The Trawler sails again!

Posted on Friday 7 October 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool’s illuminated Trawler 737 has finally made its long-awaited return to service following a thorough overhaul. The tram made its first appearance on the promenade for nearly two years on Thursday 6th October, when it was unveiled to its main sponsors Lofthouse’s, the makers of the famous Fisherman’s Friend products which of course bear the trawler image which inspired the tram’s design.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 19 Comments

More progress towards North Station

Posted on Friday 7 October 2016 by Andrew Waddington

It is pleasing to report that the Secretary of State for Transport has decided that it will not be necessary to hold an inquiry or public hearing in regard of the application for the proposed tramway extension to North Station via Talbot Road. The application submitted has satisfied the powers that be, that the written representations procedure will adequately cover the objections which have been received, and it is felt that the case for the extension is strong enough to proceed to the next stage in the decision-making process.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 5 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Wednesday 5 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

More midweek tram action for you as we bring you our extensive photographic coverage from the Blackpool Anniversary Spectacular:

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Site News | 1 Comment

It’s here! 3120 arrives in Manchester

Posted on Sunday 2 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

The full fleet of 120 M5000 trams are now in Manchester following the arrival of the last of the Bombardier built trams at Queen’s Road Depot at around 1130 on Saturday 1st October. The arrival of 3120 brings an end to a little over seven years of regular deliveries of the class with 3001 having been delivered back on 13th July 2009. As things stand at the moment this completes the order however rumours persist that more may be forthcoming although currently nothing official has been announced regarding this.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 6 Comments

Event Review: Blackpool Anniversary Spectacular

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Over the weekend of 24th and 25th September the Blackpool Tramway celebrated its 131st anniversary in style with an Anniversary Spectacular which saw an intensive tram service in operation alongside depot tours and tram displays at Rigby Road Depot. This review of the event actually starts on Friday 23rd September when a special afternoon heritage service ran.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Event Reviews | 3 Comments

Trawler launch tour announced for 7th October

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Its been a long time coming, but the much-anticipated return to service of the illuminated Trawler 737 in Blackpool is now just a few days away. With the major refurbishment of the tram now nearly complete, it has been confirmed that it will be operating two very special tours on the evening of Friday 7th October to celebrate its re-launch.

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Don’t Forget! Wirral Bus & Tram Show 2016

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

The annual Wirral Bus & Tram Show 2016 will take place on Sunday 2nd October with the Birkenhead Heritage Tramway once again at the centre of the event with a four car service using up to six trams in operation between 1000 and 1700.

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It’s coming – 3120 departs Vienna

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

3120 – the last of the current order of Bombardier M5000s – is on its way to Manchester having left Vienna on Tuesday 27th September with its arrival at Queen’s Road Depot expected in the usual lunchtime slot on Saturday 1st October. The tram will be delivered over seven years since the first of the class arrived in July 2009, a seven years which has seen the major expansion of the Metrolink network and the eradication of the original T68 trams.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 2 Comments

Midland Metro service change: Sunday 2nd October

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Bull Street will again be the terminus for Midland Metro services heading into Birmingham on Sunday 2nd October between approximately 1030 and 1500. This is due to the TUC march taking place in Birmingham City Centre and the resulting road closures.

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

Manchester Metrolink Metrolink closure: 1st and 2nd October

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Safety critical maintenance work will be taking place between Altrincham and Timperley on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October causing Metrolink services to be suspended between these stops. Trams will not run from Altrincham to Timperley from 2355 on Saturday 1st until approximately 1400 on Sunday 2nd October with a replacement bus service in operation instead. A normal service will run on the rest of the Metrolink network throughout the weekend.

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399 205 delivered to Sheffield

Posted on Thursday 29 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

The Tram-Trains may not have turned a wheel in anger as yet but on Monday 26th September the fifth of seven vehicles being built for use on Stagecoach Supertram was delivered to Nunnery Depot. The arrival of 399 205 means there are just two more to arrive in South Yorkshire and these are expected to be delivered by the end of the year. The vehicles are still mainly confined to depot and it is not believed that any have found their way onto the mainline during daylight hours as yet.

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 2 Comments

2564 arrives in Croydon

Posted on Thursday 29 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

The first of the extra two Stadler Variobahn’s for London Tramlink arrived at Therapia Lane on Sunday 25th September. 2564 was transported from Stadler’s plant in Berlin via Harwich before arriving at its new home where it will now start the commissioning and testing process ahead of entering service. This is the eleventh Stadler to be built for Tramlink and the last of the current order – 2565 – will follow in the coming months.

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Blackpool 272 catches fire during Anniversary Spectacular

Posted on Thursday 29 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

On Saturday 24th September shortly before midday Blackpool Twin Car 272+T2 suffered a fire whilst operating a heritage tour from Pleasure Beach to Little Bispham. The fire broke out as the tram was on the climb between Gynn Square and Cliffs Hotel with all passengers from both the motor and trailer being evacuated promptly before the Fire Service attended the scene.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Centenary 645

Posted on Sunday 25 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Our latest trip to the archives heads to Blackpool as we take a look at one of the many advertising liveries carried by the Centenary Cars over the years. With Nottingham Express Transit 206 having recently received vinyls for Jet2.com we thought it was an apt time to look at Blackpool Centenary 645 when it too carried vinyls for the same sponsor.

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Welcome home to the Hovertram!

Posted on Thursday 22 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Following on from the surprise return of Blackpool Balloon car 708 to Blackpool on Wednesday 21st September, the following day saw an even more exciting return in the unmistakable shape of the illuminated Hovertram 735. As previously announced, this tram has come home on a long-term loan from the North Eastern Electrical Trust having spent the last few years at their Sunderland premises.

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Blackpool’s anniversary weekend expands

Posted on Thursday 22 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

A late addition to the planned events for Blackpool’s tramway anniversary spectacular event, is a day of extra heritage tram operation on Friday 23rd September. A two-car heritage service will operate between Pleasure Beach and Tower/North Pier every twenty minutes from 1400 to 1800. As usual, illumination tours will also run during the evening and heritage day tickets will be valid on both day and night tours, representing superb value for money.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

In Pictures: Tramlink 2537’s Turkish Airlines advert

Posted on Thursday 22 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Back in August we reported on a new advert livery for Turkish Airlines on London Tramlink 2537 and now we can show you an image of this latest vinyl wrap livery. Over the past few years the application of advert liveries has been a controversial one with the use of contravision over the windows but this latest livery proves that it isn’t necessary as there isn’t a single piece of contravision! Retaining its standard livery on each end the tram features images of Turkey on the body.

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Posted in London Trams | 7 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Wednesday 21 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Another Photo Gallery for you this week – there may only be one but it is extensive coverage from Tram Day at Crich:

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Trams on the move from NELSAM

Posted on Wednesday 21 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

On Wednesday 21st September, initial preparations were made at the North East Land, Sea & Air Museum (NELSAM) at Sunderland, to remove the illuminated Hovertram 735 from their storage depot for its journey by road back to Blackpool for an extended loan period, as was announced earlier in the year. However, this task was complicated by the fact that two other Blackpool trams were positioned in front of it – meaning that both had to be moved out of the way first.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Heaton Park Tramway, North Eastern Electrical Transport Trust | 7 Comments

Your Heritage Tramways need you!

Posted on Wednesday 21 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

If our recent coverage of the issues which have affected the Heaton Park Tramway tells us one thing it is just how much our heritage tramways rely on volunteers. Unfortunately as free time becomes more of a commodity and with more and more calls on people’s time all volunteer led organisations – not only tramways – are finding they are relying more and more on the same individuals, something which affects the events and services which can be offered to the paying public. Although Heaton Park have been hit by this problem on a more high profile basis than elsewhere it should be noted that on several occasions this year Crich have only been able to operate a two tram service (instead of the advertised three) whilst other organisations also seem to rely on a limited pool of individuals. In this article we take a look at a few of the organisations who are always on the lookout for volunteers and how you can become part of the team.

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Posted in Heaton Park Tramway, National Tramway Museum, Seaton Tramway | 1 Comment