Author Archives: Gareth Prior

In Pictures: Work finally underway at Birmingham Snow Hill

Posted on Thursday 5 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

Its been over ten years since the last tram served it and in the intervening decade it has just stood there as a reminder of where the then Midland Metro used to terminate, but finally work is now underway on … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Leave a comment

New DLR trains to remain out of service until the summer

Posted on Thursday 5 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

Transport for London are anticipating that the new trains for the DLR will be reintroduced into service by the summer, after strong progress has been made in investigation, testing and assurance work. The CAF built trains were all withdrawn from … Continue reading →

Posted in Docklands Light Railway | Leave a comment

UKTram Heritage Tramway Committee meet to review progress

Posted on Thursday 5 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

The most recent meeting of the UKTram Heritage Tramway Committee took place online at the end of January 2026, as updates were given across several priority workstreams supporting the safe and sustainable operation of heritage tramways.

Posted in UKTram | Leave a comment

In Pictures: Blackpool 143 arrives at its new home

Posted on Wednesday 4 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

As we reported last week, the Fylde Transport Trust’s Blackpool Standard 143 has a new home following its move to the East Anglia Transport Museum in Carlton Colville, Suffolk. This move is part of a loan agreement which will see … Continue reading →

Posted in East Anglia Transport Museum, Fylde Transport Trust | Leave a comment

Passenger numbers increase on Isle of Man Railways

Posted on Wednesday 4 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

2025 was another year of increasing passenger numbers on Isle of Man Railways with all four lines (Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway and Douglas Bay Horse Tramway) seeing more use than the previous year. Overall passenger numbers … Continue reading →

Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway | Leave a comment

UKTram to host online session in March: “Trade and trams: delivering light rail together”

Posted on Wednesday 4 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

UKTram will be bringing together members of the Light Rail Engineering Group (LREG) and the supply trade for an online Trade and Trams session focused on shared learning, engineering insight and practical experience from across the light rail sector.

Posted in UKTram | Leave a comment

In Pictures: West Midlands Metro 58 gets a Peaky Blinders makeover and a new name

Posted on Tuesday 3 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

West Midlands Metro 58 has a new wrap and its first ever name with it now promoting Peaky Blinders following a special unveiling ceremony in Centenary Square on 2nd March 2026. The tram is now named Steven Knight (after the … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

Phase two of Coventry Very Light Rail underway

Posted on Tuesday 3 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

Colas Rail UK has begun work on Phase 2 of Coventry’s Very Light Rail (CVLR) programme. This will see a new 800 metre double track demonstration line built between Coventry Railway Station and Coventry University Technology Park.

Posted in Very Light Rail | Leave a comment

Plans for new ramp at Radcliffe Metrolink stop

Posted on Tuesday 3 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

A new ramp providing step free access to the Manchester Metrolink stop at Radcliffe has been recommended for approval by Bury Council. The ramp would provide a third entrance to the stop for passengers and would give direct access to … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Leave a comment

More Tyne and Wear Metro fleet changes

Posted on Monday 2 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

We may now have come to an end of updates of new trains being delivered, but that doesn’t mean that changes to the Tyne and Wear Metro fleet are over – far from it! The past week has seen another … Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Leave a comment

West Midlands transport projects accelerated thanks to confirmed funding

Posted on Monday 2 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) have agree to advance £50 million worth of funding for transport projects in the region – involving both the West Midlands Metro and Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR).

Posted in Very Light Rail, West Midlands Metro | Leave a comment

15 Years Apart: South Yorkshire Supertram 120

Posted on Monday 2 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

Time for another edition of “15 Years Apart” as we feature two photos of a tram taken in both 2010 and 2025, and spot the obvious differences!

Posted in 15 Years Apart, South Yorkshire Supertram | Leave a comment

Out and About: Edinburgh Trams – January 2026

Posted on Sunday 1 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

Another edition of “Out and About” coming from the Edinburgh Trams system.

Posted in Edinburgh Trams, Out and About | Leave a comment

Days to forget for Nottingham Express Transit

Posted on Sunday 1 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

The end of February 2026 had another period to forget for Nottingham Express Transit as more issues combined leading to major service disruption, which at one stage saw no trams able to run on the entire network.

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | Leave a comment

Nexus open up apprenticeship applications

Posted on Sunday 1 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

Applications for ten new engineering apprenticeships to help deliver essential work on the Tyne and Wear Metro have been opened. Nexus – who operate and own the Metro – says the vacancies offer an exceptional pathway into the rail industry … Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Leave a comment

In Pictures: Metrolink 3102 swaps adverts as 3091 returns to service

Posted on Saturday 28 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

ITV advertising on trams in the UK has come to an end (at least for now) as following quickly on from West Midlands Metro where saw 47 stripped of its yellow vinyls, Manchester Metrolink 3102 has also lost its similar … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Leave a comment

Around the World in Trams: Istanbul 701

Posted on Saturday 28 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

Its one final photo from Istanbul as “Around the World in Trams” continues.

Posted in Around the World in Trams | Leave a comment

West Midlands Metro name their 2026 charity of the year

Posted on Saturday 28 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has been chosen as the West Midlands Metro Charity of the Year 2026. Following in the footsteps of charities including Black Country Women’s Aid, Macmillan Cancer Care, Cancer Research, and Compton Care, they will be supported … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Leave a comment

What’s New on British Trams Online? 28th February 2026

Posted on Saturday 28 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

Into the archives again this week. This time we take a look at Blackpool’s Centenary Cars from 2005-2009:

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time, Site News | Leave a comment

LRSSB appoint Head of Learning and Competence

Posted on Saturday 28 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

For the first time the Light Rail Safety and Standard Board (LRSSB) have their own dedicated Head of Learning and Competence following the appointment of Marlene Pearson-McGrath into the role.

Posted in LRSSB | Leave a comment