In Pictures: Update on Crumpsall works

Posted on Sunday 20 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

When trams start to run on the Trafford Park extension in 2020 they will be operating a service through Manchester City Centre to Crumpsall giving additional capacity on the Bury line. To this end a third platform and track will be provided at Crumpsall to accommodate the terminating trams and this is where work will be concentrated over the next year before services began. The following photos show the current scene on 18th January 2019 with images courtesy of Keith Chadbourne.

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New App launched for West Midlands Metro

Posted on Sunday 20 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

A new mobile phone app has been launched which should make it even easier than before to travel on the West Midlands Metro and there are also exclusive discounted fares available to purchase only through the app.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 20 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Another small gallery of photos for you this week:

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Metro passengers wanted for new ITV documentary

Posted on Saturday 19 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

As we reported in December a new ITV documentary has been commissioned which will be looking at the workings of the Tyne and Wear Metro as it approaches its 40th anniversary. The producers of the documentary are now looking for passengers who travel on the Metro who may have “extraordinary” stories to tell.

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Picture in Time: Tyne & Wear Metro 4038

Posted on Saturday 19 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Staying in the northeast for the second week of our look back at the Tyne and Wear Metro we find snow on the ground as we feature another of the original 1980s trains in action.

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New vehicles for Southend Pier

Posted on Saturday 19 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Many Piers in the UK have had rail borne transport operating along them and there is often a debate as to whether these are railways or tramways but over the years we have tended to cover these on and off as news or historic photos have come to light. Probably the most famous of all these lines is that which runs along Southend Pier – the longest pier of course – which does describe itself as a railway but nonetheless it has been reported this week that the local council have earmarked some funding to replace the trains which have now been in operation for over 30 years.

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In Pictures: Balloon 711 on Pleasure Beach loop – what was the occasion?

Posted on Saturday 19 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

A bit of a quiz question for you today. In the below image we feature Blackpool Balloon 711 on Pleasure Beach loop – carrying an all over advert for Blackpool Zoo – on 1st July 2007 but what was the occasion? Let us know your guesses in the comment section! Fred Fitter with the photo.

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In Pictures: 31 named Cyrille Regis

Posted on Friday 18 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

West Midlands Metro now has a third named tram following the naming of 31 Cyrille Regis MBE at a special ceremony on Friday 18th January. As we reported back in December the tram was to be named after the West Bromwich Albion legend who sadly died in January 2018 and is said to be a pioneer for black footballers in the game playing 297 times for the club, scoring 112 goals between 1977 and 1984 before moving on to other clubs.

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In Pictures: Newcastle 102 under attention at Crich

Posted on Friday 18 January 2019 by Andrew Waddington

Although the main ongoing restoration project at Crich Tramway Village at the moment is London County Council 1, that hasn’t stopped work from being started on a major overhaul for Newcastle 102 which is being funded by members of the Tramcar Sponsorship Organisation. Here we take a look at recent progress on the tram with a couple of views from 12th January supplied by Peter Whiteley.

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Delays to Prom reopening after delay in tram works

Posted on Friday 18 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Originally due to open on Monday 21st January it has been announced that the main Promenade road past Talbot Road in Blackpool will now not open until the end of February with an apparent delay in the tram trackworks the cause.

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Eccles line suspension after overhead problems

Posted on Friday 18 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink services on the Eccles line were suspended for several hours on Thursday 17th January after a problem with the overhead caused a pantograph to smash. The incident happened close to the stop at Broadway around 1230 with the pantograph coming off the roof and smashing a side window.

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As you were on the MER for 2019

Posted on Thursday 17 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

The timetable for the Manx Electric Railway – and the Snaefell Mountain Railway and Isle of Man Steam Railway – has been released and it is very much a case of as you were with very limited changes in the timetables. In fact the only really significant change is the use of the “World’s Oldest Trams” whose operation has now been pulled forward in the day and may not necessarily mean you get 1 or 2.

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Edinburgh Party Tram for one day only!

Posted on Thursday 17 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

In what is probably a modern day first for the UK Edinburgh Trams, in conjunction with Forth 1, are to run a Party Tram on Friday 18th January. Operating one return journey across the whole Edinburgh Trams line between York Place and Edinburgh Airport presenters from the popular Boogie in the Morning breakfast show will be on board the tram hosting a special one off party! They will also be handing out a variety of goodies including two chances to win a six month, unlimited tram travel card.

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Picture in Time: Paisley 68 & Newcastle 102

Posted on Thursday 17 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Open top trams are always popular – no matter whether you are by the seaside or alongside a quarry in the Derbyshire countryside! In this edition of Picture in Time we feature two of Crich’s examples of open toppers; neither of which are currently operational but for one that should change in the next few years.

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Balloon 715 to visit workshops as progress made on Railcoach 279

Posted on Wednesday 16 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

It has been confirmed that Blackpool Balloon 715 is to visit the workshops at Rigby Road to refresh its appearance for 2019 whilst a fellow Fylde Transport Trust – Railcoach 279 – continues to progress at Brinwell Road ahead of its much anticipated return to service.

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In Pictures: New advert for Edinburgh 262

Posted on Wednesday 16 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

No sooner had we reported on a new advert in Manchester then Edinburgh follows suit with 262 losing its vinyls for C R Smith allowing a new advert for Macdonald Hotels & Resorts and the Paul Tamburrini restaurant (on either side) to be applied. The new style was first spotted in Edinburgh on 16th January 2019.

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First new advert of 2019 in Manchester

Posted on Tuesday 15 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

It didn’t take long did it? The first new vinyl wrap advert on Manchester Metrolink of 2019 has appeared with 3072 receiving its very first advertising livery with the sponsor being Totaljobs. Once again extensive contravision does feature on the advert which is different on each end of the tram with one section featuring a mainly white base whilst the other is a jungle scene. As usual fleet livery remains on each cab. In other advert news from Manchester 3040 has lost its advert for TalkTalk.

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Heaton Park Tramway launch new website with first details of 2019

Posted on Tuesday 15 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

The Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester, which it shouldn’t be forgotten is the one true preserved tramway in the country, have marked the start of a new year with a brand new website which also contains the first details of special events for the year.

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Picture in Time: Fleetwood Ferry

Posted on Tuesday 15 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

The number of photos taken on Fleetwood Esplanade of trams either at the old Fleetwood Ferry loading stops or just passing by on their way back to Blackpool is probably in the millions by now and today that is the location we are at for the latest delve into the archives.

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A makeover for London Transport 1622

Posted on Monday 14 January 2019 by Andrew Waddington

As reported previously on this website, London Transport 1622 has recently moved into the workshop at Crich Tramway Village for preparations to be made for an overhaul which will allow the tram to return to regular service. This will include a complete repaint – 1622‘s first since it first joined the operating fleet at Crich in 1997 – and it is pleasing to note that this will include some livery alterations, the aim being to portray the tram’s pre-war appearance.

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