Tramlink strike suspended

Posted on Wednesday 8 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

The planned strike by ASLEF members on London Tramlink, due to take place on 13th November, has been suspended following talks between the union and Tram Operations Limited, the operator of Tramlink. The strike had been called as a result of the introduction of a new safety measure in drivers cabs which the union had said was causing drivers to suffer headaches and has been put in without any consultation.

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In Pictures: New adverts in Manchester

Posted on Wednesday 8 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

Two trams in Manchester have recently appeared in service wearing new vinyl wrap adverts with both making their first public appearances in quick succession at the start of November. The two M5000s to carry the adverts are 3004 and 3018 with the sponsors being LBC and Call of Duty.

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Picture in Time: Great Orme Tramway 7

Posted on Tuesday 7 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

Today Picture in Time is in North Wales for an image taken 21 years ago in 1996 on the Great Orme Tramway. The tram being featured is the highest numbered of the trams which have operated the service since the line opened in 1902 – no. 7.

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In Pictures: Citylink changeover

Posted on Monday 6 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

Since the Citylink tram-trains started running regularly in passenger service – with the Purple route still where you are most likely to see one in operation – the first of the class, 399 201, has seen very little use. This situation changed on Saturday 4th November when 201 was in use during the morning but around lunchtime it was taken out of use and replaced by the last of the class – 399 207. Views of the changeover come from Stuart Cooke.

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In Pictures: Southend Pier Railway 8

Posted on Monday 6 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

Another of those it is a railway or is it a tramway conundrums is the line which runs along the UK’s longest pier at Southend. Still running to this day with more modern rolling stock the feature of this article is the remains of a vehicle which was built in 1949 and was later converted for engineering use.

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Funding appeal success in Blackpool

Posted on Sunday 5 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

Its always pleasing to be able to report some good news and there is double good news from Blackpool where not one but two recent funding appeals have reached their targets meaning work can start in earnest on a restoration whilst another tram is now a permanent member of the heritage collection. The trams in question are Paisley 16 and the illuminated Hovertram.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 5 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

We’re back this week with a couple new Photo Galleries:

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Picture in Time: Croydon Tramlink 2541

Posted on Saturday 4 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

Remaining the capital for this week’s modern Picture in Time image we are on the Croydon Tramlink system in 2002 featuring one of the original CR4000 trams – 2541.

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In Pictures: LCC Tram Trailer

Posted on Saturday 4 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

Dotted around the UK are a number of little known tram bodies in smaller transport museums which don’t get much coverage but are as important to the history of trams than those at higher profile locations. One such tram is a London County Council tram trailer which is now located at the Canvey Island Transport Museum.

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In Pictures: And still the works continue on Bilston Road

Posted on Friday 3 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

Our weekly look at recent progress on the track relay project along Bilston Road between Priestfield and The Royal as the steady rate of work continues ahead of the planned return of trams before Christmas. Attention is continuing on both tracks at various locations along Bilston Road with the line now having been closed for approaching five months. Andy Walters is on hand with these latest images.

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More overhead woe in Nottingham

Posted on Friday 3 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

Coming just a week after the previous problems there were more delays to Nottingham Express Transit services after a fault with the overhead line in the Basford area on Saturday 28th October. As with the previous weeks problems through services were unable to run from Hucknall and Phoenix Park to the city centre and beyond although this time the delays didn’t last for quite as long.

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NET launch new safety campaign

Posted on Friday 3 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit have launched a new campaign aimed at promoting key safety messages to young people asking them to use their common sense when around the trams.

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Metrolink driver assaulted on platform

Posted on Friday 3 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

A Manchester Metrolink driver was assaulted on the platform at Cornbrook in the early hours of Saturday 28th October in an unprovoked attack brining condemnation from Metrolink bosses. The driver was changing ends on the tram having just terminated from Manchester Airport when the attack took place. Metrolink security staff were on the scene and detained the man until police arrived.

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More trackwork on Midland Metro

Posted on Friday 3 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

It isn’t just the section of Midland Metro along Bilston Road that is to see engineering works this weekend with no trams running between Black Lake and West Bromwich Central on Sunday 5th November.

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Horse Tram cavalcade to end season in Douglas

Posted on Thursday 2 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

Another year is drawing to a close at many heritage tramways across the British Isles and to celebrate the fact on the Isle of Man there will be a short Horse Tram cavalcade. Using four trams the cavalcade will depart Derby Castle at 1500 running through to the Sea Terminal before the quartet then return back to Derby Castle.

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New planning application submitted for horse tram stables in Douglas

Posted on Thursday 2 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

A new horse tram stables could be in operation in time for the 2018 season if the latest planning application for a structure on part of the former Summerland complex is approved. Previously the Department of Infrastructure had another application approved which would have seen a combined tram depot and stable constructed on the same site but due to a “number of factors” it has now been decided to just go for a stables and associated staff areas, hence the new application.

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In Pictures: New cycle arrangements in Edinburgh

Posted on Thursday 2 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

One of the controversies of Edinburgh Trams since opening has been the arrangements for cyclists in the vicinity of the tracks with threats of legal action from disgruntled cycling groups and the tragic death in May of a cyclist after she fell when her bike wheel got struck in the tracks and she was hit by a minibus. As we reported a few weeks the City of Edinburgh Council have been looking at this issue and have recently started to install new red cycle lanes providing the safest way to cross the tracks.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 706

Posted on Thursday 2 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

One of the most popular trams in Blackpool when operational is Princess Alice, or Open Top Balloon 706 if you want to include its number. And that is the very tram which features in today’s Picture in Time although it was at a time when 706 was going through a stage of carrying all over adverts.

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Get your diaries out! First 2018 event dates announced for Crich

Posted on Wednesday 1 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

The 2017 season is yet to finish at Crich but already their website has been updated with first details of special events for 2018. There are no major changes to the regular pattern of events although the main enthusiast event – now renamed Simply Trams – comes forward slightly in the calendar to Saturday 1st September (unfortunately clashing with the start of the MER 125 events on the Isle of Man).

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In Pictures: Crich Starlight Spectacular

Posted on Wednesday 1 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

The Starlight Spectacular at Crich has firmly established itself in recent years as a popular event at the end of the season with special lighting effects and later opening allowing for some unique photo opportunities alongside various family activities. With the quirk of the calendar in 2017 it wasn’t actually the final week of the season but nonetheless another successful event took place which included Leeds 399 decorated again with lights to become an illuminated tram (with two other illuminated cars also available in the form of Blackpool open pair Toastrack 166 and Boat 236). A selection of sights from the event follow from the camera of Hazel Quarmby.

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