Article updated 28/7/24 with photos and video link.
Newcastle 102 has carried its first normal passengers since 2000 with it entering service for the first time since overhaul at the Crich Tramway Village on Saturday 27th July 2024. It was a low key return to service – and sees it still running with limited capacity – with no formal ceremony or pre-publicity but it marks a significant return to action for the tram.
Its one of the big events of the year coming this week as all heritage tram eyes are on the Isle of Man for the annual Transport Festival.
We head to Fleetwood Tram Sunday (and the Blackpool Tramway) for this week’s set of photos:
Friday 26th July was another swap day for West Midlands Metro with 27 coming back from Worksop whilst 37 left Wednesbury Depot for a second spell of off site storage.
For the final time “Around the World in Trams” features the Belgian Coast Tram.
Delegates attending the UK Light Rail Conference have heard how tramway’s across the country are making huge strides towards an even safer future thanks to a collaborative approach. This has helped to drive down accident risks and reduced sector costs according to Light Rail Standards and Safety Board (LRSSB) Chief Executive Carl Williams.
UKTram – the body who represent the UK tram and light sector – have said that the change of government will represent a golden opportunity for the sector to refocus on its immediate challenges ahead of longer-term goals. The new Labour government was elected on 4th July and are now starting to set out their plans for the next five years.
Unite the Union have called a ballot for strike action at Edinburgh Trams over late running trams which are causing staff to miss their comfort breaks. The result is expected to lead to strike action as a previous consultative ballot saw 99% indicate they are prepared to go on strike over the issue.
No trains will run on the Tyne and Wear Metro between Wallsend and St James for nine days in late August to allow for a £1.7 million programme of bridge and tunnel modernisation work. The line will be closed from Saturday 24th August until Sunday 1st September with a replacement bus service to run instead.
For the last time in this series of “Picture in Time” we are going to South London for a photo of the Croydon Tramlink system in 2008.
One of the big advantages of the vinyl wrap adverts we are used to seeing on tramways across the country now is that it takes very little effort to remove them once contracts are over which means in many places some adverts are short-lived. One of those systems which seems to have a revolving door of adverts is Manchester Metrolink and there have recently been a few more changes to wraps carried.
The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) have announced the appointment of an experienced data analyst to help further drive risk reduction in safety across the sector. Danish Malik joins the organisation with a wealth of experience across several industry sectors, including finance and medical insurance.
Edinburgh Trams will once again run trams throughout the night on Fridays and Saturdays during August as the city becomes alive with festival season. This service has proved to be popular in the past and will see trams running every half hour all through the night meaning that from the usual start-up of service on a Friday morning there will be a constant service until end of service on Sunday night for four weeks.
Having missed last year because of a poor weather forecast, and almost being cancelled outright this year before it was rescued, Fleetwood Tram Sunday took place on Sunday 21st July. Whilst not being the event it once was, it does still provide one of only nine days in the year when a hop-on, hop-off timetable operates giving the best chance to take a trip on a heritage tram to Fleetwood.
Transport for Greater Manchester have confirmed that works to repair the damage caused by the land movement near Derker, which has meant trams have been unable to run between Oldham Mumps and Rochdale Town Centre since 10th July, is now underway – although its expected to take up to five weeks for the work to be completed.
The Natural Seaton Festival is back this coming weekend with the aim being to place a spotlight on the precious natural environment. Taking place on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th July the event includes entertainment, retail and music to keep everyone entertained.
The planned three day strike due to take place on Manchester Metrolink later this week has been called off after Unite and KeolisAmey Metrolink reached an agreement over a new pay deal. Workers were due to take industrial action between Thursday 25th and Saturday 27th July but it has now been confirmed that this will not be taking place.
Nottingham Express Transit will operate a revised service on Saturday 27th July to allow people to get to the Nottinghamshire Pride event as well as ensuring the Pride March can take place safely.
Earlier this year West Midlands Metro ran a competition for Primary school pupils to design a logo for the 25th anniversary of the tram system. As well as seeing their logo on trams and on merchandise, part of the prize was for a behind the scenes tour of Wednesbury Depot and this took place in July.
There may only be 27 trams in the Edinburgh Trams fleet but despite that the number of changes in adverts keeps you on your toes to see exactly what a tram is going to look like today! Since our last update there have been a further three new designs seen – two full wraps and one in the partial advertising style.
