Author Archives: Gareth Prior

LRSSB to move towards greater independence

Posted on Saturday 4 October 2025 by Gareth Prior

The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) have outlined plans which are set to help it meet the future needs of the light rail sector in the UK. This will see the organisation move towards greater independence and stronger … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: First new DLR train enters service

Posted on Friday 3 October 2025 by Gareth Prior

The new era of trains on the Docklands Light Railway is upon us following the entry into service of 209 on Tuesday 30th September 2025. Part of the Inneo family of vehicles from CAF the class is designated as B23 … Continue reading →

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Power failures cause problems in London and the northeast

Posted on Friday 3 October 2025 by Gareth Prior

Two completely separate power failures caused problems for light rail systems in the UK in late September with both the Tyne and Wear Metro and London Trams impacted. Both were reported at their respective depots but whilst for the Metro … Continue reading →

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 701

Posted on Friday 3 October 2025 by Gareth Prior

Another edition of “Picture in Time” coming from Blackpool.

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More Tyne and Wear Metro scrappings

Posted on Thursday 2 October 2025 by Gareth Prior

We have now reached 35 of the original Tyne and Wear Metro trains have been scrapped (or at least sent for scrapping) with another two having recently been transported to J Denham Metals in Shildon for “recycling”.

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In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams engineering works September 2025

Posted on Thursday 2 October 2025 by Gareth Prior

For three days at the end of September 2025, Edinburgh Trams was split into two as essential engineering works took place on the points at West End (Shandwick Place). No trams ran between Haymarket and Picardy Place on Saturday 27th, … Continue reading →

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New LRSSB podcast looks at work of confidential safety hotline

Posted on Thursday 2 October 2025 by Gareth Prior

The latest edition of the LRSSB’s “Let’s Talk Light Rail” podcast has been released and highlights the increasingly important role of an independent organisation that enables light rail employees to report their safety concerns without fear of repercussions.

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In Pictures: Heritage trams move down to Starr Gate

Posted on Wednesday 1 October 2025 by Gareth Prior

The much anticipated temporary return of heritage trams to operation in Blackpool moved a further step forward in late September when the chosen pair of trams for Illumination Tours during the Lightpool Festival this October took place. Both Balloon 717 … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: A return to fleet livery for West Midlands Metro 51

Posted on Wednesday 1 October 2025 by Gareth Prior

The University of Wolverhampton wrap on West Midlands Metro 51 is no more with the vinyls having been removed from the tram during September 2025. Following the removal of this advert the tram is now running in full fleet livery … Continue reading →

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Fatigue monitoring system moves to next stage of testing

Posted on Wednesday 1 October 2025 by Gareth Prior

A workplace fatigue monitoring system, which has been many years in development, is set to move to the next stage of operational testing as the project progresses. You may remember talk of FOCUS+ which had been tested on systems such … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Trams return to Wolverhampton St George’s!

Posted on Tuesday 30 September 2025 by Gareth Prior

Its been a long-time coming but Monday 29th September 2025 finally saw the return of passenger services to Wolverhampton St George’s as for the first time in its history the West Midlands Metro has three terminus stops.

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UKTram sign Memorandum of Understanding with Rail Forum

Posted on Tuesday 30 September 2025 by Gareth Prior

Another step forward in the strengthening collaboration across the transport sector has recently been demonstrated following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between UKTram and Rail Forum. This was signed at the Rail Forum AGM where the shared goals … Continue reading →

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New Metro trains inspire drag artist on Ru Paul’s Drag Race

Posted on Tuesday 30 September 2025 by Gareth Prior

Over time you hear that this has inspired that but we think this may be a new one as the new Metro trains currently being introduced into service on the Tyne and Wear Metro have apparently inspired a drag artist … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: A rainy Manchester in July 2025

Posted on Monday 29 September 2025 by Gareth Prior

Whilst much of early summer 2025 has seen fine weather there have still been spells of more inclement weather conditions, and that was the case on Tuesday 15th July 2025 in Manchester. Whilst for some that would be an excuse … Continue reading →

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Anti-social behaviour on NET starts to fall

Posted on Monday 29 September 2025 by Gareth Prior

According to newly released figures the number of reported incidents of anti-social behaviour on Nottingham Express Transit has started to fall following the introduction of a new campaign between the tram operator and Nottinghamshire Police.

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Stop by Stop Edinburgh Trams: Bankhead to Airport – Edinburgh Airport

Posted on Monday 29 September 2025 by Gareth Prior

And so we come to the end of our journey on Edinburgh Trams as we travel on the most expensive section of tramway in the UK.

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Trams &: Manchester Metrolink 3105 & bus

Posted on Sunday 28 September 2025 by Gareth Prior

Shall we have another edition of “Trams &”? This time the latest system to feature is Manchester Metrolink and it’s a bus again which makes up the &,

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London Trams join “Two Lines – STOP” campaign

Posted on Sunday 28 September 2025 by Gareth Prior

London Trams have become the last of the UK modern tram systems to join in with the national “Two Lines = STOP” safety campaign. Led by the LRSSB this campaign is aimed at reducing collisions between trams and pedestrians and … Continue reading →

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First two Edinburgh Trams employees celebrate 13 years at the company

Posted on Sunday 28 September 2025 by Gareth Prior

Trams on the modern system may only have been running in Edinburgh since 2014 but two staff members have recently celebrated their 13th anniversary of being employed by the company. Ally Petrie and Jon McCulley joined Edinburgh Trams on 15th … Continue reading →

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Operation Coastwatch helps to lower anti-social behaviour on the Metro

Posted on Sunday 28 September 2025 by Gareth Prior

A dedicated Police and partner operation has helped to lower crime and anti-social behaviour on the Tyne and Wear Metro, as well as the coastal community it serves. Operation Coastwatch was first launched in 2014 and the first three weeks … Continue reading →

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