In Pictures: Work remains to be completed on Wolverhampton extension

Posted on Thursday 22 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

We recently reported that an unnamed spokesperson from the Midland Metro Alliance was suggesting that trams could be running to Wolverhampton Railway Station this autumn (which by the time you read this article will have started). After this news our intrepid contributor Andy Walters took a trip into Wolverhampton City Centre expecting to see the work being completed and getting ready for testing to start. As you’ll see the results of this trip didn’t exactly show that…

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Man dies after being hit by tram in Dublin

Posted on Thursday 22 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

A pedestrian has died after he was hit by a tram in Dublin City Centre in the early hours of Sunday 18th September 2022. The man, reported locally to be in his 50s, was struck by a tram at approximately 0100 at Broombridge and tragically died of his injuries. A post-mortem will take place with the Gardai appealing for witnesses with video footage to assist in their investigation.

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Is it the end for the Midland Metro T69s?

Posted on Wednesday 21 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

Although nothing official has been released reports have reached us that all of the remaining Midland Metro T69s have now been removed from Long Marston and sent to Sims Metals in Newport for scrapping. Whilst we have no confirmation of their departure and movement this news has come from several different sources which, if true, would mean that in addition to the movement of 11 reported earlier this year means that 07, 10 and 16 have also gone to meet their maker.

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Branch Line Society to tour Manchester Metrolink

Posted on Wednesday 21 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

Members of the Branch Line Society are set for a treat on Sunday 25th September when they get to tour parts of Manchester Metrolink not normally covered by service trams. “The Busy Bee” is a members only trip with only 60 places available – proceeds will be split equally between Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity and Manchester Youth Zone.

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In Pictures: Tram Day ay the Crich Tramway Village

Posted on Tuesday 20 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

It may have gone under a number of different names over the years but Tram Day, which took place at the Crich Tramway Village on Saturday 17th September, is still undoubtedly the main enthusiasts type event to be held at the home of the National Tramway Museum. With its usual mix of an intensive tram service (this year seeing 15 passenger trams and three work vehicles out on the mainline) plus special photo line-ups on the depot fan this was once again an event which showcased the best the national collection has to offer.

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RAIB Safety Digest released into Metrolink door trap incident

Posted on Tuesday 20 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

The RAIB have released a Safety Digest into a recent door trap incident on Manchester Metrolink at Shudehill tramstop which saw a passenger dragged for approximately 13 metres after their bag got trapped in the tram doors. Not requiring a full report, the incident has led the RAIB to reiterate their previous message of the importance of tram and train drivers to undertake final checks before departing from stops.

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In Pictures: Another day at Beamish

Posted on Monday 19 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

During the school summer holidays, the tram fleet at Beamish was pushed to its limits with Blackpool 31 and Oporto 196 joining Sheffield 264 on the absentee list and leaving just Sunderland 16 and Newcastle 114 available for use. The situation has now improved with just 264 (which has been out of use since May) out of service leaving four trams to operate the service. With the buses adding extra capacity this is sufficient for the quieter period now being experienced with the schools back. The photos in this article come from Trevor Hall from Wednesday 15th September 2022.

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Out and About: Edinburgh Trams 257

Posted on Monday 19 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

Today we go “Out and About” in Edinburgh to see one of the most recent adverts applied to a tram.

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Still Standing! Norwood Tram Depot

Posted on Sunday 18 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

With its vast tramway network it is probably no surprise that throughout this series we have featured a lot of structures in London which are “Still Standing!”. In this edition we head to south London to take a look at the old depot in Norwood.

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Metrolink patronage continues to increase

Posted on Sunday 18 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

Passenger numbers on the Manchester Metrolink network has continued to increase in recent months and although it has yet to reach anywhere near the levels seen before the pandemic hit in March 2020 there is a positive trend which has been seen not just in leisure travel but also by commuters.

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Transport for West Midlands launch project to introduce tap and go contactless payments on public transport network

Posted on Sunday 18 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

An £18 million project has been launched by Transport for West Midlands to introduce fare capping on board the regions buses and trams to ensure passengers get the best value and have greater convenience when using debit or credit cards on board. The new system will be developed over the next two years.

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Standard 143 back out on test again in Blackpool

Posted on Saturday 17 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

The road to a return to service for Blackpool Standard 143 has been far from smooth. With it failing on its maiden voyage back in 2019 and then seeing delays in repair works needed following this failure it has made the project to return it to the rails a rather protracted affair. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel (all be it a fairly distant one!) as it was seen on test on the Promenade once more on Wednesday 14th September.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fylde Transport Trust | 10 Comments

Around the World in Trams: Berlin 218 036-7

Posted on Saturday 17 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

Our brief visit to the Oldrimer Museum in Rugen, Germany comes to an end today as w feature one final tram to be on display the museum.

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Students to get even better internet access on Edinburgh Trams

Posted on Saturday 17 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams and Edinburgh Napier University have joined together to improve internet access for students, researchers and staff on board all trams with a trial of international service eduroam now underway. This service will allow anyone with access to eduroam – used as a secure, standard Wi-Fi network at academic institutions across the UK – to use faster wireless broadband across the tram network.

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Luas Engineering Works: 23rd-25th September

Posted on Saturday 17 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

Late night engineering works on Luas will see changes to the service on the Green Line between Friday 23rd and Sunday 25th September. As is often the case with these overnight works it will mean that there is an early finish and late start to services but for the most part normal services will continue to run on the line during the day.

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In Pictures: New East Anglia Transport Museum tram depot structure starts to go up

Posted on Friday 16 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

More positive news to report from the East Anglia Transport Museum where, after the preparation works which have taken place over the summer (by museum volunteers), the structure of the new tram depot on the new land is starting to go up.

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Updated! Crich Tram Day programme of events amended

Posted on Friday 16 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

Please note the plan of events for Tram Day has been changed since this article was published. London Transport 1622 will now not run and the day starts with a cavalcade of trams in service when Queen Elizabeth II was born. For full details of the new programme of events visit https://www.tramway.co.uk/whatson/tram-day-3/ which contains a link to the programme. Apologies for not updating this article as it’s difficult to do it on my phone! The below article is the original published in early September.

With significant closure anniversaries in London and Glasgow being reached this year it will probably come as no surprise that the two tramways will feature heavily in Tram Day – due to take place at the Crich Tramway Village on Saturday 17th September 2022. The one day event is the main enthusiast orientated event of the year and should see the usual mix of photo line-ups, works cars in operation and an intensive tram service running.

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Picture in Time: Seaton Tramway 17

Posted on Friday 16 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

Today’s “Picture in Time” is back to the Seaton Tramway as we are back in 1995 for a view of a tram which has changed a lot since captured here.

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Blackpool & Fleetwood 40 back in service!

Posted on Thursday 15 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

We brought you the news a few weeks ago that Blackpool & Fleetwood Box Car 40 was on the road to a return into service – and now it has! 40 was first used this year on Tuesday 13th September when it was part of the standard three tram service at the Crich Tramway Village.

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Blackpool Transport fares to increase from 25th September

Posted on Thursday 15 September 2022 by Gareth Prior

Sunday 25th September will see another rise in fares on all Blackpool Transport trams and buses. The continued rising costs of running the service coupled with a pay rise being offered to staff means that the increases are necessary to help the company cover their costs. At the same time a daily cap will also be introduced for anyone who uses contactless payments on services.

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