Author Archives: Gareth Prior

Normal service is resumed – collision and errant car on tracks trouble Metrolink

Posted on Friday 13 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

The past few days has seen more problems for Manchester Metrolink with cars once again causing problems. On Tuesday 10th February a car drove into a tram close to St Peter’s Square and this was followed just two days later … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 11 Comments

A new role for Blackpool Centenary 641

Posted on Thursday 12 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

After three Illumination periods it has been announced that the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust’s Blackpool Brush 290 is to be replaced on the short section of display track adjacent to the Pleasure Beach loop and replaced by Centenary car 641. … Continue reading →

Posted in Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust | 6 Comments

In Pictures: Metrolink Second City Crossing track laying

Posted on Thursday 12 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

Manchester City Centre is the place to be at the moment if you want to see Metrolink construction works with three high profile projects currently underway. As well as the recently illustrated works at Victoria and Deansgate-Castlefield track is starting … Continue reading →

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Daylight testing commences on NET Phase Two

Posted on Tuesday 10 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

The next step towards the start of public services on Nottingham Express Transit’s Phase Two extensions has been made with the commencement of daylight testing in The Meadows and on to Wilford Lane. The first test runs took place on … Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 1 Comment

Picture in Time: Sheffield 523

Posted on Tuesday 10 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

Nowadays if you think of the original Sheffield Tramway’s Roberts cars you think of the two preserved examples: 510 at Crich and 513 current at the East Anglia Transport Museum. But for our trip down memory lane today we feature … Continue reading →

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Metrolink strike called off

Posted on Tuesday 10 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

It has been confirmed that the planned strike due to take place on Manchester Metrolink on Wednesday 11th February has been called off. MRDL and Unite met at ACAS on Monday 9th February and agreement was reached on an improved … Continue reading →

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Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink T68s

Posted on Sunday 8 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

Today our Picture in Time goes back to 1992 as we take a look at Queen’s Road Depot on Manchester Metrolink – before the network had welcomed its first fare paying passengers.

Posted in Manchester Metrolink, Picture in Time | 1 Comment

Metrolink reveal plans for St Peter’s Square stop transformation

Posted on Saturday 7 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

It has been confirmed that Manchester Metrolink services which normally run through St Peter’s Square are to be significantly altered from the summer due to the major transformation work due to take place here ahead of the opening of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 12 Comments

Consultation launched for Sheffield tram-train Tinsley Chord

Posted on Saturday 7 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

Plans for the tram-train trial which will link Sheffield and Rotherham are progressing although hopes that it would be up and running by spring 2016 have now been dashed with no new start date announced. In order for tram-trains to … Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 4 Comments

Glasgow Airport tram-train link could cause delays to other services

Posted on Saturday 7 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

A new Transport Scotland report has said that the plans for a tram-train service to Glasgow Airport could cause delays to some other services with other services also likely to have to be removed to make way for the plans. … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 3 Comments

In Pictures: Victoria transformation works

Posted on Saturday 7 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

In less than two weeks time Manchester Metrolink services will once again stop at Victoria following 12 months of transformation works to prepare the stop for the Second City Crossing (2CC). As the countdown continues to the re-opening we bring … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 2 Comments

In Pictures: Wolverhampton St George’s rail replacement update

Posted on Saturday 7 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

The much delayed rail replacement work at Wolverhampton St George’s is continuing as this picture update shows. The track in the second platform (roadside) has now been completely removed and is not due to be replaced with both tracks on … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 5 Comments

In Pictures: Deansgate-Castlefield refurbishment

Posted on Saturday 7 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

As well as the major transformation works at Victoria (see separate story) works continue to take place at Deansgate-Castlefield which will end up with three platforms once these are completed. Work has now moved onto reconstructing the outbound platform and … Continue reading →

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Expanded Midland Metro Depot officially opened

Posted on Saturday 7 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

The newly expanded Midland Metro depot at Wednesbury has been officially opened following the completion of the £13.8 million project. Cllr Darren Cooper, the leader of Sandwell Borough Council and also a member of the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority, … Continue reading →

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Manchester Metrolink Performance Update

Posted on Saturday 7 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

It is almost time for the Metrolink and Rail Networks sub-committee of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee to meet again, for the first time in 2015, and that means that we can once again bring you the latest Metrolink … Continue reading →

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Brush 295

Posted on Friday 6 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

Blackpool Brush Railcoach 295 is the latest subject of our trip down memory lane as we take a “Picture in Time” from 1967.

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3013 returns to service with 3087 not far behind

Posted on Thursday 5 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

Long term absentee 3013 has finally returned to service – almost two years to the day since it was involved in a collision with a lorry on the Eccles line. 3013 was used on the Bury to Abraham Moss shuttle … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

Metrolink staff to strike over pay dispute

Posted on Thursday 5 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

It has been announced that members of the Unite working on Manchester Metrolink are planning to strike on Wednesday 11th February in an ongoing dispute over pay. RATP Dev Ltd – the operators at Metrolink – have been negotiating with … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 9 Comments

Scenic T68s: Manchester Metrolink 1022

Posted on Tuesday 3 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

12 months ago today saw the final normal passenger runs of a Manchester Metrolink T68 when 1007+1022 (working as a double unit) failed on the Bury-Altrincham service halfway through the day. In the final part of our mini Scenic T68 … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: London Tramlink in the snow

Posted on Tuesday 3 February 2015 by Gareth Prior

On Tuesday 3rd February London Tramlink became the latest tramway in the UK to be hit by snow this year, although unlike in Sheffield the snow was fairly light and had practically all gone by 1000. Services were unaffected by … Continue reading →

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