West Midlands Metro 52 enters service

Posted on Thursday 28 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

Done and dusted! The last of the Urbos100 trams for the West Midlands Metro has now entered service with 52 being used for the first time on Saturday 23rd December – just in time for Christmas making it a nice early present!

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15 Years Apart: Blackpool Replica Vanguard 619

Posted on Thursday 28 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

Another edition of “15 Years Apart” for you today as we see a tram which has swapped locations in that time.

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Work to start on replacing shelters at Sheffield tramstops

Posted on Thursday 28 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

The shelters on both platforms at Attercliffe and Arena/Olympic Legacy Park stops on the Supertram network are to be replaced as part of project set to take place in early 2024. Funding for the replacement – which will also see new bins and additional fencing at Arena/Olympic Legacy Park – is being funded by Sheffield City Council via the Levelling up Fund Connectivity and Movement scheme.

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The Completely Random A-Z of Trams in the British Isles! V is for Vinyls

Posted on Thursday 28 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

Another day and another letter in our “A-Z”.

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UKTram Heritage Committee hear about successful seasons

Posted on Thursday 28 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

Whilst industry body UKTram are heavily associated with campaigning for more tramways to be built they are also involved in the heritage sector and have a Heritage Committee who regularly meet to discuss various aspects of operating vintage tramcars. At a recent meeting of the Heritage Committee it was reported that 2023 has been a successful year as they continue their post-pandemic recovery.

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In Pictures: Metrolink 3092 back into service

Posted on Wednesday 27 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink M5000 3092 has returned to service in time for Christmas after receiving repairs. The tram had been absent from service since the weekend of Parklife in June 2023 when it was involved in an overhead line incident which caused damage to 3092 and has seen it stored until repairs were started recently.

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15 Years Apart: Seaton Tramway 12

Posted on Wednesday 27 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

Today “15 Years Apart” is going back down to the Seaton Tramway.

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LRSSB and ORR forge closer partnership

Posted on Wednesday 27 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) and the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) have signed a landmark agreement which will see the two organisations working hand in hand to further reduce the risks of accidents on UK tramways. A memorandum of understanding is now in place which further strengthens links between the two organisations.

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The Completely Random A-Z of Trams in the British Isles! U is for Undersized

Posted on Wednesday 27 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

Today we reach the letter U in our “A-Z”.

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Work continues at Whitley Bay Station

Posted on Wednesday 27 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

Major restoration work at Whitley Bay Station on the Tyne and Wear Metro network is just entering a key phase as specialist grit blasting takes place on the metalwork of the historic canopy. This is part of a £5.3 million project on the Grade II listed structure which will eventually see the glazing replaced and the roof metalwork restored to its former glory.

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Another increase in service on Metrolink from the New Year

Posted on Tuesday 26 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

There will be another new timetable introduced on Manchester Metrolink from Tuesday 2nd January 2024 which will see more trams running to Etihad Campus as well as further double units operating on the Bury and Altrincham lines.

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15 Years Apart: Nottingham Express Transit 201

Posted on Tuesday 26 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

Back one more with “15 Years Apart” as this time it’s a second look at a tram from Nottingham Express Transit.

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Horse Tram passenger numbers down on pre-pandemic levels

Posted on Tuesday 26 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

In news that will probably surprise absolutely no-one it has been confirmed that passenger numbers on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway in 2023 were significantly down on the figures seen in 2018. Of course, 2018 was the last year that the full length tramway ran whereas 2023 was the first full year of operation for the shortened line.

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The Completely Random A-Z of Trams in the British Isles! T is for Tramlink

Posted on Tuesday 26 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

We’re back again with another “A-Z” of trams and it’s the letter T today.

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In Pictures: Public realm works continue at Edgbaston Village

Posted on Tuesday 26 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

When the West Midlands Metro line to Edgbaston Village opened it was surrounded by hoardings which were telling everyone all about the project to extend the network. This was only ever meant to be a temporary situation but it has taken some time for it not to be so with the hoardings now down and flower beds being installed.

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Out and About: Blackpool Tramway – December 2023

Posted on Monday 25 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

In this instalment of “Out and About” we head to the Fylde Coast for some images of the Blackpool Tramway during December 2023.

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Tramlink Nottingham complete financial restructuring

Posted on Monday 25 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

Tramlink – operators of Nottingham Express Transit – have announced that they have completed a successful financial restructuring (a deal which has been two years in the making) which will secure the future of the network for the next ten years.

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15 Years Apart: Glasgow 22

Posted on Monday 25 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

Today’s edition of “15 Years Apart” heads to Crich for a couple of images of one of the stalwarts of the operational fleet.

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Sir Mo Farah’s footprints officially unveiled at South Shields Interchange

Posted on Monday 25 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

Back in September when in the area to compete at his final Great North Run, Sir Mo Farah placed his feet into wet concrete to create imprints which were to go on display at South Shields Interchange for all to see and now they have been officially unveiled. The cast has been built into the floor in the Metro ticket concourse and were unveiled by Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, along with pupils from Bede RC Primary School in South Shields.

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The Completely Random A-Z of Trams in the British Isles! S is for Supertram

Posted on Monday 25 December 2023 by Gareth Prior

Merry Christmas everyone! It may be Christmas Day but we continue our “Random A-Z” and the letter being featured today is S.

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