Battery operated trams to run on Midland Metro

Posted on Friday 12 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

In a first for the UK it has been revealed that cutting edge battery technology will enable certain sections of future Midland Metro extensions to be constructed without overhead wires. Often one of the major objections received to the construction of tram lines through historic areas is the supposed unsightliness of the overhead wires and support so the development of this technology will change some of these anti-tram opinions.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 13 Comments

Luas workers go on strike

Posted on Friday 12 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

The Luas tram system in Dublin is coming towards the end of a two day strike with no services having operated on either Thursday 11th and Friday 12th February. The strike was called by the Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union (Siptu) as part of an ongoing dispute over pay.

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More tickets available on get me there

Posted on Friday 12 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

More tickets have been launched on get me there – the mobile ticketing app for transport in Greater Manchester – with passengers travelling on Manchester Metrolink now able to purchase single and return stop-to-stop tickets and a 28 day stop-to-stop travelcard without having to use the ticket machines.

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A new look for the illuminated Trawler

Posted on Wednesday 10 February 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Trawler 737 may not be the most striking of Blackpool’s famous illuminated trams, but the tram looks set to become much more eye-catching thanks to a makeover funded by Lofthouses, whose Fisherman’s Friend brand has been advertised on the car since it debuted in 2001. The Trawler is of course based on the iconic brand logo and it is pleasing that its sponsors are continuing to support the tram as their contribution to both the annual ‘lights’ spectacle and the heritage tram fleet.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 4 Comments

Picture in Time: Liverpool 166

Posted on Wednesday 10 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

We head back into the 1950s for the latest Picture in Time instalment and we feature a tram which is sadly no longer with us – Liverpool 166.

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Posted in Picture in Time | 4 Comments

A capital visitor for East Anglia?

Posted on Tuesday 9 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

A tantalising hint of what may be coming at the East Anglia Transport Museum in 2016 has been revealed on their new website with the possibility of a visiting London tram appearing at the London Event at the start of July. No further details have been released on just which tram may be making its furthest journey east ever but even the mention that it may happen is sure to get some enthusiasts eager to find out more.

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Posted in East Anglia Transport Museum | 5 Comments

Guaranteed outings for MER 1 and 2 in 2016

Posted on Tuesday 9 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

For the first time visitors to the Manx Electric Railway will be able to almost guarantee (subject to the usual caveats) a ride on one of the world’s oldest trams still running on their original system with either 1 or 2 set to be diagrammed to operate a return trip between Derby Castle and Ramsey when the main season Timetable D is in use. This is just one of the improvements in the Manx Electric Railway service in 2016 announced by Isle of Man Railways in the release of the timetables on their three systems for this year.

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Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway | 2 Comments

Tram derailed after car crashes into side

Posted on Monday 8 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

Dramatic footage has appeared on the internet of the moment a tram was derailed in Croydon Town Centre following a car crashing into its side at high speed. The collision happened shortly before 2200 on Sunday 7th February at the junction of Station Road and Wellesley Road during torrential rain as Storm Imogen struck the south of England.

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Posted in London Trams | 13 Comments

Nottingham Express Transit recognises Notts County legends

Posted on Monday 8 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

After a break the namings of Nottingham Express Transit Citadis trams has resumed with 226 the latest to receive a name – with Notts County FC legends Jimmy Sirrel and Jack Wheeler honoured. This should help to redress the balance somewhat following on from the naming of Incentro 215 Brian Clough who is of course connected with County’s city rivals Nottingham Forest.

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Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 3 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 7 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

More photos for you this week as part of our main update:

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Picture in Time: South Yorkshire Supertram 15

Posted on Sunday 7 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

Our latest modern tram to be featured in Picture in Time comes from the system now known as Stagecoach Supertram but in this image from 1995 it was still just plain old South Yorkshire Supertram.

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Trams for the Isle of Wight?

Posted on Friday 5 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

A report into the future of the Island Line on the Isle of Wight – currently part of the South West Trains railway franchise – has suggested that the best option could be that it is converted to become a tramway using second hand trams. The report – commissioned by Isle of Wight Council as part of the consultation into the new South West Trains franchise which is due to start next year – was prepared by transport expert Christopher Garnett and looked at all ways that the line could be made more self sufficient.

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Posted in General | 13 Comments

Metrolink fares to be frozen again for 2016

Posted on Friday 5 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

Some good news for travellers on Manchester Metrolink following the announcement that fares are set to remain at 2014 levels with no increase planned as part of the 2016/17 transport budget. The proposal was approved by councillors on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and has been reached in recognition of the continued disruption experienced on the network due to the city centre transformation works which are currently causing service changes through St Peter’s Square.

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A special ticket to ride

Posted on Friday 5 February 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The latest initiative by Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours has been the introduction of special new souvenir tickets for the heritage tours. These were appropriately issued for the first time on January 30th, this being the first operating day for the heritage service in 2016.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 713

Posted on Wednesday 3 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

We are off to Blackpool again for the latest edition of our archive series Picture in Time but this time we are more up-to-date than recently as the year is 2009 as we take a look at Balloon Car 713.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | 3 Comments

More firsts for the Frigate and friends

Posted on Tuesday 2 February 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The first ever ‘heritage gold’ weekend event in Blackpool, held over the weekend of 30th & 31st January 2016, has now passed and seems to have been hailed as a resounding success. Despite some appalling weather conditions and a few tram issues, many enthusiasts graced the seaside town for this historic occasion to enjoy the novelty of a traditional tram ride in winter – with the appearance of the illuminated Frigate 736 being especially notable.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 5 Comments

Tramlink 2542’s advert flies away

Posted on Tuesday 2 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

The London Tramlink fleet is now starting to have more of a uniform look with yet another tram losing its all over advert. This time the tram in question is CR4000 2542 which has had the advertising vinyls for Turkish Airlines removed which it had carried since January 2015. The removal of this advert means that only one CR4000 remains out of fleet livery; this being 2550 which carries a livery promoting Tramlink Safety. One other tram carries a full advertising livery with 2554 holding vinyls asking visitors to Love Croydon.

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Picture in Time: Midland Metro 05

Posted on Sunday 31 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

We are heading back almost 15 years for the latest instalment of Picture in Time with an image from August 2001 of Midland Metro T69 05 whilst it was still carrying the original fleet livery.

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Track replacement work at Lace Market in February

Posted on Friday 29 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

Track replacement works are set to disrupt Nottingham Express Transit services between Friday 12th and Sunday 14th February with the track at Lace Market scheduled for replacement after 12 years of extensive use. This section of track boasts one of the tightest curves on a tramway in Europe and the replacement is necessary to ensure smooth and effective running of the system.

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Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 4 Comments

Preparatory works to start in May for Wolverhampton Metro extension?

Posted on Friday 29 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

Utility diversion work on the route of the Wolverhampton City Centre Midland Metro extension through to the Railway Station look set to start in May – providing that the Transport and Works Act Order is approved by the government. Exact plans of when and where the works will be taking place have yet to be publically revealed but first plans are now being worked on jointly by Wolverhampton City Council and Centro.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 11 Comments