Author Archives: Gareth Prior

First test run of new Metro trains

Posted on Thursday 11 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

The first of the new trains being built by Stadler for the Tyne and Wear Metro has started testing outside of the depot. 555 003 made its first moves on the mainline in the early hours of Wednesday 10th May … Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on First test run of new Metro trains

In Pictures: Blackpool’s heritage trams go on parade for the Coronation

Posted on Wednesday 10 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

For the second major joyous royal celebration in a row a selection of Blackpool’s heritage trams were used for a Parade from Pleasure Beach to Little Bispham with a stopover at the Comedy Carpet for photos. The parade took place … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 3 Comments

Existing Metro trains to receive TLC

Posted on Wednesday 10 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Their days of operation may be numbered by the original Tyne and Wear Metrocars are set to enjoy some TLC with a major programme of deep cleaning and interior repair works to be initiated by Stadler. The idea is that … Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Existing Metro trains to receive TLC

In Pictures: Crich celebrates the Coronation

Posted on Tuesday 9 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

We’d previously reported on Crich’s plans for the Coronation weekend which was to see Leeds 602 on display (on account of its entry into service in 1953 at the time of the last Coronation and being painted into a purple … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on In Pictures: Crich celebrates the Coronation

Resurfacing work in Wolverhampton as extension edges closer to opening

Posted on Tuesday 9 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Its been confirmed that there will be resurfacing works in Wolverhampton City Centre from late May as work to open the West Midlands Metro extension to the Railway Station continues. Last month saw the first tram on the extension and … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 3 Comments

In Pictures: Blackpool Heritage Trams over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend

Posted on Monday 8 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

The May Day Bank Holiday weekend (29th April to 1st May) saw the second Enhanced Weekend of 2023 for Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours, this one coinciding with the Fylde Tramway Society’s annual convention. With a revised timetable in operation over … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Event Reviews | Comments Off on In Pictures: Blackpool Heritage Trams over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend

The Metro back on the Metro!

Posted on Monday 8 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Anyone travelling on the West Midlands Metro will once again be able to pick-up a free copy of The Metro newspaper after the return of the onboard newsstands at the start of May.

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on The Metro back on the Metro!

Out and About: Waterthorpe on Stagecoach Supertram – June 2022

Posted on Monday 8 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Today “Out and About” is going back to June 2022 and the location is Waterthorpe on the Supertram network in South Yorkshire.

Posted in Out and About, South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on Out and About: Waterthorpe on Stagecoach Supertram – June 2022

Still Standing! Tram track, Southsea

Posted on Sunday 7 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

We return with more from our “Still Standing!” series and head to the south coast for some surviving tram track in Southsea near Portsmouth.

Posted in Still Standing! | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Metrolink 3079 in an advert for Soccer Aid

Posted on Sunday 7 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Back in April we brought you the news that Manchester Metrolink 3047 had received an advert for Soccer Aid and now it would appear that its not alone as 3079 is also in an identical advert!

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

The Polar Express Tram Ride back at the Seaton Tramway this Christmas!

Posted on Sunday 7 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Yes, we know its only just May and we haven’t even reached summer, let alone autumn or winter!, and you probably really don’t want to think about Christmas but in case you like to be prepared and are looking for … Continue reading →

Posted in Seaton Tramway | Comments Off on The Polar Express Tram Ride back at the Seaton Tramway this Christmas!

Police and tram operator welcome sentencing of man who assaulted employee

Posted on Sunday 7 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Officials at Nottingham Express Transit and Police officers have welcomed the news that a man who assaulted a travel officer has received a prison sentence. Salmou Njie was sentenced at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday 24th April after being found … Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | Comments Off on Police and tram operator welcome sentencing of man who assaulted employee

In Pictures: 26 & 29 return to service on the West Midlands Metro

Posted on Saturday 6 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Although a number of trams have gone to and come back from Dudley to allow repairs to take place on the bodyside cracking issue very few of these have yet to return to passenger service with until recently 17 the … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on In Pictures: 26 & 29 return to service on the West Midlands Metro

Around the World in Trams: Christchurch 152+115

Posted on Saturday 6 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

We swap Europe for New Zealand for the next few weeks of “Around the World in Trams”. We will be taking a look at a few of the vehicles which operate on the Ferrymead Tramway in Christchurch.

Posted in Around the World in Trams | Comments Off on Around the World in Trams: Christchurch 152+115

Edinburgh Trams shortlisted for awards

Posted on Saturday 6 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams are celebrating after they were nominated for a number of awards at the forthcoming Scottish Transport Awards. This includes the prestigious Operator of the Year category where they will be competing against other top transport operators in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on Edinburgh Trams shortlisted for awards

Seaton Tramway team attend FEDECRAIL Conference in Austria

Posted on Saturday 6 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Members of the team at the Seaton Tramway have recently attended the annual FEDECRAIL Conference in Austria. Bringing together heritage railways and tramways from across Europe the conference allowed attendees from across Europe to discuss a range of topics including … Continue reading →

Posted in Seaton Tramway | Comments Off on Seaton Tramway team attend FEDECRAIL Conference in Austria

In Pictures: Blackpool trams in action at Carlton Colville

Posted on Friday 5 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Whilst last year saw the East Anglia Transport Museum acquire three Blackpool trams it shouldn’t be forgotten that before these three arrivals there were already two trams from the Fylde Coast fully restored and operational at the museum. And on … Continue reading →

Posted in East Anglia Transport Museum | Comments Off on In Pictures: Blackpool trams in action at Carlton Colville

Tramways join forces to help tackle anti-social behaviour

Posted on Friday 5 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Members of the UKTram Marketing and Customer Services Group have recently met to join forces to help to tackle anti-social behaviour on UK tramways and similar transit systems. Operators have reported that since the Covid-19 pandemic there has been a … Continue reading →

Posted in UKTram | Comments Off on Tramways join forces to help tackle anti-social behaviour

Picture in Time: Tyne and Wear Metro 4001

Posted on Friday 5 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Picture in Time” moves on to the northeast of England for the next few weeks as we take a look at some images from past on the Tyne and Wear Metro. With the original Metrocars coming to an end of … Continue reading →

Posted in Picture in Time, Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Tyne and Wear Metro 4001

In Pictures: West Midlands Metro 45 receives a classical wrap

Posted on Thursday 4 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

There is a new advertising livery on the West Midlands Metro with 45 becoming the latest Urbos100 to lose its standard fleet colours with a new vinyl wrap applied over. Whilst not a full wrap (the ends remain in fleet … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on In Pictures: West Midlands Metro 45 receives a classical wrap