36 returns to service as Douglas end another season

Posted on Thursday 9 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

The last day of the 2017 operating season on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway was a memorable one as not only did it see the pre-advertised End of Season Parade but also no. 36 returned to service for the first time since its high quality restoration was completed. It may also have seen the last time that popular Trammer Mark was used to haul passengers along the Prom.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool OMO 5

Posted on Thursday 9 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

The year is 1987 for today’s edition of Picture in Time as we feature a photo of a tram from the class of trams which arguably saved the Blackpool Tramway in the 1970s. The tram in question is OMO 5.

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Winter in the workshop at Crich

Posted on Thursday 9 November 2017 by Andrew Waddington

Although the big project for the closed season at Crich Tramway Village is of course the refurbishment of the depots, that doesn’t mean that the tramcar collection will not be getting any attention – far from it! As well as the ongoing reconstruction of London County Council 1, two trams which missed the latter part of the 2017 season have now entered the workshop for some repairs which will hopefully allow them both to return to use in 2018.

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Work starts on depot refurbishment at Crich

Posted on Wednesday 8 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

With Crich now closed for the winter period no time has been wasted in starting the refurbishment of the depot at the museum with Depot II cleared of all trams and the overhead taken down to allow contractors Bailey Construction to start their work. All this came following Big Shunt 2 which brought the curtain down on another operating season at Crich.

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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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