Author Archives: Gareth Prior

In Pictures: Supertram trackworks – May 2026

Posted on Saturday 30 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

The May school half-term holidays provided an ideal opportunity for more trackworks to take place on South Yorkshire Supertram as investment to improving the network continued. This time work was taking place at Gleadless Townend, Donetsk Way, and Westfield leading … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on In Pictures: Supertram trackworks – May 2026

Around the World in Trams: San Francisco 1060

Posted on Saturday 30 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

We again go to San Francisco for this edition of “Around the World in Trams” as we take one final look at a PCC in service in 2002, before we move on again.

Posted in Around the World in Trams | Comments Off on Around the World in Trams: San Francisco 1060

What’s New on British Trams Online? 30th May 2026

Posted on Saturday 30 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

We’re off to the seaside, in Derbyshire(!), for this week’s set of photos:

Posted in National Tramway Museum, Site News | Comments Off on What’s New on British Trams Online? 30th May 2026

Government announce new Mass Transit Taskforce

Posted on Saturday 30 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

It is probably no surprise to many of you reading these words on British Trams Online that there are many, many obstacles in the way of new tram and light rail systems being constructed across the UK. And that has … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 1 Comment

NET name their 2026 Charity of the Year

Posted on Saturday 30 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

As with many organisations across the UK, Nottingham Express Transit have a charity of the year with the aim of supporting them through various fundraising activities. They have now announced that the charity to benefit in 2026 will be Nottinghamshire … Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | Comments Off on NET name their 2026 Charity of the Year

In Pictures: Beamish Festival of Transport

Posted on Friday 29 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Over the years transport events at Beamish have evolved as a result of changing expectations and costs involved in their organisation. In 2026 it has become a nine-day long Festival of Transport which has included the Fares Please! bus event … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway | 1 Comment

More double trams for Great Manchester Run

Posted on Friday 29 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Sunday 31st May will see the Great Manchester Run take place in, perhaps unsurprisingly, Manchester with thousands of runners, spectators and visitors expected in the area to participate in and watch the race. With the usual “prepare in advance” warning … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on More double trams for Great Manchester Run

Picture in Time: Manx Electric Railway 6

Posted on Friday 29 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

We move on once again for “Picture in Time” and this time we find ourselves on the Isle of Man for more images from the past. We start off in 2002 on the Manx Electric Railway.

Posted in Manx Electric Railway, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Manx Electric Railway 6

In Pictures: New advert on Metrolink 3104

Posted on Thursday 28 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Its been a quiet few weeks of new adverts on Manchester Metrolink but as May starts to come towards a close that has changed with not one but two new adverts seen. That includes an all new design for 3104 … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on In Pictures: New advert on Metrolink 3104

West Midlands Metro service cut in two

Posted on Thursday 28 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

There has been major disruption on the West Midlands Metro for over a day with a tram having been left at Dartmouth Street awaiting “specialist recovery”. West Midlands Metro’s website and social media accounts described it as a broken-down tram.

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Supertram launches new Community Programme

Posted on Thursday 28 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

South Yorkshire Supertram have launched a new Community Ambassador Volunteer Programme, a corporate social responsibility initiative designed to support the continued improvement of the tram network whilst also strengthening connections with communities across the region.

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on Supertram launches new Community Programme

In Pictures: Loganair advertise on Edinburgh Trams 253

Posted on Wednesday 27 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Another tram which seems to have advertised C R Smith for a very long time has a new look with 253 now carrying a full wrap for Loganair. The change of advert came earlier in May 2026, bringing an end … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on In Pictures: Loganair advertise on Edinburgh Trams 253

New book: The Great Tramway Conspiracy by Mick Hamer

Posted on Wednesday 27 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Have you ever wondered what happened for towns and cities across the UK to turn their backs on trams so quickly during the 20th century? A new book by freelance journalist Mick Hamer is a searing expose of a campaign … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 2 Comments

Mixed-Use Railway group launch new online platform

Posted on Wednesday 27 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Mixed-Use Railway (MUR) is a cross-industry initiative which aims to promote a more integrated and flexible approach to rail development with members from across the rail and light rail sectors. As part of the initiative they have recently launched a … Continue reading →

Posted in UKTram | Comments Off on Mixed-Use Railway group launch new online platform

Winter Saloon 20 returns to service

Posted on Tuesday 26 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Thursday 21st May 2026 saw a return to service on the Manx Electric Railway with Winter Saloon 20 being used for the first time since it was withdrawn for overhaul at the end of the 2024 season.

Posted in Manx Electric Railway | Comments Off on Winter Saloon 20 returns to service

Woman taken to hospital after being hit by tram in Edinburgh

Posted on Tuesday 26 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

A 19-year-old woman has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a tram on Leith Walk at around 0850 on Sunday 24th May 2026. The collision happened between the McDonald Road and Balfour Street stops close … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on Woman taken to hospital after being hit by tram in Edinburgh

UKTram go to two industry events as the growing role of light rail is highlighted

Posted on Tuesday 26 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Representatives from the industry body UKTram have recently been involved in two major industry events where they helped to highlight the growing role of light rail as part of an integrated transport network. The events provided valuable opportunities to engage … Continue reading →

Posted in UKTram | Comments Off on UKTram go to two industry events as the growing role of light rail is highlighted

Luas 5037 returns to service

Posted on Monday 25 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Correction 27/5/26: 5037 entered service on 21st May 2026 not 22nd May 2026. Luas 5037 – the tram which was severely damaged by a fire during the November 2023 Dublin riots – has returned to service on the Green line, … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Luas | Comments Off on Luas 5037 returns to service

Metro control room upgrade completed

Posted on Monday 25 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

The £8.8m project to upgrade the Tyne and Wear Metro control room at Gosforth has been successfully completed. It now has some of the most advanced technology in the railway industry and has involved the complete renewal of a system … Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Metro control room upgrade completed

Old(er) and New – West Midlands Metro: Black Lake

Posted on Monday 25 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

In this latest edition of “Old(er) and New” we stay on the West Midlands Metro to take a look at an original tram in service and then a newer tram in action at the same location on the network.

Posted in Old and New, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Old(er) and New – West Midlands Metro: Black Lake