In Pictures: More from the West Midlands Metro Dudley extension

Posted on Saturday 2 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

We recently brought you a selection of photos from the Dudley West Midlands Metro extension which is scheduled to open in late 2024. That set of photos concentrated on much of the reserved section towards the Wednesbury end of the line and now we go closer to the end of phase one of this extension in Dudley to see some of the progress in that area. Andy Walters provides this set of images.

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Around the World in Trams: San Francisco 1053

Posted on Saturday 2 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

We are going back over 20 years to 2002 for a trip to San Francisco as the next location in “Around the World in Trams”.

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In Pictures: Balloon 708 gets ready for the winter

Posted on Saturday 2 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

A few weeks ago when we reported on the 90th birthday celebrations for Blackpool Balloon 708 at the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft it was also mentioned that the volunteers at the museum were planning to protect the tram for winter. This has now taken place as seen on another visit to the museum.

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LRSSB release updated Safety Management Systems guidance

Posted on Saturday 2 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) have published new guidance on the development of tramway Safety Management Systems (SMS). The guidance was developed whilst the LRSSB supported the transition of South Yorkshire Supertram into the ownership of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

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In Pictures: The realigned Metrolink track at Derker

Posted on Friday 1 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

Back in July 2024, Manchester Metrolink services beyond Oldham Mumps were suspended after land movement around Derker which affected both the track and overhead poles at this location. After intensive rectification work, trams were able to resume from 19th August and this article takes a look at some of the work completed.

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Supertram offer free travel for armed forces personnel this Remembrance Day

Posted on Friday 1 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

Anyone who is either a current member of the armed forces or a veteran will be able to travel for free on the South Yorkshire Supertram network on both Remembrance Sunday (10th November) and Armistice Day (Monday 11th November).

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Picture in Time: Docklands Light Railway 52

Posted on Friday 1 November 2024 by Gareth Prior

We go a bit further back for this latest edition of “Picture in Time” from the Docklands Light Railway.

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In Pictures: Work continues on Blackpool 298’s restoration at Crich

Posted on Thursday 31 October 2024 by Gareth Prior

Now that the major restoration of London County Council 1 is at an end with the tram having launched into service in September 2024, the big focus in the Workshop at the Crich Tramway Village is on Blackpool Brush Railcoach 298. In this article we take a look at some recent photos of the tram as well as seeing another recent product of the Workshop in action – Newcastle 102.

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In Pictures: The Terror Tram out for Halloween

Posted on Thursday 31 October 2024 by Gareth Prior

When the Fylde Transport Trust’s Blackpool Brush Railcoach 634 was repainted into a special “The Terror Tram” livery whilst it resided at Rigby Road Depot it was envisaged that it would have plenty have spooky outings and with 2024 being the first Halloween since it was recommissioned for service as its new home at the East Anglia Transport Museum this was the first real chance for it to come into its own.

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Strike action threatened again in Nottingham

Posted on Thursday 31 October 2024 by Gareth Prior

The GMB Union are set to ballot their members employed on Nottingham Express Transit over the potential for going on strike after a driver was suspended. The union claim that as the driver is a senior union rep Nottingham Trams Limited are victimising him for standing up for his colleagues.

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Two more for the Tyne and Wear Metro

Posted on Wednesday 30 October 2024 by Gareth Prior

Stadler and the Tyne and Wear Metro seem to be a bit of a modern day Noah as deliveries of new trains from Switzerland continue to come two by two with the latest pair arriving in the early hours of Friday 25th October.

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In Pictures: Metrolink trackwork in Rochdale

Posted on Wednesday 30 October 2024 by Gareth Prior

The current major trackwork project on Manchester Metrolink is in Rochdale Town Centre which means that Rochdale Railway Station is once again the terminus for the line (as it was until the town centre extension opened in 2014). Steve Hyde recently took a trip to Rochdale to see progress of the work.

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New inspectors learn more about the LRSSB

Posted on Wednesday 30 October 2024 by Gareth Prior

As part of their induction six newly appointed inspectors at the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) have heard about how the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) are delivering safety improvements for the UK light rail sector.

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In Pictures: 111 gets new advert in Sheffield

Posted on Tuesday 29 October 2024 by Gareth Prior

The Pretty Little Thing days are over on South Yorkshire Supertram after the one remaining tram – 111 – returned to service with a new advert. The tram now advertises Sumup in a black and white design.

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Western Train to North Station!

Posted on Tuesday 29 October 2024 by Gareth Prior

Things you probably don’t expect to see early morning in mid-October? How about the Blackpool Western Train running fully illuminated along Talbot Road to North Station?! But that is exactly what happened on Tuesday 22nd October with the tram going onto the extension ahead of its potential use in December.

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Tram track tests prove viability of innovative alert system

Posted on Tuesday 29 October 2024 by Gareth Prior

A recent study involving the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) has shown that new technology that relies on track vibrations to alert pedestrians of an approaching tram has the potential to deliver another boost to light rail safety.

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In Pictures: Track goes down on West Midlands Metro extension to Dudley

Posted on Monday 28 October 2024 by Gareth Prior

In another pictorial update from the West Midlands Metro extension to Dudley we take a look at some of the more recent progress on the reserved section of the line at the start of route towards Wednesbury (before it gets to Dudley and becomes a more on-street tramway). Although some of these updates have shown little progress these photos – taken by Chris Allsop-Buckler – show more changes which includes the laying of track.

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Supertram joins pioneering rail safety initiative

Posted on Monday 28 October 2024 by Gareth Prior

South Yorkshire Supertram has become the first light rail network in the UK to join a pioneering rail safety initiative aimed at young people. The partnership, with Rail Safe Friendly, an initiative by Learn Live, is committed to educating young people about rail safety.

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Out and About: Edinburgh Trams – 257 promotes Royal Highland Show

Posted on Monday 28 October 2024 by Gareth Prior

Another trip to Edinburgh for this edition of “Out and About” as we take a closer look at an advert for The Royal Highland Show.

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Trams &: London Trams 2532 & train

Posted on Sunday 27 October 2024 by Gareth Prior

For this edition of “Trams &” we feature two modern vehicles.

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