Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

‘Bluebird’ to fly again, at Crich?

Posted on Thursday 20 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

London County Council 1, arguably one of the most neglected vehicles in the National Tramway Museum collection at Crich, could be set for an upturn in its fortunes, if proposals by the London County Council Tramways Trust come to fruition. … Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 8 Comments

Blackpool Balloon cars in the works

Posted on Thursday 20 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Fresh from our report that Blackpool Balloon car 700 was set to exchange the swing-over seats on its upper deck, with the fixed bus seats in Brush Railcoach 631, comes news that the tram has returned to Rigby Road having … Continue reading →

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Manx Electric Railway announce bus replacement tram service!

Posted on Tuesday 18 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

In a remarkable development, the Manx Electric Railway have announced that an extensive tram service is to be provided across three days this month, due to strike action being taken by a local bus operator. With residents of the Isle … Continue reading →

Posted in Manx Electric Railway | 3 Comments

Heaton Park & Beamish confirm an open top swap

Posted on Tuesday 18 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Beamish Museum have announced more details of their upcoming event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their museum tramway, with Stockport 5 now confirmed to visit Beamish to participate in the celebrations. As if that alone wasn’t exciting enough, it … Continue reading →

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East Anglia confirm expanded transport gala for 2013

Posted on Monday 17 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

In a welcome move to keep its annual events programme fresh and interesting, the East Anglia Transport Museum have announced some changes to its main event, held each year in September. The popular ‘Trolleybus Weekend’, which has been held annually … Continue reading →

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Heaton Park Tramway ends the year in style

Posted on Monday 17 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

A highly succesful year of operation at Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway came to an end on Sunday 16th December, before the regular volunteers take a much-deserved short break for the Christmas period. As planned, the day saw Manchester 765 in … Continue reading →

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Beamish confirm ambitious transport events for 2013

Posted on Saturday 15 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The official website of Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, has confirmed dates for their major special events during 2013 which include an expanded programme of transport activities. The highlight of the year for tram enthusiasts will be the … Continue reading →

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MER Ratchet car to be restored?

Posted on Saturday 15 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Isle of Man Railways have confirmed plans for one of the surviving ‘Ratchet’ cars on the Manx Electric Railway to be returned to service during 2013. None of these trams has run in passenger service since 2002 meaning that this … Continue reading →

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Plenty of seats up top on Leeds 107!

Posted on Saturday 15 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The restoration of the last surviving Leeds horse tramcar, Leeds 107, continues to make impressive progress at the Middleton Railway. One of the most visible accomplishments since the tram arrived at this location late in the summer, has been the … Continue reading →

Posted in Leeds Transport Historical Society | Comments Off on Plenty of seats up top on Leeds 107!

New old look for Brush car 631

Posted on Saturday 15 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Following on from the news that Blackpool Brush Railcoach 631 is to be repainted in a historic livery for its new role as part of the Blackpool tramway’s heritage fleet, it has now been revealed that some further changes will … Continue reading →

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Stockport 5 under attention

Posted on Friday 14 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

As reported previously, Stockport 5 is receiving some well-deserved attention at the Heaton Park Tramway this winter. The car has put in excellent service since it arrival at its new home in August 2011, but it is currently undergoing a range of … Continue reading →

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Friends in high places for Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust

Posted on Friday 14 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Local dignitaries have recently been offering their support to the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust’s initiatives to develop a tramway heritage centre in the town of Fleetwood. On November 16th, two local Politicians were shown around the planned site of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust | 14 Comments

A new extension and an old friend in Manchester for December 16th

Posted on Thursday 13 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Sunday 16th December 2012 is set to go down in history as a great day in Manchester’s rich tramway history, with the long-awaited opening of the latest section of the new Rochdale to Oldham line on Metrolink. In addition, there will … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway, Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

Paint brush for Blackpool 631

Posted on Wednesday 12 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Transport’s last remaining Brush Railcoach, car 631, has recently lost its all-over advert for Walls Ice Cream. The tram is currently being prepared for a full repaint in light of its new status as a member of the heritage … Continue reading →

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Two trams from South of England under threat

Posted on Tuesday 11 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Recent developments in the UK tramway scene have caused many tram enthusiasts to fear for the future of various Blackpool trams that have been sold off and placed in outside storage for various new owners. However, it is even more alarming … Continue reading →

Posted in General, National Tramway Museum | 4 Comments

Blackpool’s ‘Santa Express’ package is poorly received

Posted on Tuesday 11 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The latest duty for Blackpool Transport’s retained fleet of historic trams, the ‘Santa Express’, commenced on Saturday 8th December. The illuminted Western Train 733+734 is booked to operate three round trips between Pleasure Beach and Little Bispham on Saturdays and … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 7 Comments

The Future of British Tramways

Posted on Sunday 9 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Having recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of British Trams Online with a trip down memory lane, looking back at some memorable moments from the past decade, it now seems appropriate to look forwards towards the next ten years. Andrew Waddington … Continue reading →

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Heaton Park depot project officially launched

Posted on Saturday 8 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

A small press event took place at the Heaton Park Tramway on Friday 7th December, to celebrate the commencement of work on the brand new tram depot at Lakeside. Although the worksite was actually cleared a few days earlier, it … Continue reading →

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Flexity 010, you shall go to the ball!

Posted on Saturday 8 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

December is shaping up to be quite a colourful month for the Blackpool tramway with some new adverts appearing on the Flexity2 trams. Following in the tracks of 004, now 010 has been adorned with new advertising vinyls promoting this … Continue reading →

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A new role for Blackpool Balloon 701

Posted on Friday 7 December 2012 by Andrew Waddington

In a surprising development, Blackpool Balloon 701 has been fitted with a snowplough in case of severe weather over the course of the winter months. 701 has never been used in this capacity before, but both of the previous plough … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment