Picture in Time: Blackpool Marton Vambac 15

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

Today our latest Picture in Time image goes back to Blackpool with a view of a tram which is no longer in existence – Marton VAMBAC 15.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | 1 Comment

Book Review: An Illustrated History of the Midland Metro T69 Trams

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

Sometimes when you get a new book it is very difficult to put it down and that is exactly the case with Andrew Coward’s new book “An Illustrated History of the Midland Metro T69 Trams” which as the title should suggest to you takes a look at the original Midland Metro trams as they come to the end of their initial operating careers.

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Posted in Reviews, West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

Funding approved for Metrolink Trafford Centre line

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

The Trafford Centre extension on Manchester Metrolink has moved a step closer following the confirmation by Greater Manchester councils of the £300 million funding required to build the line. Detailed designs of the route will now be confirmed ahead of a full inquiry into the plans, it is then hoped that work on constructing the line will be able to start in 2016.

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Another threat of strike action on the DLR

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

For the second time this year workers on the Docklands Light Railway are to be balloted over strike action as a result of two ongoing disputes. The RMT are balloting their members over pay and conditions and this includes both staff who are directly employed by the Docklands Light Railway and also those employed by facilities company Interserve. Mick Cash, the RMT General Secretary, commented: “The union will not sit back while core issues on pay and working conditions are left unresolved. Our reps are in no doubt that we need to send a clear message to management that staff are prepared to fight to demand decent rewards and recognition, a safe working environment, decent working conditions and will not be forced into accepting inferior pay arrangements.” The results of the ballot will be revealed on 12th May.

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Shaw and Crompton Park and Ride site expands

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

The Park and Ride site at Shaw and Crompton on the Oldham and Rochdale Metrolink line has expanded with an extra 46 parking spaces now available to passengers. The original car park here had 44 parking spaces but an extra site was obtained by Oldham Council to allow for this expansion to take place.

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 10 Comments

Food to be allowed on Edinburgh Trams

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams have announced that there will be some minor changes to their Conditions of Carriage as from Friday 1st May 2015. From that date passengers will be able to eat cold food on board the trams and to also consume hot and cold drinks in sealed containers. These changes are as a result of passenger feedback and Edinburgh Trams have said that they are continuing to listen to passengers well possible.

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Going for a ride…

Posted on Thursday 30 April 2015 by Gareth Prior

After a couple of weeks hiatus we return with a round-up of when and where you can enjoy a ride on a heritage tram in the UK over the next few weeks. The highlights of this week look set to be the latest batch of enhanced heritage operation in Blackpool over the Bank Holiday weekend whilst if you like bands and trams Crich is the place for you. But of course those aren’t the only places you can go for a ride…

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Posted in Going for a ride | 2 Comments

Film causes major disruption for Blackpool Transport

Posted on Wednesday 29 April 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Transport’s bus and tram services are set to endure major disruption during May, when part of the promenade is closed off for a high-profile filming session. Unfortunately, regular users of the tramway are set to suffer with the unpopular split service enforced during various events such as the annual illuminations switch-on ceremony set to make a very unwelcome return during the filming.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 8 Comments

Picture in Time: New York 674

Posted on Wednesday 29 April 2015 by Gareth Prior

It is time for another international tram to feature in “Picture in Time” today – New York Third Avenue 674. As with many other trams which have been included in this series 674 is part of the national collection at Crich.

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In Pictures: All Edinburgh Trams now in full fleet livery

Posted on Wednesday 29 April 2015 by Gareth Prior

When the Edinburgh Trams system launched at the end of May 2014 two of the 27 strong class of CAF built trams were not completed in the full fleet livery and it was presumed they were being kept this way to allow the easy application of advert liveries in the future. However now almost 11 months later 262 and 269 have received the full “Transport for Edinburgh” colours (if colours is the right word considering they are mainly white!). A few months ago it was rumoured that a contract for the first all over advert was close to be secured but for at least the time being all of the trams will now provide an uniform appearance.

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Blackpool unveil tweaks to May Day heritage service

Posted on Monday 27 April 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Provisional plans for the heritage tram operation in Blackpool over the three day May Day Bank Holiday weekend have now been unveiled, with a few changes being made taking into consideration feedback received from customers at Easter. The most notable change however, is that the enhanced Gold service will now operate on Sunday 3rd May as well as the Bank Holiday Monday, meaning that two extra trams will now operate on that day.

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A spectacular welcome for 280 at Heaton Park

Posted on Monday 27 April 2015 by Andrew Waddington

The Heaton Park Tramway have proved many times over the years that they know how to put on a good event – and a reminder of that fact came again on Sunday 26th April, when recent arrival Blackpool 280 was officially welcomed into the operating fleet. To mark the occasion, a special Blackpool-themed event was held featuring all five trams from the seaside town currently on site, as well as a few unexpected treats!

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Posted in Event Reviews, Heaton Park Tramway | 2 Comments

Daytime testing extends on Nottingham Express Transit Phase Two

Posted on Sunday 26 April 2015 by Gareth Prior

The sight of trams on the Chilwell line of Nottingham Express Transit during daylight hours is now a common occurrence following the extension of daytime testing through the Queens Medical Centre and alongside University Boulevard. Daylight testing also continues as far as Silverdale on the Clifton line with further extensions of the testing expected shortly.

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Metrolink T68 1003 leaves Manchester Metrolink

Posted on Sunday 26 April 2015 by Gareth Prior

It has been a while since a T68 departed Manchester Metrolink metals but on Saturday 11th April 1003 became the latest of the class to leave; although unlike other departees this tram ran under its own power to the connection with the East Lancashire Railway at Bury before being propelled off Metrolink property for the last time by Metrolink’s Special Purpose Vehicle.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 3 Comments

Petition launched to get trams back to Lytham

Posted on Sunday 26 April 2015 by Gareth Prior

It has been many years since a tram last ran between Blackpool and Lytham but if The Trams to Lytham Group have their way it won’t be too many more years before you can enjoy a tram ride into Lytham. The group have launched their own Twitter account, Facebook page and are also urging any interested parties to sign a petition.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Chesterfield 7 – The Recruiting Tram

Posted on Sunday 26 April 2015 by Gareth Prior

On Saturday 18th April Chesterfield 7 was officially launched as the Recruitment Tram at the Crich Tramway Village. As previously shown on British Trams Online 7 has been specially decorated as a First World War One recruitment tram – an important aspect of tram history showing just how tramcars have been used for other purposes and not just as a form of transport.

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Movement for the Manchester Metrolink M5000s

Posted on Sunday 26 April 2015 by Gareth Prior

It is another case of one into service and one arriving on Manchester Metrolink over the past week with M5000 3097 carrying passengers for the first time and 3098 being delivered to its new home. 3097 entered service on Saturday 18th April running on the Eccles to Ashton-under-Lyne service (as with all recent arrivals the tram is joining the non-ATS/VRS fleet based at Trafford) and then seven days later 3098 made the trip from mainland Europe to Queens Road Depot, arriving at lunchtime before being unloaded and moved into the depot buildings for its commissioning to start.

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RAIB release report into Mitcham Junction derailment

Posted on Sunday 26 April 2015 by Gareth Prior

Following an investigation the Rail Accident Investigation Branch have reached a conclusion that the derailment of London CR4000 2544 at Mitcham Junction on 29th December 2014 was due to a fault in the points where the line goes from single to double track. Rather than produce a full report with major recommendations on how to prevent future similar incidents only a bulletin has been produced.

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Real Time Information coming soon for Stagecoach Supertram

Posted on Sunday 26 April 2015 by Gareth Prior

Passengers on Stagecoach Supertram are set to enjoy real time information at all stops following the installation of electronic information displays which are now under test before full commissioning. Since the system opened 20 years ago passengers have just had the printed timetable at each stop alongside trust that the trams are reliable to let them know how long until the next service but this is set to change over the next few months as Supertram becomes the latest UK tram and light rail system to offer real time information. Once they are fully commissioned the Blackpool Tramway will be the only one in the country not to have real time information at each stop.

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Bike trial for Edinburgh Trams

Posted on Sunday 26 April 2015 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams have become the latest light rail system in the UK to trial bikes being allowed on their trams. The trial will take place throughout May and all folded and non-folded bikes will be allowed on board trams during off-peak hours.

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