Tram-Train enabling works take two!

Posted on Sunday 8 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

The works which will see the overhead connected between the Stagecoach Supertram and Network Rail lines will now take place between Friday 20th and Monday 23rd April – having previously been cancelled back in February as the parts hadn’t been received in time. As well as this work Supertram will also be taking the chance to carry out track replacement works near to Attercliffe.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 8 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

Another Photo Gallery forms part of this week’s site update:

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In Pictures: Easter in Blackpool

Posted on Saturday 7 April 2018 by Andrew Waddington

The Easter weekend provided the first three-day ‘Gold’ operating weekend for Blackpool’s much-loved heritage trams, with the newly repainted Standard 147 stealing the limelight. However, there were plenty of other trams out and about over the Bank Holiday weekend, with Bolton 66 and Balloon 719 also making their year debuts in passenger service, and what follows is a brief summary of what happened!

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Centenary 641

Posted on Saturday 7 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

As we return to Blackpool for another Picture in Time image we find ourselves in 1985 for a view of the first Centenary Car in action.

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Douglas Bay Horse Tramway 45 back into service

Posted on Saturday 7 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

The second Douglas Bay Horse Tramway tram to have enjoyed a major overhaul – 45 – has been completed and returned to service on Friday 6th April. This follows in the footsteps of British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2017 36 which also enjoyed the attention of the staff at Derby Castle.

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Plans revealed for new Strathallan tram depot

Posted on Friday 6 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

For several years the condition of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway depot at Strathallan has been a major cause for concern with the building currently cordoned off, although still used for the storage of the trams. Now in order to remedy this, plans have been unveiled for the building to be demolished and rebuilt with a new design that is to closely replicate the original 1902 built building.

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Metrolink start to release performance stats

Posted on Friday 6 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

Following the major disruption on Manchester Metrolink earlier this week performance statistics are now starting to be released to show just how well the service is performing. So far two months worth of data has been released – performance period 11 and 12, the latter coincides with the major disruption caused by the overhead line damage at Bury and Deansgate-Castlefield.

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In Pictures: More from Crich’s WWII Home Front event

Posted on Thursday 5 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

As we have reported over the past few days the first major special event of 2018 took place at Crich on Sunday 1st April with the World War II Home Front themed event. Despite the cold weather – and at least it was snow free – we can now bring you some further photos from Hazel Quarmby.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool & Fleetwood Rack 2

Posted on Thursday 5 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

Back to Crich for the latest delve into the archives with a view of a tram which is currently on the list of those needing attention before it will run again.

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In Pictures: Midland Metro 18 under attention

Posted on Wednesday 4 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

The entry into service of battery operated Urbos3 18 is still awaited with driver training having been taking place recently. During a pause in this – and the continued testing/commissioned ahead of its first passenger use – the tram was enjoying some attention in the depot yard with it slightly raised to allow the work to take place. Photos from Andy Walters.

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In Pictures: A truncated World War II Home Front event at Crich

Posted on Tuesday 3 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

As we reported yesterday the World War II Home Front event which was due to take place at Crich on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday was cancelled on the second day after the unwelcome arrival of yet more snow. Despite the best efforts of volunteers at the museum it wasn’t even possible to run a tram service at Crich on Easter Monday – the first Easter that trams haven’t run there for 60 years! Although it was only an one day event there was still plenty for visitors to see and do on Easter Sunday 1st April 2018.

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Around the World in Trams: Leipzig 1129

Posted on Tuesday 3 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

Today we are off to Leipzig for the latest image in our tour of tramways from around the world.

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Yet more poor weather causes problems (**updated 3rd April**)

Posted on Monday 2 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

It seems to be a never-ending winter weather wise – even though we are now officially in spring! – and Monday 2nd April (a Bank Holiday, of course, which means we probably shouldn’t be too surprised the weather isn’t exactly playing ball!) has seen the latest disruption with the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway and Snaefell Mountain Railway suspended whilst at Crich the second day of the World War II Home Front event was cancelled although the museum did open to visitors.

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In Pictures: New Seaton terminus progresses

Posted on Sunday 1 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

There may have been delays over the winter but construction of the all new Seaton terminus is continuing to progress with a hoped for opening date later in the spring. The poor weather over the winter – not helped by the Beast from the East which caused the tramway to be closed on two separate occasions – has meant that the work programme has fallen behind schedule but the basic structure is now in place showing how it fits into the general environment. In this pictorial update we take our first look at what the new building looks like.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 1 April 2018 by Gareth Prior

We head over the Irish sea to Dublin for this week’s photographic offerings:

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147 returns to use on the Blackpool tramway

Posted on Saturday 31 March 2018 by Andrew Waddington

On Saturday 31st March – the first day of the Easter ‘Gold’ operating weekend in Blackpool – Standard car 147 made its long awaited return to service after a period of two years away from its home tramway. The tram has received extensive workshop attention over the past year, including a full repaint which has seen a few livery alterations, restoring a livery not seen on any tram for a considerable amount of time.

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Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink 1002

Posted on Saturday 31 March 2018 by Gareth Prior

The second of the once 26 strong class of T68 trams built for the return of trams to Manchester is the feature of this edition of Picture in Time.

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Major disruption during DLR strike

Posted on Saturday 31 March 2018 by Gareth Prior

As expected the 48 hour strike on the Docklands Light Railway caused massive disruption for passengers with only limited services able to run between Beckton and Poplar and from Canning Town to London City Airport. Trains were only able to run between 0700 and 1600.

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Snaefell Mountain Railway and Douglas Bay Horse Tramway start another season

Posted on Friday 30 March 2018 by Gareth Prior

Despite doubts expressed whether the Snaefell Mountain Railway would reopen at the start of 2018 the first services to the Summit were operated on Good Friday, 30th March – a day later than planned but it now seems to be all systems go with the Health and Safety Inspectorate satisfied with the changes made to the braking system over the winter. Meanwhile the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway is also back up and running for the year with the first trams operating on Thursday 29th March.

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Blackpool heritage output for Easter announced

Posted on Friday 30 March 2018 by Andrew Waddington

The full provisional list of which trams will be operating the enhanced heritage service in Blackpool over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend has now been revealed, with at least six historic trams set to appear over three days. As usual, these will be a good mix of different vehicles which will hopefully keep everybody happy.

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