Author Archives: Gareth Prior

Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon

Posted on Tuesday 22 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

We stay in Fleetwood for this week’s offering from the Blackpool Tramway archives as we have another photo of a tram which we can’t quite identify!

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Long serving Tyne and Wear Metro driver retires

Posted on Monday 21 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Ian Rossiter – one of the very first people to drive on the Tyne and Wear Metro when it opened back in 1980 – has retired after 40 years driving the trains on the transport network. Mr Rossiter, now 60, … Continue reading →

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Manchester 765 to Beamish – The Return!

Posted on Monday 21 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Back in 2011, Manchester 765 spent a very successful month on loan at Beamish, primarily for operation at the Great North Steam Fair of that year, as it made its way back to its usual home tramway at Heaton Park … Continue reading →

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Around the World in Trams: Tenerife Tram 13

Posted on Sunday 20 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

We stay out in the Canaries for this week’s worldwide tram image for some more winter sun as we view another of the Alstom 302’s which operate the two line tramway in Tenerife.

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In Pictures: Update on Crumpsall works

Posted on Sunday 20 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

When trams start to run on the Trafford Park extension in 2020 they will be operating a service through Manchester City Centre to Crumpsall giving additional capacity on the Bury line. To this end a third platform and track will … Continue reading →

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New App launched for West Midlands Metro

Posted on Sunday 20 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

A new mobile phone app has been launched which should make it even easier than before to travel on the West Midlands Metro and there are also exclusive discounted fares available to purchase only through the app.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 20 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Another small gallery of photos for you this week:

Posted in Volk's Electric Railway | 3 Comments

Metro passengers wanted for new ITV documentary

Posted on Saturday 19 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

As we reported in December a new ITV documentary has been commissioned which will be looking at the workings of the Tyne and Wear Metro as it approaches its 40th anniversary. The producers of the documentary are now looking for … Continue reading →

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Picture in Time: Tyne & Wear Metro 4038

Posted on Saturday 19 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Staying in the northeast for the second week of our look back at the Tyne and Wear Metro we find snow on the ground as we feature another of the original 1980s trains in action.

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New vehicles for Southend Pier

Posted on Saturday 19 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Many Piers in the UK have had rail borne transport operating along them and there is often a debate as to whether these are railways or tramways but over the years we have tended to cover these on and off … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Balloon 711 on Pleasure Beach loop – what was the occasion?

Posted on Saturday 19 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

A bit of a quiz question for you today. In the below image we feature Blackpool Balloon 711 on Pleasure Beach loop – carrying an all over advert for Blackpool Zoo – on 1st July 2007 but what was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

In Pictures: 31 named Cyrille Regis

Posted on Friday 18 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

West Midlands Metro now has a third named tram following the naming of 31 Cyrille Regis MBE at a special ceremony on Friday 18th January. As we reported back in December the tram was to be named after the West … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Delays to Prom reopening after delay in tram works

Posted on Friday 18 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Originally due to open on Monday 21st January it has been announced that the main Promenade road past Talbot Road in Blackpool will now not open until the end of February with an apparent delay in the tram trackworks the … Continue reading →

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Eccles line suspension after overhead problems

Posted on Friday 18 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink services on the Eccles line were suspended for several hours on Thursday 17th January after a problem with the overhead caused a pantograph to smash. The incident happened close to the stop at Broadway around 1230 with the … Continue reading →

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As you were on the MER for 2019

Posted on Thursday 17 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

The timetable for the Manx Electric Railway – and the Snaefell Mountain Railway and Isle of Man Steam Railway – has been released and it is very much a case of as you were with very limited changes in the … Continue reading →

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Edinburgh Party Tram for one day only!

Posted on Thursday 17 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

In what is probably a modern day first for the UK Edinburgh Trams, in conjunction with Forth 1, are to run a Party Tram on Friday 18th January. Operating one return journey across the whole Edinburgh Trams line between York … Continue reading →

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Picture in Time: Paisley 68 & Newcastle 102

Posted on Thursday 17 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Open top trams are always popular – no matter whether you are by the seaside or alongside a quarry in the Derbyshire countryside! In this edition of Picture in Time we feature two of Crich’s examples of open toppers; neither … Continue reading →

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Balloon 715 to visit workshops as progress made on Railcoach 279

Posted on Wednesday 16 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

It has been confirmed that Blackpool Balloon 715 is to visit the workshops at Rigby Road to refresh its appearance for 2019 whilst a fellow Fylde Transport Trust – Railcoach 279 – continues to progress at Brinwell Road ahead of … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: New advert for Edinburgh 262

Posted on Wednesday 16 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

No sooner had we reported on a new advert in Manchester then Edinburgh follows suit with 262 losing its vinyls for C R Smith allowing a new advert for Macdonald Hotels & Resorts and the Paul Tamburrini restaurant (on either … Continue reading →

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First new advert of 2019 in Manchester

Posted on Tuesday 15 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

It didn’t take long did it? The first new vinyl wrap advert on Manchester Metrolink of 2019 has appeared with 3072 receiving its very first advertising livery with the sponsor being Totaljobs. Once again extensive contravision does feature on the … Continue reading →

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