HEATON PARK TRAMWAY ACQUIRES NEW TRAM
Heaton Park Tramway – Thursday 28th August 2008
It can now be revealed that Blackpool Railgrinder 752 is to move away from the seaside to Heaton Park. Blackpool Transport have very kindly agreed that the tram can come into the care of the MTMS. The tram will continue in its role as a general purpose works tram and scrubber car, being used to clean the Park tracks during the winter months.
Click here for more on this story

MER DERAILMENT AS INQUIRY LAUNCHED
Manx Electric Railway – Thursday 21st August 2008
An investigation has been launched after motor car 19 and trailer 48 derailed at Ballafayle, Maughold on the Manx Electric Railway on Wednesday 20th August in the afternoon. The derailment was not described as serious and nobody was injured in the incident.
Click here for more on this story

SEATON TRAM HIT BY LORRY AT LEVEL CROSSING
Seaton Tramway – Thursday 21st August 2008
A tram on the Seaton Tramway was hit, with the driver having to jump to safety, by a lorry which failed to stop at the level crossing by Colyford Station on Monday 18th August. The incident happened just before 1000 with damage reported to the driver’s cab of the tram and the track. The driver – Michael Kay – aged 67 said he was left “shaken but not stirred" after the incident.
Source: This is Exeter

ENGINEERING WORKS FOR SUPERTRAM
South Yorkshire Supertram – Thursday 21st August 2008
The engineering works which should have taken place in the Gleadless area of Sheffield back in May, but were cancelled due to poor weather reports, are now due to take place on Sunday 24th and Monday 25th August. On Sunday 24th August a replacement bus service will be in operation between Birley Lane and Gleadless Townend and from Herdings Park to Gleadless Townend whilst on Monday 25th Augusta bus will operate between Herdings Park and Gleadless Townend. All the work should be finished by noon on Monday 25th August. In addition on Sunday 24th August the Tinsley cooling towers are due to be demolished although services should not be disrupted.
Source: South Yorkshire Supertram

NEW BICYCLE SHELTER FOR SHADWELL STATION
Docklands Light Railway – Thursday 21st August 2008
The Docklands Light Railway held a special “bike breakfast” at Shadwell Station on 14th August to highlight the new bicycle shelter to resident and local cyclists. Over 100 people attended a free healthy breakfast and had their bikes checked by experts. DLR are planning to encourage more passengers to cycle to stations this year. The shelter at Shadwell features space for 12 cycles undercover, has solar powered lighting and is covered by CCTV. Slow news week? Yep!
Source: Docklands Light Railway

REPLICA VANGUARD 619 TO MAKE SHOCK RETURN TO SERVICE
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 17th August 2008
Blackpool Trams.info reports that Replica Vanguard 619 is to make a return to the operational fleet in time for the 2008 Illuminations. The tram has spent the last four years out of service following the 2004 fleet reduction but has now been moved to the front of the depot for a full clean and attention in the Electrical Compound. It is believed that this may be a farewell for the tram as rumours suggest it will not be retained after the tramway upgrade. 619 may return to service as soon as 29th August.
Source: Blackpool Trams.info

WOLVERHAMPTON METRO SERVICES TO BE DISRUPTED – OR NOT?
Midland Metro – Sunday 17th August 2008
Midland Metro services are due not to operate into Wolverhampton St Georges tram stop for four weeks between Saturday 30th August and Sunday 28th September. This is to allow pre-planned work to paint the Wishbone Bridge which is situated on the island where the Metro crosses Wolverhampton Ring Road.
Click here for more on this story

METROLINK ENGINEERING WORKS CAUSE STRANGE SERVICES
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 17th August 2008
Engineering works on the points at Piccadilly Gardens on Friday 15th August (and also throughout the weekend of Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th August) has seen strange services in operation. Piccadilly Station was only been served by trams from Altrincham but the return journey was to Bury (so a tram did Altrincham-Picadilly-Bury-Altrincham- Piccadilly). Eccles services were terminating at Victoria with passengers at Piccadilly for Eccles being told to change at Victoria and for Altrincham at Market Street.
Source: Gordon Ferguson & Manchester Metrolink

TRANSPORT HERITAGE EXPERT TO SUPERVISE HOMEFIELD GARAGE VEHICLES
Manx Electric Railway – Sunday 17th August 2008
A “transport heritage expert” is to be appointed to supervise the movement of the surplus Isle of Man transport vehicles held at the Homefield bus garage. As has been previously reported many Manx Electric Railway and Isle of Man Steam Railway vehicles along with buses are held here but the lease is due to run out in 2009. Outrage was caused when it was suggested many could be scrapped as there was nowhere for them to go but backtracking has now led to the news that an expert will be appointed to make sure nothing too unique is scrapped.
Click here for more on this story

GOGAR ROUNDABOUT WORK TO FINISH EARLY
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 17th August 2008
The utility diversion work at the Gogar Roundabout – which has been reported as not having caused a great deal of disruption – is to be finished by Monday 18th August – a week early. A tunnel is due to be built here from the tram depot to Gyle and Edinburgh Park underneath the roundabout. Willie Gallagher commented: “I am extremely pleased with the progress of this section of the work and with project as a whole so far. We are committed to delivering a world-class tram network as quickly and as safely as possible and I am confident that with the measures we have put in place for this phase of the project, this will be achieved."
Source: The Scotsman

BLACKPOOL STANDARD 143 RESTORATION UPDATE
Lancastrian Transport Trust – Sunday 17th August 2008
New platform underframing has been built for 143 by Rollins Fabrication, Nottingham and following arrival of the new sections, the body of the tram has been moved within the depot to a location that will permit greater working space around the vehicle. Once the new steel platforms are fitted the platform canopy, and lower and upper deck floors will be able to be fitted. The tudor arch window frames and selected side framing have also recently been done.
Source: Blackpool Trams.info

NEXT STAGE OF TRAM WORKS TO COMMENCE
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 17th August 2008
The next stage of utility diversion work for the Trams for Edinburgh project is due to commence in the Haymarket area on Monday 18th August, with traffic diversions due to be introduced from Saturday 16th August.
Click here for more on this story

EARNSHAW MOVES ON FROM DEPARTMENT FOR TOURISM AND LEISURE
Manx Electric Railway – Sunday 17th August 2008
Adrian Earnshaw – the controversial minister in charge at the Department for Transport and Leisure who encured the wrath of so many tram enthusiasts – has moved on to become minister for Home Affairs. The new minister at the Department for Transport and Leisure is Martyn Quayle.
Source: Isle of Man Today

TRAMLINK DISRUPTED BY FALLEN TREE
Croydon Tramlink – Sunday 17th August 2008
Services on Croydon Tramlink between Merton Park and Phipps Bridge on the Wimbledon branch were disrupted by a fallen tree on Wednesday 13th August 2008. A shuttle service was operated between Wimbledon and Merton Park whilst trams from New Addington were terminated at Phipps Bridge.
Source: Croydon Guardian

A SUCCESSFUL TRAM SUNDAY
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 17th August 2008
If you cast your mind back to mid-July you may remember the annual Tram Sunday event took place in Fleetwood. Now, finally (and its totally my fault! - GP), we have some images from the day from the camera of Shaun C. Photos of renamed Boat 600 and recently restored Balloon 717 feature.
Click here for more on this story

METRO AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY SERVICES REVEALED
Midland Metro – Sunday 17th August 2008
On Bank Holiday Monday 25th August a special Midland Metro service will be in operation. The first through trams will depart from Birmingham Snow Hill and Wolverhampton St Georges at 0800 and then a normal Sunday service will be in operation (trams every 15 minutes) with the last through trams departing both ends at 2300. All trams departing after 2300 will terminate at Wednesbury Parkway, the last trams will terminate both ends at 2345.
Source: Midland Metro

SURVEY WORK FOR BLACKPOOL TRAMWAY UPGRADE
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 17th August 2008
Survey work has been carried out this past week in Blackpool for the tramway upgrade. Road traffic on Blackpool Prom disrupted whilst the survey work was undertaken at Foxhall Square (on Tuesday 12th August) and Manchester Square (Wednesday 13th August).
Source: Blackpool Gazette

MIDLAND METRO NEWS UPDATE
Midland Metro – Sunday 17th August 2008
They say that all good things come to those who wait, and if you think that the in-house Midland Metro magazine is a good thing then that is exactly what has happened this week, with two editions of Tramlines uploaded on to the official Midland Metro website. Read on to find out what June and July’s editions have to say for themselves.
Click here for more on this story

METROLINK NEWS UPDATE
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 17th August 2008
Another new series of window adverts has been applied.   These are for Alternative Altrincham, a housing development.   Noted on trams 1002, 1008, 1010, 1020, 1023, 1024. Meanwhile, Whitefield station has been repainted and now has yellow handrails on the stairs to the over-bridge.
Source: Gordon Ferguson

THE CRIME BUSTING STATION ON THE DLR
Docklands Light Railway – Sunday 17th August 2008
It has been revealed that since TfL refurbished Shadwell station on the Docklands Light Railway crime has fallen sharply. Since the refurbishment was completed in May there has been just one crime at the station but in May and June 2007 this was up at six. The figures have been hailed by Mayor of London Boris Johnson as a success story in the fight against crime.
Click here for more on this story

BALLOON 718 RETURNS TO SERVICE IN BLUE & YELLOW
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 10th August 2008
Balloon 718 has become the latest tram in Blackpool to receive Metro Coastlines colours, this time the Line 3 Blue and Yellow version has been used. The tram previously carried an all over advert for Vodka Kick.
Source: Yahoo! Groups: Blackpool Transport

109 REFRESHED AND BACK INTO SERVICE
South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 10th August 2008
109 has become the twenty first tram from the South Yorkshire Supertram fleet to go through its mid-life refresh and has returned to service on the streets on Sheffield and the surrounding area. Tram number 22 in the programme has now been withdrawn from service for its refresh – this being 124.
Source: South Yorkshire Supertram

METRO PASSENGER NUMBERS DOWN
Midland Metro – Sunday 10th August 2008
400,000 less people have travelled on Midland Metro in 2007 and 2008 compared to 2006 according to new figures released this week. 4.8 million passengers have been recorded in the past two years compared to 5.2 million in 2006 although this has been put down partly to vandalism attacks causing disruption to the service. Indeed, revised figures state that passenger numbers have actually increased by 2.6 per cent.
Click here for more on this story

WILL SNP SUPPORT EXTENSIONS TO TRAMS FOR EDINBURGH PROJECT?
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 10th August 2008
The Scotsman have run a story this week that suggests the Scottish National Party run Scottish Government – who did everything they could to scupper the plans for the tram network in Edinburgh – may be mellowing in their attitude to the trams by possibly backing proposed extensions.
Click here for more on this story

CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO SAVE CROSS RIVER TRAM
Cross River Tram – Sunday 10th August 2008
MPs, Councillors, local residents and the South London Press have joined together to back a petition calling on London Mayor Boris Johnson to give the go-ahead to the Cross River Tram, which would link Brixton and Peckham to Camden via Waterloo, Elephant and Castle and Stockwell.
Click here for more on this story

NEW CAMPAIGN AGAINST METROLINK FARE DODGERS
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 10th August 2008
A new campaign is being launched on Monday 11th August to target people who avoid buying tickets on Manchester Metrolink. GMPTE and Stagecoach, owners and operators respectively, are working together to try and reduce the levels of fare evasion across the network.
Click here for more on this story

CRICH TRAMWAY VILLAGE NEWS ROUND-UP
Crich Tramway Village – Sunday 10th August 2008
It’s that time of the month again when we have a news round-up of all the latest goings on with the trams of the national collection at the Crich Tramway Village. This month we have news on the usual suspects - Cardiff 131, London United Tramways 159 and MET 331 - and also Chestefield 7, Sheffield 15 and Liverpool 869.
Click here for more on this story

DLR IMPROVEMENT WORKS UPDATE
Docklands Light Railway – Sunday 10th August 2008
A week later than usual this month British Trams Online brings you up to date with the forthcoming “improvement works” on the Docklands Light Railway. In addition to the weekend engineering works taking place over the next few weeks Tower Gateway station is closed until spring 2009 whilst until the end of August there are service disruptions to trains between Crossharbour and Lewisham with passengers advised to change at Island Gardens. Read on for a full update on the engineering works coming up.
Click here for more on this story

TRAM WORKS BLAMED AS SHANDWICK PLACE IS FLOODED
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 10th August 2008
Residents and businesses on Shandwick Place in Edinburgh city centre have blamed the recent utility diversion works on severe flooding which hit them twice in the past week. It is reported that during the works a drain and a number of gullies were removed but tie have denied that this has caused the floods.
Source: The Scotsman

DH LAWRENCE TO TRAVEL BY TRAM!
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 10th August 2008
DH Lawrence (or at least an actor playing DH Lawrence) is to travel by tram in Nottingham on Saturday 16th August as part of a DH Lawrence festival which sees a “Lawrence and the Great War” event at Nottingham Castle. The actor playing Lawrence will travel to the event by tram! His day on the trams will have to the double aim of raising awareness of the event and also to show families how convenient it is to use public transport in and around the city this summer. But the big question is, will he travel on 202 the tram named after him?
Source: Nottingham Express Transit

BLACKPOOL OPERATING POOLS REVISED
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 3rd August 2008
As a result of poor loadings on the tramway so far in 2008 (mainly due to the elderly now getting free bus travel nationwide but not on trams – another cracking transport “policy” from this government!) Blackpool Transport have revised the current operating pools. The main headline here is that all the Twin Cars have been moved into the Reserve Fleet. Whether these pools will be adhered any better than any of the previous ones remains to be seen.
Click here for more on this story

NEW ALL OVER ADVERT FOR JUBILEE 761
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 3rd August 2008
Blackpool Jubilee 761 has returned to service in its new all over advert for Wynsors World of Shoes. The livery has a bright orange base with black writing, including contravision.
Click here for a photo

NORMAL DLR SERVICES BETWEEN CROSSHARBOUR AND LEWISHAM RESUME END OF AUGUST
Docklands Light Railway – Sunday 3rd August 2008
Normal services are to resume on the Docklands Light Railway between Crossharbour and Lewisham after Bank Holiday Monday 25th August, as originally planned. Services are currently altered between these two stations with passengers required to change at Island Gardens because of platform extension works, which are said to be progressing well. This work is all part of the major improvement programme to allow 3 car trains to be used on all services.
Source: Docklands Light Railway

TRACK REPLACEMENT WORK FOR TRAMLINK
Croydon Tramlink – Sunday 3rd August 2008
Forthcoming track replacement works are scheduled to take place in Croydon town centre on the Station Road and Church Street sections with “Temporary Traffic Restriction Orders” recently placed in the local papers. Although no firms dates have been released by Transport for London both notices state “the Order will come into operation on 1 August 2008 and it is anticipated that the work will be carried out in 4 weeks commencing on 1 August 2008.” Traffic will be diverted during the work and it is anticipated that a split service would be offered on Tramlink with a Wimbledon-Reeves Corner service with other services commencing at East Croydon.
Source: Croydon Guardian

FIRST PHASE OF SHANDWICK PLACE WORK COMPLETED
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 3rd August 2008
The tram utility diversion work in Shandwick Place has now been completed with the street re-opening to buses, taxis and cyclists from Monday 28th July. All other traffic will remain diverted away from Shandwick Place with similar utility diversion work taking place at Haymarket and in preparation from the tram line construction work in Shandwick Place from September 2009.
Click here for more on this story

LEITH WALK TO BE CLOSED BOTH WAYS TO SPEED WORK UP
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 3rd August 2008
The Edinburgh Evening News report that in order to speed up the tram construction work on Leith Walk, tie are proposing to close the road to traffic both ways in sections later this year. Short sections would be closed at a time with all traffic diverted onto Easter Road throughout the work. A similar tactic was used on Shandwick Place with the recent utility diversion work.
Click here for more on this story

METROLINK ENGINEERING WORKS
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 3rd August 2008
Essential engineering works took place on Metrolink from 2000 on Friday 1st August on the Piccadilly spur. Trams ran from Eccles to Victoria and Altrincham-Bury direct. A replacement bus service operated between Piccadilly station and Piccadilly Gardens.
Source: Manchester Metrolink

METRO 10 MOVES TO WORKSHOPS
Midland Metro – Sunday 3rd August 2008
Midland Metro 10 - the third magenta and silver tram – has now been moved into the workshops at the Wednesbury depot for its preparation work before a return into operational service.
Source: Graham Sidwell, Editor, Tramfare

BLACKPOOL TRAM LINE TO BE REALIGNED?
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 3rd August 2008
As part of the major coastal defence work taking place along Blackpool Promenade several new “headlands” are being created allowing a pleasant and open area for the public to go. One such headland is being built opposite the Tower and funding has just been awarded to create an open air performance arena which a capacity for 20,000 – this headland would see the Illumination switch on concert moved amongst other high profile concerts within two years. And what does this have to do with trams I hear you ask? Well, as part of the plans to enable the performance area to be closed to all traffic and to stretch right across the Promenade part of the road and tramway will have to be realigned. Just how and where it would be realigned has not yet been revealed.
Source: Blackpool Gazette

EXTRA SOUND PROTECTION FOR TRAMS FOR EDINBURGH
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 3rd August 2008
Around five per cent of the complete Edinburgh tram project will require additional sound proofing measures to cut down on vibration near to homes and so-called “noise sensitive” buildings like the Edinburgh Playhouse. This follows experience in Nottingham where recently extra work had to take place outside the Royal Concert Hall because of complaints over the noise.
Click here for more on this story

BREAKTHROUGH UK TO HELP WITH DESIGN OF METROLINK EXTENSIONS
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 3rd August 2008
Breakthrough UK have been asked by the GMPTE to “recruit and facilitate a Design Reference Group made up of around 10 Disabled People.” The idea is that this group will work with designers to ensure there is an appropriate level of access for the forthcoming Metrolink extensions. Further details on how the group will help the designers and how you can join can be found here.
Source: GMPTE & Breakthrough UK

REPORT SAYS METROLINK EXTENSIONS WILL GENERATE 3,200 JOBS
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 3rd August 2008
A report for economic development agency Manchester Enterprises has claimed that the extensions to Metrolink will generate more than 3,200 jobs in the city of Manchester over the next 18 years. Jobs will be created because an improved public transport system will make commuting easier, encouraging people to stay in the region and this will attract new companies and persuade current companies to expand.
Click here for more on this story

TWO INJURED IN TRAM COLLISION
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 3rd August 2008
A child and a man were taken to hospital with injuries after they were hit by a tram outside Tiffany’s Hotel on the stretch of tramway between Cocker Street and Imperial Hotel. The Blackpool Gazette report that the man was trying to push the youngster out of the way of the tram after she had run out into its path. The incident happened just before 1030 on Thursday 30th July. Both casualties were taken to Blackpool’s Victoria Hospital.
Source: Blackpool Gazette

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE GOES TO WEDDING BY TRAM!
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 3rd August 2008
A mother of the bride went to her daughter’s wedding by tram last Saturday (26th July). Gaynor Shenton (and bridesmaids) travelled between Timperley and Sale for the ceremony which took place at Sale Town Hall.
Click here for more on this story

NET SUPPORT BBC RADIO NOTTINGHAM’S BIG NIGHT OUT
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 3rd August 2008
Nottingham Express Transit are offering free group travel to passengers travelling to BBC Radio Nottingham’s Big Night Out on Thursday 7th August, on the production of a voucher filled in with name, address and postcode. The offer is only available after 1800 on the 7th August and can be downloaded from the official NET website here.
Source: Nottingham Express Transit

DETAILS RELEASED OF T1 PHOENIX FLAGSHIP BUS LINK
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 3rd August 2008
Details of the new T1 Phoenix Flagship bus service linking Phoenix Park tram stop to Kimberley, Nuthall, Awsworth and Cossall have now been released. The bus will commence operating on 3rd October and will run seven days a week and 364 days a year. Buses will run every 30 minutes from 0625 to 2000 and then hourly. It is to be operated by Veolia Transport.
Source: This is Nottingham

CHILD HIT BY TRAM IN NOTTINGHAM
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 3rd August 2008
A two year old boy had to be taken to hospital on Monday 28th July after being struck by a tram in Nottingham city centre at approximately 1600. Police are investigating the incident with the child’s injuries said to be not life threatening.
Source: This is Nottingham

SUMMER AT SEATON
Seaton Tramway – Sunday 3rd August 2008
The summer season has now started at the Seaton Tramway, and will continue in operation until 6th September with trams now running into the evening. The last departure from Seaton is now at 1900 and the last return journey from Colyton is at 2010.
Source: Seaton Tramway