In Pictures: Driver familiarisation continues on Blackpool Tramway extension

Posted on Wednesday 8 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

In just over six weeks time a full passenger service will be in operation on the (admittedly much delayed) Blackpool Tramway extension along Talbot Road to a terminus by North Station. In the lead up testing and now driver familiarisation is underway in preparation for this service to officially launch on Sunday 16th June 2024. Peter Dockerty saw two trams in action on the line on this visit.

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Overhead line damage at Old Trafford leads to Metrolink disruption

Posted on Wednesday 8 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink services to Altrincham were suspended on Wednesday 8th May following “third party” overhead line damage at Old Trafford. The first reports of the problem were first made around 1230 with warnings that the service would remain disrupted at least until at least the evening.

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LRSSB board further strengthened with new appointment

Posted on Wednesday 8 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) board has been further strengthened following the announcement that Blackpool Transport Managing Director Jane Cole has been appointed as a non-executive director.

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Heaton Park Tramway to reopen 15th June

Posted on Tuesday 7 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

It may be later than originally hoped the 2024 season at Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway will get underway on Saturday 15th June. The news has been confirmed by the tramway’s official Facebook page and the announcement comes just a few days after testing was able to start.

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More Transport Trust Red Wheels unveiled

Posted on Tuesday 7 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

For over 15 years the Transport Trust have been recognising the transport history of the UK with their “Red Wheel” scheme. Similar to the familiar blue plaques seen on buildings across the country, the idea of the “Red Wheel” scheme is to commemorate Britain’s rich and globally important legacy in the development of transport. All aspects of transport are covered and some more recent plaques are helping to celebrate the history of trams and light rail.

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In Pictures: Blackpool 167 enters service at Crich

Posted on Monday 6 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

The variety of trams available for service at the Crich Tramway Village continues to increase with Blackpool 167 the latest to be used for the first time in 2024. The Pantograph car entered service on Thursday 2nd May when it was part of the standard three car service offered as part of a visit to Crich.

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Edinburgh Trams up for another award

Posted on Monday 6 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

The successful launch of services to Newhaven has led to Edinburgh Trams being nominated for an award at the prestigious Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) awards. Members of the Edinburgh Trams Service Delivery department have received a nomination for the Team of the Year Award, with the winner to be announced at a ceremony in London on 13th June.

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Out and About: West Midlands Metro – Birmingham City Centre

Posted on Monday 6 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

We head into central Birmingham for some shots of the West Midlands Metro in this edition of “Out and About”.

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Manchester Metrolink Then & Now: Victoria

Posted on Sunday 5 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

Staying in Manchester City Centre for this week’s “Manchester Metrolink Then & Now” as we take a look at Victoria Station.

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Heaton Park Tramway edges towards reopening

Posted on Sunday 5 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

Following the completion of repairs to the substation, the Heaton Park Tramway is coming close to reopening for the season with testing and crew re-familiarisation now underway. Although no date has been set just yet for passenger services to recommence this is an important and positive step towards it.

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In Pictures: The Terror Tram at Carlton Colville

Posted on Sunday 5 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

Having been launched to much fun fare at Easter, the Fylde Transport Trust’s Blackpool Brush Railcoach 634 continues to be used on a regular basis at the East Anglia Transport Museum. In this pictorial article we head back to Carlton Colville to see the tram running again – its partner in service on Sunday 21st April was Sheffield 513 as caught on camera by Bryan Grint.

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 5th May 2024

Posted on Sunday 5 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

Photos this week come from London Trams:

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In Pictures: West Midlands Metro 37 returns to Wednesbury

Posted on Saturday 4 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

Its another case of one tram out from Wednesbury and one in for the West Midlands as just a couple of days after 17 left, 37 comes back from Worksop. This latest move was on Friday 3rd May and sees 37 (the last of the Urbos3s) return to West Midlands Metro property after six months away.

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Around the World in Trams: Amsterdam 700

Posted on Saturday 4 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

For the next month the location for “Around the World in Trams” will be Amsterdam in the Netherlands as we head back to 1980 for a selection of images of trams in service in the city.

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War of words erupts over London Trams strike action

Posted on Saturday 4 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

As reported earlier this week, engineers on London Trams will be going on strike from 2000 on Sunday 5th May until 0600 on Thursday 9th May. This will cause major disruption on the network and now just before the strike begins a war of words has erupted between Unite the Union and Transport for London.

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Early Sunday mornings service change on Edinburgh Trams

Posted on Saturday 4 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

Early morning services on Sundays over the next few weeks will see some minor changes to the timetable as Edinburgh Trams undertake some essential maintenance works. Whilst the majority of the works will be taking place overnight it will be necessary for some early morning services to be affected by the works.

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In Pictures: Another April visit to Crich

Posted on Friday 3 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

We return to the Crich Tramway Village for another set of photos in this article as we see more images from a normal operating day during April – the first full month of operation for the tramway in 2024. On this visit on Sunday 21st April it was the usual three tram service which included two trams from Sheffield (74 and 510) and one from Blackpool (236). The photos are from Stuart Cooke.

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Judging underway for West Midlands Metro 25th anniversary logo competition

Posted on Friday 3 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

Over 100 entries have been received by West Midlands Metro as they look to find a special logo for their 25th anniversary which will be celebrated this year. The deadline for submissions for primary school children was on Monday 29th April and now comes the hard job of selecting a winning entry.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool OMO 13

Posted on Friday 3 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

We move forward in time for this week’s “Picture in Time” as we now arrive in October 1978.

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In Pictures: 17 departs from Wednesbury once again

Posted on Thursday 2 May 2024 by Gareth Prior

It looks like West Midlands Metro Urbos3 17 is at least a partial fan of the hokey-cokey as its in, out from Wednesbury Depot continued on Wednesday 1st May 2024 as it departed once again for further storage at Worksop. This is the second time the tram has headed that way – having only returned on 4th February 2024.

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