Author Archives: Gareth Prior

117 down, 3 to go!

Posted on Sunday 26 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Saturday 25th June saw the latest delivery of a tram to Manchester with 3117 arriving in the usual lunchtime slot. With the delivery of the tram to Queen’s Road Depot just three more of the current order of M5000s remain … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on 117 down, 3 to go!

Council executive approve Blackpool North tramway extension

Posted on Friday 24 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Despite a delay a few weeks ago Blackpool Council’s executive have now approved plans for the extension of the tramway to North Station. The executive met this week and agreed to proceed with the plans which will now move forward … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 7 Comments

Armed forces to enjoy free travel on Metrolink

Posted on Friday 24 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Transport for Greater Manchester have announced that members of the Armed Forces will be able to enjoy free travel on the Metrolink network during Armed Forces Day on Saturday 25th June and for every day thereafter. Any in-uniform service personnel … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Armed forces to enjoy free travel on Metrolink

Go ahead for Wolverhampton Midland Metro extension

Posted on Wednesday 22 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

In recent years all talk of extensions to Midland Metro has been concentrated on the southern section in Birmingham but all that is set to change with government approval now given for extending the line to Wolverhampton Railway Station. Preparatory … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 4 Comments

In Pictures: Simca Club UK National Meeting at Crich

Posted on Wednesday 22 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Sunday 19th June saw another car rally take place at Crich with the Simca Club attending for their National Meeting 2016. A large number of cars were on display once again intermingling with the trams running in service. In addition … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on In Pictures: Simca Club UK National Meeting at Crich

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 19 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Two more Photo Galleries for you this week as we return after a week’s break:

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on This week on British Trams Online

Nottingham’s latest Nurse of the Year unveils name on tram

Posted on Saturday 18 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Aprille Jones, Nottingham’s latest Nurse of the Year, has unveiled her name on the side of Citadis 220 in a ceremony at Wilkinson Street Depot. Aprille works in theatres recovery at the Queens Medical Centre and received the most public … Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | Comments Off on Nottingham’s latest Nurse of the Year unveils name on tram

The Hovertram is coming home!

Posted on Thursday 16 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

All four of Blackpool’s iconic 1960s Illuminated Feature Cars are set to be reunited on their home tramway following the announcement that the Hovertram is to make the move back to the north west following almost 10 years away. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 20 Comments

MER trailer 58 overhaul approaches completion

Posted on Tuesday 14 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

On 7th July 2015 Manx Electric Railway trailer 58 of 1904 was involved in a serious derailment at Laxey which had led many at the time to suggest it may never be repaired and that it would join the ranks … Continue reading →

Posted in Manx Electric Railway | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Glossop Vehicle Enthusiast Club Rally at Crich

Posted on Tuesday 14 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Sunday 12th June saw the visit of another car enthusiast group to Crich with the Glossop Vehicle Enthusiast Club the latest to hold a rally at Crich with their vehicles mingling with the trams. Unfortunately the day was met with … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on In Pictures: Glossop Vehicle Enthusiast Club Rally at Crich

Strikes ended in two capital cities

Posted on Monday 13 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Positive news to report from both Dublin and London where proposed strikes have now been cancelled following new offers from management. Both Luas in Dublin and London Tramlink were involved in disputes over pay but recent fresh offers have now … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Luas, London Trams | 3 Comments

In Pictures: 17 resumes testing on Midland Metro

Posted on Friday 10 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Despite having been in the West Midlands since October 2013 the very first of the Urbos 3 trams, 17, has yet to enter passenger service and indeed has made very few public appearances save for some testing in July 2014. … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 5 Comments

Hello 3116 as 3115 enters service

Posted on Friday 10 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

We’re nearly there! The 116th M5000 for Manchester Metrolink was delivered to Queen’s Road Depot on Saturday 4th June with 3116 arriving leaving just a further four trams before the order for 120 trams is concluded. Meanwhile the previous arrival … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Tram-train construction works

Posted on Friday 10 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

There has been a fair bit of negativity surrounding the tram-train pilot recently following the news that Network Rail would not be able to meet the already revised opening date of early 2017 for services to Rotherham Parkgate but despite … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 4 Comments

Tram & light rail passenger numbers reach record levels

Posted on Tuesday 7 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

The tramways and light railways of England have never been so popular (well since records began in 1983, we would expect that in the heyday of the trams the number of passengers was much higher!) with record passenger numbers carried … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Docklands Light Railway, London Trams, Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit, South Yorkshire Supertram, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Tram & light rail passenger numbers reach record levels

Edinburgh Trams hits 5 million passengers in its second year

Posted on Tuesday 7 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

It is not only the tramways of England who are celebrating an increase in passenger numbers as north of the border on Scotland’s only tramway in Edinburgh the magical 5 million barrier has been hit for the first time with … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 1 Comment

Tramlink drivers to go on 48 hour strike

Posted on Tuesday 7 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

It has been confirmed that London Tramlink drivers will go on strike for 48 hours on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th June as the dispute over pay intensifies. As we previously reported ASLEF members voted in favour of going on … Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams | 5 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 5 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Just the two Photo Galleries for you this week as we head back in time to the horse tram era and also are right up-to-date with the latest extension to open in the UK:

Posted in National Tramway Museum, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on This week on British Trams Online

In Pictures: Edinburgh Gateway construction works

Posted on Saturday 4 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Construction works of the new Edinburgh Gateway transport interchange which will see both a railway station and tram built open by the end of 2016 are continuing. In this pictorial update from John Hampton we take a look at recent … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 2 Comments

Fallen tree causes NET services to be disrupted

Posted on Saturday 4 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit services between Cator Lane and the University of Nottingham were suspended for almost a day after a tree fell onto the line. The disruption happened from the morning of Tuesday 31st May with a full service not … Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | Comments Off on Fallen tree causes NET services to be disrupted