Author Archives: Gareth Prior

More trackwork on Midland Metro

Posted on Friday 3 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

It isn’t just the section of Midland Metro along Bilston Road that is to see engineering works this weekend with no trams running between Black Lake and West Bromwich Central on Sunday 5th November.

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Horse Tram cavalcade to end season in Douglas

Posted on Thursday 2 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

Another year is drawing to a close at many heritage tramways across the British Isles and to celebrate the fact on the Isle of Man there will be a short Horse Tram cavalcade. Using four trams the cavalcade will depart … Continue reading →

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New planning application submitted for horse tram stables in Douglas

Posted on Thursday 2 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

A new horse tram stables could be in operation in time for the 2018 season if the latest planning application for a structure on part of the former Summerland complex is approved. Previously the Department of Infrastructure had another application … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: New cycle arrangements in Edinburgh

Posted on Thursday 2 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

One of the controversies of Edinburgh Trams since opening has been the arrangements for cyclists in the vicinity of the tracks with threats of legal action from disgruntled cycling groups and the tragic death in May of a cyclist after … Continue reading →

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 706

Posted on Thursday 2 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

One of the most popular trams in Blackpool when operational is Princess Alice, or Open Top Balloon 706 if you want to include its number. And that is the very tram which features in today’s Picture in Time although it … Continue reading →

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Get your diaries out! First 2018 event dates announced for Crich

Posted on Wednesday 1 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

The 2017 season is yet to finish at Crich but already their website has been updated with first details of special events for 2018. There are no major changes to the regular pattern of events although the main enthusiast event … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on Get your diaries out! First 2018 event dates announced for Crich

In Pictures: Crich Starlight Spectacular

Posted on Wednesday 1 November 2017 by Gareth Prior

The Starlight Spectacular at Crich has firmly established itself in recent years as a popular event at the end of the season with special lighting effects and later opening allowing for some unique photo opportunities alongside various family activities. With … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 2 Comments

In Pictures: Supertram gets its poppies

Posted on Tuesday 31 October 2017 by Gareth Prior

Poppies are starting to appear on the cab ends of trams on Stagecoach Supertram as part of the Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal. Each year in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday many UK tramways so adorn their trams … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on In Pictures: Supertram gets its poppies

Picture in Time: Manx Electric Railway 2

Posted on Tuesday 31 October 2017 by Gareth Prior

In this edition of Picture in Time we are on the Isle of Man as we take a look at one of the “oldest trams in the world” in action over 24 years ago.

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Aberdeen 54 sold at auction

Posted on Monday 30 October 2017 by Gareth Prior

Aberdeen 54 has been sold at auction with the remains of the tram body purchased for £500, which considering the poor condition of the remaining parts of the lower saloon was a high price to pay.

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More ambitious plans for Preston

Posted on Sunday 29 October 2017 by Gareth Prior

Preston and modern trams is a story which keeps coming and this week in order to prove a point about how trams can run in the Lancashire city the Trampower group hired a bendy bus to go along proposed routes … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: A windy day in Dudley

Posted on Sunday 29 October 2017 by Gareth Prior

It isn’t just operating tramways who have trouble in the wind! On Sunday 22nd October the tram service was suspended at the Black Country Living Museum because of fears that the wind would dewire the tram and cause it to … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Country Living Museum | 4 Comments

In Pictures: Speed restrictions in Blackpool

Posted on Sunday 29 October 2017 by Gareth Prior

Coming less than a week after the previous storm, Brian made its presence felt over the weekend of 21st/22nd October although the damage caused and disruption to tramways was nowhere as near severe as that caused by Ophelia. In Blackpool … Continue reading →

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First phase of Trafford Park Metrolink works completed

Posted on Sunday 29 October 2017 by Gareth Prior

The first phase of highway works for the extension of Manchester Metrolink to Trafford Park have been completed – in plenty of time for Christmas so that those visiting the Trafford Centre aren’t badly affected. A temporary road layout has … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 3 Comments

Picture in Time: Docklands Light Railway 05

Posted on Saturday 28 October 2017 by Gareth Prior

In this edition of Picture in Time we find ourselves in the capital for an image from the Docklands Light Railway of one of the original trains, 05 in 1994

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Service cuts on the way for Supertram

Posted on Saturday 28 October 2017 by Gareth Prior

A new timetable is to be introduced on Stagecoach Supertram from Sunday 28th January 2018 but instead of the usual service enhancement you expect from a new timetable this will see fewer trams run each hour off-peak on the Blue … Continue reading →

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Tramlink drivers to strike

Posted on Saturday 28 October 2017 by Gareth Prior

ASLEF drivers on London Tramlink are to go on two 24 hour strikes in November and December as the dispute over safety escalates. Ever since last year’s tragic derailment at Sandilands new ways to prevent similar incidents in the future … Continue reading →

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Overhead problems for NET

Posted on Saturday 28 October 2017 by Gareth Prior

Services on Nottingham Express Transit were disrupted on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October due to an overhead line fault. The fault was first reported at approximately 1700 on the Saturday and was affecting the section between Highbury Vale and … Continue reading →

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More service diversions on Metrolink

Posted on Saturday 28 October 2017 by Gareth Prior

This weekend (28th and 29th October) will see more services diverted on Manchester Metrolink with the Second City Crossing (2CC) this time being closed throughout the weekend meaning that services will instead by diverted via the original city crossing. There … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Car breaks down causing delays in Edinburgh

Posted on Saturday 28 October 2017 by Gareth Prior

Wednesday 25th October saw disruption on Edinburgh Trams after a car broke down across both lines on the city side of Haymarket. The car broke down at the start of rush hour and saw services unable to get into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on In Pictures: Car breaks down causing delays in Edinburgh