Picture in Time: Blackpool Electric Locomotive

Posted on Tuesday 12 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

The subject of “Picture in Time” today is probably one of the stranger “trams” preserved as part of the national collection – the Blackpool Electric Locomotive. To anyone today the locomotive is well known in its green livery but back in 1990 it was still carrying a red livery.

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Posted in National Tramway Museum, Picture in Time | 3 Comments

Southampton 45 is not a horse tram!

Posted on Tuesday 12 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Southampton 45 has become the latest tramcar from the National collection to be moved into the Exhibition Hall at Crich Tramway Village, following its retirement from active duties late last year. The tram has moved into a space vacated by the musuem’s operating horse tram Sheffield 15 which is set to carry its first passengers of the year on Wednesday 13th May, ahead of an increased number of running days during 2015.

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Posted in National Tramway Museum | 8 Comments

Tramlink 2546 celebrates 15 years of the system

Posted on Monday 11 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

London Tramlink is 15 years old. The first line – from New Addington to central Croydon – was officially opened on Wednesday 10th May 2000 and over the past 15 years the network has gone from strength to strength with 32 million passengers now carried each year. To celebrate the 15th anniversary CR4000 2546 has been adorned with a few vinyls showing how passenger numbers have grown since inception (and where they are estimated to be in another 15 years) and also a 15th anniversary logo. Still in the standard fleet livery of Lime Green, Blue and White the tram is now in service on the network commemorating the anniversary.

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In Pictures: More outings for Blackpool’s ‘B Fleet’ Balloons

Posted on Monday 11 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Filming for a major feature film on Blackpool promenade was finally completed on Friday 8th May, bringing to an end the period of disruption for the town and its public transport services. As we have reported previously, the requirement for a small number of Flexity trams for filming duties led to some of the little-used ‘B Fleet’ running in ordinary service and what follows is a summary of their use during the week.

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More trams emerge from hibernation at Crich

Posted on Monday 11 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

As the operating season progresses, the number of trams being made available for use at Crich Tramway Village has continued to increase. So far this year, records show that a very credible eighteen tramcars have run in passenger service at the museum, with London United Tramways 159 being the most recent to re-enter service following a winter lay-off.

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Posted in National Tramway Museum | 6 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 10 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

After last week’s bumper update we just have the one Photo Gallery for you this week with images from the mini Blackpool day at Heaton Park welcoming Blackpool 280 to the operating fleet:

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Picture in Time: South Yorkshire Supertram 12

Posted on Sunday 10 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

Our modern tram “Picture in Time” feature this week moves across the Pennines to the South Yorkshire Supertram system with a couple of views of 12 taken in 1995.

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Daytime testing reaches Clifton terminus

Posted on Saturday 9 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

Trams are now running on the whole Clifton line during daylight hours following the latest extension of testing on the Phase Two extension of Nottingham Express Transit. Previously testing and driver training on this line was only running as far as Silverdale but this extension means that NET are able to increase the amount of driver training being undertaken as preparations continue ahead of a public opening later this year.

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Calling all southern tram enthusiasts!

Posted on Saturday 9 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

Over the years practically all of the operating heritage tramways have developed in the Midlands and north of England but if a small group of enthusiasts’ ambitious plans come about all of that could be about to change! With the exception of the narrow gauge Seaton Tramway in Devon there are no operational tramways in the south but the area does have a rich history of trams particularly in Bath, Bristol, Gloucester, Swindon, Southampton and Cardiff (yes, the last one isn’t in England but you get the idea!) and the idea of this project is to draw attention to that and to develop a major tourist attraction for the area.

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Latest plans for Douglas Promenade revealed

Posted on Saturday 9 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

The Douglas Horse Tramway is to be moved onto the Promenade walkway as part of plans for the redevelopment of the area it has been confirmed. The latest – and presumably hoped for final – plans show that the twin track tramway in the centre of the road will be moved as had been expected and it is now seems this will not be on the road although at some stage it will have to cross the road to reach the Strathallan terminus.

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Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway | 2 Comments

24 hour charity Tramathon to take place at Seaton

Posted on Saturday 9 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

Trams will run on the Seaton Tramway for 24 hours non-stop as part of a charity Tramathon on Wednesday 27th May. Starting at 1300 on Wednesday 27th May a special tram will depart the Seaton terminus for Colyton on the hour every hour until 1200 on Thursday 28th May; all in aid of charity.

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In Pictures: Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Electric Railway 7 at Transport Festival

Posted on Saturday 9 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

The Llandudno Transport Festival took place over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend with Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Electric Railway Society’s replica tram no. 7 one of the star exhibits once again. It had been planned to offer hauled rides on board the tram along the route of the former tramway but unfortunately this was not possible due to heavy rain meaning the route was not suitable. Nevertheless the group still had a number of interested visitors with some able to visit the top deck of the tram for a small donation of £1. Photos taken on Sunday 3rd May by Stuart Cooke.

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Supertram rail replacement works move on to Area 6

Posted on Saturday 9 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

The first phase of rail replacement works this year on Stagecoach Supertram will be completed on Saturday 9th May and a normal tram service will then run on Sunday 10th May ahead of the next phase commencing on Monday 11th May. This phase will see works concentrated in the city centre and are due to take place until Wednesday 3rd June.

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Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 2 Comments

Cars take on trams in Manchester – twice in a week

Posted on Saturday 9 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

The past week has seen two significant collisions between cars and trams on the Manchester Metrolink system – once on the Eccles line with the second incident taking place on the line to Manchester Airport. The first incident happened at Exchange Quay with collision number two occurring on Hollyhedge Road, Wythenshawe.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 715

Posted on Friday 8 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

We go a bit more up-to-date than of recent with our Picture in Time feature today as we take a look at Blackpool Balloon 715 back in 2008.

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A blast from the past at Heaton Park

Posted on Friday 8 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

An old operating practice is set to return on the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester on Saturday 9th May, when due to an event taking place in the park, trams will terminate at the location often referred to as ‘Old Lakeside’. This was the former tramway terminus before the short extension across the road to the boating lake was opened a few years ago.

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Heritage trams stretch their wheels even more!

Posted on Friday 8 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

The good news keeps coming from Blackpool Transport’s heritage tram team, who have continued to make improvements to the service that is offered by the traditional tram fleet remaining in Blackpool. Their latest amendment concerns the blue timetable, whilst a seperate announcement has revealed that heritage trams will be running to Starr Gate for the first time this year on Sunday 21st June.

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Going for a ride…

Posted on Thursday 7 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

It’s Thursday evening which means it is once again time for us to round-up just when and where you can enjoy a ride on a heritage tram in the UK. The main highlight over the next seven days is the return of the horse trams to Douglas from Monday 11th May – a season we didn’t expect to see…

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B Fleet Balloons run on split service in Blackpool

Posted on Wednesday 6 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

As reported previously, filming for a new feature film in Blackpool is causing chaos for the town’s transport services, with disruption to the tramway over three consecutive days, with a partial closure of the promenade enforced between 0700 and 1500. Whilst the return of the unpopular split service was no doubt cursed by the travelling public, it did have one positive side for tram enthusiasts – the use of members of the ‘B Fleet’ in ordinary passenger service.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 12 Comments

Picture in Time: Dudley, Stourbridge & District Electric Tramways 5

Posted on Wednesday 6 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

The latest tram to feature in our “Picture in Time” series is Dudley, Stourbridge & District Electric Tramways 5 a tram which for many years was the mainstay of the service at the Black County Living Museum but in more recent times has been sent to Wales for an extensive restoration.

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Posted in Black Country Living Museum, Picture in Time | 1 Comment