East Anglia Transport Museum grows!

Posted on Tuesday 28 June 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The East Anglia Transport Museum at Carlton Colville, near Lowestoft, has been successful in its goal of obtaining additional land adjacent to the museum site. This has virtually doubled the amount of land available to the museum and is therefore potentially a very exciting development for its future.

Continue reading →

Posted in East Anglia Transport Museum | 4 Comments

Bombardier confirm Blackpool tram order

Posted on Tuesday 28 June 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Bombardier have confirmed that they are to supply Blackpool with two more of their Flexity tramcars, with delivery expected in autumn 2017. The additional LRVs are being purchased in readiness to provide the increased service which will be needed to serve the proposed extension to North Station via Talbot Road, which it is hoped will be open by 2019. In the meantime, presumably the new trams will provide extra capacity on the existing promenade route and mean that more trams can potentially be used as specials at busy times.

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 14 Comments

New tram shelter for Sandhurst Avenue

Posted on Tuesday 28 June 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The LRT platforms on the Blackpool tramway stop at Sandhurst Avenue (near Bispham) are currently the subject of some attention which should offer an improved environment for waiting passengers. The southbound stop has been devoid of a shelter for some time after the original structure was damaged in a storm but this now looks set to be replaced.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

619 remembers the Battle of the Somme

Posted on Tuesday 28 June 2016 by Andrew Waddington

As reported previously, a series of national commemorative events to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme will be taking place in Manchester’s Heaton Park next weekend, on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd July. With the tramway already confirmed to be playing a key part in this major event, Blackpool Vanguard 619 has received new vinyls on its roof advert boards acknowledging the anniversary.

Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | Comments Off on 619 remembers the Battle of the Somme

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 26 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Just  a small update for you this week but we do bring you two small Photo Galleries:

Continue reading →

Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway, London Trams, Site News | 1 Comment

Southend Pier Railway closed for 12 weeks

Posted on Sunday 26 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Is it a railway or is it a tramway? Either way it has been announced that the rail mounted vehicle which operates along the UK’s longest pier in Southend is to be out of action for up to 12 weeks due to essential maintenance work on the pier structure.

Continue reading →

Posted in Southend Pier Railway/Tramway | 2 Comments

In Pictures: Beside the Seaside at Crich

Posted on Sunday 26 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Having firmly established itself as a major part of the special event calendar at the Crich Tramway Village, Beside the Seaside took place at the home of the National Tramway Museum between Saturday 28th May and Sunday 5th June this year. Once again Blackpool trams took centre stage of the majority of the event although at times other popular trams also saw use with fine weather at times seeing trams such as Glasgow 1068 and London County Council 106 brought out to play. In addition to the usual tram service (which on some days saw more than the standard three trams in use) there were lots of family based activities including a fun fair on site. Hazel Quarmby recorded these views for us.

Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on In Pictures: Beside the Seaside at Crich

117 down, 3 to go!

Posted on Sunday 26 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Saturday 25th June saw the latest delivery of a tram to Manchester with 3117 arriving in the usual lunchtime slot. With the delivery of the tram to Queen’s Road Depot just three more of the current order of M5000s remain to make the journey from mainland Europe and at the current rate of delivery it looks set to be August for the final arrival.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on 117 down, 3 to go!

Council executive approve Blackpool North tramway extension

Posted on Friday 24 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Despite a delay a few weeks ago Blackpool Council’s executive have now approved plans for the extension of the tramway to North Station. The executive met this week and agreed to proceed with the plans which will now move forward to full council who will also have to agree before an application is submitted to the government for a Transport and Works Act Order.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 7 Comments

Armed forces to enjoy free travel on Metrolink

Posted on Friday 24 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Transport for Greater Manchester have announced that members of the Armed Forces will be able to enjoy free travel on the Metrolink network during Armed Forces Day on Saturday 25th June and for every day thereafter. Any in-uniform service personnel or reservist will be able to travel for free on production of their military pass in the future whilst on Armed Forces Day any veteran will also be able to travel for free (by producing their Veteran’s badge and ID card).

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Armed forces to enjoy free travel on Metrolink

Go ahead for Wolverhampton Midland Metro extension

Posted on Wednesday 22 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

In recent years all talk of extensions to Midland Metro has been concentrated on the southern section in Birmingham but all that is set to change with government approval now given for extending the line to Wolverhampton Railway Station. Preparatory work is due to start later this year with the first passengers set to be carried in 2019.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 4 Comments

In Pictures: Simca Club UK National Meeting at Crich

Posted on Wednesday 22 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Sunday 19th June saw another car rally take place at Crich with the Simca Club attending for their National Meeting 2016. A large number of cars were on display once again intermingling with the trams running in service. In addition to the trams in public service Blackpool 167 was in use on an Ultimate Tram Driving Experience and Cardiff 131 was on conductor training. Photos provided by Hazel Quarmby.

Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on In Pictures: Simca Club UK National Meeting at Crich

Event report: Heritage trams to Starr Gate

Posted on Monday 20 June 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Once part of the Totally Transport event held annually on Blackpool’s New South Promenade, the operation of a special heritage tram service to Starr Gate has become an established part of the tramway events calendar in June. This year two days were allocated for this event, and despite some setbacks, a number of interesting ‘firsts’ ensured that an enjoyable weekend was had.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 9 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 19 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Two more Photo Galleries for you this week as we return after a week’s break:

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on This week on British Trams Online

Nottingham’s latest Nurse of the Year unveils name on tram

Posted on Saturday 18 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Aprille Jones, Nottingham’s latest Nurse of the Year, has unveiled her name on the side of Citadis 220 in a ceremony at Wilkinson Street Depot. Aprille works in theatres recovery at the Queens Medical Centre and received the most public votes in the 2016 Nurse and Midwife of the Year Award of which Nottingham Express Transit is a sponsor.

Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | Comments Off on Nottingham’s latest Nurse of the Year unveils name on tram

The Hovertram is coming home!

Posted on Thursday 16 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

All four of Blackpool’s iconic 1960s Illuminated Feature Cars are set to be reunited on their home tramway following the announcement that the Hovertram is to make the move back to the north west following almost 10 years away. The Hovertram is currently owned by the North East Electrical Traction Trust and is stored at their premises in Sunderland but as part of an agreement it is now going to head home, initially on a 20 year lease.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 20 Comments

MER trailer 58 overhaul approaches completion

Posted on Tuesday 14 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

On 7th July 2015 Manx Electric Railway trailer 58 of 1904 was involved in a serious derailment at Laxey which had led many at the time to suggest it may never be repaired and that it would join the ranks of the withdrawn trams on the MER. Fast forward to less than a year later and 58 has returned to service being pressed into use during the TT event although this is just a temporary return for now.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manx Electric Railway | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Glossop Vehicle Enthusiast Club Rally at Crich

Posted on Tuesday 14 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Sunday 12th June saw the visit of another car enthusiast group to Crich with the Glossop Vehicle Enthusiast Club the latest to hold a rally at Crich with their vehicles mingling with the trams. Unfortunately the day was met with rain but despite this a number of cars visited adding some extra and unusual photo opportunities for those visitors who braved the weather. Photos from Hazel Quarmby.

Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on In Pictures: Glossop Vehicle Enthusiast Club Rally at Crich

Strikes ended in two capital cities

Posted on Monday 13 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Positive news to report from both Dublin and London where proposed strikes have now been cancelled following new offers from management. Both Luas in Dublin and London Tramlink were involved in disputes over pay but recent fresh offers have now seemingly brought to an end strike action which for those in London hasn’t even ever began.

Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Luas, London Trams | 3 Comments

The Hilton Hotel’s heritage hire

Posted on Monday 13 June 2016 by Andrew Waddington

On Wednesday 8th June, the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool hired three trams from the heritage fleet for an evening private hire. With a large party of people to transport, the trio of green and cream liveried Balloon cars – 715, 717 and 723 – were selected for use on what was an atmospheric misty evening.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments