In Pictures: Lowestoft 14 sees the light as Amsterdam 474’s truck heads off

Posted on Wednesday 31 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

Friday 26th July saw the next stage of Amsterdam 474’s truck overhaul with the extracted truck being moved out of the depot and sent off for repair. In order to allow the truck to be taken away the elusive Lowestoft 14 was towed out of the depot making a very rare outside appearance as it continues its own restoration. Work has been continuing on 14’s extensive restoration with recent concentration being on the upper deck decorative metalwork.

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Posted in East Anglia Transport Museum | 1 Comment

Edinburgh Trams records busiest ever Sunday

Posted on Wednesday 31 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

Over 38,000 passenger journeys were recorded on Edinburgh Trams on Sunday 28th July making it the busiest Sunday yet since the system opened in May 2014. Passenger numbers were boosted by a sell-out football match at BT Murrayfield between Liverpool and Napoli with more than 66,000 tickets sold for the event.

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In Pictures: More Supertram rail replacement images

Posted on Wednesday 31 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

We have now moved into area 4 of the Stagecoach Supertram 2019 rail replacement programme which is seeing the section between Hillsborough Corner and Holme Lane being attended to for the next couple of weeks. In this update we see the track on the outbound side from Hillsborough Corner to the old Holme Lane tram depot being replaced. Stuart Cooke with the images.

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In Pictures: The Blue revolution continues on West Midlands Metro

Posted on Tuesday 30 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

There are now four all blue trams on the West Midlands Metro with 23 the latest of the Urbos3 trams to receive the new livery vinyls. A tram had been spotted in the depot shed at Wednesbury last week but at that time it wasn’t possible to identify which tram it was but on Saturday 27th July it became obvious when 23 was seen in service sporting the new look.

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In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams 275 scores a try with new Scottish Rugby advert

Posted on Tuesday 30 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

The EE 5G advert on Edinburgh Trams 275 hasn’t lasted long with a new design having already been applied on the tram. This time around it is for Scottish Rugby with the very familiar layout of, yes you’ve guessed it!, full height adverts on sections three and five of the tram and then above window ads on the remaining sections.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Brush 623

Posted on Tuesday 30 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

For the third week in a row we feature a tram in the Wartime Green and Cream livery although this time around the tram can be seen in the same colours today. That trams is Blackpool Brush 623.

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Innovative training scheme boosts West Midlands Metro

Posted on Monday 29 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

Recruitment for the expanding West Midlands Metro network has recently received a boost thanks to an innovative training scheme. West Midlands Metro have joined forces with two local colleges to drive an initiative aimed at equipping people with the skills needed to apply for jobs which are currently being created on the network.

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In Pictures: The new look Glory Mine

Posted on Monday 29 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

We’ve already taken a brief look at the new look Glory Mine terminus at Crich and in this pictorial we take a more detailed view of the slightly revised layout including the old siding still in situ although unconnected. Photos from Peter Narramore.

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Deansgate-Castlefield and 2CC praised for their sustainability

Posted on Monday 29 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

More awards for Manchester Metrolink, this time the sustainability of the new(ish) stop at Deansgate-Castlefield and also the Second City Crossing (2CC). The assessment into the sustainability of both has been undertaken over several years and both were rated as excellent in the CEEQUAL certification which looks at the projects both during and after construction.

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Around the World in Trams: Karkow 177

Posted on Sunday 28 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

Continuing our look at trams from around the world we conclude the series on trams in Krakow, Poland with the below image.

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In Pictures: Let summer begin at Beamish!

Posted on Sunday 28 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

The so-called Moroccan plume heading across the UK at the moment has reached the northeast at Beamish which not only means its time for the open trams but is also time, especially at the start of long school summer holidays, for a major increase in visitors – it is after all educational and fun! Tuesday 23rd July saw open toppers Blackpool 31 and Newcastle 114 in service along with Sheffield 264 (with only two fully open cars the open balcony of 264 makes it popular on decent weather days as well).

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Fares to increase in Blackpool

Posted on Sunday 28 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

From Sunday 4th August it will cost you more to travel on Blackpool’s modern trams and buses following the announcement of new fares by Blackpool Transport. The popular 24 hour ticket will now cost you £6 on board the tram or bus (015’s advert will have to change again!) up from £5.50 with other increase also set to be introduced from this date. Even after the rise in prices the cheapest way to buy your ticket will still be through the Blackpool Transport Mobile App.

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Man dies after being hit by a tram

Posted on Sunday 28 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

A man in his 30s has died after being hit by a tram in West Didsbury. The tragic incident happened on Tuesday 23rd July at around 2225 close to the Burton Road tramstop with the man being pronounced dead at the scene. Greater Manchester Police confirmed details of the incident and that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

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In Pictures: New South Shields Interchange almost ready

Posted on Saturday 27 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

The countdown is on for the opening of the new Tyne and Wear Metro station at South Shields, forming part of an all new transport interchange, with the first services due to call there on Sunday 4th August. With work coming to a conclusion the hoardings around the site are starting to come down allowing the public their first real view of the impressive looking modern structure.

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Picture in Time: Midland Metro 11

Posted on Saturday 27 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

The year is 2014 and the system is Midland Metro as we take a look at special liveried 11 in action.

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All the Stations reach the Isle of Man

Posted on Saturday 27 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

Earlier this year we reported on the All the Stations team who travelled to Ireland and included all stops on Luas as part of their overall trip which also included all railway stations in the country as well. This followed on from previous high profile All the Stations Great Britain which took place in 2017. Their adventures have now continued with a recent trip to the Isle of Man seeing them complete their usual challenge – and with it being the Isle of Man this time it means quite a few trams!

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Posted in Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway | 2 Comments

In Pictures: Supertram rail replacement works return

Posted on Saturday 27 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

The short three day period of a full Stagecoach Supertram network is over with the rail replacement works recommencing from Monday 22nd July. This is now 2019’s area 3 which is due to only last until Friday 26th July and is seeing attention to the track around Shalesmoor. Simon Temple has been on the scene and provides the below photos for us to share.

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Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 1 Comment

RAIB recommend improvements for Edinburgh Trams over fatal collision at Saughton

Posted on Friday 26 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

The latest report to be released by the RAIB is on the fatal collision at Saughton on Edinburgh Trams back on 11th September 2018 with a number of recommendations made to improve safety at various pedestrian crossings along the line. The report doesn’t make great reading with the suggestion made that there were two main things Edinburgh Trams should have done differently to help prevent incidents like this with both the sound levels of the audible warnings on the trams and the layout of the crossing suggested for improvements.

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New Secretary of State for Transport announced

Posted on Friday 26 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

Unless you’ve been avoiding the news over the past few days you may have noticed that a new Prime Minister is now in office, Boris Johnson in case you missed it!, which has also led to a widespread cabinet reshuffle. This has included a new incumbent as Secretary of State for Transport with Grant Shapps named in the role on 24th July.

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Hot weather causes tram delays

Posted on Friday 26 July 2019 by Gareth Prior

It probably hasn’t escaped your notice if you’re in the UK at the moment but it has been a tad warm over the past few days! Whilst it is nice to have a little bit of sun and warmth (but does it need to be that warm?!) it does also have some consequences for public transport, particularly on rail. As a result of the high temperatures delays were reported on Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit, Stagecoach Supertram and West Midlands Metro on Thursday 25th July.

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