Centenary car 643 on the move again

Posted on Friday 28 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Centenary car 643 became the latest tram to make a journey by road on Friday 28th February, when the car departed its home at the Broadwater Caravan Park. This follows a short period of use as a static cafe for this tram, although its latest whereabouts are not yet known.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 6 Comments

Free tram travel for non-Blackpool residents under threat

Posted on Thursday 27 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

There is currently intense speculation regarding the future of the offer of free travel on the Blackpool tramway for all holders of the UK concessionary passes issued to senior citizens. Before the opening of the modernised tramway, this offer was extended to cover ALL UK residents eligible for the pass under a national scheme, whereas previously it had only been available to local residents. Now however, this decision is likely to be reversed as Blackpool Council strive to save money.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 26 Comments

Trams swap between Britain and Budapest

Posted on Thursday 27 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

The return of Budapest twin set 2576+2577 to its native country last year, following a chequered career in preservation in the UK, signalled the end of the presence of any representative of this operator on British soil. However, and very surprisingly, this situation has now been reversed following the unexpected appearance of Budapest 3341 in the UK!

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In Pictures: Single line working through Victoria

Posted on Tuesday 25 February 2014 by Gareth Prior

As extensively reported on British Trams Online due to major improvement works at Victoria, Manchester Metrolink services through this area are being altered for next nine months with single line working only possible through the station area.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 2 Comments

In Pictures: End of the line for Metrolink T68As to Altrincham?

Posted on Tuesday 25 February 2014 by Gareth Prior

Thursday 20th February 2014 could well go down in the record books as another milestone in the history of the Manchester Metrolink T68As with the likelihood that they made their last runs through the city centre onto the Altrincham line. With the introduction of the revised service from Monday 24th February, which means all services between Bury and Altrincham are due to be formed of double units and with the T68As are unable to work together, it is extremely likely that 2001 and 2003 will be limited to the Bury-Abraham Moss service from now on. Both 2001 and 2003 were in use on the Bury-Altrincham service on 20th February and with thanks to Steve Kemp we are able to bring you a few images of the trams in action.

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Early chance to ride on Edinburgh Trams

Posted on Tuesday 25 February 2014 by Gareth Prior

As part of the continued testing and commissioning of the Edinburgh Tram line ahead of its opening later this year volunteers are being sought to help officials evaluate crowd management procedures. The event will take place on Thursday 13th March at the Murrayfield stop and up to 1,000 members of the public are required with one of the benefits of volunteering being that you get to ride on the tram before it officially opens to the public!

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Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 1 Comment

NET to celebrate 10th anniversary with city centre activities

Posted on Tuesday 25 February 2014 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit will be celebrating its 10th anniversary on Friday 28th February and Saturday 1st March with a series of fun activities in Old Market Square. A marquee in Smithy Row will be the base for a display highlighting the success of the tram over the past decade and also what the future will bring.

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British Trams Online writer unveils first tram book

Posted on Tuesday 25 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

British Tram Online‘s regular news writer Andrew Waddington has just released his first ever tram book. Entitled ‘Blackpool Trams – Where are they now?’ the book aims to provide a concise illustrated guide to every Blackpool tram that survives today outside of Blackpool Transport’s ownership. In this blatant plug, Andrew explains a bit more about his latest project.

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Posted in People | 6 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 23 February 2014 by Gareth Prior

More photos for you to have a look at as part of this week’s main site update of British Trams Online

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Lightning strikes twice for Stockport 5

Posted on Saturday 22 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

The saying that lightning never strikes twice has unfortunately been proved untrue by the Manchester Transport Museum Society, who have had to withdraw the planned loan of Stockport 5 to Beamish for their main transport event in April for the second year running. This is the latest of several less than ideal developments affecting the Manchester tramway, although the MTMS remain optimistic that the loan will still go ahead at a later date.

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Posted in Beamish Tramway, Heaton Park Tramway | 16 Comments

Mixed fortunes for the Crich horse tram fleet

Posted on Saturday 22 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

In a pleasing development, anyone who fancies a ride on a horse tram at Crich Tramway Village this year won’t have to attend the Edwardian event, as Sheffield 15 will also be operating for a special Sheffield-themed event in May. However, and rather surprisingly, the decision has been made that it will only run on one day for the annual Edwardian Weekend, even though, as its name suggests, the event actually lasts for two days.

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Posted in National Tramway Museum | 3 Comments

Picture in Time 14: Balloon 711 through the years

Posted on Saturday 22 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

To mark the upcoming transfer to the National Tramway Museum of Blackpool Balloon car 711 on an initial two-year loan, our occasional Picture in Time feature puts the spotlight on this tram, featuring three liveries it has carried over the past decade. With so many unique and exciting trams in the Blackpool fleet, workhorses like 711 sometimes get overlooked so this is an ideal opportunity to remind ourselves of the important role it has played on the Blackpool tramway for the past eighty years.

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Posted in Picture in Time | 1 Comment

Midland Metro 20 arrives

Posted on Saturday 22 February 2014 by Gareth Prior

The fourth of the CAF built trams for Midland Metro finally arrived at Wednesbury Depot on Friday 21st February after two previous false starts caused by poor weather conditions. Number 20 was originally due to arrive a fortnight ago but the continued rough sea conditions between Spain and the UK meant it was unable to set sail.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 5 Comments

Lost Trams 11: Glasgow 585

Posted on Saturday 22 February 2014 by Gareth Prior

Next up in our Lost Trams series is a tram which has been out of the public eye since 1999 but which does remain in the UK – Glasgow 585.

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Posted in Lost Trams | 11 Comments

Manchester Metrolink service pattern from Monday 24th February

Posted on Saturday 22 February 2014 by Gareth Prior

The exact service pattern on Manchester Metrolink as from Monday 24th February for the next nine months has now been confirmed on their official website with the Bury-Altrincham direct service confirmed as operating all every day with the Altrincham-Piccadilly and Bury-Abraham Moss services only running at peak times.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 2 Comments

Daytime testing starts in Edinburgh city centre

Posted on Saturday 22 February 2014 by Gareth Prior

As reported earlier this week daytime testing in Edinburgh city centre has now commenced with the first test run taking place shortly after 1500 on Thursday 20th February. Tram 265 was the tram chosen to undertake this first run and judging by the reaction on social media sites it seems to have proved to be popular with photographers in the city.

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Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 4 Comments

In Pictures: Manchester Metrolink T68As continue to fly the flag

Posted on Saturday 22 February 2014 by Gareth Prior

The two remaining Manchester Metrolink T68As – 2001 and 2003 – continue to be operational and are still seeing fairly regular use. It is expected that from Monday 24th February they will be restricted to the Bury-Abraham Moss shuttle (considering that the Bury-Altrincham direct service will be operated solely by double units and they aren’t able to operate in a pair) but in the past week they have been able to stretch their legs a bit more. Photos are provided below showing both of the LRVs in action both at Bury and at the Altrincham end of the line.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Unusual destinations on Manchester Metrolink

Posted on Saturday 22 February 2014 by Gareth Prior

With engineering works, sorry improvement works, taking place on the Manchester Metrolink network on Sunday 23rd February a number of unusual destinations were carried on some of the LRVs in action on this day. Previously it has been normal for the vehicles to still carry the normal destination regardless of whether they are turning short but on this day Abraham Moss and West Didsbury were both used whilst on the previous day Football Special was used for the Manchester City game at the Etihad Stadium.

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In Pictures: Manchester Metrolink – Droylsden

Posted on Saturday 22 February 2014 by Gareth Prior

On Sunday 16th February with ongoing improvement works affecting Manchester Metrolink services from Eccles were extended through to Ashton-under-Lyne – a service which will operate for the next month as a result of the Victoria Station works. With thanks to Steve Kemp we are able to bring you a few images of M5000s at Droylsden on this day.

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New Cab Ride DVDs available

Posted on Saturday 22 February 2014 by Gareth Prior

Two new cab ride DVDs have recently been released featuring footage from the Blackpool Tramway and London Tramlink. As well as featuring full uninterrupted cab rides both DVDs include speeded up journeys.

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