In Pictures: ‘B Fleet’ Balloons take over Tram Sunday!

Posted on Monday 18 July 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The Fleetwood Festival of Transport, more popularly known by many people as ‘Tram Sunday’, was held on Sunday 17th July and, as per last year, proved to be an excellent day for the heritage tram fleet. In fact, this was the climax of three days of interest on the Blackpool tramway – and unusually much of this centered around the modified ‘B Fleet’ Balloon cars, rather than the more traditional members of the fleet.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 24 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 17 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

Just the one Photo Gallery for you this week:

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Posted in East Anglia Transport Museum | 3 Comments

In Pictures: Blackpool Brush 636 on its travels again

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

Earlier this week we talked about Blackpool trams ending up in unusual locations for unusual purposes and another tram which falls into that category is Blackpool Brush 636. The Brush Railcoach – which originally left Blackpool as long as ago as 2006 – has been on the move again with it finding its way to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway where it is believed further testing will take place.

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Another chance for a horse tram ride at Crich

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

There will be an unexpected chance to take a ride on Sheffield 15 at the Crich Tramway Village on Sunday 17th July as part of the Edwardian Event. Originally only due to be used on Friday 15th July the opportunity has now arisen for an extra Horse Tram Day in 2016 which has been gladly accepted by the event organisers! 15 will be in service between 1000 and 1300 and 1400 and 1600. There will also be at least five electric trams in service so if you haven’t got anything planned on Sunday yet why not pop along to Crich?

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Final NET Citadis receives a name

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

All 37 trams on Nottingham Express Transit now proudly carry names following the application of the name Dame Laura Knight to 216 in a special ceremony. Dame Laura was an acclaimed local artist and her childhood home now overlooks a tram stop.

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Midland Metro Alliance formally signed

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

A new partnership which will revolutionise the major expansion of future tram routes across the West Midlands has been formally launched. The Midland Metro Alliance establishes a team of planning, design and construction specialists building four new tram extensions on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

NET Phase Two boosted local economy by over £100m

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

A major independent report has revealed that the construction project to expand Nottingham Express Transit boosted the local economy by more than £100m. The report also says that the project helped hundreds of local people to benefit from jobs and training.

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More cars find their way onto Metrolink tracks

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

It’s been a normal couple of weeks for Manchester Metrolink with the dreaded car v Metrolink rearing its ugly head once again. The standard cars driving onto tracks and cars colliding with trams incident have once again been taking place with a collision in Audenshaw whilst cars have driven onto the tracks at Piccadilly Undercroft and also at Victoria – the latter seeing an elderly driver apparently get distracted by a group of women!

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Overhead line problems cause delays in Nottingham

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit services saw delays on Sunday 10th July following a problem with the overhead. It was not possible to run trams between Nottingham Station and Toton Lane for over three hours whilst repairs were made with all other services also seeing delays.

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All change at the DfT

Posted on Friday 15 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

Following the resignation of David Cameron as Prime Minister and his subsequent replacement by Teresa May there have been changes to the cabinet which has included major changes at the Department for Transport. Out has gone Patrick McLoughlin – who must surely have been one of the longest serving Secretary of State’s for Transport in history – and he has been replaced by Chris Grayling. Mr Grayling was previously Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons. Despite the change at the top the likelihood of there being any major changes to government policy on trams and light rail seem to be fairly remote.

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LCC 106 steals the show at Carlton Colville

Posted on Wednesday 13 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

The London Event at the East Anglia Transport Museum in Carlton Colville over the weekend of Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July saw the very first short-term loan of a tram to this location with London County Council 106 proving to be a very popular exhibit throughout the weekend. Although the first day started off overcast and showery the majority of the weekend saw dry conditions – just the sort of conditions you need for an open top tram ride through the woods!

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Centenary car 643 goes to school!

Posted on Tuesday 12 July 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The Blackpool tramway upgrade has resulted in several of the tramway’s old fleet ending up in some rather odd places – and Centenary car 643 looks set to join their ranks. Having already changed owners more time than many considerably older trams, 643 has been sold yet again and looks set for a new life at a school for young people with learning disabilities somewhere in the Midlands.

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Posted in Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust | 4 Comments

718 to return to service

Posted on Saturday 9 July 2016 by Andrew Waddington

They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and that saying is certainly true of some of the more heavily modernised members of Blackpool’s Balloon fleet. When four of these classic trams were rebuilt with flat ends, they were not particularly well received by enthusiasts; however following three years of inactivity, the cars are now very much in demand. Therefore, it is pleasing to announce that car 718 has been recommissioned and is due to return to use on Friday 15th July!

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 4 Comments

Blackpool Standard 40 almost ready for a return

Posted on Tuesday 5 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

The operating fleet at Crich is set to increase by one by the end of July with Blackpool Standard 40 due to return to service on Tuesday 26th July at a special ceremony attended by special guests from Blackpool. 40 was withdrawn from service at the end of last season for an overhaul and repaint in Crich’s own workshops and with this now coming to a conclusion the tram will be commissioned for service.

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Posted in National Tramway Museum | 3 Comments

LCC 106 arrives at Carlton Colville

Posted on Sunday 3 July 2016 by Andrew Waddington

On Sunday 3rd July, London County Council 106 left its regular home at Crich Tramway Village to begin its long journey to the East Anglia Transport Museum at Carlton Colville near Lowestoft, where it arrived later the same day. The tram is being loaned to this museum for a very short period to star in their London-themed event taking place on Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th July.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 3 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

Three more Photo Galleries for you this week as part of our main site update:

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Manchester Metrolink, West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

In Pictures: London County Council trams at Crich

Posted on Sunday 3 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

As we reported a few days ago London County Council 1 has now returned to the Crich Tramway Village following a six week period in Ilkeston at Garmendale Engineering where it underwent significant attention as part of its major restoration. The tram is now safely ensconced back in the workshop where work will continue on returning the tram to service over the next few years. Meanwhile the other LCC tram at Crich – 106 – is currently waiting at the back of the depot for its trip to Carlton Colville for next weekend’s event.

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3116 into service in Manchester

Posted on Friday 1 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

The 148th tram to carry passengers on Manchester Metrolink has entered service with 3116 being noted in use on Wednesday 29th June. The tram is based at Queen’s Road and entered service on the Exchange Square to Rochdale Town Centre service (the service to Exchange Square seems to the first choice for most new trams now).

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 7 Comments

In Pictures: Another action packed weekend at Crich

Posted on Friday 1 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

Sunday 26th June saw more action at Crich with the chance for retired crew members to visit, more cars/bikes on display and the latest day of the horse tram service. Hazel Quarmby was again on site as these photos shows.

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Smart ticketing moves step closer on Metrolink

Posted on Friday 1 July 2016 by Gareth Prior

All passengers on Manchester Metrolink – and the regions bus network – will be able to use a smart card for travel from 2017 it has been revealed. Currently concessionary travel pass holders have been able to use the get me there card – since autumn 2014 – and despite the introduction in November 2015 of a Metrolink mobile ticketing app the full introduction of the “Oyster” style ticketing had been delayed but now the project has progresses sufficiently to make this go-ahead announcement.

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