Author Archives: Gareth Prior

Douglas Horse Tramway to close

Posted on Friday 22 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

In a shock announcement Douglas Borough Council have revealed that the Douglas Horse Tramway is to close with immediate effect due to “the increased financial burden on Douglas ratepayers”. The project to merge the horse stables and tramway depot into … Continue reading →

Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway | 46 Comments

Picture in Time: Blackpool Ex-Towing Railcoach 678

Posted on Wednesday 20 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

The subject of the latest edition of Picture in Time is one of three Twin Motor Cars which were never permanently coupled to their trailers – 678.

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Blackpool Ex-Towing Railcoach 678

And the winners are

Posted on Sunday 17 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

After seven weeks of voting the results are in for the British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2015 contest although to be honest contest was hardly the word with the outcome pretty certain from the first week of voting … Continue reading →

Posted in Tram of the Year | 3 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 17 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

We don’t have a huge amount for you this week but we have had a little bit of a tidy up of the site…

Posted in Site News | Comments Off on This week on British Trams Online

Picture in Time: Croydon Tramlink 2530

Posted on Sunday 17 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

The very first tram delivered for Croydon Tramlink is the latest to feature in our archive series “Picture in Time” with a view of 2530 during the testing process during August 1999.

Posted in London Trams, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Croydon Tramlink 2530

Cars drive onto Metrolink tracks four times in a week

Posted on Friday 15 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

It is silly season in Manchester with four cars driving onto Metrolink tracks on various parts of the network in the past week causing disruption and leading to the almost unprecedented step of Transport for Greater Manchester releasing a statement … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 13 Comments

Picture in Time: Douglas 27

Posted on Wednesday 13 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

As we featured the Santa Specials on the Douglas Horse Tramway yesterday evening it seems rather apt from today’s Picture in Time image comes from that very tramway with a view of regular wet weather tram no. 27 on 26th … Continue reading →

Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Picture in Time | 1 Comment

Change in colours on two tramways

Posted on Tuesday 12 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

2016 has started with a change in livery for two trams at different ends of the country with the removal of advertising vinyls in Croydon but in Manchester it is the application of a full vinyl wrap livery which is … Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams, Manchester Metrolink | 11 Comments

Douglas Horse Tramway prepares for 140th anniversary

Posted on Tuesday 12 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

2016 marks the 140th anniversary of the Douglas Horse Tramway with preparations already underway to suitability celebrate this key anniversary – and despite doubts over the past few years it has been confirmed that a horse tram service will continue … Continue reading →

Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway | Comments Off on Douglas Horse Tramway prepares for 140th anniversary

Volks Electric Railway is in the way – apparently

Posted on Tuesday 12 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

It has been running along Brighton seafront since 1883 and has become a major tourist attraction in its own right but according to a “leading architect” the Volks Electric Railway is “in the way” and needs to be moved to … Continue reading →

Posted in Volk's Electric Railway | 5 Comments

Birkenhead to celebrate 21 years in 2016

Posted on Tuesday 12 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

1995 saw a new concept of tramway open in the UK with the first new build permanent heritage tramway outside of a museum opening and now 21 years later the Birkenhead Heritage Tramway are set to mark the occasion with … Continue reading →

Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway | 3 Comments

In Pictures: Fleetwood Box 40 on tour

Posted on Tuesday 12 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

We reported at the end of last week about the first Private Hire of 2016 on the Blackpool Tramway with Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40 operating a tour on behalf of the Friends of 40 and now with thanks to … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | Comments Off on In Pictures: Fleetwood Box 40 on tour

Flooding hits Metrolink over Christmas

Posted on Tuesday 12 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink services were severely hit by flooding shortly after Christmas with Boxing Day seeing alterations to trams on the Bury and Rochdale lines. The dreadful weather experienced in the north of the country at the end of 2015 saw … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Flooding hits Metrolink over Christmas

Tram Train engineering work to start

Posted on Wednesday 6 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

Essential engineering works on the Stagecoach Supertram network to fully prepare the tramlines for the Tram Train vehicles is set to take place over several weekends in January and February which will see further disruption to tram services. Until these … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 16 Comments

Half price travel on NET in January

Posted on Wednesday 6 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

Passengers will be able to enjoy half price travel on all four remaining Sundays in January with adult day tickets available for just £2 (instead of the usual £4). The tickets can be purchased as normal through the on platform … Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 1 Comment

Picture in Time: Blackpool OMO 3

Posted on Wednesday 6 January 2016 by Gareth Prior

Our first foray into the archives in 2015 takes us back Blackpool for a view of OMO 3 with this Picture in Time being captured in June 1973.

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | 2 Comments

Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink 1012

Posted on Thursday 24 December 2015 by Gareth Prior

Our final Picture in Time image for 2015 heads back to Manchester Metrolink one last time for a view of T68 1012.

Posted in Manchester Metrolink, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink 1012

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Posted on Wednesday 23 December 2015 by Gareth Prior

So here we are again, at the end of another year – just where does the time all go? With British Trams Online taking our traditional Christmas break (we will be back in early January) this will be the last … Continue reading →

Posted in Site News | 2 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Wednesday 23 December 2015 by Gareth Prior

Our final main site update for 2015 is now uploaded and includes two new Photo Galleries:

Posted in Manchester Metrolink, Site News, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on This week on British Trams Online

Picture in Time: Blackpool Brush 636

Posted on Wednesday 23 December 2015 by Gareth Prior

Today’s Picture in Time is a tram we have featured before but this time our view of Blackpool Brush 636 is from an earlier period in the trams history – 1974.

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | 5 Comments