Author Archives: Gareth Prior

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 2 June 2019 by Gareth Prior

We have a double helping of Photo Galleries for you this week – both coming from the northwest of England:

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Changes at British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 2 June 2019 by Gareth Prior

Changes are part and parcel of life and this week sees a fairly significant change in the editorial team at British Trams Online as it will be the last week that Andrew Wadington will be writing for the website.

Posted in Site News | 5 Comments

Horse Trams start running again

Posted on Saturday 1 June 2019 by Gareth Prior

Not previously reported on these pages but on Friday 24th May public services started running once again on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway. As we’ve mentioned previously the start of this season will see a much shorter tramway in operation … Continue reading →

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Picture in Time: Luas 3005

Posted on Saturday 1 June 2019 by Gareth Prior

Across the Irish Sea for the start of a few images from Dublin’s Luas system today as Picture in Time continues.

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In Pictures: Pomona Spring Bank Holiday weekend works

Posted on Saturday 1 June 2019 by Gareth Prior

Our presumption that the closure of the Eccles line over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend would see the Eccles line and the extension to Trafford Park connected has proven to be incorrect as nothing of the sort happened! The line … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on In Pictures: Pomona Spring Bank Holiday weekend works

A baker’s dozen of trams but where are the passengers?

Posted on Friday 31 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

The latest Bank Holiday weekend in Blackpool once again saw the more intensive Gold timetable running with six trams allocated to service each day across the tramway between Pleasure Beach and Blackpool. The original allocations were changed throughout the weekend … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Event Reviews | 2 Comments

Reduced Tram-Train service

Posted on Friday 31 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

Tram-Train services between Cathedral and Rotherham Parkgate will be running at a reduced frequency until at least Tuesday 11th June as rectification work is carried on the Citylink vehicles. As you may recall all the tram-trains were removed from service … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on Reduced Tram-Train service

Happy Birthday Edinburgh Trams!

Posted on Friday 31 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

It’s a week of significant anniversaries with Edinburgh Trams celebrating their 5th birthday. Services in Edinburgh finally started on 31st May 2014 after a very problematic construction period but once it was up and running it was soon accepted into … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: 19 receives West Midlands Metro 20th anniversary livery

Posted on Thursday 30 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

As we reported last night West Midlands Metro have been celebrating their 20th anniversary with a series of special events across the network. With 30th May the exact anniversary of the formal start of services back in 1999 a special … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on In Pictures: 19 receives West Midlands Metro 20th anniversary livery

In Pictures: Supertram trackwork continues along Middlewood Road

Posted on Thursday 30 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

With area one of the Stagecoach Supertram rail replacement works now in their final week the actual worksite has moved further along Middlewood Road with concentration currently on the section between the junction with Hillsborough Grove and between Withens Avenue … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on In Pictures: Supertram trackwork continues along Middlewood Road

Picture in Time: Southend Pier Railway

Posted on Thursday 30 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

A tradition on many piers in the UK was the provision of a tramway or railway and whilst the vast majority have now been removed one which still very much remains – probably party because of the length of the … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: 3116 receives advert for Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

Posted on Wednesday 29 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

The latest vinyl wrap advert to be applied to a tram in Manchester is for the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet and is now featured on 3116. A grey design it does feature contravision on many of the windows although only … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on In Pictures: 3116 receives advert for Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

West Midlands Metro set to celebrate 20 years

Posted on Wednesday 29 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

On 30th May 1999 services finally started on what we now know as the West Midlands Metro and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this momentous occasion a specially liveried tram will enter service during the afternoon of Thursday 30th … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Metrolink strikes off after new pay offer

Posted on Wednesday 29 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

The planned four day strike due to take place on Manchester Metrolink between Friday 7th and Monday 10th June has been called off after talks between KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) and the Unite Union. This may not need the complete end … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Balloon 715 returns to the 1970s

Posted on Tuesday 28 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

The Fylde Transport Trust’s Blackpool Balloon 715 returned to service on Friday 24th May sporting a new look following a partial repaint – including period between deck adverts. The tram is now in a coat of 1970s Green and Cream … Continue reading →

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Metro 19 back in service

Posted on Tuesday 28 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

And then there were 10! Saturday 25th May saw the tenth of the West Midlands Metro Urbos3 trams to enter service fitted with batteries fitted when 19 undertook its first revenue earning runs.

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Metro 19 back in service

Picture in Time: Blackpool Brush 630

Posted on Tuesday 28 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

This week’s archive Blackpool tram image again comes from the final year of the traditional tramway – 2011.

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In Pictures: Cambridge Horse tram 7 almost complete

Posted on Monday 27 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

A restoration we have been keeping an eye on over the past few years has been that of Cambridge Street Tramways 7 – a horse tram which during the restoration it was discovered was in fact third hand to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ipswich Transport Museum | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Metro Cars wherefore art thou?

Posted on Monday 27 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

Train availability on the Tyne and Wear Metro has been in the news over recent months with a full service unable to be operated on the network at times. Included in this lack of availability are four sets which haven’t … Continue reading →

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Crich on the outlook for new volunteer tram crew

Posted on Monday 27 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

Have you ever thought about becoming a tram conductor but haven’t know what to do about it? Well if you have now is your chance to volunteer at the Crich Tramway Village, home of the National Tramway Museum, with a … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on Crich on the outlook for new volunteer tram crew