Author Archives: Gareth Prior

Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 726

Posted on Friday 24 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

For the next few weeks “Picture in Time” is returning to the Fylde Coast as we feature another set of images taken by Donald Brooks on the Blackpool Tramway. We are heading back to July 1977 again for these shots … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Balloon 713 returns to service at Blackpool’s first enhanced weekend of 2023

Posted on Thursday 23 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

The weekend of 18th and 19th February saw the first newly christened “Enhanced Weekend” from Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours. What was once known as a “Gold Weekend” saw a timetabled six tram service run on both days from 1000 to … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Event Reviews | 1 Comment

Metro services resume between Monkseaton and North Shields

Posted on Thursday 23 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

Tyne and Wear Metro services are now running between Monkseaton and North Shields again following their earlier suspension owing to storm damage at Whitley Bay. It has originally been stated that there were be no trains for the rest of … Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | 1 Comment

Public consultation set to take place this year for next Edinburgh extension

Posted on Thursday 23 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

Whilst most of our extension attention in Edinburgh may have recently been concentrated on the Trams to Newhaven project with the excitement of the final overhead wire being installed, the same can’t be said for officials at the Council as … Continue reading →

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Sandwell concrete pour marks another milestone for WMM Brierley Hill extension

Posted on Wednesday 22 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

Another week and another press release giving us details of more progress on a West Midlands Metro extension. This time its back to the Brierley Hill line (which is currently only funded to go as far as Dudley so does … Continue reading →

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Blackpool 010 back to fleet livery

Posted on Wednesday 22 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

Its been a period of adverts and special liveries being removed in Blackpool as following on quickly from 001 and 011 losing their vinyl wrap liveries comes the news that Flexity2 010 has lost its special Queen’s Jubilee vinyls and … Continue reading →

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Communications issue causes NET service delays

Posted on Wednesday 22 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit services had a disrupted start to the day on Wednesday 22nd February after a communications fault. It was announced around 0600 that there were no trams running at all due to a “significant issue” with this later … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Blackpool 31 runs for the first time in 2023 as Beamish runs a three tram service

Posted on Tuesday 21 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

Saturday 18th February was the start of the February Half Term holidays in the northeast of England and marked the first time in 2023 that a three tram service operated at Beamish and saw the first use of open topper … Continue reading →

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Storm Otto damage leads to Tyne and Wear Metro disruption

Posted on Tuesday 21 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

There will be no Tyne and Wear Metro service from Monkseaton to North Shields until at least the end of this week because of damage caused by Storm Otto. Whitley Bay Metro Station is also to remain closed until further … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: West End becomes an Edinburgh Trams terminus again

Posted on Monday 20 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

Last week in order to allow for the installation of overhead wires to connect the Edinburgh Trams extension to the existing line in York Place all trams from the Airport were turned short at West End. This meant that the … Continue reading →

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Light Rail Summit 2023 to take place in Birmingham

Posted on Monday 20 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

Birmingham will be the third tram city to hold the UKTram organised Light Rail Summit it as been announced. The 2023 edition of the event will take place on 21st September and follows on from two previous successful events which … Continue reading →

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Trams &: Blackpool Balloon 700 & bus

Posted on Monday 20 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

Blackpool is our latest stop for our “Trams &” series and whilst a lot of entries into this series recently have shown a modern tram alongside a bus, this time we go a bit more traditional with the tram.

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Stop by Stop Nottingham Express Transit: Hucknall & Phoenix Park – Highbury Vale (Hucknall)

Posted on Sunday 19 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

We carry on with our journey towards Hucknall in this edition of “Stop by Stop” and the next stop will be Highbury Vale.

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RAIB Safety Digest released into NET Highbury Vale derailment

Posted on Sunday 19 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

The RAIB have released their latest Safety Digest which is related to the slow speed derailment of Nottingham Express Citadis 219 at Highbury Vale on 30th September 2022. This is not a full report as it has been decided a … Continue reading →

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Classic Motorcycle Day returns to Crich this July

Posted on Sunday 19 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

It may seem a while off but publicity has started for the Classic Motorcycle Day at the Crich Tramway Village which this year will be taking place on Sunday 2nd July 2023. This will be the sixth such event for … Continue reading →

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 19th February 2023

Posted on Sunday 19 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

We have another “20 Photos of…” this week and its off to the northeast and Beamish:

Posted in Beamish Tramway, Picture in Time | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Final sections of Edinburgh overhead going up

Posted on Saturday 18 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

We brought you news earlier this week of the start of the installation of the final sections of overhead wire which will connect the current Edinburgh Trams as far as York Place with the Trams to Newhaven extension and now … Continue reading →

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Around the World in Trams: Strasbourg 3019

Posted on Saturday 18 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

Today “Around the World in Trams” is back in Strasbourg for another shot of one of the fleet of trams which run on the 40 mile system.

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Metro drivers get a drive of new Stadler trains in Czech Republic

Posted on Saturday 18 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

Eight Tyne and Wear Metro drivers have got their first taste of the new Stadler built trains on a trip to the Czech Republic where the first of the 46 trains are currently being put through their paces. The experienced … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Maintenance works at Dudley Street on West Midlands Metro

Posted on Saturday 18 February 2023 by Gareth Prior

Over the past few weeks there has been some maintenance work taking place on the track at the West Midlands Metro stop at Dudley Street. A number of stops on the network have had a 5kph speed restriction of a … Continue reading →

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