Around the World in 18 Trams: Geneva 1801

Posted on Saturday 23 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

Into Switzerland as we continue our world tour of trams with a visit to the system in Geneva. This line originally opened in 1862 and has had mixed fortunes over the years with it being reduced to just the one line by 1960, however, the last 20 years has seen more lines open once again. It is a metre gauge system.

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Christmas and New Year services 2017/18

Posted on Saturday 23 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

Once again we bring you an one-stop guide to all services being operated on the tram and light rail networks in the British Isles over the Christmas and New Year period 2017-18. There are no big changes in the services being offered with Blackpool still not seeing it necessary to offer services on Boxing Day or New Years Day whilst others provide an extensive service throughout the period. So if you want some tram action over the Christmas period take a look below to see where you can go!

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British Trams Online at 15 – Loan Trams: Blackpool Brush 623

Posted on Saturday 23 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

The second Blackpool Brush Railcoach to have enjoyed an operating loan during the past 15 years is 623, and just like 630 this is also a current loan with it remaining in Blackpool.

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A bus to join the National Tramway Museum collection?

Posted on Friday 22 December 2017 by Andrew Waddington

It appears that the Tramway Museum Society is set to diversify its collection at Crich Tramway Village, home of the National Tramway Museum – with plans now afoot for the first ever bus to join the permanent vehicle fleet! No, this isn’t a ridiculously early April Fool joke, and in fact it may make a lot more sense than it initially appears…

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St Peter’s Square sees another slow speed collision

Posted on Friday 22 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

Two trams have had a low speed collision at St Peter’s Square, with the incident coming six weeks to the day since a similar incident at the same location albeit on a different platform. The two trams came together on the 2CC platform heading out of the city with 3094 and 3113 the trams involved.

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First details announced for Heaton Park Tramway 2018 events

Posted on Friday 22 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

As one end starts to come to an end it is normally time to start looking ahead to the next and the latest tramway to announce their first event plans for 2018 is the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester.

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Around the World in 18 Trams: Tallinn 70

Posted on Friday 22 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

Today we are off to the only tram system in Estonia – Tallinn. This 24 mile (39km) system is 3ft 6in (1067mm) and was originally opened in 1888 as a horse car system.

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“Teething problems” for Luas extension

Posted on Friday 22 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

As we have previously reported the Cross City line on Luas opened to the public on Saturday 9th December providing the opportunity for much better connections between the Green and Red lines in the centre of Dublin. The new service pattern has seen Green line services extended through the city to Broombridge (or around the new loop line and back to St Stephen’s Green and beyond) but there have been some “teething problems” with this new service leading to a reduction in peak services.

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British Trams Online at 15 – Events: Heaton Park’s Blackpool Day

Posted on Friday 22 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

On Sunday 21st November 2010 the Heaton Park Tramway held their most ambitious event as they celebrated Blackpool’s trams and transport.

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Balloon 711 on standby for snow

Posted on Friday 22 December 2017 by Andrew Waddington

It is traditional for the Blackpool tramway to prepare for possible snowfalls by equipping two Balloon cars with snowploughs. Last year saw 711 from the B Fleet selected for this role, and it has been chosen again this year. The tram was recently observed in front of the Electrical Compound with its plough fitted.

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Glasgow 488 restoration update

Posted on Thursday 21 December 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Not a lot has been written about the progress on the restoration of tramcar Glasgow 488 at the Boston Lodge railway works in Wales, for eventual operation at the East Anglia Transport Museum, on this website for some time – mainly because work had slowed down considerably. However, with the lower deck largely complete, the top deck of the Glasgow ‘Standard’ car has now appeared in their body shop for stripping.

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British Trams Online at 15 – Loan Trams: Blackpool Marton VAMBAC 11

Posted on Thursday 21 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

Last time out we looked at one VAMBAC operated tram which had run on loan at Beamish, but Coronation 304 was not the first as that honour had fallen to Marton VAMBAC 11 which had visited from the East Anglia Transport Museum.

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Around the World in 18 Trams: Toronto 4211

Posted on Thursday 21 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

From Europe to North America as we now find ourselves in Canada for a view from Toronto’s tram system.

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In Pictures: Unusual moves at Starr Gate

Posted on Wednesday 20 December 2017 by Andrew Waddington

There has been some disruption to the Blackpool tramway’s southern terminus at Starr Gate this week, with a short section of the northbound running line closed at this end of the line on 19th & 20th December. During this time some essential track maintenance has been taking place, with some rail grinding seemingly being carried out.

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British Trams Online at 15 – Loan Trams: Blackpool Coronation 304

Posted on Wednesday 20 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

In the autumn of 2012 one of the popular Coronation Cars from Blackpool went on loan to Beamish for a short period having been made homeless a few weeks previously when it was moved away from Rigby Road Depot because of a strained relationship between its then owners, the Lancastrian Transport Trust and Blackpool Transport.

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British Trams Online at 15 – Events: Nottingham Express Transit Opens as do extensions

Posted on Wednesday 20 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

Cast your mind back 15 years and Nottingham Express Transit was still under construction with the opening not coming until 2004. Since then we have also seen two extensions constructed and opened.

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In Pictures: Ipswich 33

Posted on Tuesday 19 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

We recently featured Ipswich 33 on these pages as it is normally seen at the Ipswich Transport Museum surrounded by other vehicles of local interest. What is, however, not often seen is the interior of the tram but in this article we take a look at the tram again including some lower and top deck images. Photos from Bryan Grint.

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British Trams Online at 15 – Tram Loans: London County Council 106

Posted on Tuesday 19 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

The very first short-term tram loan at the East Anglia Transport Museum, London County Council 106 made the trip from Crich in July 2016 to play its part at a special London Event at Carlton Colville.

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Around the World in 18 Trams: Prague 8396 & 8397

Posted on Tuesday 19 December 2017 by Gareth Prior

This around the world tour probably wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Prague and that is exactly where we find ourselves today with a view of a couple of Tatra trams.

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Flexity 018 completes Blackpool’s latest tram order

Posted on Monday 18 December 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Following hot on the heels (wheels?) of 017, Blackpool’s tram fleet expanded again on Friday 15th December, with the arrival of Flexity 018 – the second of the two brand new trams ordered from Bombardier to assist with service demands when the extension to North Station opens.

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