Author Archives: Gareth Prior

Around the World in Trams: Lviv Works Car 2

Posted on Saturday 2 July 2022 by Gareth Prior

Its not all about the passenger trams as in this latest instalment of “Around the World in Trams” we take a look at a tram which was, at this point, a works car.

Posted in Around the World in Trams | 1 Comment

Still no long-term funding agreement for TfL

Posted on Saturday 2 July 2022 by Gareth Prior

The continued political games between the Department for Transport and Transport for London shows no signs of coming to an end with yet another short-term funding agreement announced – this one truly is short-term as its only a 19 day … Continue reading →

Posted in Docklands Light Railway, London Trams | Comments Off on Still no long-term funding agreement for TfL

Edinburgh Trams name their charity of the year

Posted on Saturday 2 July 2022 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams will be supporting the Breast Friends and Family charity for the next 12 months in memory of a former senior tram driver who lost her brave battle against breast cancer last June. Evelyn Kiernan is being remembered by … Continue reading →

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Overhead problems return to West Midlands Metro

Posted on Friday 1 July 2022 by Gareth Prior

Back in the day (well, around 2019), the biggest problems to impact services on the West Midlands Metro were overhead line problems with relatively frequent issues seeing the service having to be suspended. Into 2022 and there have been far … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 3 Comments

Two week closure for part of Tyne and Wear Metro network this July

Posted on Friday 1 July 2022 by Gareth Prior

There will be no Tyne and Wear Metro services between St James and Tynemouth for 14 days between 16th and 29th July to allow for more modernisation works on the network. This will include the complete renewal of an ageing … Continue reading →

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Picture in Time: Gateshead Garden Festival – Sunderland 100 & Blackpool 167

Posted on Friday 1 July 2022 by Gareth Prior

And its back to the Gateshead Garden Festival for this edition of “Picture in Time”.

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Horse tram service from the end of July?

Posted on Thursday 30 June 2022 by Gareth Prior

Can it be true? Are we actually going to see horse trams running on the Isle of Man again? If all goes according to plan a service on the remaining section of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway between Derby Castle … Continue reading →

Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway | 2 Comments

Edinburgh Trams nominated in five categories at Scottish Transport Awards

Posted on Thursday 30 June 2022 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams could be celebrating again later this year after it was revealed they have been nominated in five different categories at the forthcoming Scottish Transport Awards. These prestigious awards will be taking place in September in Glasgow.

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Trams will return at Crich this weekend!

Posted on Wednesday 29 June 2022 by Gareth Prior

It’s the news we’ve been waiting for – a tram service will resume at Crich on Saturday 2nd July! This comes after the completion of successful testing of the newly renewed infrastructure which had caused the service to be suspended … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 2 Comments

In Pictures: Welcome to Manchester M5000 3143!

Posted on Wednesday 29 June 2022 by Gareth Prior

It may be six months until Christmas but Manchester Metrolink have got an early present – the latest M5000 was delivered to Queens Road Depot on Saturday 25th June! 3143 made the usual trip from the Alstom/Bombardier plant in Germany … Continue reading →

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Strikes could spread to Edinburgh Trams

Posted on Wednesday 29 June 2022 by Gareth Prior

Staff at Edinburgh Trams could be set to go on strike in time for the Edinburgh Festival in another pay dispute. Members of the Unite union are being balloted for potential strike action after the latest pay offer from Edinburgh … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 3 Comments

In Pictures: Week of daylight testing to Blackpool North gets underway

Posted on Tuesday 28 June 2022 by Gareth Prior

Monday 27th June. Mark that date in your diary for that is the date that daylight testing of the Blackpool Tramway extension up Talbot Road to Blackpool North Railway Station got underway. As a prelude to public services beginning – … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 4 Comments

Trams tested at Crich after new poles installed

Posted on Tuesday 28 June 2022 by Gareth Prior

Some pleasing news to report from the Crich Tramway Village where following the installation of the two new overhead support poles on the Depot fan by contractors Pod-Trak trams have now started to testing ahead of services resuming in the … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Tarmac down in Douglas – will we see trams running soon?

Posted on Tuesday 28 June 2022 by Gareth Prior

Since we last featured the construction works related to the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway back in mid-May there has been further significant progress with tarmac now down surrounding the tracks in preparation for a return to action for the horse … Continue reading →

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Heaton Park Tramway gets ready for a Tramtastic weekend!

Posted on Monday 27 June 2022 by Gareth Prior

Please note amendments to the timetabled events – see the main article in italics Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd July sees the latest special event at Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway as Tramtastic takes place. This year it’s the double the … Continue reading →

Posted in Event Previews, Heaton Park Tramway | 9 Comments

Don’t forget! Seaton’s Tramathon Live on 2nd July!

Posted on Monday 27 June 2022 by Gareth Prior

Seaton Tramway’s now annual Tramathon Live fundraiser returns on Saturday 2nd July. With all 12 operational trams due to appear during the day (subject to the usual caveats) this year the event will only last for 12 hours (instead of … Continue reading →

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Out and About: A busy Deansgate-Castlefield

Posted on Monday 27 June 2022 by Gareth Prior

In this edition of “Out and About” we head back to Manchester as we take a look at a busy scene at Deansgate-Castlefield.

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Trams in Video: East Anglia Transport Museum 50th Anniversary

Posted on Sunday 26 June 2022 by Gareth Prior

This latest video from Bob Hodges was shot at the East Anglia Transport Museum 50th anniversary held on Sunday 29th May. This is the first part of the video which concentrates on the trams – three were running on the … Continue reading →

Posted in East Anglia Transport Museum, Trams in Video | 1 Comment

Police Box to be restored at Crich Tramway Village

Posted on Sunday 26 June 2022 by Gareth Prior

Anyone who has ever visited the Crich Tramway Village has probably noticed the historic Metropolitan Police Box at Town End – usually when a child points and shouts “it’s the Tardis”! – and now the 1930s box is set to … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 1 Comment

Boost for light rail safety with new government funding

Posted on Sunday 26 June 2022 by Gareth Prior

The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board have been awarded a package of £3.3 million from the Department of Transport which will enable them to continue with their vital safety work over the next three years. A number of projects … Continue reading →

Posted in UKTram | 1 Comment