Author Archives: Gareth Prior

More Metro woes after overhead comes down

Posted on Sunday 2 April 2023 by Gareth Prior

As we cover two systems with the word Metro in their title, and both of them have a history of overhead line problems, this headline could be discussing either one but this time around it’s the Tyne and Wear Metro … Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on More Metro woes after overhead comes down

Stagecoach Supertram Engineering Works: April 2023

Posted on Sunday 2 April 2023 by Gareth Prior

There will be engineering works affecting Stagecoach Supertram services this April which will see some service changes. The majority will be late night works but there will also be Network Rail works taking place at Easter which impact the Tram-Train … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 2 Comments

What’s New on British Trams Online? 2nd April 2023

Posted on Sunday 2 April 2023 by Gareth Prior

Photos this week come from the Heaton Park Tramway:

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In Pictures: Metrolink 3078 back in service and 3080 gets a new advert

Posted on Saturday 1 April 2023 by Gareth Prior

The long-term out of service trams on Manchester Metrolink have reduced by one again with the return to action of 3078. It was in service on Tuesday 28th March, believed to be its first day back in use since repairs … Continue reading →

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Around the World in Trams: Santa Cruz 02

Posted on Saturday 1 April 2023 by Gareth Prior

We’re back with “Around the World in Trams” today as its another look at a tram running on Tenerife.

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Edinburgh Trams fully recruited ahead of services starting to Newhaven

Posted on Saturday 1 April 2023 by Gareth Prior

Its all systems go for trams to run to Newhaven after Edinburgh Trams confirmed that they have fully recruited additional staff to allow the service to be smoothly operated. 80 new staff members have been appointed thanks to the “Glide … Continue reading →

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Midland Metro Alliance launch design and construction competition for student with special educational needs

Posted on Saturday 1 April 2023 by Gareth Prior

The Midland Metro Alliance, on behalf for Transport for West Midlands, has written to all Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) schools in Birmingham and the Black Country with details of a new competition which is … Continue reading →

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One Blackpool Boat Car for sale!

Posted on Friday 31 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

News has reached us that one of the Blackpool Open Boat Cars which resides in the United States of America is up for sale. 226 which currently calls the Western Railway Museum home has been deemed surplus to requirements and … Continue reading →

Posted in Around the World in Trams, Blackpool Tramway | 16 Comments

Spot the Easter Bunnies on the West Midlands Metro and win!

Posted on Friday 31 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

We’re not sure if the conditions of carriage on the West Midlands Metro allow bunnies to travel but the next few weeks will see Easter Bunnies hitching a ride on the network and anyone who spots them will be within … Continue reading →

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Picture in Time: New York Third Avenue Transit 674

Posted on Friday 31 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

The next location for our “Picture in Time” series is Crich as we take a look at some more of the trams that have either operated or been on display at the home of the National Tramway Museum over the … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Another tram heads to Dudley and testing of new trams continues

Posted on Thursday 30 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

In the dead of the night as all is calm and most people are resting for the next day ahead there are often key movements taking place on the West Midlands Metro with lorries coming to bring and remove trams … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on In Pictures: Another tram heads to Dudley and testing of new trams continues

South Yorkshire Mayor recommends tram fare cap scheme is extended

Posted on Thursday 30 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire Mayor, has recommended that the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority continues to fund a £2 fare cap on the Supertram network until the end of June. Unlike the similar scheme on buses nationwide, which is funded … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 2 Comments

Reporting system roll out aims to enhance tram safety

Posted on Thursday 30 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

A new and enhanced accident and incident reporting system has been welcomed by light rail leaders and is now ready to help boost tramway safety across the country. Senior executives from all UK networks heard at a pre-launch event in … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Advert changes on Manchester Metrolink

Posted on Wednesday 29 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

There are a few livery changes to report on Manchester Metrolink with an advert being removed while there have also been a few more applied to some trams – including one which if you weren’t aware it was on a … Continue reading →

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Another fare increase in Blackpool

Posted on Wednesday 29 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

Sunday 2nd April will see the latest fare increase in Blackpool affecting both trams and buses. Not only does that date see prices rise but is also sees the removal of return tickets on the tramway (although a 1 day … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 6 Comments

Most track now down on Lower Bull Street as Birmingham Eastside extension work continues

Posted on Wednesday 29 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

All track on Lower Bull Street has nearly been installed following a recent successful concrete pour. Lower Bull Street is the first section of the Birmingham Eastside extension after the delta junction at Corporation Street/Bull Street but its still likely … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Most track now down on Lower Bull Street as Birmingham Eastside extension work continues

In Pictures: Blackpool Replica Vanguard 619 relaunched into service

Posted on Tuesday 28 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

Blackpool Replica Vanguard 619 is now officially back in service at the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester after its relaunch on the first day of the 2023 season on Sunday 26th March. The tram had run briefly in December 2022 … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: 24 continues to be worked on at Dudley

Posted on Tuesday 28 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

The Very Light Rail Innovation Centre in Dudley is continuing to be used to complete repairs on some of the CAF Urbos3 fleet of the West Midlands Metro. 24 has been on site since January 2023 and work is continuing … Continue reading →

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More money to be given to Edinburgh Trams Inquiry

Posted on Tuesday 28 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

Although we’ve recently had the excellent news that testing has started on the Trams to Newhaven extension it shouldn’t be forgotten that the Edinburgh Trams Inquiry which was convened to look into what went wrong with the original construction project … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 3 Comments

Spring opening for WMM Wolverhampton City Centre extension?

Posted on Monday 27 March 2023 by Gareth Prior

Trams could be running to Wolverhampton Railway Station later this spring if the latest press release from the Midland Metro Alliance can be believed. Detailing a forthcoming road closure to allow for resurfacing works on Piper’s Row (which will take … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Spring opening for WMM Wolverhampton City Centre extension?