Author Archives: Gareth Prior

In Pictures: Balloon 717 tours the Blackpool Tramway – including North Station!

Posted on Wednesday 6 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Article updated 7/5/26 with addition of photos Blackpool Balloon 717 became the first heritage tram to run on the tramway with passengers since the end of the 2025 Illuminations (in very early 2026) on Sunday 3rd May 2026 when it … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 6 Comments

Supertram introduces Optibus system to improve operational efficiency

Posted on Wednesday 6 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

South Yorkshire Supertram have become the first tram operator in the UK, and one of a select few across the world, to introduce the Optibus software platform. This will enable Supertram to streamline operations, improve time management, and enhance convenience … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: 006 become next Flexity2 to re-enter service in Blackpool

Posted on Tuesday 5 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

There are now just three Blackpool Flexity2 trams which are out of service following the return to action of 006 on Friday 1st May 2026.

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Its 11’s turn to be used the most at Seaton in April

Posted on Tuesday 5 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

The monthly Seaton Tramway newsletter has again been released and as always it gives us details of which trams have run during the previous month. And with the season starting to really ramp up its probably no surprise that the … Continue reading →

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Metro renew safety warnings to motorists

Posted on Tuesday 5 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Over the years its not been uncommon to see or hear of cars driving onto tram tracks, and now West Midlands Metro have renewed their warnings to motorists who may be putting themselves and others at risk by doing so.

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In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams 277 gains new advert

Posted on Monday 4 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Once an event being advertised on a tram in many places across the UK has happened it’s very quick that it is removed, and so is the case again on Edinburgh Trams. 277 had been advertising Scottish Rugby and specifically … Continue reading →

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UKTram Heritage Tramways Committee discuss marketing and sector visibility

Posted on Monday 4 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

The latest meeting of the UKTram Heritage Tramways Committee saw recent updates shared and opportunities explored to strengthen engagement with visitors.

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Old(er) and New – Manchester Metrolink: Mosley Street

Posted on Monday 4 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

We have another edition of “Old(er) and New” for you here as we take another look at a couple of images – one showing one of Manchester Metrolink’s original T68 trams and one showing one of the newer M5000s in … Continue reading →

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They’ve Run in 2026 – Meet the Trams: National Tramway Museum – Blackpool 40

Posted on Sunday 3 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

We continue to “Meet the Trams” which have run in service at the National Tramway Museum during 2026 and the next tram to feature is Blackpool 40.

Posted in Meet the Trams, National Tramway Museum | 2 Comments

Blackpool Council consult on introducing a PSPO to the tramway

Posted on Sunday 3 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Blackpool Council have started a consultation where they are seeking the views of the public on whether a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) should be introduced on the tramway.

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

Nexus staff raise nearly £7000 for mental health charity

Posted on Sunday 3 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Staff working for Nexus – operators of the Tyne and Wear Metro as well as the Shields Ferry, some bus services and interchanges – have managed to raise £6,900 for James’ Place after a year of fundraising activities.

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UKTram Light Rail Operators Committee name new leadership

Posted on Sunday 3 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

The Light Rail Operators Committee (LROC) at UKTram have named their new leadership after Steve Mabey announced his intention to step down from the Chair role. Graham Fitzgerald from Transdev Ireland will be the new Chair with Trevor Stocker (current … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: A look around the National Tramway Museum

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

In this latest pictorial article we take a brief look around the National Tramway Museum to see what was happening on Monday 27th April 2026. As well as seeing trams out on the mainline we also see the Workshop from … Continue reading →

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 2nd May 2026

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

With it being a Bank Holiday weekend we have bonus photos with two collections coming from two of our regular series:

Posted in Around the World in Trams, Beamish Tramway, Birkenhead Heritage Tramway, Blackpool Tramway, Heaton Park Tramway, Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society, National Tramway Museum, Picture in Time, Seaton Tramway | Comments Off on What’s New on British Trams Online? 2nd May 2026

Around the World in Trams: San Francisco 1055

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

We change locations again in “Around the World in Trams” and this time we head over to the United States of America with May being San Francisco month.

Posted in Around the World in Trams | 2 Comments

In Pictures: Metrolink 3117 returns to fleet livery

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink 3117 is the latest tram to have seen expired advertising vinyls removed with it now back in the standard silver and yellow (not forgetting the spots!) fleet livery.

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UKTram explore innovation in switch and crossing S&C systems

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Representatives from UKTram have recently visited Voestalpine Turnout Technology UK Ltd in Harworth where they have gained insight into the latest developments in switch and crossing (S&C) technology and quality assurance processes.

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A trip to… Isle of Man

Posted on Friday 1 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

For the first time in 2026 we feature some photos here taken on the Isle of Man. Geoff Pickles is the photographer who has captured these images which feature both the Manx Electric Railway and Snaefell Mountain Railway on 26th … Continue reading →

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More funding for the National Tramway Museum

Posted on Friday 1 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Following on from receiving funding from Arts Council England which will go towards improvements in the Great Exhibition Hall, the National Tramway Museum have announced that they have been awarded £210,610 through the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Railcoach 678

Posted on Friday 1 May 2026 by Gareth Prior

Another photo comes from Blackpool in October 1979 and this time we’re at Bispham.

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