NINE NEW ROUTES FOR NET ON THE CARDS?
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 25th October 2009
Companies bidding for operating the extended Nottingham Express Transit system after the phase two lines to Beeston, Chilwell and Clifton have been told there could potentially be a further nine lines in the future. These new extensions are mentioned in the tender document as it would mean they could be built without having to readvertise the tender every time one opened.
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FIRST 2012 OLYMPIC DLR UNITS ARRIVES
Docklands Light Railway – Sunday 25th October 2009
The first of the DLR units part funded by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has been delivered and was revealed to the press at Stratford station. 22 units – of the same design as the B2007 units and believed to be designated B2009 – are on order with the ODA and TfL contributing £20 million each to enable enhanced services to run during the Olympics.
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TRAM MOCK-UP BECOMES ONE OF EDINBURGH’S TOP ATTRACTIONS!
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 25th October 2009
More than 130,000 have visited the mock-up tram which has been touring Edinburgh in recent months – reportedly making it one of the most popular attractions in the Scottish capital! The tram is currently on display outside the Caledonian Hotel having previously been to Princes Street, Constitution Street and Ocean Terminal – it is planned it will move to The Gyle before Christmas.
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MERSEYTRAM MAY NEVER BE RESURRECTED
Merseytram – Sunday 25th October 2009
The hopes of Merseytravel and five local authorities on Merseyside to resurrect the scrapped Merseytram project may be over after Sadiq Khan – Transport Minister – made it clear the government were in no position to offer funding for the scheme.
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DROYLSDEN METROLINK LINE CONSTRUCTION LATEST
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 25th October 2009
Work on brining Metrolink to Droylsden is continuing apace with the construction of the line down Ashton New Road due to start later this month. Work is also taking place in several areas along the route to divert utilities.
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UTILITY DIVERSION WORK TO CARRY ON FOR SIX MONTHS AT OCEAN TERMINAL
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 25th October 2009
Tie have confirmed that the utility diversion works between Ocean Terminal and Newhaven will commence on 9th November following the awarding of the contract to Farrans. It is planned the work will take six months before being finished in April 2010 – over a year behind schedule.
Source: The Scotsman

METROLINK TRACKWORK UPDATE
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 25th October 2009
Work continues in Manchester City Centre on the track replacement program which is due to be completed during November. Some sections now have completed track and surrounding street covering whilst some areas still appear to need considerable work doing before trams can return. Click below for a gallery of photos from the latest progress plus some photos of other Metrolink taking place around Greater Manchester.
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NET CELEBRATE AT LIGHT RAIL AWARDS 2009
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 25th October 2009
The latest tram company to admit to winning something on the National Light Rail Awards 2009 are Nottingham Express Transit with Track Maintenance Co-ordinator William Hughes being awarded the Employee of the Year.
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NO SCRAPPING PROGRAM FOR BLACKPOOL TRAMS
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 25th October 2009
The news that Balloon 722 had been moved into the Body Shop for scrapping to commence led to many people believing Blackpool Transport would be starting a scrapping program of mothballed trams during the winter. However, it is now believed this will not be case and the only reason 722 is being scrapped is because it is basically a shell having been stripped of all usable parts previously and because there was spare capacity in the Body Shop for a couple of weeks.
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CRICH TRAMWAY VILLAGE NEWS ROUND-UP
Crich Tramway Village – Sunday 25th October 2009
We take our regular look at the latest news from the Crich Tramway Village – home of the National Tramway Museum. This month we feature news on Paisley 68, London United Tramways 159 and Blackpool 167 along with the former Croydon Tramlink engineering vehicles.
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TRAMLINK 2534 RELIVERIED
London Tramlink – Sunday 25th October 2009
2534 - the tram which has recently returned to Croydon after accident repairs – has now been reliveried in the lime green, blue and white livery before a return to service. A photo of the tram can be found here.

METROLINK LRV UPDATE
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 25th October 2009
1025 has now returned to service following modifications whilst a number of other vehicles have been spotted with the orange LED displays both inside and out – namely 1001, 1002, 1006 and 1008. In other news the silver and yellow paint is now being applied to the hand rails on the city centre stops.
Source: Gordon Ferguson

SUPERTRAM PHOTO UPDATE
South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 25th October 2009
Click below for a series of photos from the South Yorkshire Supertram network including some routine track maintenance, poppies on trams and a busy scene during a bus strike.
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ENHANCED DLR SERVICE FOR WORLD TRAVEL MARKET
Docklands Light Railway – Sunday 25th October 2009
There will be an enhanced service on the Docklands Light Railway during the World Travel Market which is taking place at ExCeL London between 9th and 12th November. During the event there will be a reduced frequency between Bank and Canary Wharf and Stratford and Canary Wharf from 0930 to 1600 with the service from Bank not serving West India Quay, the evening Blackwall to Woolwich Arsenal shuttle will not run and there will be an additional service between Bank and Beckton. Further details on the service changes can be found at the link below.
Source: Docklands Light Railway

START MADE ON SCRAPPING BALLOON 722
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 18th October 2009
Blackpool Balloon 722 has entered the Body Shop at the Rigby Road works on Blackpool Transport for a start to be made on scrapping the tram – and it could possibly be the first of several during the coming months and years.
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WESTERN TRAIN RESTORATION WINS NATIONAL LIGHT RAIL AWARD
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 18th October 2009
Blackpool Transport have walked away with the Team of the Year accolade at the National Light Rail Awards 2009 for their restoration of the Illuminated Western Train 733+734. The award was made by Chris Mole MP (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport) at the ceremony held on 7th October and was collected by Mick Perrett and Bryan Lindop.
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HEATON PARK LEEDS DAY DETAILS CONFIRMED
Heaton Park Tramway – Sunday 18th October 2009
Details have been confirmed of the plans for “Leeds Day” at the Heaton Park Tramway on Sunday 8th November – commemorating 50 years since the closure of the tramway to be replaced by buses. The day will feature the operation of all four of the trams in the fleet including Leeds 6 and Manchester Eades Reversible Horse Tram L53.
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NEW METROLINK LRVS UPDATE
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 18th October 2009
Four of the M5000 series Light Rail Vehicles have now been delivered to the Queens Road Depot. As previously reported 3001 arrived on 13th July whilst 3002 was delivered on 8th August, 3003 on 12th September and 3004 on 10th October. They are regularly under test in the early hours of the morning after the service has finished between Depot and Bury. 3002 is the vehicle used for testing whilst 3001 is undergoing a few modifications. British Trams Online will be featuring a gallery of images of the new trams at the next update.
Source: Chris Allen

ACAS CALLED IN OVER NET DISPUTE
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 18th October 2009
The Nottingham Tram Consortium (NTC) and the GMB union have resumed their meetings to discuss the ongoing pay dispute in an aim to find an amicable way forward with ACAS now called in to assist these discussions. The first meeting took place on Friday (16th October) but despite “progress” being made no resolution has yet been found.
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MAYOR’S TRANSPORT STRATEGY BRINGS TRAMLINK & DLR EXTENSIONS BACK TO THE TABLE?
Transport for London – Sunday 18th October 2009
The Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy has recently been released and shows the hopes and aspirations for the capitals transport network in the coming years. Included in the strategy are network expansions of the DLR (including the previously abandoned Dagenham Dock line) and also on the Tramlink network.
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METROLINK SERIES 1 LRVS UPDATE
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 18th October 2009
The phase one Metrolink vehicles are still undergoing modifications at the Queens Road depot including the fitting of new retractable couplers which are of a simpler and more reliable design than those of the phase two LRVs and new Hanover Passenger Information Displays both inside and out. 1025 has been fitted with large boxes on each cab roof and is trialling a cab air conditioning system and if successful will be fitted across the fleet.
Source: Chris Allen

EAST ANGLIAN TRANSPORT MUSEUM NEWS UPDATE
East Anglian Transport Museum – Sunday 18th October 2009
A brief news round-up from the East Anglian Transport Museum’s tram fleet. The Museum has enjoyed a record 2009 season and the trams have played their part in this along with the other vehicles in the collection.
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350 FIRMS GET 20% BUSINESS RATE REDUCTION
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 18th October 2009
It has been revealed that 350 businesses along the route of the Edinburgh Tramway have received a 20% reduction in their business rates because of disruption caused by the construction of the tramway. However, a further 733 firms have appealed in an effort to get savings on their rates.
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MORE CONSULTATION FOR STARR GATE DEPOT PLAN
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 18th October 2009
Despite the fact work to clear the area is well under way, Blackpool Council are to hold further consultation over the so-called “controversial” construction of the depot at Starr Gate, before the resubmission of the planning applications.
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NET PHASE TWO COMPENSATION: WHO WILL PAY?
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 18th October 2009
Businesses along the route of Nottingham Express Transit Phase Two are demanding to know whether the City or County Council will be providing them compensation for disruption caused during the construction phase. The Councils are currently discussing the issue but with the County Council having washed their hands of the project it appears it may well fall to the City Council to pay – despite the fact the businesses fall outside their area.
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TIE 1 BILFINGER BERGER 0 AS FIRST OF DISPUTES HEARD
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 18th October 2009
The first of the many issues being disputed between tie and Bilfinger Berger over the Edinburgh Tram Project has been heard by the independent adjudicator and he has found in the favour of tie. This issue was in connection with extra work at the Hilton Hotel at Edinburgh Airport and concerns a claim for an extra £90,000.
Source: The Scotsman

TRAMLINK TICKET PRICES TO GO UP FROM JANUARY 2010
London Tramlink – Sunday 18th October 2009
There will be changes to ticket prices on the London Tramlink from 2nd January 2010 as part of general price rises across Transport for London. Some are due to rise whilst others will remain static. The pay as you go single on buses and trams will rise to £1.20 (previously £1) whilst the pay as you go daily cap rises 60p to £3.90 and the seven day bus and tram pass increases to £16.60 from £13.80. There is good news for cash payers though as the cash single remains at £2. Full details of the fare changes can be found here.
Source: Transport for London

DELAYS FOR METROLINK AFTER CABLE THEFT
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 18th October 2009
Minor delays were experienced on the Altrincham and Eccles lines of Manchester Metrolink on Tuesday (13th October) after the theft of a section of cable between Cornbrook and G Mex. Services were suspended for approximately 15 minutes from 1000 between Old Trafford and St Peters Square and also on the Eccles line.
Source: Manchester Evening News

TRAMS DELAYED AFTER VAN DRIVES ONTO STATION STREET VIADUCT
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 18th October 2009
There has been another incident of a motorist driving onto the tram only viaduct leading to Station Street on the Nottingham Express Transit system. It is believed the driver was not from the area and lost concentration causing himself to drive onto the viaduct until he saw a tram and then panic caused him to get the van stuck. The van was eventually removed but not before seven journeys were delayed.
Source: This is Nottingham

MAN TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER GLANCING BLOW FROM TRAM
London Tramlink – Sunday 18th October 2009
A 32 year old man was taken to hospital after receiving head injuries following a glancing blow from a tram near to the Arena tramstop on the Tramlink network. The incident happened at around 0930 on Tuesday (13th October) and the man was taken to Mayday Hospital where his condition was described as stable.
Source: This is Croydon Today

MINOR COLLISION IN NOTTINGHAM CITY CENTRE
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 18th October 2009
A tram collided with a car near to Nottingham Trent University on Tuesday (13th October) at approximately 0855. A spokesman from Nottingham City Transport confirmed the incident but also said it was only a minor collision and that there was no disruption to the tram service.
Source: This is Nottingham

REDUCTION IN TRAM GATE FINES AFTER INSTALLATION OF IMPROVED SIGNAGE
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 18th October 2009
Sheffield City Council have revealed that since the installation of new signage at the Hillsborough Tram Gates there has been a dramatic fall in fines for breaking the restrictions. In the first 11 months since the gates have been active again since a suspension 3.645 fines have been handed out raising £103,253.
Source: Sheffield Star

NEW HOME FOR BLACKPOOL BOAT 606
Lake Shore Electric Railway – Sunday 11th October 2009
As previously reported on British Trams Online the complete collection of the Lake Shore Electric Railway was put up for auction after the failure of the project. Included in their collection was Blackpool Boat 606 which was sent over in 2000 in return for Blackpool Standard 147 and this has now been sold to the National Capital Trolley Museum in Maryland. 606 has to be moved by the end of this year and the museum are now trying to ensure they have the funds to move both this tram and two others by then. Their website can be found here.
Source: National Capital Trolley Museum

GMB CALL FOR STRIKE OVER GOOSE FAIR WEEKEND AFTER REJECTION OF LATEST OFFER
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 11th October 2009
It appears that the GMB union are living in the 1970s after their call for a strike over one of the busiest weekends of the year for Nottingham Express Transit. A strike took place from 0110 on Friday 2nd October until 0525 on Sunday 4th October during the Goose Fair after the union rejected the latest offer from the Nottingham Tram Consortium (NTC).
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BANK DLR STATION TO CLOSE FOR UPGRADE WORKS
Docklands Light Railway – Sunday 11th October 2009
Transport for London have announced that the Docklands Light Railway station at Bank is to close for a month from 24th December 2009 to allow the completion of engineering work for the upgrade of the network to three car operation between Bank and Lewisham.
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FTS “LAST TRAM FROM FLEETWOOD FERRY” TOURS ANNOUNCED
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 11th October 2009
The Fylde Tramway Society have announced details of their “Last Tram from Fleetwood Ferry” tours on Sunday 8th November 2009. In addition to the previously announced LTT organised “Farewell to Fleetwood” tours over the same weekend the FTS will be running a tour involving mothballed Brush 627 and Balloon 702 - this will include the last traditional tram to depart Fleetwood Ferry before closure for the upgrade to light rail standards.
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FIRST TRAM TO ARRIVE IN EDINBURGH APRIL 2010
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 11th October 2009
Officials at tie have confirmed that the first tram is due to arrive in Edinburgh in April 2010 and will then commence testing later in the year on a short section of track between Gogar and Edinburgh Airport.
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DLR STRIKE CANCELLED
Docklands Light Railway – Sunday 11th October 2009
The proposed strike on the DLR between Wednesday 30th September and Friday 2nd October was cancelled at the start of that week following talks between Serco Docklands and the RMT. The strike had been called because of the proposed changes to roster arrangements in the DLR control centre. Details have not been released as to what agreement was reached between the two parties although it is believed at least two visits were made to ACAS for discussions.
Source: Docklands Light Railway

SUPERTRAM STRIKE CALLED OFF
South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 11th October 2009
A proposed strike on the South Yorkshire Supertram network – in a dispute over pay – was cancelled after a revised pay offer from bosses at Stagecoach. Stagecoach had originally offered a pay freeze but this was rejected by Union bosses as other sections of the Stagecoach empire were being given pay increases.
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SNP MSP CAUSES ROW OVER FALSE CLAIMS ON COST OF EDINBURGH TRAM PROJECT
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 11th October 2009
Shirley-Anne Sommerville, SNP MSP for the Lothians, has caused another huge row over the Edinburgh Tram Project after claiming that costs could reach as high as £750 million - £250 million over budget. This claims were dismissed as completely inaccurate and Ms Sommerville was accused of trying to cause trouble by raising the matter directly with the press rather than with the Council or tie.
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STAGECOACH TRIUMPH AT LIGHT RAIL AWARDS
Manchester Metrolink/South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 11th October 2009
Stagecoach’s light rail operations have been celebrating after their tramways in both Manchester and South Yorkshire were rewarded for their hard work at the Light Rail Awards. South Yorkshire Sueprtram walked away with one award whilst Manchester Metrolink picked up four accolades.
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SENSE PREVAILS IN BLACKPOOL OVER FIREWORK TRAM SERVICE?
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 11th October 2009
It appears that sense has finally prevailed in Blackpool with the tram service during the Fireworks. On Friday 2nd October (the last weekend of the World Fireworks Championships for 2009) the tram service was officially suspended between 1945 and 2115 due to the crowds with advance publicity. The last trams to operate were due to be Pleasure Beach to Fleetwood at 1939, North Pier northbound at 1953, Bispham to Pleasure Beach at 1940 and southbound from North Pier at 1950. Trams were due to continue operating between Cabin and Fleetwood and Tower and Pleasure Beach during this suspension. It is unknown how successful this change was.
Source: Blackpool Transport

OLDHAM LOOP LINE CLOSES FOR START TO BE MADE ON METROLINK CONVERSION
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 11th October 2009
The Oldham Loop Line closed at the end of service on Saturday 3rd October ahead of it being converted to a new tram line. The final passenger train left Manchester Victoria at 2324 and work was due to start on conversion immediately. It is planned that Metrolink services will commence in spring 2011 to Central Park, autumn 2011 to Oldham Mumps and then the full line to Rochdale will be operational by spring 2012. During the closure a number of bus services are to be operated by First (details of these are available on the GMPTE website).
Source: GMPTE

CONSULTATION GROUPS TO BE SET UP FOR NET EXTENSIONS
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 11th October 2009
Plans have been unveiled to set up a number of consultation groups on Phase Two extensions of Nottingham Express Transit which will allow normal members of the public to have their say on what is happening with the lines. The groups will be unable to demand major route changes but may be able to have their say on minor route alterations.
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BROKEN RAIL DELAYS SERVICE ON SUPERTRAM
South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 11th October 2009
During the early afternoon of Friday (9th October) a section of broken rail was discovered on the outbound track approaching Shalesmoor tram stop on the Supertram network. The faulty section was replaced in only 20 minutes during which time only three trams had to reverse at Cathedral (two on the blue route and one on the yellow route). Click below for a series of photos of the repair.
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TRACKWORK STARTS AT CRICH’S TOWN END
Crich Tramway Village – Sunday 11th October 2009
The work to replace the trackwork at the Town End terminus of the Crich Tramway Village was started on Monday 5th October. This work will see the layout relaid as it is currently. Photos of the progress can be found at the link below on the official Crich Tramway Village website.
Source: Crich Tramway Village

NEW PARK & RIDE SCHEME LAUNCHED IN SALE
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 11th October 2009
A new Park and Ride scheme was launched on Monday 28th September at Waterside car park opposite the Sale tramstop on the Manchester Metrolink network. The car park is easily accessible from the M60 and tickets cost £6 including all day parking and a return Metrolink journey to Manchester City Centre.
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SUPERTRAM 108 UNDERGOES WORK
South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 11th October 2009
Supertram 108 has recently been undergoing attention in the Nunnery Depot workshops. The tram was receiving new interior advert panels to a different design as the previous design was prone to unclipping when nudged by a pram or wheelchair. Click below for some photos.
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NET HOLD MEETING FOR RESIDENTS & BUSINESSES TO DISCUSS EXTENSION
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 11th October 2009
Officials from Nottingham Express Transit held a meeting in Beeston on Friday (9th October) to discuss the plans for the extensions of the system to Beeston and Chilwell. The idea was for local residents and businesses to discover more about the plans including the timeframe and construction of the line.
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WEEKEND EDINBURGH TRAM WORKS
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 11th October 2009
Works on the Edinburgh Tram Project were due to take place over this weekend (10th/11th October) and the following two weekends in the west of the city. Bridge works at Carrick Knowe and work on the guided busway from Stenhouse Drive to Bankhead Drive are due to be carried on both days of the weekends between 0730 and 1800.
Source: The Scotsman

ALTRINCHAM LINE SUSPENDED AFTER TECHNICAL PROBLEMS
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 11th October 2009
The Altrincham line of Manchester Metrolink had to be suspended for a time on Saturday 3rd October after power was lost to the control room. The line initially re-opened with a limited service before a full service could be resumed.
Source: Manchester Evening News

MORE ON TRAM-TRAIN TO ROTHERHAM
South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 11th October 2009
As previously reported phase two of the tram-train project which will see the vehicles running on the current Supertram network as far as Meadowhall South before joining the national rail tracks to Rotherham Parkgate has been bought ahead of phase one. Click below to see a photo of where the tram-trains will leave the Supertram network.
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