What’s New on British Trams Online?

Posted on Sunday 15 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Its another look into the recent past for this week’s photo collection as we go to Croydon in 2005:

Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams, Picture in Time, Site News | Comments Off on What’s New on British Trams Online?

It’s that time again! Tram of the Year is back!

Posted on Sunday 15 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

We don’t know if you’ve noticed but 2020 has been anything but normal with a long period where barely anything tram related happened. Despite this, and after much consideration, we have decided that the British Trams Online Tram of the Year will still take place (with our aim of trying to find any positivity we can!) and today marks the launch of the 2020 contest – so its time to get your thinking caps on as to what should make the final shortlists.

Continue reading →

Posted in Tram of the Year | 3 Comments

Manchester welcomes M5000 3121 to the city!

Posted on Saturday 14 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Saturday 14th November saw Manchester Metrolink welcome the first of 27 new trams ordered to increase capacity on the network (at the time because of high passenger numbers although now capacity is needed for different reasons – namely so everyone can stay as far away from each other as possible!). 3121 made the trip from mainland Europe arriving in the traditional Saturday slot at Queens Road Depot.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Manchester welcomes M5000 3121 to the city!

Around the World in Trams: Innsbruck 4

Posted on Saturday 14 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

We just have time for one more photo from Innsbruck before our world trip moves on.

Continue reading →

Posted in Around the World in Trams | Comments Off on Around the World in Trams: Innsbruck 4

Crossover installed on Hagley Road in another major milestone for Birmingham Westside extension

Posted on Saturday 14 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

The major milestones in the construction of the Birmingham Westside extension seem to be coming thick and fast and the latest to be celebrated is the installation of a crossover on Hagley Road which will allow trams to access both tracks when arriving and departing from the new terminus.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Crossover installed on Hagley Road in another major milestone for Birmingham Westside extension

Man dies after being hit by train in Nottingham – NET services affected

Posted on Saturday 14 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

A man has died after being hit by a tram at Bulwell on the East Midlands Railway Robin Hood line which runs alongside the tram line to Hucknall. Due to the proximity of the railway and tramway, NET services were suspended whilst the emergency services dealt with the incident. Tragically the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident was reported at around 0700 with tram services resuming approximately two hours later. Our thoughts go out to anyone affected by this incident.

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | Comments Off on Man dies after being hit by train in Nottingham – NET services affected

Blackpool Brush 298 new underframe to be constructed in Wales

Posted on Friday 13 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Earlier this year it was confirmed that the full go-ahead had been given for the restoration of Blackpool Brush Car 298 at the Crich Tramway Village and now as the project comes close to a physical start it had been announced that a new underframe for the tram is to be constructed by the Ffestiniog and West Highland Railway as the two organisations come together.

Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on Blackpool Brush 298 new underframe to be constructed in Wales

Tramlink inquest delay confirmed until Spring 2021

Posted on Friday 13 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

It has been confirmed that the inquest into the London Tramlink derailment at Sandilands in November 2016 will now not take place until spring 2021. The inquest had originally been due to start on 10th October but was delayed as a result of Coronavirus restrictions and with England now in lockdown it has been decided this delay will be extended until next year. The derailment saw seven people lose their lives when the tram derailed on the curve at Sandilands as a result of the driver losing awareness and not lowering the speed of the tram sufficiently. The inquest will be heard in front of a jury.

Posted in London Trams | 1 Comment

Picture in Time: Leeds 532

Posted on Friday 13 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Our final stop in Leeds during 1959 moves on from the Horsfield Cars and takes a look at one of the Feltham trams which had moved north for their final years of service.

Continue reading →

Posted in Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Leeds 532

Tram Operations Limited named Operator of the Year at Global Light Rail Awards

Posted on Thursday 12 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Its the Global Award ceremony where most of the winners seem to come from the UK but the winners have again been announced for the annual Global Light Rail Awards with the “big” Operator of the Year prize going to the operator of London Tramlink, Tram Operations Limited (TOL). They just bear Midland Metro Limited to the award with many other systems, projects and individuals also celebrating virtually on the night.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams, London Trams, Manchester Metrolink, Tyne and Wear Metro, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Tram Operations Limited named Operator of the Year at Global Light Rail Awards

In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams 254 receives new Edinburgh Park advert

Posted on Thursday 12 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

We saw last month how Edinburgh Trams 268 had lost its advert for Parabola Edinburgh Park in favour of a revised advert for Edinburgh Park (without the Parabola!) and now a previously unillustrated similar change has also been seen on 254. Also in October, 254 lost the old Parabola Edinburgh Park advert in favour of the new vinyls for Edinburgh Park.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams 254 receives new Edinburgh Park advert

Stop by Stop Nottingham Express Transit: Clifton South line – Meadows Embankment

Posted on Thursday 12 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

In the second part of our look at the tram stops on Nottingham Express Transit’s line to Clifton South we reach Meadows Embankment.

Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit, Stop by Stop | Comments Off on Stop by Stop Nottingham Express Transit: Clifton South line – Meadows Embankment

Another design change for the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway

Posted on Wednesday 11 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

It would seem that every time you think a final design has been agreed for the relaying of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway there is another tweak and so it is again, although whereas most seem to be further eroding the tramway this one provides a bit more double track. The section where the change has happened is where the tramway crosses from the centre of the road to the sea side of the road.

Continue reading →

Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway | 1 Comment

Communication issue causes major NET delays

Posted on Wednesday 11 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Wednesday 11th November didn’t start off particularly well for Nottingham Express Transit – or anyone who wanted to travel on it – as a communication failure at around 0600 meant no trams could run for just over three hours. This isn’t the first time that a communications fault has led to a complete suspension of the service on NET but this time it was resolved relatively quickly (although it was still disruptive for anyone wanting to travel at the time). All trams had been returned to depot during the disruption but from shortly before 0930 they started to leave again and a full service was resumed albeit initially with delays.

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | Comments Off on Communication issue causes major NET delays

Still Standing! Southport Tram Depot

Posted on Wednesday 11 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

We are heading back to the northwest for this edition of “Still Standing” as we are off to the coast to take a look at another old tram depot still in use for transport today, albeit buses.

Continue reading →

Posted in Still Standing! | Comments Off on Still Standing! Southport Tram Depot

In Pictures: Wilko’s still standing – but only just!

Posted on Tuesday 10 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

The demolition of the old Wilko’s store in Blackpool has been continuing over the past week and although excellent progress continues to be made in its removal there does still remain some of it in place but it can’t be many more weeks before the site is completed devoid of a building.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | Comments Off on In Pictures: Wilko’s still standing – but only just!

Metro cube goes on display at London’s design museum

Posted on Tuesday 10 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

One of the iconic Metro cubes from the Tyne and Wear Metro can currently be seen in London as part of an exhibition celebrating the work of pioneering graphic designer Margaret Calvert at the Design Museum.

Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Metro cube goes on display at London’s design museum

Picture in Time: Docklands Light Railway 47

Posted on Tuesday 10 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Before our modern tram Picture in Time series takes a break we are again making a stop on the Docklands Light Railway for an archive image dating from 2003.

Continue reading →

Posted in Docklands Light Railway, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Docklands Light Railway 47

Seaton Tramway announce plans for 24 hour Tramathon 2021!

Posted on Monday 9 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

I think we can probably all agree that 2020 hasn’t exactly been the year we hoped it may be and many of us may already been looking forward to 2021 and hoping it will be a far more enjoyable year – and that includes the Seaton Tramway! After the success of their online 24 hour Tramathon earlier this year they have already their plans to do it all again in 2021 – this time hopefully when we’re not in lockdown!

Continue reading →

Posted in Seaton Tramway | Comments Off on Seaton Tramway announce plans for 24 hour Tramathon 2021!

Manchester Metrolink Engineering Works: Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th November

Posted on Monday 9 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

There will be improvement works on Manchester Metrolink on both Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th November which will see the Bury line affected and no trams running between Bury and Whitefield.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Manchester Metrolink Engineering Works: Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th November