Author Archives: Gareth Prior

Metrocar makes its longest journey yet!

Posted on Sunday 4 January 2026 by Gareth Prior

A Tyne and Wear Metrocar is set to make its West End debut! Whilst admittedly its not a real Metrocar, it will be a life-sized replica of 4001 which is part of the set for the play Gerry & Sewell, … Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Metrocar makes its longest journey yet!

Jane Cole recognised in King’s New Year’s Honours List

Posted on Saturday 3 January 2026 by Gareth Prior

Jane Cole, who has been the Managing Director of Blackpool Transport Services Limited for past 12 years, has been recognised for services to public transport and the local community. Jane has been awarded an OBE having spent 12 years at … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Manchester Metrolink | 6 Comments

What’s New on British Trams Online? 3rd January 2026

Posted on Saturday 3 January 2026 by Gareth Prior

Happy New Year! Once again please accept my apologies for the disruption in updates to British Trams Online since early December 2025 – and a big thanks to everyone who checked in to see if everything was OK. We should … Continue reading →

Posted in Site News | 5 Comments

Around the World in Trams: Debrecen 518 & 511

Posted on Saturday 3 January 2026 by Gareth Prior

We start off another year of “Around the World in Trams” and for January 2026 it will be a case of anything goes as we will dart all over the world for the next five editions!

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January sales reach Nottingham Express Transit

Posted on Saturday 3 January 2026 by Gareth Prior

Regular users of Nottingham Express Transit are set to enjoy savings if they buy their season tickets during January with special offers available until 31st January 2026.

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South Yorkshire Supertram service change: Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th January 2026

Posted on Saturday 3 January 2026 by Gareth Prior

Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th January will see changes to the service on South Yorkshire Supertram to allow Network Rail to complete essential bridge repairs close to Meadowhall South.

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In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams splits in two for Hogmanay

Posted on Friday 2 January 2026 by Gareth Prior

With Edinburgh being the centrepiece of Hogmanay celebrations with major events taking place in and around the iconic Princes Street, the trams in the city have to operate a revised service. Before the extension to Newhaven was opened this just … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 1 Comment

New Metro ticket gates go live at Regent Centre

Posted on Friday 2 January 2026 by Gareth Prior

Regent Centre has become the latest station on the Tyne and Wear Metro network to receive automatic ticket gates. This is all part of North East Mayor Kim McGuinness’ pledge to make public transport safer and to also reduce fare … Continue reading →

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Picture in Time: Midland Metro 07

Posted on Friday 2 January 2026 by Gareth Prior

And for the last time in this series “Picture in Time” comes from Midland Metro.

Posted in Picture in Time, West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Discounted tram travel for British Junior Squash Open ticket holders

Posted on Thursday 1 January 2026 by Gareth Prior

The latest partnership between the West Midlands Metro and local organisations has been announced which will allow anyone going to see the British Junior Squash Open in Birmingham the chance to get 15% off an all zone ticket.

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Discounted tram travel for British Junior Squash Open ticket holders

Last few tickets remain for Blackpool Illumination Tours

Posted on Thursday 1 January 2026 by Gareth Prior

Its been a brief and limited season but your last chance to take HMS Blackpool, the Illuminated Frigate, on an Illumination Tour is here with just two more nights of tours to come. The Frigate will set sail on Friday … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 17 Comments

Driving training complete on new Metro fleet

Posted on Thursday 1 January 2026 by Gareth Prior

All Tyne and Wear Metro drivers have now completed their training on the new Stadler trains, marking another milestone in the introduction of the new fleet of 46 trains. Over 200 members of Metro train crew, including drivers and operations … Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Driving training complete on new Metro fleet

Firefighters start to use old Metrocar

Posted on Wednesday 31 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

Amongst all the departures from the Tyne and Wear Metro network recently, not all have been on a final one-way trip to the scrapman. Of course, we have seen 4001 enter preservation but there is also 4019 which has been … Continue reading →

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Light Rail Operators Committee meet in Nottingham

Posted on Wednesday 31 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

Thursday 4th December 2025 saw the latest meeting of UKTram’s Light Rail Operators Committee (LROC) take place at Nottingham Express Transit’s depot at Wilkinson Street. This saw operators meet to discuss operational performance, shared challenges and best practice.

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Metro signalling engineer retires

Posted on Wednesday 31 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

A signalling engineer who has devoted 38 years of his working life to the Tyne and Wear Metro has retired. 66-year-old John Eagle has worked on the signalling since 1987 but has now bid an emotional farewell to his colleagues.

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Passenger numbers up and losses down for NET

Posted on Tuesday 30 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit has recorded its smallest loss since the year ending 2016 as efforts to improve the financial performance of the network, coupled with an increase in passenger numbers, start to be seen.

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | Comments Off on Passenger numbers up and losses down for NET

UKTram Light Rail Engineering Group meet again

Posted on Tuesday 30 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

The Light Rail Engineering Group (LREG) at UKTram meet at the end of November in Manchester for two days of discussion about current engineering challenges, shared operational insights, and the examination of how emerging technologies can support long-term network resilience.

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Free Wi-Fi trial on Tyne and Wear Metro

Posted on Tuesday 30 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

Have you ever been on the Tyne and Wear Metro and bemoaned the fact that there is no Wi-Fi? Well, if you have you could be in luck as a new free Wi-Fi service is being piloted with the aim … Continue reading →

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Old and New – Blackpool: Pleasure Beach

Posted on Monday 29 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

For the last time in 2025 we go “Old and New” as we feature images of trams both heritage and modern on the Blackpool Tramway. And this time we find ourselves at Pleasure Beach.

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Public consultation launched for Greater Manchester transport plans

Posted on Monday 29 December 2025 by Gareth Prior

As we’ve already seen, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has bold plans to improve and enhance transport around the region, and now officials are seeking the views of the pubic with the launch of a major consultation. This consultation … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Public consultation launched for Greater Manchester transport plans