Author Archives: Gareth Prior

Manchester, South Yorkshire and West Midlands get cash boost in budget

Posted on Saturday 23 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

In a pre-announcement from next week’s budget, it has been confirmed that several city regions in England are to receive billions of pounds to help improve public transport – including investment in trams and light rail. The funding package will … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink, South Yorkshire Supertram, West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Little change in Tyne and Wear Metro performance

Posted on Saturday 23 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

Ever since we started these little updates on the Tyne and Wear Metro – taken from posters put up at stations on the network – there has usually been a fair amount of change either in comparison to the previous … Continue reading →

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Around the World in Trams: Innsbruck 304

Posted on Saturday 23 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

We have a quick visit to Innsbruck in Austria for this edition of “Around the World in Trams”.

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More engineering work coming on the West Midlands Metro

Posted on Saturday 23 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

As we wait for news of a reopening date for services through Birmingham City Centre after the three month closure to allow the Eastside extension junction to be installed and track to be relaid on Bull Street and Corporation Street, … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Double destination displays for Edinburgh Trams

Posted on Friday 22 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

If you’re travelling by tram in Edinburgh there is no excuse for not knowing where the tram is going now as they have recently introduced the use of not only the electronic destination displays but also a destination board in … Continue reading →

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Metrolink Engineering Works: October & November

Posted on Friday 22 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

There are more engineering works due to take place on the Manchester Metrolink network affecting services at the end of October and during November. There will be two further sets of work taking place – the Eccles line will be … Continue reading →

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Picture in Time: Luas 4009

Posted on Friday 22 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

We move forward a bit in time for this week’s modern tram “Picture in Time” image as we continue our look at the Luas system in Dublin.

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Duke of Gloucester officially launches Newcastle 102 after restoration

Posted on Thursday 21 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

HRH Duke of Gloucester was on hand at a special members day at the Crich Tramway Village on Wednesday 20th October to drive Newcastle 102 out of the Workshop to re-launch it after its Tramcar Sponsorship Organisation funded restoration. Although … Continue reading →

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Metrolink 3131 enters service

Posted on Thursday 21 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

What is about the day after we run an article on Manchester Metrolink’s M5000s saying so-and-so hasn’t entered service yet?! We recently reported on the delivery of 3132 to Queen’s Road Depot on 16th October and said at the time … Continue reading →

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Five Metro trains to be made available for community groups

Posted on Thursday 21 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

Local communities are being asked to put their proposals forward for new uses for five of the original Metrocars which will be withdrawn from service on the Tyne and Wear Metro network from 2023. Nexus are looking for creative and … Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Works start at city end of Leith Walk

Posted on Wednesday 20 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

The next significant stage of tram construction works in Edinburgh have now got underway with a new worksite created at the city end of Leith Walk which will, in time, see the existing line to York Place connected with the … Continue reading →

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Birkenhead set to welcome a second transport museum?

Posted on Wednesday 20 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

In an announcement which came as a bit of a surprise National Museums Liverpool have announced plans for a new transport museum in Birkenhead, with funding coming from the government’s Town Deal Fund. £25 million has been awarded to Wirral … Continue reading →

Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway | 2 Comments

Metrolink trams join the Destination: Bee Network Conversation

Posted on Wednesday 20 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

A public conversation – like a consultation but different! – into the plans for Greater Manchester’s Bee Network which would see a fully integrated transport network in the region by 2024 (buses, trams, cycling and walking) with trains being included … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Another visit to Beamish

Posted on Tuesday 19 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

Up in the northeast and Beamish currently remains open daily – pre-booked timeslot tickets are still required to visit – although come Monday 1st November and that will change with winter opening hours starting which means it will be closed … Continue reading →

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Metrolink 3132 delivered to Manchester

Posted on Tuesday 19 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

Another three weeks has passed since the previous delivery at Manchester Metrolink’s Queens Road Depot and so that meant that on Saturday 16th October it was time once more for a lorry to arrive from Bombardier. This time the tram … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Little progress on tramway extension at Wilko’s

Posted on Tuesday 19 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

The snail like progress on work for the Blackpool North Railway Station extension of the Blackpool Tramway has continued in recent weeks. Work on the former Wilko’s site – which will be home to the tramway terminus – has now … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

In Pictures: Further progress made in Birmingham City Centre

Posted on Monday 18 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

Its nearly over! The final stages of work in Birmingham City Centre which will allow a full service to resume between Bull Street and Library has now been reached with the further closures between the stops at St Chads and … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Heaton Park Tramway wins award – but not for what you’d expect!

Posted on Monday 18 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

Over the years we’ve reported on many awards being won by various tramways across the British Isles but we think this is a first! Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway has been awarded a green flag – the international quality mark for … Continue reading →

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Trams &: Stagecoach Supertram 121 & bus

Posted on Monday 18 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

After the latest series of “Whatever Happened To?” finished last week, our Monday evening photo series for the next few weeks with the return of  “Trams &” with the first part featuring a modern tram and bus in Sheffield.

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Stop by Stop Blackpool Tramway: Little Bispham

Posted on Sunday 17 October 2021 by Gareth Prior

Its time for another edition of “Stop by Stop”. We’re on the Blackpool Tramway again as we continue northbound and reach Little Bispham.

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