Metro’s oldest ever driver retires after 40 years service

Posted on Sunday 21 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

Richard Neesham, Tyne and Wear Metro’s oldest ever driver at 75, has retired about over 40 years of service on the network. He started his job on the Metro in 1981 shortly after the system opened and despite the 3am starts he had been there ever since, until now when he has finally taken a well earned retirement.

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 21st August 2022

Posted on Sunday 21 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

We have two sets of photos this week as we look back into our inbox at what we’ve missed over the past few months!

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In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams Spotify adverts – and then there were two!

Posted on Saturday 20 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

Last time Spotify advertised on Edinburgh Trams they took out a contract on two trams – and they’ve done exactly the same again! In addition to 260, as reported last week, 263 is also carrying identical adverts.

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Around the World in Trams(ish): Bom Jesus do Monte Funicular

Posted on Saturday 20 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

It’s a little bit different for “Around the World in Trams” as instead of a traditional tram or light rail system we feature a funicular which operates in Portugal.

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UKTram appoint new Lead Engineer

Posted on Saturday 20 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

Phillip Terry has been appointed as Lead Engineer at UKTram to help drive a series of key initiatives with aim of boosting the growth of light rail across the country. Mr Terry has a wealth of engineering experience including two decades working in light rail, most recently as Technical Support Manager at Nottingham Trams Limited.

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No strikes in Edinburgh after pay deal agreed

Posted on Friday 19 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams services will not be affected by strikes after the proposed action was called off following the agreement of a new pay deal. Reported to be between 6.5% and 11% members of the Unite union accepted the deal by an overwhelming majority with 95% of members agreeing to the offer.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Coronation 663

Posted on Friday 19 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

Over the past few weeks we’ve been in Fleetwood and then Blackpool and now we keep going south on the Lancashire coast reaching Lytham which at the time of the photo was home to Coronation Car 663.

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West Midlands Metro 47 has arrived too!

Posted on Thursday 18 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

We recently brought you the news that West Midlands Metro had seen another Urbos 100 arrive with 46 being delivered on Wednesday 10th August 2022. And now its been confirmed that the same day saw a second arrival with 47 also having made the trip from Zaragoza in Spain!

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More trams for Royal Highland Centre concerts

Posted on Thursday 18 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams will be running extra trams to help get people back from a series of concerts at the Royal Highland Centre over the next couple of weeks. This is in addition to the late night trams for the Edinburgh Festival and will mean the later services currently running on Fridays and Saturdays will also be out other days of the week.

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In Pictures: Progress on restoration of Chester 4

Posted on Wednesday 17 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

Its easy to just think about the main “tramway centres” when considering restorations but dotted around the country there are also a number of dedicated enthusiasts who are getting on with restoring trams from their local areas and in this article we take a look at one of those. The tram in question is Chester 4 which is located at Hooton Park, Ellesmere Port.

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Joint ticket unveiled for Great North Run

Posted on Wednesday 17 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

Anyone heading to the Great North Run on Sunday 11th September should have no worries in getting there after a new joint Metro, bus and ferry ticket was unveiled. Costing just £6 the Great North Run ticket will let runners and spectators alike travel on all Metro, bus and ferry services throughout the day, including special express shuttle buses running from South Shields seafront to Newcastle.

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In Pictures: First shelter installed on Trams to Newhaven project

Posted on Tuesday 16 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

Its all the little milestones in construction that will combine to one big milestone when its all finished and the latest to report is the erection of the first tramstop shelter on the Trams to Newhaven project. The shelter is going up at McDonald Road as work continues to progress at various worksites along the full length of the route.

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Overhead line problems return to West Midlands Metro

Posted on Tuesday 16 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

Services on the northern section of the West Midlands Metro have again been disrupted on Tuesday 16th August after damage was reported to the overhead. The disruption was first reported at around 1700 with no estimate for repairs currently given.

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In Pictures: Bolton 66 commemorates 40 years in Blackpool

Posted on Tuesday 16 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

Bolton 66 – which continues to fly the flag for vintage trams in Blackpool – has recently had a celebration of its own with specially invited guests taking a trip on the tram to the Imperial Hotel for afternoon tea. The milestone being celebrated was its 40th year of operation in Blackpool (like everything else a delayed celebration) with the Mayor of Bolton joining their counterpart from Blackpool to enjoy the tram.

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In Pictures: 31 back into service on the West Midlands Metro

Posted on Monday 15 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

West Midlands Metro have now used eight Urbos3 trams since services resumed in June with the latest to return to service being 31, which like most of its fellow class members has returned to action with sections of plain white where the vinyls have yet to be applied.

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Out and About: New trams in action on Metrolink

Posted on Monday 15 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

As we’ve seen over the past few months the number of deliveries of new trams on Manchester Metrolink has really picked up and that also means the number of trams entering service has also increased. We feature a couple of the new order in this edition of “Out and About”.

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Free travel on NET for children attending summer club

Posted on Sunday 14 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

Tramlink Nottingham – operators of Nottingham Express Transit – have confirmed that they will be offering free travel on the trams for 360 children who are attending the Government’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme in Nottingham during the summer holidays. The summer holiday clubs are available for children who are eligible for free school meals and are possible thanks to central government funding.

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In Pictures: Sheffield tram bodies at Sandtoft

Posted on Sunday 14 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

Sandtoft is best know as being the home of the Trolleybus Museum with a large collection of trolleybuses which are operated around the museum site on trolley days. But its also the home of two grounded tram bodies from Sheffield which are in use for displays and general information, although their origins are still clear to see. David Mee visited the museum on 14th August 2021.

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 14th August 2022

Posted on Sunday 14 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

After our double weekend break we’re back with a small selection of photos from the Isle of Man:

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In Pictures: Ocean Terminal construction work

Posted on Saturday 13 August 2022 by Gareth Prior

Tramway and cruise ship anyone? Showing what may be possible when trams start to run (hopefully in less than a years time!) this latest article heading onto the Trams to Newhaven extension in Edinburgh shows some more construction progress close to Ocean Terminal – with an added cruise ship for good measure!

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