metrolink performance figures

Posted on Monday 11 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

The performance figures for Manchester Metrolink are now being released quarterly as opposed to every four weeks and the latest quarter – covering the period between 27th June and 18th September – has shown that although punctuality has fallen since … Continue reading →

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Whatever Happened To? Crich Tramathon 2005 – GMJ

Posted on Monday 11 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

And so we come to the 28th and final part of this, the third, series of “Whatever Happened To?” where we have been taking a look at all the trams and works vehicles which ran on the mainline during the … Continue reading →

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Stop by Stop Blackpool Tramway: Norbreck North

Posted on Sunday 10 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

As we continue merrily on our way northbound in Blackpool we reach the only stop to have opened after the initial opening of the Blackpool Tramway. It is Norbreck North.

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Brierley Hill extension works move to Duncan Edwards Way

Posted on Sunday 10 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

Work on constructing the West Midlands Metro extension from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill will be stepping up over the next few months with off peak lane restrictions to be introduced in Dudley on Duncan Edwards Way from late October until … Continue reading →

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More than five million contactless journeys made on Metrolink

Posted on Sunday 10 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

More than five million journeys have now been made on Manchester Metrolink using the pay-as-you-go contactless system which was originally launched in July 2019 and then enhanced this September following the launch of the Bee Flex Weekly. Any passenger with … Continue reading →

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Event Review: Blackpool Tramway Anniversary Weekend

Posted on Sunday 10 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

Over the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September all eyes were on the Blackpool Tramway with a weekend of events to celebrate the anniversary of the opening of the tramway with it celebrating 136 years of operation in … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Event Reviews | 5 Comments

What’s New on British Trams Online? 10th October 2021

Posted on Sunday 10 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

Our delayed photos from the Blackpool Anniversary Weekend are added as part of this week’s main site update:

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In Pictures: Work starts on tarmacking in Birmingham City Centre

Posted on Saturday 9 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

As we enter October – the month when the Birmingham City Centre track relaying is due to be completed – further good progress is being made on the work with attention now being turned towards putting the top surface on … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

New draft strategy for light rail in UK revealed at Edinburgh UKTram Summit

Posted on Saturday 9 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

“A Light Rail Strategy for the UK” – a new draft strategy promoting the benefits of light rail – was one of the highlights of the Light Rail Summit held in Edinburgh during September with it set to be presented … Continue reading →

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Around the World in Trams: Amsterdam 664

Posted on Saturday 9 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

We’re starting to see a bit of a theme with this series of photos from Amsterdam as we feature another scrapped tram in this edition.

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New track design for Coventry Very Light Rail unveiled

Posted on Saturday 9 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

A new design of track – described as a breakthrough design – has been unveiled for use on the Coventry Very Light Rail scheme with the aim of driving down costs associated with the installation of urban light rail. Coventry … Continue reading →

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KeolisAmey Docklands and Blackpool Tramway win big operator accolades at Global Light Rail Awards

Posted on Friday 8 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

Taking place on 6th October, the Global Light Rail Awards recognise excellence and innovation in light rail across the world, although many of the candidates and winners do come from within the UK and the ceremony also takes place in … Continue reading →

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Metrolink strikes suspended again

Posted on Friday 8 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

A normal Sunday service will run across the Manchester Metrolink network on Sunday 10th October with the planned strikes suspended again after a fresh pay offer was made during continued negotiations. The day had been set to see a severely … Continue reading →

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