Author Archives: Gareth Prior

In Pictures: 17 finally enters service on Midland Metro

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

Having been in the UK for almost three years the oldest Urbos 3 has finally entered service on Midland Metro. 17 was used in passenger service for the very first time as one of the evening peak extras on Tuesday … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

A new advert on Manchester Metrolink

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

After a short period of livery uniformity another M5000 has now received advertising vinyls on Manchester Metrolink. 3117 is the latest tram to be covered in a vinyl wrap with the sponsor being Manchester College, and yes it does feature … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 3 Comments

Blackpool Brush 636 on the move again

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

Blackpool Brush Railcoach 636 has been on the move again with it returning to Stored Energy Technology in Derby having spent the past couple of months at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway where it has been used for testing. The return … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Sheffield tram-train project work continues

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

It may seem to be the project which has been progressing at a snail’s pace but work is underway on the necessary construction work needed for the introduction of the Sheffield to Rotherham tram-train service which it is hoped may … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on In Pictures: Sheffield tram-train project work continues

Midland Metro Alliance apply for Birmingham Eastside extension TWAO

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

Plans to extend Midland Metro from Bull Street to Digbeth – the Birmingham Eastside extension – have moved a step forward following the application by the Midland Metro Alliance, on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), for a … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 3 Comments

Mayor to press ahead with another DLR extension?

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

The expansion of the Docklands Light Railway has stalled in recent years but the new Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has now announced that he intends to approve an extension across the Thames from Gallions Reach to Thamesmead to support … Continue reading →

Posted in Docklands Light Railway | 1 Comment

Everyone’s a winner at Light Rail Awards

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

Well not quite everyone but it does seem a lot of the UK’s tramways are celebrating wins at the recent Light Rail Awards! Edinburgh Trams, Manchester Metrolink, Midland Metro and Nottingham Express Transit have all been delighted to announce their … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams, Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Everyone’s a winner at Light Rail Awards

A new name for a new tram stop

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

Midland Metro’s Snow Hill tram stop is to be renamed St Chad’s from January 2017 to avoid confusion for passengers who alight wanting to access the adjacent railway station. The stop opened in May as part of the Metro extension … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 5 Comments

Crich prepares to be illuminated for the Starlight Spectacular

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

We may be approaching the end of another season of operation at the Crich Tramway Village but that doesn’t mean there isn’t time for another special event with final preparations now underway for the Starlight Spectacular event which takes place … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on Crich prepares to be illuminated for the Starlight Spectacular

Collisions in Croydon and Nottingham

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

Thursday 6th October was a bad day for collisions on our tramways with both Nottingham Express Transit and London Tramlink suffering delays following incidents which saw trams collide with road vehicles. The first incident was shortly before 0900 outside Nottingham … Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams, Nottingham Express Transit | 1 Comment

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Wednesday 5 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

More midweek tram action for you as we bring you our extensive photographic coverage from the Blackpool Anniversary Spectacular:

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Site News | 1 Comment

It’s here! 3120 arrives in Manchester

Posted on Sunday 2 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

The full fleet of 120 M5000 trams are now in Manchester following the arrival of the last of the Bombardier built trams at Queen’s Road Depot at around 1130 on Saturday 1st October. The arrival of 3120 brings an end … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 6 Comments

Event Review: Blackpool Anniversary Spectacular

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Over the weekend of 24th and 25th September the Blackpool Tramway celebrated its 131st anniversary in style with an Anniversary Spectacular which saw an intensive tram service in operation alongside depot tours and tram displays at Rigby Road Depot. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Event Reviews | 3 Comments

Don’t Forget! Wirral Bus & Tram Show 2016

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

The annual Wirral Bus & Tram Show 2016 will take place on Sunday 2nd October with the Birkenhead Heritage Tramway once again at the centre of the event with a four car service using up to six trams in operation … Continue reading →

Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway | Comments Off on Don’t Forget! Wirral Bus & Tram Show 2016

It’s coming – 3120 departs Vienna

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

3120 – the last of the current order of Bombardier M5000s – is on its way to Manchester having left Vienna on Tuesday 27th September with its arrival at Queen’s Road Depot expected in the usual lunchtime slot on Saturday … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 2 Comments

Midland Metro service change: Sunday 2nd October

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Bull Street will again be the terminus for Midland Metro services heading into Birmingham on Sunday 2nd October between approximately 1030 and 1500. This is due to the TUC march taking place in Birmingham City Centre and the resulting road … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

Manchester Metrolink Metrolink closure: 1st and 2nd October

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Safety critical maintenance work will be taking place between Altrincham and Timperley on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October causing Metrolink services to be suspended between these stops. Trams will not run from Altrincham to Timperley from 2355 on Saturday … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Manchester Metrolink Metrolink closure: 1st and 2nd October

399 205 delivered to Sheffield

Posted on Thursday 29 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

The Tram-Trains may not have turned a wheel in anger as yet but on Monday 26th September the fifth of seven vehicles being built for use on Stagecoach Supertram was delivered to Nunnery Depot. The arrival of 399 205 means … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 2 Comments

2564 arrives in Croydon

Posted on Thursday 29 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

The first of the extra two Stadler Variobahn’s for London Tramlink arrived at Therapia Lane on Sunday 25th September. 2564 was transported from Stadler’s plant in Berlin via Harwich before arriving at its new home where it will now start … Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams | Comments Off on 2564 arrives in Croydon

Blackpool 272 catches fire during Anniversary Spectacular

Posted on Thursday 29 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

On Saturday 24th September shortly before midday Blackpool Twin Car 272+T2 suffered a fire whilst operating a heritage tour from Pleasure Beach to Little Bispham. The fire broke out as the tram was on the climb between Gynn Square and … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | Comments Off on Blackpool 272 catches fire during Anniversary Spectacular