SNP back plans to extend Edinburgh Trams – with conditions

Posted on Friday 14 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

The SNP have released their council manifesto for the forthcoming elections for seats on Edinburgh City Council with strong mention of proposals to extend the tram line down Leith Walk. Having previously been opponents of the scheme they seem to back the proposals, although there are strict conditions they set for their full support.

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Communications failure disrupts Metrolink

Posted on Friday 14 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink services were disrupted by a communications failure at Trafford on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th April. The problems were first reported during the evening rush hour on the Tuesday and saw services across the network being affected. The communications failure meant that Metrolink control room staff were unable to monitor tram movements or CCTV, although the problem was only experienced intermittingly. The following day further issues with communications meant that services on the Eccles line were affected as it was not possible to operate the intermediate MediaCityUK service with all Ashton-under-Lyne to Eccles services operated via MediaCityUK. Meanwhile services from Manchester Airport were only operating to Cornbrook rather than Deansgate-Castlefield.

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Nottingham’s longest serving tram driver retires

Posted on Friday 14 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

Graham Cusick, the longest server driver on Nottingham Express Transit, has retired after 14 years behind the controls. Graham was one of the first intake of eight drivers employed in February 2003 at the start of testing and commissioning of the original lines between Station Street and Hucknall/Phoenix Park and since then he has become the line’s longest serving drivers.

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Manchester Metrolink service change: Monday 17th to Thursday 20th April

Posted on Friday 14 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

Maintenance work and tram testing will mean that Metrolink services on the Airport line will only run between Manchester Airport and Firswood between 0300 and 0600 on Monday 17th to Thursday 20th April. A replacement bus will operate from Firswood to Deansgate-Castlefield.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Railcoach 611

Posted on Thursday 13 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

In this edition of Picture in Time we are again featuring a tram from Blackpool with Second Series English Electric Railcoach 611 in the frame.

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A new season begins for the horses in Douglas

Posted on Wednesday 12 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

After another winter of uncertainty the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway resumed operation on Saturday 8th April for another season – the earliest start for the tramway in a number of years but that didn’t matter to the public with capacity loads seen for much of the day. Despite the historic Summerhill stables having been up for sale over the winter and Strathallan Depot being cordoned off for safety reasons normal operations resumed on this day with the approved temporary horse and tram accommodation at Derby Castle not yet having been built.

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In Pictures: First UDE of 2017 at Crich

Posted on Wednesday 12 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

Saturday 8th April saw the first Ultimate Tram Driving Experience of the year at Crich with Liverpool 869 the tram chosen for the role. Alongside 869 a three car service operated – Chesterfield 7, Glasgow 22 and London County Council 106 – whilst Blackpool 167 was also out on the line running for Young Members Day. This small pictorial update shows the UTDE in action on the day; courtesy of the Crich Tramway Village.

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Picture in Time: Glasgow 585

Posted on Tuesday 11 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

In this edition of Picture in Time we feature a tram which is the last tram to remain in the ownership of the Science Museum – Glasgow 585.

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Beamish Steam Fair pulls in the punters

Posted on Monday 10 April 2017 by Andrew Waddington

The annual Great North Steam Fair at Beamish Museum was held this year from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th April, and as usual, this featured a mouthwatering array of steam engines plus numerous other working transport exhibits and, for the weekend only, a model tram exhibition as well. These events are always extremely well attended and 2017’s was no exception – to the extent that it has arguably become a victim of its own success!

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In Pictures: Wallasey 78 runs on test

Posted on Monday 10 April 2017 by Andrew Waddington

After a lengthy period out of action, it is pleasing to see that Wallasey 78 has finally been re-commissioned at the Birkenhead heritage tramway. The tram has been undergoing various mechanical work, including the replacement of cracked wheel spokes and repairs to the motors, and has been beset by a whole host of unforseen issues which delayed its return to service.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 9 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

We only have the one Photo Gallery for you this week (there is more to come but time has run out to get them ready for this week) but it is quite a significant collection:

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Picture in Time: Stagecoach Supertram 123

Posted on Saturday 8 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

Off to Sheffield again for today’s Picture in Time image and we catch up with tram no. 123 during 2003.

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Application put in to purchase land for Midland Metro Edgbaston extension

Posted on Friday 7 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

The Midland Metro Alliance – on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority – have submitted an application to the Department for Transport for the Edgbaston Extension Land Acquisition Order. This will enable the Alliance to purchase the land needed to construct the Midland Metro extension to Edgbaston.

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Edinburgh Trams scores high for customer service

Posted on Friday 7 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams has been named as one of the UK’s top transport operators for customer service. The Institute of Customer Service (ICS) undertook a survey earlier this year and awarded Edinburgh Trams a score of 85.8 – more than 11 points above the transport industry average.

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Stagecoach Supertram service change: Sunday 16th & Monday 17th April

Posted on Friday 7 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

Services on Stagecoach Supertram will be affected by further works to connect the Supertram track to the Network Rail route to Rotherham over Easter with no trams able to run between Meadowhall South and Meadowhall Interchange on Sunday 16th and Monday 17th April. Buses will operate between these two stops with Yellow route trams only running from Middlewood to Meadowhall South, the Purple route will operate from Herdings Park to Cathedral. A Sunday service will be in operation on both days.

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Midland Metro service change: Friday 14th to Wednesday 19th April

Posted on Friday 7 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

All Midland Metro trams will be terminating at Bull Street once again over the Easter weekend from Friday 14th April (either until the end of Monday 17th or Wednesday 19th April depending on which part of the Midland Metro website you believe!). Works are required on the City Centre extension less than a year since it opened to the public. Throughout this period services will run between Bull Street and Wolverhampton St George’s. Included in the work will be repaving around the terminus at Grand Central and further work will follow later in April.

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RAIB report into fatality on NET released

Posted on Friday 7 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

On 15th August 2016 a member of the public was hit by Citadis 225 between David Lane and Basford tram stops, tragically suffering fatal injuries. The incident was subject to a full investigation by the RAIB and they have recently released their report which has shown that miscommunication within the control room was the direct cause of the collision happening.

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Happy Birthday Manchester Metrolink!

Posted on Thursday 6 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

Thursday 6th April 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of Manchester Metrolink running its first passenger services. Since the first lines opened to the public the network has gone from strength to strength with recent years seeing major expansion leading to the 60 miles, 93 stop system we know today.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Coronation 314

Posted on Thursday 6 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

Today Picture in Time is once again in Blackpool and this time around we take a look at a tram which is now scrapped – it is Coronation Car 314.

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Manchester Metrolink service change: Sunday 9th April

Posted on Wednesday 5 April 2017 by Gareth Prior

Further track maintenance work in Manchester City Centre will see Metrolink services altered again on Sunday 9th April. This time the work is on the section between Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly with a replacement bus service in use in operation.

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