Monthly Archives: May 2019

A baker’s dozen of trams but where are the passengers?

Posted on Friday 31 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

The latest Bank Holiday weekend in Blackpool once again saw the more intensive Gold timetable running with six trams allocated to service each day across the tramway between Pleasure Beach and Blackpool. The original allocations were changed throughout the weekend … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Event Reviews | 2 Comments

Reduced Tram-Train service

Posted on Friday 31 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

Tram-Train services between Cathedral and Rotherham Parkgate will be running at a reduced frequency until at least Tuesday 11th June as rectification work is carried on the Citylink vehicles. As you may recall all the tram-trains were removed from service … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday Edinburgh Trams!

Posted on Friday 31 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

It’s a week of significant anniversaries with Edinburgh Trams celebrating their 5th birthday. Services in Edinburgh finally started on 31st May 2014 after a very problematic construction period but once it was up and running it was soon accepted into … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: 19 receives West Midlands Metro 20th anniversary livery

Posted on Thursday 30 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

As we reported last night West Midlands Metro have been celebrating their 20th anniversary with a series of special events across the network. With 30th May the exact anniversary of the formal start of services back in 1999 a special … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Supertram trackwork continues along Middlewood Road

Posted on Thursday 30 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

With area one of the Stagecoach Supertram rail replacement works now in their final week the actual worksite has moved further along Middlewood Road with concentration currently on the section between the junction with Hillsborough Grove and between Withens Avenue … Continue reading →

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Picture in Time: Southend Pier Railway

Posted on Thursday 30 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

A tradition on many piers in the UK was the provision of a tramway or railway and whilst the vast majority have now been removed one which still very much remains – probably party because of the length of the … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: 3116 receives advert for Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

Posted on Wednesday 29 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

The latest vinyl wrap advert to be applied to a tram in Manchester is for the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet and is now featured on 3116. A grey design it does feature contravision on many of the windows although only … Continue reading →

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West Midlands Metro set to celebrate 20 years

Posted on Wednesday 29 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

On 30th May 1999 services finally started on what we now know as the West Midlands Metro and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this momentous occasion a specially liveried tram will enter service during the afternoon of Thursday 30th … Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Metrolink strikes off after new pay offer

Posted on Wednesday 29 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

The planned four day strike due to take place on Manchester Metrolink between Friday 7th and Monday 10th June has been called off after talks between KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) and the Unite Union. This may not need the complete end … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Balloon 715 returns to the 1970s

Posted on Tuesday 28 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

The Fylde Transport Trust’s Blackpool Balloon 715 returned to service on Friday 24th May sporting a new look following a partial repaint – including period between deck adverts. The tram is now in a coat of 1970s Green and Cream … Continue reading →

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Metro 19 back in service

Posted on Tuesday 28 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

And then there were 10! Saturday 25th May saw the tenth of the West Midlands Metro Urbos3 trams to enter service fitted with batteries fitted when 19 undertook its first revenue earning runs.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Brush 630

Posted on Tuesday 28 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

This week’s archive Blackpool tram image again comes from the final year of the traditional tramway – 2011.

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In Pictures: Cambridge Horse tram 7 almost complete

Posted on Monday 27 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

A restoration we have been keeping an eye on over the past few years has been that of Cambridge Street Tramways 7 – a horse tram which during the restoration it was discovered was in fact third hand to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ipswich Transport Museum | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Metro Cars wherefore art thou?

Posted on Monday 27 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

Train availability on the Tyne and Wear Metro has been in the news over recent months with a full service unable to be operated on the network at times. Included in this lack of availability are four sets which haven’t … Continue reading →

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Crich on the outlook for new volunteer tram crew

Posted on Monday 27 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

Have you ever thought about becoming a tram conductor but haven’t know what to do about it? Well if you have now is your chance to volunteer at the Crich Tramway Village, home of the National Tramway Museum, with a … Continue reading →

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Another award win for the Midland Metro Alliance

Posted on Monday 27 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

There don’t seem to be many weeks which go by without some award ceremony or another and the latest in Birmingham has seen the Midland Metro Alliance recognised for their communications campaign to keep those living, working and visiting Birmingham … Continue reading →

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Around the World in Trams: Santa Teresa tram 16

Posted on Sunday 26 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

A change of continent this week as we head to South America and the country of Brazil for some images taken in Rio de Janeiro.

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In Pictures: Brussels tramways celebrate 150th anniversary

Posted on Sunday 26 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

Whilst it may not be British events in Brussels in early May certainly deserve coverage as this was when the Belgian city celebrated 150 years of tram operation. On 1st May – a Bank Holiday in mainland Europe – the … Continue reading →

Posted in Around the World in Trams | 1 Comment

Metro 18 suffers damage after collision on Bilston Road

Posted on Sunday 26 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

West Midlands Metro 18 – one of two trams to carry Just Eat adverts – suffered damage in a collision with a car on Bilston Road on Tuesday 21st May. The collision happened at approximately 1920 and according to the … Continue reading →

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Rewire starts on Railcoach 279

Posted on Saturday 25 May 2019 by Gareth Prior

The excellent progress being made on returning a traditionally shaped Blackpool English Electric Railcoach to the rails in 2019 is showing no signs of slowing down with work now underway on a complete rewire of 279. The tram, owned by … Continue reading →

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