Author Archives: Gareth Prior

Picture in Time: Manx Electric Railway 33

Posted on Tuesday 6 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Our latest visit to the archives sees us arrive on the Isle of Man once again; this time the year is 1998 and we find ourselves on the Isle of Man Steam Railway but don’t let that location put you … Continue reading →

Posted in Manx Electric Railway, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Manx Electric Railway 33

Can you help identify these photos?

Posted on Tuesday 6 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

We have recently been contacted by Elaine Clarke who has discovered a discarded old album of photos which included images of tram lines being laid in a mystery location. The album also contained pictures of Wentworth Castle suggesting a possible … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 16 Comments

Full details announced for Tram Day

Posted on Monday 5 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

One of the most anticipated events at Crich this year, Tram Day, takes place on Saturday 10th September and following the announcement last month that Oporto C65 would be on display during the day full details have now been released … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 4 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 4 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Just the one Photo Gallery for you this week as we head back to the Isle of Man once again:

Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Manx Electric Railway, Site News, Snaefell Mountain Railway | 1 Comment

Event Report: Isle of Man Heritage Transport Festival and preceding charters by the Isle of Man Fifty Group, 20th July – 1st August

Posted on Sunday 4 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

The Isle of Man is an heritage transport jewel in the middle of the Irish sea. On an island barely 38 miles long and 13 miles wide you can experience three different steam railways, vintage bus, commercial vehicle, car and … Continue reading →

Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Event Reviews, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway | 1 Comment

Picture in Time: Blackpool Brush 632

Posted on Wednesday 31 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

We are off to Blackpool in 1973 for today’s Picture in Time as we take a look at Blackpool Brush Railcoach 632.

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Blackpool Brush 632

New Midland Metro DVD out now

Posted on Tuesday 30 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

The latest DVD from Bob Hodges Transport DVDs is out now and features 75 minutes of action from Midland Metro, including the latest city centre extensions. As usual there is no commentary to get in the way of the sounds … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on New Midland Metro DVD out now

In Pictures: T69 16’s name lives on…

Posted on Tuesday 30 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

The one remaining T69 at Wednesbury Depot is the last to have run in service – 16. 16 was named Gerwyn John in November 2005 but as with all withdrawn T69s it soon had its nameplates removed but it has … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on In Pictures: T69 16’s name lives on…

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Tuesday 30 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

It may be Tuesday but that doesn’t mean we have forgotten about this week’s main site update as it is now online and includes three more Photo Galleries:

Posted in Manchester Metrolink, Manx Electric Railway, Site News, Snaefell Mountain Railway, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on This week on British Trams Online

Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink 1001

Posted on Monday 29 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

29th August marks the 25th Anniversary of the arrival into the UK of the first of a new generation of trams with Manchester Metrolink’s T68 1001 being delivered on this date in 1991. To mark the occasion our latest edition … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink 1001

In Pictures: St Peter’s Square reopens after 14 months

Posted on Monday 29 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

After 14 long months a full Manchester Metrolink service is once again running through St Peter’s Square with the transformation works now having progressed sufficiently to allow passengers to board at the all new and expanded stop. The work is … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on In Pictures: St Peter’s Square reopens after 14 months

Metrolink 3098 named Gracie Fields

Posted on Monday 29 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

Throughout their history the original T68 trams on Manchester Metrolink all (eventually) received a name even if this was just as a form of advertising. However since their introduction the M5000s have not been so lucky with only two having … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

Horse tram stables put up for sale

Posted on Friday 26 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

The historic Summer Hill stables, home to the trammers of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway since 1877, have been put up for sale by Douglas Borough Council. Although not an unexpected move it is still disappointing that such an historic … Continue reading →

Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway | 8 Comments

St Peter’s Square to reopen on Sunday 28th August

Posted on Friday 26 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

It has been confirmed – that subject to final testing and commissioning – a full tram service will resume through St Peter’s Square on Sunday 28th August bringing to an end a 14 month closure of the stop. Major rebuilding … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on St Peter’s Square to reopen on Sunday 28th August

Find out about destination blinds with Peter Watts

Posted on Friday 26 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

On 1st September destination blind guru Peter Watts will be presenting the monthly Fylde Tramway Society meeting at Wing’s Club, Victoria Road West, Cleveleys. Titled A Blind Approach: Blackpool tram blinds from 1960 Peter will be covering not only historical … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fylde Tramway Society | Comments Off on Find out about destination blinds with Peter Watts

Oporto C65 and Bournemouth 85 set to change owners

Posted on Thursday 25 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

One of the most elusive trams of the national collection is set to enjoy a rare period in the limelight ahead of a change of ownership. Oporto C65 was acquired by the National Tramway Museum in 2005 but upon transfer … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway, National Tramway Museum | 15 Comments

Picture in Time: Douglas Bay Horse Tramway 21

Posted on Wednesday 24 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

After a summer break Picture in Time is back! Continuing our current Douglas Bay Horse Tramway theme we head to the Isle of Man for this instalment as we feature one of the Toastracks still plying its trade along the … Continue reading →

Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Picture in Time | 3 Comments

In Pictures: Chesterfield 7 back in service & Models on display at Crich

Posted on Tuesday 23 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

This latest pictorial update from Crich features two recent events. Over the weekend of 20th and 21st August there was a Models Weekend which saw a number of layouts on display in the Great Exhibition Hall. Meanwhile as we reported … Continue reading →

Posted in Models, National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on In Pictures: Chesterfield 7 back in service & Models on display at Crich

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 21 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

We actually have some updates over on the main site for you this week as we add a couple more Photo Galleries:

Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on This week on British Trams Online

Welcome to 3119 as 3118 enters service on Metrolink

Posted on Sunday 21 August 2016 by Gareth Prior

The end of new tram deliveries to Manchester Metrolink is in sight with M5000 3119 arriving at Queen’s Road Depot on Saturday 20th August – leaving just one further tram of the current order to make the trip. On the … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment