15 Years Apart: Blackpool Pantograph 167

Posted on Monday 23 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

We go back to “15 Years Apart” today as we take a look at the same tram in both 2010 and 2025. This time out its Blackpool Pantograph 167 which we see in two different locations.

Continue reading →

Posted in 15 Years Apart, Blackpool Tramway, National Tramway Museum | 6 Comments

Out and About: Manchester Metrolink Adverts – February 2026

Posted on Sunday 22 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

In this “Out and About” we go into the centre of Manchester as we take a look at some of the new adverts already applied to trams during 2026.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink, Out and About | Comments Off on Out and About: Manchester Metrolink Adverts – February 2026

KeolisAmey Metrolink reinforce safety culture at leadership day

Posted on Sunday 22 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

KeolisAmey Metrolink – operator of the Manchester Metrolink network – recently ran an Extended Leadership Team Day which provided an opportunity to connect, reflect and learn, with a strong focus on safety and wellbeing.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on KeolisAmey Metrolink reinforce safety culture at leadership day

European Light Rail Congress 2026 programme announced

Posted on Sunday 22 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

The full agenda for the European Light Rail Congress 2026, which takes place in Tenerife on 11th and 12th March, has been confirmed by organisers Mainspring. The congress will bring together senior leaders, operators and technical specialists to examine sustainability, operational efficiency and asset management.

Continue reading →

Posted in General | Comments Off on European Light Rail Congress 2026 programme announced

Tyne and Wear Metro: deliveries completed!

Posted on Saturday 21 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

All 46 of the new Stadler trains have now been delivered to the Tyne and Wear Metro. The final three units were delivered in the early hours of Friday 20th and Saturday 21st February 2026 – just one week short of exactly three years since the first of the trains arrived from Switzerland.

Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | 2 Comments

Around the World in Trams: Istanbul 813

Posted on Saturday 21 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

Another edition of “Around the World in Trams” and we feature the system in Istanbul again.

Continue reading →

Posted in Around the World in Trams | Comments Off on Around the World in Trams: Istanbul 813

Moomins coming to Seaton Tramway!

Posted on Saturday 21 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

The latest themed experience on the Seaton Tramway this year will see the Moomins heading to Devon with a week long Moomin Summer Adventure taking place.

Continue reading →

Posted in Seaton Tramway | Comments Off on Moomins coming to Seaton Tramway!

What’s New on British Trams Online? 21st February 2026

Posted on Saturday 21 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

We go into the archives to 2008 for some views from Nottingham Express Transit this week:

Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit, Picture in Time, Site News | 1 Comment

UKTram Centre of Excellence advances tramway design and skills development

Posted on Saturday 21 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

The UKTram Centre of Excellence have met again to review progress on several technical and strategic projects. The latest focus was on tramway design guidance and developing skills and apprenticeship pathways for the light rail sector.

Continue reading →

Posted in UKTram | Comments Off on UKTram Centre of Excellence advances tramway design and skills development

In Pictures: Metrolink 3117 goes to the movies again as 3107 becomes second BRIT tram

Posted on Friday 20 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink 3117 has received another new advertising livery with it receiving vinyls for the new Disney Pixar film, Hoppers. Considering this is only the second film released in cinemas to be advertised with a full wrap in Manchester it may, or may not, be a surprise to find out that the tram is the same one as the last film was advertised on!

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on In Pictures: Metrolink 3117 goes to the movies again as 3107 becomes second BRIT tram

MER to ride to the rescue during bus strike!

Posted on Friday 20 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

We often hear about bus replacement services to cover for trams, but how about a tram replacement service to cover for buses! Well, that’s exactly what looks set to happen on the Isle of Man with the Manx Electric Railway getting ready to run earlier than planned owing to a planned strike on Bus Vannin which starts on Saturday 21st February 2026.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manx Electric Railway | 7 Comments

Picture in Time: Leeds 180 & Blackpool Electric Locomotive

Posted on Friday 20 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

It is that time of the week again when we dip into the archives for an edition of “Picture in Time”, and we continue to feature some photos taken at Crich during 1984.

Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Leeds 180 & Blackpool Electric Locomotive

Bus and tram collide in Nottingham

Posted on Thursday 19 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

Article updated 20/02/2026, including photos

There has major disruption to services on the Nottingham Express Transit line to Toton Lane on Thursday 19th February after a bus and tram collided on Inham Road, with the tram derailed and the road closed to allow a rescue and repair operation to take place.

Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 5 Comments

West Midlands Metro engineering works overrun

Posted on Thursday 19 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

Article updated 20/02/2026

Delays to services on the West Midlands Metro have been the order of the day on Thursday 19th February 2026 after the overrunning of engineering works. These works – which had only due to take place for just over two days – were mainly concerned with the connection of the current Birmingham-Wolverhampton line connected with the new Black Country Line to Dudley (initially) but also saw further work take place at West Bromwich Central and Winson Green.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 3 Comments

Colin Robey appointed Honorary President at UKTram

Posted on Thursday 19 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

Colin Robey has been appointed as an Honorary President of UKTram to recognise his exceptional and longstanding contributions to not only the organisation but also the wider light rail sector. He has spent over 60 years working in heavy and light rail, including nearly 20 years at UKTram. During this time he’s shaped strategy, development, governance and professional standards.

Continue reading →

Posted in UKTram | Comments Off on Colin Robey appointed Honorary President at UKTram

In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams and the 6 Nations

Posted on Wednesday 18 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

We’ve written it before and we will probably write it again in the future – one of the big benefits of having a tram system in Edinburgh is that when there are big events taking place at Murrayfield Stadium large crowds of people can be moved in a short time. And so it was again on Saturday 14th February when Scotland’s first home match in the 2026 6 Nations took place, against the “auld enemy” England. Roy Calderwood with the photos.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams and the 6 Nations

New book now out! On Top o’t’ Job by Chris Thornburn

Posted on Wednesday 18 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

You may recall late last year how we mentioned a forthcoming book based on the recollections of former student conductor on the Leeds trams in the mid-1950s, and well-known tram enthusiast, Chris Thornburn. And now the book has been published so you can secure your copy of this unique look at how things were working on the trams.

Continue reading →

Posted in General | Comments Off on New book now out! On Top o’t’ Job by Chris Thornburn

TfGM to start feasibility study on going underground

Posted on Wednesday 18 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

With the Metrolink network in Manchester City Centre expected to reach capacity on the surface, plans to go underground have been part of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy for a while. Whilst the construction of tunnels is currently unfunded and a fair way in the distance, TfGM are attempting to get ahead of the game by starting an early feasibility study into the viability of their construction.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

A trip to… Manchester Metrolink’s Ashton line

Posted on Tuesday 17 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

In this pictorial article we see the results of a walk by Keith Chadbourne along part of Ashton New Road, which is served by trams on Manchester Metrolink’s East Manchester Line to Ashton-under-Lyne.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on A trip to… Manchester Metrolink’s Ashton line

Volk’s Electric Railway dates announced for 2026

Posted on Tuesday 17 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

As February starts to quickly run away from us its time to start looking ahead to the spring, and that usually means heritage lines start to wake up again. That will include the Volk’s Electric Railway in Brighton and they have recently announced some significant dates for 2026.

Continue reading →

Posted in Volk's Electric Railway | Comments Off on Volk’s Electric Railway dates announced for 2026