Extra trams for Manchester Marathon

Posted on Thursday 11 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

The adidas Manchester Marathon will be taking place on Sunday 14th April and with around 32,000 runners set to take part as well as thousands more watching the race, residents are being advised to plan their journey in advance and to use public transport where possible to reduce congestion. To help move the crowds there will be extra trams running on Metrolink’s Altrincham line as well as additional doubles in action across the network.

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South Shields FC help Metro celebrate 40 years

Posted on Thursday 11 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

South Shields FC – who play at the 1st Cloud Arena stadium which is right next to the Tyne and Wear Metro station at Bede – have taken a break from their promotion push from the Vanarama National League North to present Nexus with a special commemorative shirt to help celebrate 40 years of the South Tyneside line.

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In Pictures: 3064 becomes latest tram to join the advert club in Manchester

Posted on Wednesday 10 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

And so it continues! Manchester Metrolink M5000 3064 has now become the latest tram to receive advertising vinyls in the fleet following the application of a design for New York City, complete with images of the Statue of Liberty.

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In Pictures: Burton & Ashby 14 in service at Statfold Barn Railway

Posted on Wednesday 10 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

Burton & Ashby 14, the sole tram at the Statfold Barn Railway, is once again ready for service in 2024 with it being used at special events which take place at the railway. With no overhead at the railway the 3’6” gauge tram runs on battery power as it has done ever since it was restored following repatriation from Detroit in the United States of America. Its first use for 2024 was over the weekend of 16th and 17th March with it in passenger service all day rather than the few hours per day its seen use at other recent events.

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Some DLR services to be short-formed ahead of introduction of new trains

Posted on Wednesday 10 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

Passengers using the Docklands Light Railway route between Stratford International and Woolwich Arsenal may have recently noticed that their service doesn’t have quite as much capacity as it did with confirmation that until further notice they will be short-formed.

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In Pictures: Overhead back all the way to North Station

Posted on Tuesday 9 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

After what seems to have been some time since there was even the glimpse of positive news for the start of tram services to Blackpool North Station its somewhat pleasing to report that the last week or so has seen a slight change which may just be good news that we may see trams running that way at some point in the future. Photos courtesy of Peter Dockerty.

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Early May resumption for Metrolink services from Victoria onto 2CC?

Posted on Tuesday 9 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

As you may have read in the comments section as part of our recent article about track repairs on Portland Street, the Manchester Evening News is reporting that services may resume between Victoria and Exchange Square from early May. The story was published with quotes from Danny Vaugan (TfGM’s Head of Metrolink) which suggest than an end to this disruption may be on the way.

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Metro anniversary celebrations launched with design competition

Posted on Tuesday 9 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

With 30th May marking the 25th anniversary of the West Midlands Metro the birthday celebrations have been kicked off with a competition aimed at primary schools across the region. Local primary schools are being asked to submit designs for a special anniversary emblem that will feature prominently during the celebrations – including on the side of trams.

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In Pictures: Now a new advert for 3118 in Manchester

Posted on Monday 8 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

The popularity of Manchester’s trams with advertisers seems to be showing no signs of waning with 3118 the latest of the Metrolink M5000s to receive a vinyl wrap. It’s a first ad for the tram which in the process becomes the highest numbered tram in the Manchester fleet to have ever worn something which isn’t fleet livery!

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Contactless “tap on, tap off” payments for short hop journeys launched in Nottingham

Posted on Monday 8 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

Starting from 2nd April 2024, passengers who travel short distances on Nottingham Express Transit have been able to enjoy the benefits of contactless “tap on, tap off” payments with the introduction of new functionality on the contactless validation system.

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Out and About: More West Midlands Metro – January 2024

Posted on Monday 8 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

In this edition of “Out and About” we are off to the West Midlands Metro in January 2024. This was a milestone trip out for regular British Trams Online contributor, Ken Jones, as it marked the first time he was allowed out onto public transport since having a stroke in late 2023.

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Stop by Stop London Trams: Beckenham Junction & Elmers End lines – Addiscombe

Posted on Sunday 7 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

We reach the end of this series of “Stop by Stop” as we arrive at Addiscombe, which is the last stop on the Beckenham Junction and Elmers End lines.

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Metro celebrates 40 years in South Tyneside

Posted on Sunday 7 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

Opening in March 1984, the Tyne and Wear Metro line to South Shields is now celebrating 40 years of operation with the occasion marked with a special birthday cake cutting ceremony at South Shields Interchange.

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In Pictures: Overhead line works on West Midlands Metro

Posted on Sunday 7 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

Back on Sunday 17th March there was a closure of the West Midlands Metro between Black Lake and Edgbaston Village with work taking place to replace overhead wires. The closure was initially only due to be in place until midday but a delay in the completion of the work saw this extended leading to a further suspension of services.

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 7th April 2024

Posted on Sunday 7 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

The archives beckon again as we take a look at Supertram during the Stagecoach years after their contract comes to an end:

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In Pictures: Blackpool 708 at its new home in Lincolnshire

Posted on Saturday 6 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

Late last year – 29th November 2023 to be precise – a Blackpool Balloon Car departed from Rigby Road Depot in its home town for what is expected to be the last time as it was transferred for a new life at the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft. As it was late in the year and the museum was closed for the winter period although it was moved very little has been seen of it so far – but with a new season now underway that has changed as we take the chance to see the tram in its new home for the first time.

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Around the World in Trams: Kolkata 191

Posted on Saturday 6 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

During April “Around the World in Trams” will be leaving Europe as we head to India for a selection of photos taken in Kolkata (or Calcutta as it was at the time) in 1978.

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Metro service to be increased after completion of delta junction works

Posted on Saturday 6 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

West Midlands Metro services between Edgbaston Village and Wolverhampton Railway Station are set to run at an increased frequency when the full route is reopened from Wednesday 10th April. There have been no trams between Wednesbury and Edgbaston Village since Saturday 23rd March with the main focus of this closure being the connection of the current line to the coming soon extension to Dudley (and eventually Brierley Hill).

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Edinburgh Trams to run extra services for Terminal V festival

Posted on Saturday 6 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

There will be extra services running on the Edinburgh Trams network on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th April to get people to and from Terminal V (a techno festival) which takes place at the Royal Highland Centre close to Ingliston Park and Ride.

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In Pictures: 34 back at Wednesbury

Posted on Friday 5 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

As expected its been a case of one out and one in at the West Midlands Metro Wednesbury Depot as following quickly on from 26’s departure is 34’s arrival back at the depot. The latest move – again conducted by Reid Freight – saw the tram return on Thursday 4th April.

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