Monthly Archives: September 2014

Ups and downs for the Blackpool illuminations

Posted on Tuesday 30 September 2014 by Andrew Waddington

It would be fair to say that the Blackpool tramway has faced a challenging few weeks at the start of the 2014 illuminations season, with a noticeable reduction in the number of illumination tours being operated for a number of … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

Sheffield 513’s wiring woes

Posted on Tuesday 30 September 2014 by Andrew Waddington

Since arriving at the East Anglia Transport Museum in early 2011, Sheffield ‘Roberts’ car 513 has seen somewhat erratic use compared to the extensive use that had been hoped for. Its appearances in passenger service during 2014 have been noticeably … Continue reading →

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Another T68 departs

Posted on Monday 29 September 2014 by Gareth Prior

Wednesday 24th September saw the departure from Trafford Depot of the 16th T68 to go for scrapping with 1025 the latest to make the long and sad journey to Booths in Rotherham. The last few weeks have seen acceleration in … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Another T68 departs

In Pictures: More new adverts adorn the Flexity fleet

Posted on Sunday 28 September 2014 by Andrew Waddington

The removal of Pleasure Beach advertising from Blackpool’s Flexity2 trams is continuing to make rapid progress, with two more trams appearing at the end of last week with new adverts in place of those for the theme park which they … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 5 Comments

In Pictures: Blackpool Balloon 701 re-launched

Posted on Sunday 28 September 2014 by Andrew Waddington

After appearing in an incomplete version of its red and white ‘Routemaster’ livery over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Blackpool Balloon 701 has now spent some more time in the Paint Shop for completion of this stunning repaint. The tram … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 24 Comments

Another Urbos 3 arrives as the takeover continues

Posted on Wednesday 24 September 2014 by Gareth Prior

The takeover on Midland Metro of the CAF built Urbos 3 trams is continuing with this week seeing either five or six of the vehicles in service with Monday 22nd September seeing more than 50% of the service in the … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 6 Comments

Douglas Horse Tramway closes until 2016

Posted on Wednesday 24 September 2014 by admin

On Sunday 14th September the Douglas Horse Tramway ran for the last time in its current form with Promenade reconstruction works due to see the double track tramway moved to the side of the road with only a single line … Continue reading →

Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway | 8 Comments

Variety is the spice of the lights

Posted on Wednesday 24 September 2014 by Andrew Waddington

With the 2014 Blackpool illuminations season now well underway, it is pleasing to see that quite a few different members of the heritage tram fleet have been used on illumination tour duties already this year. With a reduction in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 8 Comments

Heritage Trams this week

Posted on Wednesday 24 September 2014 by Gareth Prior

It’s that time of the week again as we round-up just when and where you can ride on heritage trams in the UK and Isle of Man. This weekend will be your last chance to have a ride on a … Continue reading →

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New Blackpool tram book “Starr Gate to the Tower” set to be launched

Posted on Wednesday 24 September 2014 by Gareth Prior

A new Blackpool tram book by acclaimed writer Brian Turner is set to be launched before the launch of Balloon 701 on Friday 26th September at the Blackpool Tram Shop – providing that copies arrive there in time! Brian will … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: London Tramlink Wimbledon branch upgrades

Posted on Wednesday 24 September 2014 by Gareth Prior

Work is now underway on the Wimbledon branch of London Tramlink to allow a further section of double track to be installed and also to change the layout at Wimbledon itself so that two trams can be there at the … Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams | 1 Comment

Another new Flexity advert in Blackpool

Posted on Tuesday 23 September 2014 by Andrew Waddington

Following on from the recent application of new side advertisements to Blackpool Flexity 006, sister car 005 has now joined it in gaining a new sponsor. This has now become the second of the Flexity2 class to receive advertising for … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 6 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 21 September 2014 by Gareth Prior

A small main site update this week as I still try to sort out all of the Electric 50 photos from last weekend. But in the meantime we bring you a gallery of images from Electric Friday alongside a few … Continue reading →

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And another T68 goes for scrap

Posted on Friday 19 September 2014 by Gareth Prior

The scrap line at Trafford Depot is really starting to look a lot smaller following the departure of another of the T68s for scrapping. 1002 is the latest example to be loaded onto the back of an Allelys low loader … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

Newcastle 114 goes back to Beamish

Posted on Friday 19 September 2014 by Andrew Waddington

A short but sweet visit to Crich Tramway Village for Newcastle 114 came to an end on Friday 19th September, when the tram departed for its usual home at Beamish, the Living Museum of the North. The tram had been … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Daytime testing and driver training commences on Manchester Airport line

Posted on Friday 19 September 2014 by Gareth Prior

The build-up to the opening of the latest instalment of the expansion of Manchester Metrolink is continuing with the start of daytime test running and driver training on the Airport extension. Testing commenced on Monday 15th September and Steve Hyde … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Midland Metro rail replacement works

Posted on Friday 19 September 2014 by Gareth Prior

The work to replace the track between The Royal and Wolverhampton St George’s is now well underway with a concentration at the moment at The Royal end of the worksite to allow this to completed so that trams can run … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Woodlands Road stop prepares to say goodbye

Posted on Friday 19 September 2014 by Gareth Prior

The end is nigh for the Metrolink stop at Woodlands Road with workmen set to move onto the site to start demolition work. Woodlands Road was closed to all Metrolink services in December 2013 after a TfGM survey had shown … Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 3 Comments

Heritage Trams this week

Posted on Thursday 18 September 2014 by Gareth Prior

After the excitement of last weekend’s Electric 50 event at Crich we enter a bit of a lull with specific tram events but that doesn’t mean there is nothing happening! Beamish, Blackpool, Crich, the MER, Seaton, Snaefell Mountain Railway and … Continue reading →

Posted in Going for a ride | Comments Off on Heritage Trams this week

Daylight debut announced for Balloon 701

Posted on Thursday 18 September 2014 by Andrew Waddington

The Blackpool Heritage Trust have announced details of a very special working on Friday 26th September, to celebrate the completion of work to restore Balloon car 701 in its early ’90s red and white livery, sponsored by the Fylde Tramway … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments