Author Archives: Gareth Prior

Now its Midland Metro’s turn for a car on the tracks

Posted on Saturday 4 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Ahead of the grand opening of the extension to Grand Central (New Street Station) Midland Metro services were disrupted after the disease of cars getting stuck on tram tracks found its way to the West Midlands. In this incident on … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Metrolink overnight parking trial a success

Posted on Saturday 4 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

The trial overnight parking scheme at selected Manchester Metrolink stops could now be made permanent following the success of the trial period with 84% of respondents to a survey in favour. The trial started in December 2015 with passengers able … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 9 Comments

LCC 106 confirmed for Carlton Colville event

Posted on Friday 3 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

It has been confirmed that London County Council 106 is to be one of the star exhibits at the forthcoming London Event taking place at the East Anglia Transport Museum in Carlton Colville over the weekend of 9th and 10th … Continue reading →

Posted in East Anglia Transport Museum, National Tramway Museum | 11 Comments

In Pictures: Snow Hill opens to the public

Posted on Thursday 2 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

Just two days after passenger services were inaugurated to Grand Central (New Street Station) on Midland Metro’s Birmingham City Centre extension came the opening of another stop with the new stop at Snow Hill welcoming its first passengers on Wednesday … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 5 Comments

In Pictures: Triple M5000 on Metrolink

Posted on Thursday 2 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

You wait ages for a tram to turn up and then three arrive at once! On Sunday 29th May M5000 3066 failed whilst operating on the Airport line and in order to get the tram back to depot it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 5 Comments

Extra Stadler trams for Tramlink

Posted on Thursday 2 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

It has been reported that Transport for London have exercised an option to order a further two Stadler Variobahn’s for the Tramlink network – bringing the total number of this type of tram to 12. The news was confirmed as … Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams | 3 Comments

In Pictures: Metrolink Second City Crossing update

Posted on Thursday 2 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

With the initial Birmingham City Centre extension now opened on Midland Metro our attention is now once again turned towards Manchester Metrolink as we look forward to the next UK tram system extension. The extension in question is, of course, … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on In Pictures: Metrolink Second City Crossing update

Midland Metro Grand Central extension opens

Posted on Wednesday 1 June 2016 by Gareth Prior

The latest section of Midland Metro opened to the public on Monday 30th May with trams now running through to Grand Central. This is the last section of the originally envisaged Birmingham City Centre extension although with further extensions to … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 5 Comments

Picture in Time: Manx Electric Railway 19

Posted on Monday 30 May 2016 by Gareth Prior

Across the Irish Sea we go to the Isle of Man for today’s installment of Picture in Time. We head back over 50 years to 1963 and find Winter Saloon 19 in action along with a trailer.

Posted in Manx Electric Railway, Picture in Time | 5 Comments

Picture in Time: Blackpool Twin Car 677+687

Posted on Saturday 28 May 2016 by Gareth Prior

We have a double dose of images today for our latest installment of Picture in Time as we head back to Blackpool and take a look at Twin Car 677+687 in action in 1981.

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | 3 Comments

In Pictures & Video: 37 named Ozzy Osbourne

Posted on Friday 27 May 2016 by Gareth Prior

As expected Ozzy Osbourne was in Birmingham City Centre on Thursday 26th May to unveil his name on the side of the newest of the Urbos 3 trams, 37. The ceremony took place at the new stop on Corporation Street … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 3 Comments

A night of trouble on Metrolink

Posted on Friday 27 May 2016 by Gareth Prior

Wednesday 25th May was a night which proved to be a bit troublesome for passengers attempting to travel on Manchester Metrolink with four incidents causing problems – on a night when scores of people were trying to get to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 9 Comments

Decision delayed for Blackpool North tramway extension

Posted on Friday 27 May 2016 by Gareth Prior

Blackpool Council’s executive committee have delayed their approval for the North Station tramway extension so they can examine the proposals in more detail. It had been expected that the committee would be recommending to the full council that a formal … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 9 Comments

Latest Luas strikes cancelled

Posted on Friday 27 May 2016 by Gareth Prior

Two four hour strikes due to take place on Dublin’s Luas network on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th May have been cancelled to allow talks to take place in an attempt to find an end to the pay dispute which … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin Luas | Comments Off on Latest Luas strikes cancelled

Tramlink to be added to Tube map

Posted on Friday 27 May 2016 by Gareth Prior

The next edition of the iconic Tube map is to include London Tramlink routes for the first time when it is released next month. The Docklands Light Railway, London Overground and even the Emirates Air Line have featured on the … Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams | Comments Off on Tramlink to be added to Tube map

Midland Metro Grand Central extension will open Monday 30th May

Posted on Wednesday 25 May 2016 by Gareth Prior

It has now been confirmed that the Midland Metro extension to Grand Central via Corporation Street will open on Monday 30th May once the seven day period of driver training is successfully completed. As you will no doubt be aware … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 3 Comments

399 202 arrives in Sheffield

Posted on Wednesday 25 May 2016 by Gareth Prior

Sheffield is now the proud home of two tram-trains following the arrival of 399 202 on Tuesday 24th May. The vehicle was delivered one piece (unlike the recent arrivals for Midland Metro) and has now been unloaded and moved into … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 9 Comments

Drivers vote for strike action on London Tramlink

Posted on Wednesday 25 May 2016 by Gareth Prior

It is disappointing to have to report that more drivers on a tram network have voted for strike action in a dispute over their pay with ASLEF members on London Tramlink in favour following a recent vote. Tram drivers are … Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams | Comments Off on Drivers vote for strike action on London Tramlink

Passenger satisfaction on the rise across the UK

Posted on Tuesday 24 May 2016 by Gareth Prior

Tram passenger satisfaction across the UK has increased once again with the latest figures showing that there is an overall satisfaction of 92% on the UK’s tram networks (excluding London Tramlink). The latest findings have been released by Transport Focus … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Edinburgh Trams, Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit, South Yorkshire Supertram, West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

Driver training starts to Grand Central

Posted on Monday 23 May 2016 by Gareth Prior

There is a chink of light at the end of what seems to have been a very long tunnel with the opening of the Midland Metro extension to Grand Central now seemingly only a week away after the start of … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 7 Comments