Author Archives: Gareth Prior

Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 707

Posted on Friday 3 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Its time to head to Blackpool in 1976 again for this edition of “Picture in Time”.

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In Pictures: Further progress in Birmingham City Centre

Posted on Thursday 2 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

We’re off to Birmingham City Centre in this article as we take a look at recent progress on the works taking place there – both relaying the existing route along Bull Street and then round to Corporation Street as well … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 3 Comments

Very Light Rail project progresses in the West Midlands

Posted on Thursday 2 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

While a lot of out attention for light rai in the West Midlands is concentrated on the West Midlands Metro there is also another ongoing project – Very Light Rail. This is a project with multiple parts, the biggest of … Continue reading →

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Boy taken to hospital after collision with tram

Posted on Thursday 2 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

A 10 year old boy has been taken to hospital in Manchester after he was hit by a tram on Droylsden Road while riding his bike. The collision happened at approximately 1930 on Wednesday 1st September with the boy taken … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Oporto 196 runs at Beamish

Posted on Wednesday 1 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

With the proposed start date for public tram services at Beamish edging ever closer (the plan was for services to commence from Saturday 4th September) driver re-familiarisation has been continuing over the past few days with Oporto 196 the tram … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Update from Blackpool construction works

Posted on Wednesday 1 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

With our little hiatus in new updates to British Trams Online its been a while since we last featured images from the construction works on the Blackpool Tramway extension up Talbot Road but it would seem we’re not the only … Continue reading →

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New Metro depot helps to protect rare species of butterfly

Posted on Wednesday 1 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

The new, temporary, Tyne and Wear Metro at Howdon is not only the home every night to a selection of Metrocars but also has a special conservation area included to help protect a rare species of butterfly. During the planning … Continue reading →

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Improved service frequency to be gradually introduced on Metrolink

Posted on Tuesday 31 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

Services on Manchester Metrolink’s busiest lines are set to run to increased frequencies over the next few weeks as more staff start to become available to guarantee extra trams running. The increased frequencies will initially be introduced on the Altrincham … Continue reading →

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Track issues lead to short running at Crich

Posted on Tuesday 31 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

Anyone visiting the Crich Tramway Village on Tuesday 31st August has only been able to enjoy a shorter than usual tram ride after a track fault was discovered the previous day. Trams were only able to run between Town End … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 2 Comments

No trams to Phoenix Park

Posted on Tuesday 31 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit services between Highbury Vale and Phoenix Park have been suspended because of falling debris from a bridge at Cinderhill caused by a car accident. Services were initially suspended around 1200 on Tuesday 31st August whilst the bridge … Continue reading →

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Temporary Metrolink Park and Ride site set to open

Posted on Monday 30 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

The temporary Park and Ride site for Manchester Metrolink passengers in Radcliffe is set to open on 6th September with initially 100 alternative parking spaces made available. Eventually the temporary facility will have capacity for 250 cars by the end … Continue reading →

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More West Midlands Metro Urbos 100 trams arrived at Wednesbury?

Posted on Monday 30 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

This article was updated on 2nd September 2021 with further information. It would appear that there have been some more Urbos 100 trams arrive at the Wednesbury Depot of West Midlands Metro – but they’ve snuck in without us noticing … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Whatever Happened To? Crich Tramathon 2005 – Blackpool Electric Locomotive

Posted on Monday 30 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

In this edition of “Whatever Happened To?” we feature the first of the Works cars which made it out onto the mainline – Blackpool Electric Locomotive.

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Stop by Stop Blackpool Tramway: Cabin

Posted on Sunday 29 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

We continue northbound on the Blackpool Tramway today as “Stop by Stop” continues.

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NET plays a starring role in short film

Posted on Sunday 29 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit has played  a key role in the plot of a new short film which was premiered at the recent Nottingham Film and Food Festival. Shot by local film students, “Alone Together” is the story of two commuters … Continue reading →

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Bogie overhaul contracts signed for West Midlands Metro Urbos3 trams

Posted on Sunday 29 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

The complete fleet of 21 CAF built Urbos3 trams running on the West Midlands Metro network are to enjoy a bogie overhaul following the signing of a three year contract between Lucchini Unipart Rail (LUR) and Midland Metro Limited (MML).

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Seaton Tramway to take on organisation of Natural Seaton Festival in 2022

Posted on Sunday 29 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

The popular Natural Seaton Festival, which celebrates the natural heritage of Seaton and East Devon, is to be organised by the Seaton Tramway from 2022 it has been announced. Usually taking place on a Saturday in mid-July the event hasn’t … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: A trip to Crich during August

Posted on Saturday 28 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

Another pictorial article with the photos this time coming from the Crich Tramway Village. Whole special events have now returned to the museum for most of the week it remains the standard three tram service with it no longer the … Continue reading →

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3076 gets a new advert in Manchester

Posted on Saturday 28 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

New adverts are starting to come thick and fast in Manchester with M5000 3076 the latest to have been seen carrying a vinyl wrap livery in recent days. This time the sponsor is NOCCO – the no carbs company.

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Around the World in Trams: Biddeford and Saco Railroad 31

Posted on Saturday 28 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

Today we make a brief trip across to the United States of America as we take a look at the founding trolley car of the Seashore Trolley Museum.

Posted in Around the World in Trams | 1 Comment