Author Archives: Gareth Prior

In Pictures: Blackpool North Station extension latest

Posted on Tuesday 12 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The work to connect the old Promenade tramway tracks with those being installed in Talbot Square and Talbot Road for the Blackpool North Railway Station extension has been continuing in recent weeks. Whilst there is still some work to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | Comments Off on In Pictures: Blackpool North Station extension latest

Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 710

Posted on Tuesday 12 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Can you remember the time when Blackpool Balloon 710 was included as part of the Fleetwood Transport Festival parade? The year was 2011 and with the tram acquired by the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust it was transported through the town … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 710

In Pictures: Bradley Lane Park and Ride progresses

Posted on Monday 11 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Whilst there may be more high profile construction projects connected to the West Midlands Metro an equally important job is continuing at Bradley Lane where a new park and ride site is being built to allow travellers the chance to … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on In Pictures: Bradley Lane Park and Ride progresses

Metro bridges to be replaced

Posted on Monday 11 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Two Tyne and Wear Metro bridges are to be replaced as part of a £2.5 million project with the work set to take place during March. The two bridges are in Tynemouth and Cullercoats and their replacement will require line … Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Metro bridges to be replaced

Around the World in Trams: Budapest 1556

Posted on Sunday 10 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Our look at trams from outside of the British Isles moves on this week as we head to the Hungarian capital city of Budapest. A city that has an extensive public transport network including a fleet of around 600 trams … Continue reading →

Posted in Around the World in Trams | Comments Off on Around the World in Trams: Budapest 1556

Birkenhead, Douglas and Seaton celebrate wins at Heritage Railway Association Awards

Posted on Sunday 10 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The annual Heritage Railway Associate Awards – held with a lavish ceremony – have seen two tramways in the British Isles celebrating. The Seaton Tramway in Devon, the Isle of Man’s Douglas Bay Horse Tramway and the Merseyside Tramway Preservation … Continue reading →

Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway, Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Seaton Tramway | Comments Off on Birkenhead, Douglas and Seaton celebrate wins at Heritage Railway Association Awards

Government call for new light rail solutions?

Posted on Sunday 10 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

As we saw earlier this month, Jesse Norman MP, Transport Secretary, visited Birmingham for a special ceremony to lay the first track on the Birmingham Westside extension and whilst there took the opportunity to launch a call for evidence to … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 1 Comment

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 10 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Photos this week come from overseas as we bring you something a little different from our norm:

Posted in Around the World in Trams, Site News | Comments Off on This week on British Trams Online

More details released for Tramlink line closures

Posted on Saturday 9 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

As we reported last month there will be some forthcoming closures on London Tramlink to allow for work to take place in connection with the replacement of Blackhorse Lane bridge over the Beckenham Junction/Elmers End lines whilst further track work … Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams | Comments Off on More details released for Tramlink line closures

Picture in Time: Tyne & Wear Metro 4086

Posted on Saturday 9 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Concluding our series of images from days gone by of the Tyne and Wear Metro we feature an image today showing that not everything goes according to plan with a double unit in trouble.

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Tyne & Wear Metro 4086

New report states only 68% of Metro trains on time at end of 2018

Posted on Saturday 9 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The continuing travails of passengers wanting to travel on the Tyne and Wear Metro has hit the headlines in the area again with a new report stating that only 68% of trains were on time in November and December. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on New report states only 68% of Metro trains on time at end of 2018

Plans for tram-trains to Glasgow Airport abandoned

Posted on Saturday 9 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

We last heard news on the plan for a tram-train service to link Glasgow City Centre and Glasgow Airport back at the end of 2016 but now it has been reported that the Scottish Government have decided to abandon the … Continue reading →

Posted in Glasgow Airport link | 3 Comments

First tracks laid in Victoria Square

Posted on Friday 8 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The first tracks of the Birmingham Westside extension of West Midlands Metro have been laid as progress on the first phase of this line continues ahead of an opening later in 2019. The tracks were laid in a special photo … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on First tracks laid in Victoria Square

Controversy guaranteed – Edinburgh Trams extension costs increase by a quarter

Posted on Friday 8 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

It was almost inevitable it would happen but the Final Business Case (FBC) for extending the Edinburgh Trams line to Newhaven via Leith Walk has confirmed that the estimated cost will now be £207m (including contingency) up from the previous … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 4 Comments

In Pictures: Three tram Tuesday at Beamish

Posted on Friday 8 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Tuesday 5th February saw three trams in action at Beamish – albeit only one was in normal passenger service. With some snow still lying on the ground following the recent snowfall that didn’t deter the use of open toppers with … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway | Comments Off on In Pictures: Three tram Tuesday at Beamish

In Pictures: 36 gets partial relivery – including adverts

Posted on Thursday 7 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Up until now West Midlands Metro’s Urbos3 trams have been devoid of external advertising but that has changed with 36 receiving adverts for the new My Metro app – along with a bit of the new blue livery on the … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on In Pictures: 36 gets partial relivery – including adverts

In Pictures: Tyne & Wear Metro Engineering Work

Posted on Thursday 7 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

There was planned engineering work on Tyne & Wear Metro on Sunday 3rd February which saw the line shut between Heworth and Jarrow and from Heworth to Brockley Whins. As is usual during works like this a replacement bus service … Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on In Pictures: Tyne & Wear Metro Engineering Work

Picture in Time: Glasgow 1195

Posted on Thursday 7 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The second of three trams to be captured on camera just before scrapping in Glasgow in November 1962 is the feature of Picture in Time today.

Posted in Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Glasgow 1195

In Pictures: A new advert for Edinburgh 251

Posted on Wednesday 6 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Well that didn’t last long did it! After around a week advert free Edinburgh Trams 251 has once again succumbed with a new design for Edinburgh Live being applied.

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on In Pictures: A new advert for Edinburgh 251

In Pictures: Manchester 765 arrives at Beamish

Posted on Wednesday 6 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Manchester 765 arrived at Beamish on Wednesday 6th February following its lengthy journey from the Heaton Park Tramway. The tram was soon offloaded and moved onto road 3 in the depot where it will reside whilst it receives attention to … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway, Heaton Park Tramway | Comments Off on In Pictures: Manchester 765 arrives at Beamish