The Western Train from North Station – welcome the Blackpool Express!

Posted on Saturday 30 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

Earlier this autumn, Blackpool’s illuminated Western Train made history when it ran on test on the North Station extension (the first feature car to travel on the extension) with Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours teasing at the time that this was ahead of something special they were working on. And now that something special has been revealed – it’s the Blackpool Express!

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All change at the DfT

Posted on Saturday 30 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

It hasn’t taken long for there to be a change at the Department for Transport with a new Secretary of State for Transport announced on Friday 29th November. The change comes after press reports regarding the outgoing Secretary of State which saw her tender her resignation.

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In Pictures: Latest shots from Horseley Road on Dudley extension

Posted on Friday 29 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

We have another pictorial update for you from the newly re-named Black Country line as construction work continues to make progress ahead of phase one of this West Midlands Metro extension opens, currently planned for late 2025.

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More trams for Nottingham in the lead-up to Christmas

Posted on Friday 29 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit services are to run more frequently later into the evening in the lead-up to Christmas as part of a new festive timetable being introduced on the network. Aiming to support Nottingham’s nighttime economy this timetable will benefit those travelling into the city centre for late-night Christmas shopping and festive parties.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Brush 633

Posted on Friday 29 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

Another edition of “Picture in Time” as there is more snow around Fleetwood in January 1979.

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A trip to… Edinburgh Trams

Posted on Thursday 28 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

Photos in this article come from Edinburgh Trams and show a few of the trams in service around St Andrew Square on a clear 14th November 2024 – both during the day and then during the evening rush hour. Roy Calderwood provides the images.

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No trams to run at Beamish for rest of week

Posted on Thursday 28 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

The tram service is currently suspended at Beamish, with no trams expected to run in the period between Thursday 28th November and Sunday 1st December (inclusive) with the official explanation on the website saying that is due to essential maintenance.

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Two of the first passengers on the Metro take a trip down memory lane

Posted on Thursday 28 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

As the Tyne and Wear Metro gets ready to welcome a new fleet of trains – with the first set to enter service in the next few weeks – two people who travelled on the first services back in August 1980 of the original fleet have bee reminiscing. Paula Henderson and Adrian Don, both now in their 60s, have told how proud they were at being among the first people to travel on the network.

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In Pictures: Christmas gets underway at Beamish – a day late!

Posted on Wednesday 27 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

The Christmas season at Beamish is now underway, although it happened a day later than originally planned because of heavy snowfall in the northeast. As a result of the snow the museum had to remain closed on Saturday 23rd November with the official start of the Christmas events at Beamish taking place on Sunday 24th November instead.

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West Midlands Metro offer you the chance to see the wizard

Posted on Wednesday 27 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

West Midlands Metro, in partnership with The Old Rep Theatre, are offering six lucky winners the chance to meet the wizard with a competition which can be entered on the West Midlands Metro website. The prize not only gives tickets to a production of The Wizard of Oz at The Old Rep Theatre but also provides an all-zone ticket to help you get there.

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NUFC legend takes his first ride on the Metro!

Posted on Wednesday 27 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

Nobby Solano, former Newcastle United FC star, has taken his very first ride on the Tyne and Wear Metro, despite having played for the club in two spells between 1998 and 2004 and from 2005 to 2007. He took the trip as part of planned filming with a broadcaster ahead of Newcastle’s home match against Arsenal on 2nd November.

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In Pictures: JD adverts spread to Manchester

Posted on Tuesday 26 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink is the second UK tramway to currently carry advertising for JD Sports after an identical advert to that already seen in Sheffield was applied to 3118. The one big difference in the Manchester version is that it includes vinyls over some of the windows.

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International events raise profile of light rail in the UK

Posted on Tuesday 26 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

A series of high-profile international events have helped to raise the profile of tramways and similar transit systems in the UK. Its also shown how the country’s light rail sector is contributing to initiatives aimed at driving innovation and enhancing safety.

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South Yorkshire Supertram Engineering Works: Sunday 1st December

Posted on Tuesday 26 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

There will be more engineering works impacting services on the South Yorkshire Supertram network on Sunday 1st December. But this time it should only lead to minor disruption as they are scheduled to be completed by 0900 and only affect part of the Blue route.

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Tramcar Sponsorship update on Blackpool 298

Posted on Monday 25 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

Trustee of the Tramcar Sponsorship Organisation, Phil Burgin, provides an update on the restoration of Blackpool 298.

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Latest LRSSB podcast explores the science behind tram safety campaign

Posted on Monday 25 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

The vital role behavioural science has played in the development of a national pedestrian safety campaign has been highlighted in a new podcast by the Light Rail and Safety Standards Board.

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Out and About: Edinburgh Trams – over the water

Posted on Monday 25 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

We go back to Edinburgh again for this latest “Out and About”.

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Manchester Metrolink Then & Now: Market Street

Posted on Sunday 24 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

In today’s edition of “Manchester Metrolink Then & Now” we take a look at Market Street in the city centre.

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LRSSB board boosted with another appointment

Posted on Sunday 24 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

Sarah Higgins has become the latest member of the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) board as they continue to broaden the expertise in their aim to meet the needs of the sector while building on their successes to date.

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West Midlands Metro join in national initiative to clamp down on anti-social behaviour

Posted on Sunday 24 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

Increased patrols by officers from the Safer Travel Partnership are to be seen on the West Midlands Metro as part of a national campaign aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour. The tram network is also lending its support to National Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week (18th-24th November) which is aimed at raising awareness of the effects that anti-social behaviour can have on communities and individuals.

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