Countdown to decision day for Edinburgh Trams continues

Posted on Monday 18 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Thursday 14th March 2019 will be a significant day for the future of Edinburgh Trams. It will be on that day that councillors from the City of Edinburgh Council meet to decide on whether to press ahead with plans to extend the line along Leith Walk to Newhaven – based on the results of the Final Business Case. Councillors have been given access to this in a special room before it is made public to help them reach their decision but, and let’s be honest about this, most had probably already made up their minds before seeing the document as opinions on major projects such as this are already pretty much entrenched based on previous experience and political persuasion.

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Around the World in Trams: Budapest 2035

Posted on Sunday 17 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Today we feature one of the more modern trams to be found in Budapest – a Siemens Combino, numbered 2035.

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Chance to Sponsor a Trammer

Posted on Sunday 17 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

A new initiative for 2019 on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway is the chance to sponsor a Trammer – for just £12! The Trammers are the horses who work hard throughout the season hauling the trams along Douglas Promenade and any sponsorship received will help support the upkeep, welfare and promotion of the large number of Clydesdale and Shire draught horses.

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In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams moves the 6 Nations crowds

Posted on Sunday 17 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

One of the big advantages of a tramway/light railway is its ability to move large crowds in a short space of time. With Edinburgh often seeing big events – not only at Hogmanay and during the Edinburgh Festival but also at BT Murrayfield – the trams are called into action with a very regular service operating to move people where they need to be. One such occasion was on Saturday 9th February for the 6 Nations rugby match between Scotland and Ireland. Roy Calderwood was on hand to capture the below images.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 17 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Added this week are some construction images from Manchester Metrolink:

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Another busy winter at Derby Castle Works

Posted on Saturday 16 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Each winter the Manx Electric Railway may close to the public but that doesn’t mean everyone takes a break until the following spring – far from it! Once again this winter Derby Castle Sheds have been a hive of activity with more trailers being prepared for a return to use whilst the completion of the overhaul of Douglas Bay Horse Tramway 29 is also starting to reach a conclusion.

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Picture in Time: Croydon Tramlink 2545

Posted on Saturday 16 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The southernmost modern tram system in the UK is that which serves South London, now known as London Tramlink when it first start services it was more location specific as Croydon Tramlink. Over the next few weeks we will be taking a look at some images from the earlier years of this system.

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Manchester 765 on test at Beamish

Posted on Saturday 16 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Following on from its recent move across from Heaton Park Tramway to Beamish, Friday 15th February saw an important step towards the tram entering service in the north east with Manchester 765 being tested around the museum circuit.

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Car hit by tram on Airport line road crossing

Posted on Saturday 16 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink services to the Airport were disrupted for approximately an hour on Tuesday 12th February after a car “strayed onto the tracks” and was hit by a tram close to the stop at Northern Moor. No injuries were reported.

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Box 40’s long farewell to Blackpool

Posted on Friday 15 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

As has been widely publicised Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40 is to leave Blackpool after almost 23 years (save for a short period back at Crich in 2014) at some point in March but before it goes it will see extensive use on Heritage Tram Tours – including a special farewell tour on Saturday 2nd March.

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Work continues on Glory Mine relay

Posted on Friday 15 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

It’s not just Blackpool, Manchester and the West Midlands who are currently enjoying track laying as the major winter project at the Crich Tramway Village also involves some new track being put down. Unlike the other aforementioned locations though at Crich is very much a like for like replacement with the formation at Glory Mine being relaid. It is planned everything will be back in place and in operation by the start of Crich’s 2019 season in March.

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RAIB release urgent advice to Edinburgh Trams over warning horn

Posted on Thursday 14 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) have issued urgent safety advice to Edinburgh Trams over the warning horn on the trams which has been found to be below levels in line with current industry guidance. This warning comes following the fatal accident in September 2018 when a pedestrian was hit by a tram between Balgreen and Saughton tramstops.

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Picture in Time: Glasgow Coronation

Posted on Thursday 14 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Today we conclude our images from November 1962 in Glasgow with one of the last runs of a tram on the city’s tramways.

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Seaton Tramway gets Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition

Posted on Wednesday 13 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

One of the big advantages of the new Seaton terminus is the ability for temporary exhibitions to be put on and for two months from 10th March the world renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will be doing just that. On loan from the Natural History Museum this exhibition features exceptional images capturing fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world. And if it gets any visitors inspired Seaton have also announced they will be hosting their Wildlife & Landscaping Trams in 2019 allowing participants the chance to take photos in the company of a professional photographer.

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In Pictures: More on new adverts for Edinburgh Trams

Posted on Wednesday 13 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Recent weeks have seen a couple of new adverts debuting on Edinburgh Trams with both 251 and 261 losing former adverts for C R Smith in favour of new contracts for Edinburgh Live and Standard Life respectively. We have seen a few images of these trams previously but in this pictorial we take another closer look at the new designs courtesy of Roy Calderwood.

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In Pictures: Blackpool North Station extension latest

Posted on Tuesday 12 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The work to connect the old Promenade tramway tracks with those being installed in Talbot Square and Talbot Road for the Blackpool North Railway Station extension has been continuing in recent weeks. Whilst there is still some work to be completed before the two are as one excellent progress has been made with the tracks being welded together ahead of the final road surface being put into place. There still remains no word on a possible opening date for the line with no sign of a new store for Wilkinson’s on the immediate horizon which, of course, means there is nowhere for the new terminus to go. Peter Dockerty with the photos.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 710

Posted on Tuesday 12 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Can you remember the time when Blackpool Balloon 710 was included as part of the Fleetwood Transport Festival parade? The year was 2011 and with the tram acquired by the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust it was transported through the town – its last public appearance.

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In Pictures: Bradley Lane Park and Ride progresses

Posted on Monday 11 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Whilst there may be more high profile construction projects connected to the West Midlands Metro an equally important job is continuing at Bradley Lane where a new park and ride site is being built to allow travellers the chance to catch the tram into Birmingham or Wolverhampton. Work started back in October 2018 and is due to be completed by the summer of this year.

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Metro bridges to be replaced

Posted on Monday 11 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Two Tyne and Wear Metro bridges are to be replaced as part of a £2.5 million project with the work set to take place during March. The two bridges are in Tynemouth and Cullercoats and their replacement will require line closures over two weekends during March.

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Around the World in Trams: Budapest 1556

Posted on Sunday 10 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Our look at trams from outside of the British Isles moves on this week as we head to the Hungarian capital city of Budapest. A city that has an extensive public transport network including a fleet of around 600 trams of various different types.

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