Around the World in Trams: Budapest 4140

Posted on Sunday 24 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

From some of the newest trams in Budapest last week to some of the oldest as we feature an image of a Tatra (or more precise three Tatras)!

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In Pictures: A busy February Half Term at Beamish

Posted on Sunday 24 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The first school holidays of the year have arrived (for most of the country anyway, with some having enjoyed their week break seven days previously) and with family’s looking for something to do, Beamish has had another busy few days with plenty of visitors taking advantage of the dry weather. We have already seen the day that Manchester 765 returned to service but on the previous day – Wednesday 20th February – Trevor Hall found a very busy two tram service being supplemented by buses whilst work has now begun on constructing a new bus garage close to the tram depot.

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In Pictures: Latest updates from Birmingham Westside extension

Posted on Sunday 24 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Earlier in February the very first tracks were laid as part of the Birmingham Westside extension which will run from Grand Central to Edgbaston eventually, with the first section to Centenary Square due to be operational by the end of 2019. Work is continuing on the construction of this section of line with the track in Victoria Square being joined by other progress on the route. In this pictorial update from Martin Miller we see the latest images of recent work.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 24 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

We head to Croydon for a selection of photos from Tramlink this week:

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In Pictures: Overhead poles start to be installed in Blackpool

Posted on Saturday 23 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Despite the fact that it will be some time before trams will be using the extension of the Blackpool Tramway up Talbot Road to Blackpool North Railway Station work is still pressing ahead with the parts of the project which can be developed. The past week has seen the start of overhead pole installation whilst progress is also starting on the single platform stop in Talbot Square itself.

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Picture in Time: Croydon Tramlink 2552

Posted on Saturday 23 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Moving forward a bit this week with an image from Croydon dated shortly before the start of public services.

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In Pictures: Double Just Eat helpings on West Midlands Metro

Posted on Saturday 23 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

As expected West Midlands Metro is now home to two trams carrying adverts for Just Eat with 18 returning to action carrying identical vinyls to those already seen on 21. The tram becomes the third tram on the system to carry adverts with new blue ends also applied and means that the UK has now seen five different trams advertise this company.

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Final Business Case for Edinburgh Trams extension published

Posted on Saturday 23 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

With decision day for the Trams to Newhaven project in Edinburgh continuing to approach the Final Business Case (FBC) has now been published into the public domain confirming that a budget of £207.3m would be allotted to constructing the extension. The FBC has been available to Councillors to view in a closed data room for the past couple of weeks but this is the first time that the public will be able to see exactly what is in the report.

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Manchester Metrolink off the air waves with adverts removed

Posted on Friday 22 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Two more trams on Manchester Metrolink have returned to fleet livery with the two remaining radio station vinyls being removed in recent weeks. Both 3030 – formerly advertising Capital Radio – and 3043 – ex-Heart FM – have seen their adverts taken off leaving just seven of the tram fleet carrying adverts. How long this lasts for who knows?

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Full details announced for Box 40 farewell tour

Posted on Friday 22 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours have now announced the full plan for Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40’s Farewell Tour which takes place on Saturday 2nd March. As we have reported frequently over the past few weeks, 40’s loan spell in Blackpool is coming to and end this March with the tram initially heading off to Beamish before it then returns to Crich, it’s “home” tramway but one which it has seldom operated at.

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Call made to divert Edinburgh Trams extension cash to public services

Posted on Friday 22 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

As we move ever closer to decision day for the Trams to Newhaven project the latest headlines on the tram extension plan comes from the Conservatives on the City of Edinburgh Council who have urged the “vanity project” to be abandoned and the cash instead diverted to other public services. Needless to say the ruling SNP-Labour coalition don’t quite agree with these ideas!

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In Pictures: Manchester 765 enters service at Beamish

Posted on Thursday 21 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Just over two weeks after arriving at Beamish for its almost half year loan, Manchester 765 has entered service at the museum transporting visitors around the museum during the February Half Term school holidays. After work in the Beamish workshops and test runs at the end of last week, 765 was first used in service on Thursday 21st February on another busy day at the museum.

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Tram allocations for latest Blackpool Gold weekend revealed

Posted on Thursday 21 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Anyone up for some Boating in February? Well if you are then Blackpool is the place to be this weekend (Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th February) with two examples due to run during the weekend which will also see the latest “Gold” appearance of Box 40 before it departures for pastures new.

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Picture in Time: Seaton 12

Posted on Thursday 21 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Heading back into the archives today we are in Devon for a look at probably the most rebuilt tram of the Seaton Tramway fleet – no. 12.

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In Pictures: West Midlands Metro 17 returns to service

Posted on Wednesday 20 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Another tram fitted with batteries has returned to service on West Midlands Metro with the very first of the Urbos 3 trams, 17, carrying fare paying passengers for the first time in this condition during the evening peak of Wednesday 20th February 2019.

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Woman hit by tram at Oldham Mumps

Posted on Wednesday 20 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

A woman, confirmed to be in her 20s by Greater Manchester Police, was injured after being hit by a tram on the approach to Oldham Mumps. The incident happened shortly before 0815 on Wednesday 20th February with the woman suffering head injuries in the collision, 3118 was heading towards Rochdale when the woman was struck. Tram services were suspended between Derker and Freehold for around two and a half hours whilst the emergency services were on the scene. The woman was taken to Salford Royal Hospital for treatment.

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In Pictures: West Midlands Metro 21 receives adverts for Just Eat

Posted on Tuesday 19 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

It would seem that West Midlands Metro have well and truly got in the act of advertising liveries as less than a fortnight since the first tram was unveiled in a special livery another has been noted carrying vinyls. The new livery on 21 follows the same pattern as that seen on 36 but includes adverts for Just Eat – the first commercial sponsor on one of the Urbos 3 trams.

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In Pictures: The old and new now meet at Talbot Square

Posted on Tuesday 19 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The extension of the Blackpool Tramway to Blackpool North Railway Station is now fully connected to the existing Promenade tramway with the last of tracks on the triangular junction now fully welded into place. The progress on this lower section of the extension remains excellent with attention now likely to turn towards putting the final road surface on top allowing the road here to be reopened to through traffic once more.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Brush 630

Posted on Tuesday 19 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

A very long-term advert is the feature of Picture in Time today as we take a look at the first of two designs for Karting 2000 on Blackpool Brush 630.

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Metrolink T68 used in training exercise

Posted on Monday 18 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

If you cast your minds back a few years you may remember that when the T68 and T68As were disposed of by Manchester Metrolink one such vehicle was acquired by the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service for use in training exercises. Now, some four years since it left Metrolink metals for the last time, 1003 has been used for that very purpose in a multi-agency training exercise.

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