A golden May Day in Blackpool

Posted on Wednesday 6 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

The second spell of operation for Blackpool’s newly improved heritage tram service occurred over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend, providing enthusiasts, tourists and local residents alike with another chance to enjoy a large number of historic trams in action together. Experience and feedback gained over Easter had been used to make a few tweaks to the gold service which ran on two of the three days, with detailed timetables published in advance to help visitors get the best out of the six car heritage service.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 7 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Monday 4 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

We have a bumper update for you this Bank Holiday weekend with six new Photo Galleries, updates to another gallery and updates to several Fleet Lists:

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Tramlink welcome the first of the second batch of Variotrams

Posted on Monday 4 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

London Tramlink are now the proud owners of seven Stadler Variotrams following the delivery of the first of second batch of the trams at the Therapia Lane Depot. 2560 was delivered during the early hours of Monday 4th May having made the journey from Stadler’s plant in Berlin, Germany.

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Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink 1003

Posted on Monday 4 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

As we continue our Picture in Time series today we are back on Manchester Metrolink with the featured tram being a vehicle which has been in the news recently – 1003.

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In Pictures: Stagecoach Supertram Rail Replacement update

Posted on Monday 4 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

The first phase of rail replacement works on Stagecoach Supertram for 2015 is now drawing to a close with only a few days now left before it should be completed. In the lead up to the end concentration has been moved to the section of track just before Shalesmoor stop where approximately 200 yards of rail was in the process of being replaced at the end of April. Photos showing some of the work are provided courtesy of Stuart Cooke.

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More new adverts appear in Blackpool

Posted on Sunday 3 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Two more members of Blackpool’s modern Flexity2 class have recently received new advertisements, although unlike the recent treatment of car 016 these are merely side panel banner adverts rather than full vinyl wraps. Both cars 005 and 013 now feature advertising for ‘Stayblackpool.com’ on one side only, whilst retaining their previous adverts on the opposite side.

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In Pictures: A day of ups and downs in the Crich workshop

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Saturday 2nd May might have been the first day of a new three day event at Crich Tramway Village entitled ‘Bands at Crich’, but arguably the most important events of this day actually took place in the workshop and the depot yard. On this date the overhaul of Liverpool 869 took a major step towards completion, whilst two other trams were lifted for attention.

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Welcome back 715!

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

The May Day Bank Holiday weekend got off to a fantastic start in Blackpool on Saturday, with the return to service of Balloon 715 following workshop attention. The tram had last run on the tramway on 6th November 2011 on hire to the Fylde Tramway Society – and therefore it was highly appropriate that its return was marked with another tour for the same organisation.

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More Urbos 3s enter service on Midland Metro

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

The last week of April has seen a further two Urbos 3 trams enter service on Midland Metro bringing the total number of this class of tram available for service to 13. The latest two trams to enter service have been 28 and 29 with the former being seen for the first time on Tuesday 28th April and 29 on Wednesday 29th April. The continued improvement in reliability of the CAF built trams does of course have a knock on effect for the outgoing T69s with only four now available for service and only used sparingly.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Plans to be revealed for new Seaton Terminus

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

Friday 8th May will give members of the public their first chance to see the plans for the new Seaton Tramway terminus with a public exhibition taking place at Seaton Town Hall between 1200 and 1600. The contemporary design is set to replace the Edwardian style ticket office built in 1996 and should be completed by spring 2016.

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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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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.

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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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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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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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