COULD EDINBURGH’S TRAMS BE TESTED IN CROYDON?
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 27th September 2009
Reports in the media are suggesting that discussions are being undertaken between the Edinburgh Tram Project and Transport for London which could see the first batch of trams for the return of trams to Scotland stored and tested in Croydon. It is believed that the proposed Depot at Gogar in the Scottish capital is behind schedule and with trams due to be delivered from spring 2010 tie need somewhere for the trams to go.
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CHANGE TO TRAM-TRAIN TRIAL
South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 27th September 2009
The Department for Transport have announced a change to the planned tram-train trial with phase 2 (to use Supertram tracks and then national rail tracks to Rotherham) now to be undertaken ahead of the proposed phase 1 from Sheffield on the Penistone Line.
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RAIB HIGHLY CRITICAL OF CONDITION OF METROLINK TRACK FOLLOWING DERAILMENT
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 27th September 2009
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) have released their report into the derailment on the Manchester Metrolink network near to St Peter’s Square tramstop in the city centre on Sunday 28th June 2008. The report is highly critical of the condition of track and even states that the “track was beyond acceptable maintenance limits”.
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FAREWELL TO FLEETWOOD EVENT DETAILS CONFIRMED
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 27th September 2009
We’ve already had to say “So Long Starr Gate!” this year but over the weekend of Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th November we will be turning out attention to saying “Farewell to Fleetwood”. The Lancastrian Transport Trust (with sponsorship from Trams Magazine) have organised four tram tours over the weekend (please note these plans have changed since the original announcement) in order to provide a last chance to experience traditional trams on the street section.
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TRAMLINK 2534 RETURNS TO THERAPIA LANE
London Tramlink – Sunday 27th September 2009
It has been reported on the Croydon Tramlink Yahoo! Group that 2534 - the tram involved in the collision with a bus in 2008 – has returned to the Therapia Lane depot of Tramlink. The tram will require further work – including a repaint into the new livery - before a return to service is possible.
Source: Yahoo! Groups: Croydon Tramlink

NEW TIMETABLE FOR BLACKPOOL
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 27th September 2009
Another new timetable was introduced on the Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway from Monday 7th September following the closure of the tramway between Pleasure Beach and Starr Gate. A similar pattern before exists with a 20 minute service from Pleasure Beach to Fleetwood interchanged with a 20 minute service to Cleveleys from Pleasure Beach. In the evenings the Cleveleys service is cut short to Bispham again.
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COLLISION ON GREAT ORME TRAMWAY
Great Orme Tramway – Sunday 27th September 2009
Two trams collided on the Great Orme Tramway on Tuesday 15th September on the upper part of the line towards the summit. It is believed that the two trams collided on one of the passing loops and the RAIB were called to the scene to conduct an investigation into the incident.
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LEITH TRACK CONSTRUCTION TO BE DELAYED UNTIL NEW YEAR?
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 27th September 2009
The Edinburgh Evening News have reported that the laying of tram tracks looks likely to be delayed until 2010 because of the continued debate between tie and Bilfinger Berger. It was originally planned that the first tracks in this area would be laid in early 2009.
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RAIB RELEASE BULLETIN ON BLACKPOOL COLLISION
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 27th September 2009
The RAIB have launched a bulletin report on a collision between Centenary 642 and Balloon 721 at Starr Gate on 24th June 2009. In the incident 642 hit the back of the stationary 721 because of a brake failure.
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SECOND CITY CENTRE CROSSING PLANNED FOR CROSS STREET
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 27th September 2009
The GMITA have decided that the best route for the second cross city centre Metrolink line will be via Cross Street – with the other option via Deansgate ruled out as not being value for money.
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COUNTY COUNCIL CONFIRM TRAM FUND WITHDRAWAL
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 27th September 2009
Nottinghamshire County Council have officially withdrawn their £28 million contribution from phase 2 of the Nottingham Express Transit system following a vote during a full council meeting.
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CITY COUNCIL VOTE IN FAVOUR OF WORKPLACE PARKING LEVY
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 27th September 2009
Nottingham City Council have voted in favour of introducing the controversial Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) from 2012 at an annual charge of £253 per place. Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors voted in favour whilst the Conservatives voted against it. The money raised from the WPL will help fund phase 2 of Nottingham Express Transit.
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TEES VALLEY METRO SYSTEM MOVES CLOSER?
Tees Valley – Sunday 27th September 2009
Redcar and Cleveland Council are to seek planning permission for new stations for a proposed new Metro system on Teeside as hopes that it may be built move a step closer. Network Rail are also to be involved in plans for the system to be built.
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WORK PROGRESSES ON GOGAR BRIDGE
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 27th September 2009
Work on a new bridge at Gogar – which will form a key part of the Edinburgh Tram Project – is starting to take shape. The bridge is located next to the proposed site of the Depot (which tie have admitted is around nine months behind schedule and not the two years rumoured).
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ALTRINCHAM METROLINK LINE RE-OPENS IN FULL
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 27th September 2009
It might be a bit of old news by now but just for the record the full Manchester Metrolink line between St Peters Square and Altrincham opened during Sunday 6th September after the disruption caused by damaged overhead power equipment between Timperley and Altrincham. Full services were back running by 1700 with limited services running between Old Trafford and St Peters Square on the morning of 6th September extended to Timperley by 1300 before the full reopening.
Source: GMPTE

METROLINK TO BE FREE FOR A DAY
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 27th September 2009
It has been announced that travel on Manchester Metrolink will be completely free for a day in November to apologise for all of the disruption during the summer due to the track work. The exact date will not be announced until the city centre track work is completed.
Source: Manchester Evening News

NET PHASE 2 PROCUREMENT PROCESS CONTINUES
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 27th September 2009
Nottingham City Council recently hosted a meeting for over 50 organisations interested in various stages of the procurement process for phase 2 of Nottingham Express Transit. Organisations attending included transport operators, construction contractors, tram vehicle suppliers, investment companies and specialist contractors. A notice will soon be placed in the Official Journal of the European Journal advertising for contractors for the various stages of the project.
Source: This is Nottingham

CONTINUED PROBLEMS FOR STOURBRIDGE PARRY PEOPLE MOVER
Stourbridge Line – Sunday 27th September 2009
There have been further problems for the Parry People Mover being used by London Midland on the Stourbridge Junction to Stourbridge Town line with substitution by a class 153 diesel unit required for several days. 139 002 had to be taken out of service on Friday 11th September due to excessive wheel flange wear whilst the other vehicle - 139 001 had already been withdrawn from service for the same reason. PPM services didn’t resume until Wednesday 23rd September.
Source: Graham Sidwell (Editor, Tramfare) & Parry People Movers

LATEST METROLINK PERFORMANCE FIGURES RELEASED
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 27th September 2009
The latest performance figures of Manchester Metrolink are now available on the GMITA website and are due to be presented to the committee for approval on 2nd October 2009. The report covers periods 2 and 3 from Monday 1st June to Sunday 26th July 2009. Read on for a summary of the report.
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EDINBURGH TRAMS LAUNCH PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 27th September 2009
Over the past few weeks the Edinburgh Tram Project have launched several new aspects of their publicity campaign to explain to people what is going on with the various bits of construction taking place throughout the city. The campaign includes podcasts (available through itunes), Twitter and Facebook.
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TRANSDEV IN DISCUSSIONS TO END EDINBURGH TRAM PROJECT INVOLVEMENT?
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 27th September 2009
The Edinburgh Evening News have reported that Transdev – who were employed to operate Edinburgh’s tram network back in 2004 – are in high level discussions to end their involvement with the project. It is believed that tie wish to operate the system themselves in partnership with Lothian Buses. Transdev have made no comment on the story whilst tie confirmed a major review of the project was underway. It is hoped that if a split happens it is amicable and would not cost the project even more money in compensation.
Source: The Scotsman

SEPTEMBER DISRUPTION FOR MIDLAND METRO
Midland Metro – Sunday 27th September 2009
The service on Midland Metro has been disrupted on several weekends during September (including today!) because of essential engineering work. On Sunday 6th September trams only operated between Wolverhampton St Georges and Handsworth Booth Street until 1000, on Saturday 12th September there was only a Wolverhampton St Georges to Wednesbury Parkway service from 1930, on Sunday 13th September from 1700 trams were operating between Wednesbury Parkway and Birmingham Snow Hill whilst today (Sunday 27th September) a service was due to only operate between Wolverhampton St Georges and Handsworth Booth Street for the entirety of the scheduled service.
Source: Midland Metro

GMPTE SUBMIT PLANNING APPLICATION FOR NEW TRAM STOPS
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 27th September 2009
The GMPTE have submitted outline planning applications for two new tram stops in Didsbury Village and Withington on the proposed East Didsbury extension of Manchester Metrolink. This extension is one which is planned under the fast track scheme unveiled earlier this year as part of the Greater Manchester Transport Fund.
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NET SEEK PERMISSION FOR EXTENDED TRAM DEPOT
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 27th September 2009
Nottingham Express Transit have applied for planning permission to extend the Wilkinson Street Depot. They want to build a two storey building and extended another single-storey block.
Source: This is Nottingham

CRICH TRAMWAY VILLAGE NEWS ROUND-UP
Crich Tramway Village – Sunday 27th September 2009
A look at the latest goings on at the Crich Tramway Village – home of the National Tramway Museum. Included is news on London United Tramways 159, Blackpool 167, Leeds 180 and Leeds 345.
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METROLINK NEWS ROUND-UP
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 27th September 2009
The third phase 3 tram has been delivered to Queen’s Road Depot. Meanwhile, work has now started on lifting rails inside Victoria Station at the disused Platform A. Safety fencing has also been erected along the length of the main island platform suggesting work will commence here soon as well.
Source: Gordon Ferguson

MIDLAND METRO NEWS UPDATE
Midland Metro – Sunday 27th September 2009
A news round-up from the Midland Metro system with the latest on the trams and some news on various parts of the track.
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NEW WEBSITE FOR LEEDS HORSE CAR RESTORATION
Leeds Horse Car 107 – Sunday 27th September 2009
A new website has been launched which will cover the restoration of Leeds Horse Car 107. Included are photos and information on the latest progress of the tram. The website can be found at leedshorsecar107.squarespace.com.
Source: Leeds Horse Car 107

BUSES TO RETURN TO PRINCES STREET
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 27th September 2009
It looks likely that when the Edinburgh Tram Project hand back Princes Street to the Council after the completion of the majority of the construction work at the end of November buses, taxis and cycles will be allowed back – with the proposed trial pedestrianisation postponed.
Source: The Scotsman

NEW RESTRICTIONS FOR MOTORISTS ONCE TRAM IS OPERATING
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 27th September 2009
A number of restrictions for motorists are likely to be introduced on the route of the Edinburgh Tram Project once trams start operating with key road junction changes and a reduction in parking.
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STRIKE ACTION TO DISRUPT DLR OVER NEW ROSTERS
Docklands Light Railway – Sunday 27th September 2009
A 48 hour strike has been called by the RMT Union on the Docklands Light Railway because of a row over new rosters – which Serco Docklands claim will help to improve safety. The strike action will affect RMT members who work in the DLR Control Centre and will take place between 1240 on Wednesday 30th September and 1239 on Friday 2nd October.
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FOREST PARK & RIDE CLOSES FOR GOOSE FAIR
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 27th September 2009
The Forest Park and Ride site closed yesterday (Saturday 26th September) from 1800 and will remain so until 0600 on Wednesday 7th October because of the annual Goose Fair. It is expected that an enhanced tram service will also operate during the Goose Fair, details of which have not yet been released.
Source: Nottingham Express Transit

PUBLIC UNHAPPY WITH EDINBURGH CITY COUNCIL
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 27th September 2009
A survey carried out by Edinburgh City Council has shown that their approval rating has fallen with only 38% of people questioned happy with them (two years ago this was at 56%). The survey revealed that most people are become disillusioned by the Council because of the tram project although only 9% of the 1,000 people questioned said the Council could improve things by scrapping the project.
Source: The Scotsman

YOU TUBE SPOOF VIDEO ON EDINBURGH TRAMS “A HIT”
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 27th September 2009
A “hilarious” (hilarious if you find angry Nazis with fake subtitles amusing) video spoofing the Edinburgh Tram Project has become a hit on You Tube. The video uses a scene from the film “Downfall” and has seen the subtitles edited to tell the story of the scheme to bring trams back to the City. The clip lasts for four minutes and is available to view here.
Source: The Scotsman

PROBLEMS FOR ALTRINCHAM METROLINK LINE
Manchester Metrolink – Thursday 3rd September 2009
The Altrincham line of Manchester Metrolink has been in the news for all the wrong reasons this week as a result of the overhead line work which saw the line – along with that to Eccles – closed throughout August. The re-opening was delayed and at the time of writing services have only reached Altrincham for around half a day because of safety issues and faults.
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TRAMLINK ENGINEERING WORKS OVERRUNS
London Tramlink – Thursday 3rd September 2009
The engineering work taking place around East Croydon on the Tramlink network was not completed in time for trams to start running normally at the start of this week. Instead a revised service was introduced and this will be in operation between Tuesday 1st and Sunday 6th September. Trams from Beckenham Junction and New Addington are running as far as East Croydon (with a reduced service) whilst the Elmers End branch will be served by a shuttle service as far as Blackhorse Lane. Trams from Wimbledon will run as far as the temporary stop at Dingwall Road with passengers expected to walk between here and East Croydon (or vice versa) for onward travel.
Source: Transport for London

SUPERTRAM TRACK RENEWAL TAKES PLACE
South Yorkshire Supertram – Thursday 3rd September 2009
A section of track on the South Yorkshire Supertram system was replaced on Sunday 30th August between the Bowstring Bridge and Fitzalan Square for a length of around 100 yards. To help keep tram movements easier the purple route ran direct through the delta junction at Park Square and not reversing at Cathedral in the city centre. The yellow and blue routes from the Hillsborough direction ran wrong line down High Street and terminated at Castle Square and then returned up High Street back toward Hillsborough. The blue route trams from Halfway continued from the rail station through the delta junction on to the viaduct and then returned wrong line on to the delta junction and across the Bowstring Bridge and terminate at  Castle Square , it then returned down High Street back to Halfway. The yellow route trams from Meadowhall crossed wrong line using the little used crossover at the end of the viaduct and over the bridge to terminate at Castle Square and then reverse back to Meadowhall. Read on for a few photos of the work.
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MIDLAND METRO SUFFERS OVERHEAD FAILURE
Midland Metro – Thursday 3rd September 2009
There was a major overhead line failure on the Midland Metro system west of the Jewellery Quarter stop on Wednesday 26th August causing severe service disruption for several days. It is believed that a section of the up track’s contact wire fell down. During the disruption trams ran as normal to Winson Green Outer Circle and then proceeded as a shuttle on the up track as far as Soho Benson Road before reversing and using the Boulton Road crossover. Around 200 yards of overhead wire had to be replaced and it is believed trams returned to normal over the following weekend (Sunday 30th August?) Tram 13 was stabled at the St Pauls stop – presumably stranded by the overhead problem and Snow Hill Metro station was closed completely with no information for potential passengers.
Source: Michael Averill

PRINCES STREET WORKS CONTINUE WITH FIRST ROAD SURFACING
Edinburgh Tram Project – Thursday 3rd September 2009
Another milestone has been reached in the project to return trams to Edinburgh with the start of the resurfacing of Princes Street to bring the road surface level with the tram tracks. The section of the road between Frederick Street and Castle Street is the first where the road surface has begin to be reinstated and is intended to provide a viewing area for the end of festival fireworks. A photo of the road surface and tracks is available here.
Source: Edinburgh Tram Project

CRICH RECEIVES TRANSPORT TRUST RED WHEEL
Crich Tramway Village – Thursday 3rd September 2009
The National Tramway Museum have been awarded the Transport Trust Red Plaque in recognition of its services to transport. The plaque was unveiled on 20th August by Sir William McAlpine, President of the Transport Trust on the Exhibition Hall wall.
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MIDLAND METRO TRAM UPDATE
Midland Metro – Thursday 3rd September 2009
Tram 11 returned to service around a month ago after being out of service for around six months having received a partial refurbishment – new seat covers and CCTV and an external repaint below bumper level. 16 has been out of service for about three months and is presumably undergoing the same treatment whilst 01 is stored in the Depot on the track nearest to the tramway.
Source: Michael Averill

MIDLAND METRO TRACK UPDATE
Midland Metro – Thursday 3rd September 2009
Both of the tracks at Wolverhampton St Georges tramstop seem to be in fairly regular use (although very rarely at the same time). It appears that platform 4 at Birmingham Snow Hill is out of use once again whilst the track between platform 3 and the down track at Wednesbury Parkway has seemingly been taken out of use after some problems with the points on the down track during August.
Source: Michael Averill