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FOUR BLACKPOOL TRAMS FOR HEATON PARK!
Heaton Park Tramway – Sunday 21st February 2010
The Manchester Transport Museum Society have announced that following negotiations with Blackpool Transport they have acquired four trams for the Heaton Park Tramway. The trams are Brush 623, Ex-Towing Railcoach 680 and Balloon Cars 702 and 704.
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CABLE TRAM & HORSE TRAM MOVE TO JURBY TRANSPORT MUSEUM
Jurby Transport Museum – Sunday 21st February 2010
Upper Douglas Cable car 72/73 and Douglas Corporation Horse Tram 22 have now been moved by the Manx Transport Trust to their new Jurby Transport Museum, which is due to open at Easter. The movements were made on Thursday (18th January). For 72/73 this is the second time they have left Douglas as they were both part of a bungalow at Jurby until 1969 when they were rescued for preservation. Horse Tram 22 was converted to a souvenir shop in 1978 and will again be used for that purpose at Jurby. Photos of the move can be viewed here.
Source: Richard & John Davis
279 FITTED WITH RAILCOACH UNDERFRAME
Lancastrian Transport Trust – Sunday 21st February 2010
Another milestone in the restoration of Railcoach 279 was achieved yesterday (Saturday 20th February) with the refitting of a Railcoach shaped cab underframe. The steelwork is the same shape as a Balloon car and, now fitted, work can progress on fitting a cab floor and the new steel framed cab ends. A cab door has been borrowed off Balloon 704 to help inform the shape of the cab framing.
Source: Railcoach 279 Blog
WATFORD TO ST ALBANS TRAM PLAN CONSULTATION LAUNCHED
Watford-St Albans – Sunday 21st February 2010
A public consultation into the proposed introduction of trams on the Watford to St Albans Abbey Line was launched at the start of January. The plans would see a regular half hourly service introduced on the line and allow for the possibility of an even greater frequency of three trams an hour.
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METRO BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE EXTENSION SET TO GET APPROVAL
Midland Metro – Sunday 21st February 2010
The extension of Midland Metro through Birmingham City Centre from the current Snow Hill terminus to New Street station is expected to be given £82 million of Government funding in the next few days. The DfT have been looking at the business plan for the extension since last October.
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TRAM PROJECT REPORTED TO BE TWO YEARS BEHIND SCHEDULE
Edinburgh Trams – Sunday 21st February 2010
The Edinburgh Evening News have reported that sections of the Edinburgh Tram route have fallen two years behind schedule. Sections of work between Haymarket and Gogar are said to be badly behind schedule including a viaduct at Haymarket.
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PLEAS FOR NEW DLR STATION
Docklands Light Railway – Sunday 21st February 2010
Clive Efford – MP for Eltham – has joined calls for a new Docklands Light Railway station at Eltham and Kidbrooke accusing transport chiefs of burying their heads in the sand over the need. Transport for London have cast doubt over the idea although Greenwich Council have launched a feasibility study into the idea.
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IS EDINBURGH TRAM PROJECT GOING PAST £600 MILLION?
Edinburgh Trams – Sunday 21st February 2010
Reports are suggesting that the Edinburgh Tram Project’s budget is set to rise over £600 million although tie have denied the claims saying it was pure speculation. An extra £4.5 million is said to have been added to the cost following the disputes with Bilfinger Berger.
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METRO PASSENGER NUMBERS REMAIN STEADY
Midland Metro – Sunday 21st February 2010
Figures released by Centro at the start of this year have shown that in the period between April 2008 and March 2009 passenger numbers on Midland Metro have remained steady at five million with the system running close its passenger capacity during the morning and evening peak times. In addition Midland Metro was successful in attracting greater number of car owners with use of its popular park and ride facilities running at 94% - up from 84% on the previous year. Reliability remained high at 99.7%.
Source: Centro
NOTTINGHAM’S WORKPLACE PARKING LEVY WILL GO-AHEAD UNDER TORY GOVERNMENT
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 21st February 2010
The Nottingham Evening Post are reporting that if the Conservative Party gain power at the forthcoming general election they will not undo the Workplace Parking Levy due for introduction in Nottingham as it has already been approved. The Conservatives had previously been opposed to the WPL.
Source: This is Nottingham
SUPERTRAM AWARDED TOP HONOUR
South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 21st February 2010
The South Yorkshire Supertram has been awarded a top honour to recognise management development and organisational excellence by North of England Excellence, which recognises businesses that successfully implement sustainable improvements to their management processes.
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FURTHER WORK NEEDED ON PRINCES STREET ROAD SURFACE
Edinburgh Trams – Sunday 21st February 2010
Contractors will be returning to Princes Street in central Edinburgh for a second “patching up” job after the appearance of further pot holes in the road surface. The road will not be closed during the works but “traffic management” measures will be used.
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GMITA TO LOOK AGAIN AT BIKES ON METROLINK
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 21st February 2010
The GMITA have agreed to set up a cross-party working group to consider the issue of whether bikes can be carried safely on Metrolink – despite the fact a report released earlier this year had already ruled out the carriage of bicycles because of safety issues.
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GOGAR TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE COST DOUBLES
Edinburgh Trams – Sunday 21st February 2010
It has been reported that the cost of the transport interchange at Gogar has doubled to £40 million. The interchange would link the trams with the Edinburgh-Fife railway line. Original costs were estimated to be £20 million but this is now believed to be up to £35 million plus £5 million for improvements to the Gogar roundabout.
Source: The Scotsman
TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE ENDORSE METRO EXTENSION
Midland Metro – Sunday 21st February 2010
A report from the Transport Select Committee has endorsed the economic and social benefits of extending the Midland Metro through the Black Country. The Committee believe that the concept behind plans by regional transport authority Centro to reopen the disused Walsall to Stourbridge freight line, incorporating it into the Metro network, should become a cornerstone of Government rail policy.
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CAMPAIGNERS TO LAUNCH CONSULTATION INTO TRAMS FOR KIMBERLEY
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 21st February 2010
The Kimberley, Eastwood and Nuthall Tram Action Group (Kentag) are to launch a public consultation to find out whether people want NET to extend through the area.
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HOTEL TO GET TRAM LEVY DISCOUNT?
Edinburgh Trams – Sunday 21st February 2010
Developer Fraser Hamilton who are to build a hotel off Leith Walk in Edinburgh are reportedly due to get a £253,000 discount from their tram levy to ensure they go ahead with the development. The project would be liable to a levy of £917,947 under the scheme which forces private firms who stand to benefit from the trams to contribute towards them, however, in this case the Council believe the firm could not afford this amount. The £253,000 discount would be applied because originally the firm were to develop residential apartments and the levy would have been at the lower level.
Source: The Scotsman
MORE CABLE THEFTS CAUSE METROLINK DISRUPTION
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 21st February 2010
Delays of up to 25 minutes on Manchester Metrolink were reported after more copper cable was stolen between Trafford Bar and Cornbrook on Wednesday 10th February. A spokeswoman from GMPTE confirmed that the signalling control cables had been cut and that it was likely to take most of the day to repair the damage and then to test and commission the affected area.
Source: Manchester Evening News
CAR ACCIDENT CAUSES NET DELAYS
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 21st February 2010
Trams on Nottingham Express Transit were delayed for about 15 minutes on Tuesday 2nd February following a collision between two cars on Radford Road. The incident took place at approximately 0810 but services were back and running after 15 minutes.
Source: This is Nottingham
BEAMISH UPDATE
Beamish Tramway – Sunday 21st February 2010
Work on the track renewal at Foulbridge is continuing with the tarmac at this location being cleared (the tarmac will be reused elsewhere on the Museum site). The track has also been lifted with the ground being prepared for further concrete to be poured to create a raft, on which the new rails can be affixed. It is planned that the old tram rail will be installed as road 4 of the tram depot, allowing space for an extra three trams. Photos and the very latest updates can be found by following the link below.
Source: Beamish Transport Blog
LATEST METROLINK PERFORMANCE FIGURES RELEASED
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 21st February 2010
The latest performance figures of Manchester Metrolink are now available on the GMITA website and was presented to the committee for approval on 5th February 2010. The report covers periods 7 and 8 from Monday 19th October to Sunday 13th December 2009. Read on for a summary of the report.
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EDINBURGH TRAM PROJECT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Edinburgh Trams – Sunday 21st February 2010
Work on returning trams to the streets of the Scottish capital has been continuing and what follows is an update provided by tie in mid-January including news from Princes Street, the Guided Busway, structures across the proposed line, the Edinburgh Park viaduct, Gogar Depot and Carrick Knowe Viaduct.
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MANCHESTER METROLINK UPDATE
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 21st February 2010
Further engineering work took place over the weekend of 13th & 14th February. This was the replacement of 750m of track between Radcliffe and Whitefield, with the East Lancashire Railway providing facilities for delivery of materials. 3004 has also been noted in service recently being used on the Bury-Altrincham direct service on Monday 1st February.
Source: Gordon Ferguson
CORONATION STREET ACTRESSES LAUNCH METROLINK 2010 SEASON TICKETS
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 21st February 2010
Two members of the Coronation Street cast (Brooke Vincent and Helen Flanagan who play Sophie and Rosie Webster respectively) have helped to launch Manchester Metrolink’s 2010 season ticket campaign. They were used to show how much you can save by purchasing any one of Metrolink’s four season tickets – weekly, four weekly, quarterly and annual. Season ticket holders also get the chance to enjoy exclusive offers with selected retailers.
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TRAM & VAN COLLIDE IN CROYDON
London Tramlink – Sunday 21st February 2010
A tram and a van collided near to Merton Park tram stop on the Wimbledon branch of London Tramlink on Wednesday (17th February) causing traffic and tram delays. The van driver was taken to hospital suffering from whiplash but no other injuries were reported.
Source: Croydon Guardian
TWIN CAR 676+686 THE LATEST TO JOIN LTT COLLECTION
Lancastrian Transport Trust – Sunday 7th February 2010
Blackpool Twin Car 676+686 has become the latest tram to join the Lancastrian Transport Trust collection – becoming the first of the class to enter preservation.
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PRINCESS ALICE TO VISIT HEATON PARK!
Heaton Park Tramway – Sunday 7th February 2010
2010 is shaping up to be a great year for tram loans and probably one of the best has now been announced - Blackpool Balloon 706 (Princess Alice) is to be the mystery guest tram at the Heaton Park Tramway for their Blackpool event on Sunday 21st November.
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BANK DLR STATION REOPENS AFTER THREE-CAR UPGRADE WORK
Docklands Light Railway – Sunday 7th February 2010
The Docklands Light Railway station at Bank reopened as planned on Monday (1st February) following work to enable three car trains to operate. The station had been closed since 24th December and the work will enable 50% extra capacity on trains running on the Bank to Lewisham route.
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REPAINT FOR BALLOON 712
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 7th February 2010
It is reported on Blackpool Trams.info that Balloon 712 has now entered the Paint Shop for a start to be made on its repaint into 1930s Green and Cream. 712 is, of course, to become part of the national collection at the Crich Tramway Village where it will be part of the new look Exhibition Hall which is due to open in April. The tram is to remain in its current basic condition with this livery although it is not accurate. The reason for the repaint is to show the streamlining effect of the livery on the tram.
Source: Blackpool Trams.info & Crich Tramway Village News Blog
SNOW FOILS METROLINK
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 7th February 2010
Although the majority of UK tram and light rail systems seemed to cope fairly well with the heavy snow experienced during January the Manchester Metrolink seemed to suffer more than most.
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RAILCOACH 279 RESTORATION UPDATE
Lancastrian Transport Trust – Sunday 7th February 2010
Work is continuing on the restoration of Blackpool Railcoach 279 (aka 679) with concentration on the cab ends and preparing the window frames. The No. 2 end cab underframe has been cut off and the floorboarding at No. 1 end has been substantially stripped and now awaits the removal of the Z6 controller before the underframe can be cut off at this end too. Other progress has been the completion of preparation work on the internal window frames ready for re-fitting glazing and half drop window units. The frames have been given a coat of protective oxide paint.
Source: Railcoach 279 Blog
STANDARD 143 RESTORATION UPDATE
Lancastrian Transport Trust – Sunday 7th February 2010
The restoration of Blackpool Standard 143 is continuing for the tram to play a starring role at the 125th anniversary of the Blackpool Tramway. Work has recently been concentrating on the lower deck seats, front dash panels and the delivery of the upper deck kit.
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BRIGHTON 53 RESTORATION GROUP SET-UP
Brighton 53 – Sunday 7th February 2010
A group has been set up to look at restoring the body of Brighton 53 - the last full gauge open top tram to built in this country. A blog has been set up which details the project so far, this can be found here. Further details on the project can also be obtained by emailing tram53project@yahoo.com.
Source: Guy Hall
WEST MIDLANDS IN SNOW
Midland Metro/Stourbridge Line – Sunday 7th February 2010
Like the majority of the rest of the UK, the West Midlands was also struck by snow during January with both the Midland Metro and the Parry People Mover operated Stourbridge Junction-Stourbridge Town line covered in the white stuff. Click below to be taken to some photos of trams in the snow!
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SUPERTRAM IN THE SNOW
South Yorkshire Supertram– Sunday 7th February 2010
Although Sheffield was hit by heavy snow during January the Supertram system managed to operate a fairly good service with the only major delays being caused by other vehicles on the roads.
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REPAINTS FOR BLACKPOOL TRAMS
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 7th February 2010
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