Author Archives: Gareth Prior

Huge increases in Tram-Train pilot costs

Posted on Friday 7 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

A report released by the National Audit Office has shown that the costs involved in the Tram-Train pilot, which will eventually see services run between the Stagecoach Supertram network and Rotherham on the national rail network, has increased five times … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 14 Comments

In Pictures: Classic Motorcyles at Crich

Posted on Friday 7 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

Sunday 2nd July saw the Classic Motorcycle Event take place at Crich. As usual with classic vehicle events such as this a number of motorcycles visited Crich and were seen mingling with the standard tram service which unusually saw four … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on In Pictures: Classic Motorcyles at Crich

First track laid on Bilston Road

Posted on Friday 7 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

The rapid progress being made on the track relay along Bilston Road has continued with the first sections of track being laid last weekend. The project – which only started in June – is due to take six months with … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on First track laid on Bilston Road

Picture in Time: Blackpool Centenary 641

Posted on Thursday 6 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

We take you back to Blackpool again in this instalment of Picture in Time and this time we feature the very first of the Centenary Cars.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Standard 40

Posted on Tuesday 4 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

We head to Crich for this edition of Picture in Time for an early image of Blackpool Standard 40.

Posted in National Tramway Museum, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Blackpool Standard 40

In Pictures: Cruden Bay Tramway 2

Posted on Sunday 2 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

The Grampian Transport Museum in Alford is usually the home of two trams. Earlier this week we reported on Aberdeen horse car no. 1 which has gone back home to Aberdeen for a few months but that still leaves one … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 5 Comments

In Pictures: 60 years not out!

Posted on Sunday 2 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

Volunteers are the lifeblood of heritage tramways in the UK and for one such volunteer at the Seaton Tramway the past week has seen him celebrate 60 years driving. David Rivers started driving for Modern Electric Tramways when the operation … Continue reading →

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Business case for Midland Metro Brierley Hill extension handed over

Posted on Sunday 2 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

The business case for the extension of Midland Metro to Brierley Hill has been formally presented to the Department for Transport as plans for the line continue to progress.

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Business case for Midland Metro Brierley Hill extension handed over

Council to look at trams for Bath once again

Posted on Sunday 2 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

Bath and North East Somerset Council have revealed that they are planning to conduct a feasibility study into whether a tram system could help to solve some of the traffic congestion problems being experienced in the historic city. The idea … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 1 Comment

Tram shortages causes Purple route amendments

Posted on Sunday 2 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

The poor old Purple route on Stagecoach Supertram. Every time there are temporary tram shortages it becomes the sacrificial lamb and is either completely suspended or runs an amended service. And that it exactly what has happened this week with … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 2 Comments

Excellent progress being made on Bilston Road

Posted on Sunday 2 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

As previously reported on these very pages work to replace the track along Bilston Road commenced on Sunday 11th June with Midland Metro services curtailed at Priestfield. With the six month project now underway the Midland Metro Alliance have given … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Excellent progress being made on Bilston Road

Try a tram days a success

Posted on Sunday 2 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

Stagecoach Supertram and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) have run six session special “Try a Tram” sessions on board the new Citylink trams set to enter service on the current Supertram network from late summer. More than 100 vulnerable … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on Try a tram days a success

Picture in Time: Stagecoach Supertram 107

Posted on Saturday 1 July 2017 by Gareth Prior

This edition of Picture in Time is in Sheffield for an image taken on the Stagecoach Supertram system back in 2005.

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TfGM seek views on Metrolink fare rises

Posted on Friday 30 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

It’s a subject which isn’t exactly going to get regular travellers on Manchester Metrolink jumping up and down with joy but fares on the network are set to rise from January 2018 – although by how much hasn’t been decided … Continue reading →

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Not much new for trams and light rail in Mayor’s Transport Strategy

Posted on Friday 30 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

The latest version of the Mayor of London’s draft Transport Strategy has recently been released into the public domain and despite a hefty document there isn’t a huge amount new to report for trams and light rail. Of course currently … Continue reading →

Posted in Docklands Light Railway, London Trams | 1 Comment

Record passengers carried on UK tramways once again

Posted on Thursday 29 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

It’s been a day of statistics with the Department for Transport releasing their annual light rail and tram statistic for 2016/17. The figures have shown the now inevitable increase in passenger numbers with all tramways in England enjoying increased passenger … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Docklands Light Railway, Edinburgh Trams, London Trams, Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit, South Yorkshire Supertram, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Record passengers carried on UK tramways once again

Edinburgh Trams make profit ahead of schedule

Posted on Thursday 29 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

Further evidence, if any was needed, of the success of Edinburgh Trams has been released with news that the trams are making an operating profit – two years ahead of the (admittedly revised) schedule.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Coronation 663

Posted on Thursday 29 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

Sometimes there are trams which often seem to encourage people to take photos and they keep cropping up in this series and one such tram is Blackpool Coronation 663.

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In Pictures: Aberdeen Horse Tram 1 on the move

Posted on Wednesday 28 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

One of the most northerly trams to exist in the British Isles has recently been on the move on a temporary basis. The tram in question is Aberdeen Horse Tram no. 1 which made the trip between its usual home … Continue reading →

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Luas Cross City line starts testing

Posted on Wednesday 28 June 2017 by Gareth Prior

Saturday 17th June was a key milestone in Luas Cross City line project with the initial gauging runs taking place ahead of the line’s opening planned for the end of 2017. Two of the system’s Citadis 401 trams had been … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Luas | 3 Comments