In Pictures: Another tram delivered to the West Midlands Metro

Posted on Thursday 11 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Wednesday 10th May 2023 saw the West Midlands welcome another new tram with 57 being delivered from Spain, continuing the arrivals being out of number sequence! Whereas recent deliveries have been made on Bilston Road after the service ended this one was back to being delivered directly to the depot during the middle of the day.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 4 Comments

Edinburgh Tram Inquiry sent to the printers!

Posted on Thursday 11 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Who would have thought a report being sent to the printers would be headline news! But when it’s a report into an Inquiry which has been going on for very nearly nine years and has cost over £13 million its quite an important step towards finding out the results and to learn for the future. Of course, the report we are talking about is the Edinburgh Trams Inquiry which looks as if it could be just a few weeks away from being released.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on Edinburgh Tram Inquiry sent to the printers!

First test run of new Metro trains

Posted on Thursday 11 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

The first of the new trains being built by Stadler for the Tyne and Wear Metro has started testing outside of the depot. 555 003 made its first moves on the mainline in the early hours of Wednesday 10th May with the runs described as successful with the train reported as performing well.

Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on First test run of new Metro trains

In Pictures: Blackpool’s heritage trams go on parade for the Coronation

Posted on Wednesday 10 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

For the second major joyous royal celebration in a row a selection of Blackpool’s heritage trams were used for a Parade from Pleasure Beach to Little Bispham with a stopover at the Comedy Carpet for photos. The parade took place on Sunday 7th May 2023 with eleven trams running which included a late change of trams.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 3 Comments

Existing Metro trains to receive TLC

Posted on Wednesday 10 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Their days of operation may be numbered by the original Tyne and Wear Metrocars are set to enjoy some TLC with a major programme of deep cleaning and interior repair works to be initiated by Stadler. The idea is that it will improve the customer experience during the transition to the new trains.

Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Existing Metro trains to receive TLC

In Pictures: Crich celebrates the Coronation

Posted on Tuesday 9 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

We’d previously reported on Crich’s plans for the Coronation weekend which was to see Leeds 602 on display (on account of its entry into service in 1953 at the time of the last Coronation and being painted into a purple livery) but that wasn’t all that happened at the home of the National Tramway Museum as it was joined on the depot fan by Glasgow Coronation 1282!

Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on In Pictures: Crich celebrates the Coronation

Resurfacing work in Wolverhampton as extension edges closer to opening

Posted on Tuesday 9 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Its been confirmed that there will be resurfacing works in Wolverhampton City Centre from late May as work to open the West Midlands Metro extension to the Railway Station continues. Last month saw the first tram on the extension and further tests will take place before a planned for opening at some point in the spring.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 3 Comments

In Pictures: Blackpool Heritage Trams over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend

Posted on Monday 8 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

The May Day Bank Holiday weekend (29th April to 1st May) saw the second Enhanced Weekend of 2023 for Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours, this one coinciding with the Fylde Tramway Society’s annual convention. With a revised timetable in operation over the weekend – using just five trams instead of six and on the Saturday and Sunday including trips to Starr Gate to help connect visitors to a Tramway Model Exhibition at the Solaris Centre – it was the usual set of trams which were out, including some swaps and changes, particularly with the weather on the Sunday being inclement. These photos come from Stuart Cooke.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Event Reviews | Comments Off on In Pictures: Blackpool Heritage Trams over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend

The Metro back on the Metro!

Posted on Monday 8 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Anyone travelling on the West Midlands Metro will once again be able to pick-up a free copy of The Metro newspaper after the return of the onboard newsstands at the start of May.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on The Metro back on the Metro!

Out and About: Waterthorpe on Stagecoach Supertram – June 2022

Posted on Monday 8 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Today “Out and About” is going back to June 2022 and the location is Waterthorpe on the Supertram network in South Yorkshire.

Continue reading →

Posted in Out and About, South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on Out and About: Waterthorpe on Stagecoach Supertram – June 2022

Still Standing! Tram track, Southsea

Posted on Sunday 7 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

We return with more from our “Still Standing!” series and head to the south coast for some surviving tram track in Southsea near Portsmouth.

Continue reading →

Posted in Still Standing! | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Metrolink 3079 in an advert for Soccer Aid

Posted on Sunday 7 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Back in April we brought you the news that Manchester Metrolink 3047 had received an advert for Soccer Aid and now it would appear that its not alone as 3079 is also in an identical advert!

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

The Polar Express Tram Ride back at the Seaton Tramway this Christmas!

Posted on Sunday 7 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Yes, we know its only just May and we haven’t even reached summer, let alone autumn or winter!, and you probably really don’t want to think about Christmas but in case you like to be prepared and are looking for something to do with the family ahead of the big day you can now secure your tickets for The Polar Express Tram Ride at the Seaton Tramway.

Continue reading →

Posted in Seaton Tramway | Comments Off on The Polar Express Tram Ride back at the Seaton Tramway this Christmas!

Police and tram operator welcome sentencing of man who assaulted employee

Posted on Sunday 7 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Officials at Nottingham Express Transit and Police officers have welcomed the news that a man who assaulted a travel officer has received a prison sentence. Salmou Njie was sentenced at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday 24th April after being found guilty of assault by beating and pleading guilty to possession of cannabis.

Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | Comments Off on Police and tram operator welcome sentencing of man who assaulted employee

In Pictures: 26 & 29 return to service on the West Midlands Metro

Posted on Saturday 6 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Although a number of trams have gone to and come back from Dudley to allow repairs to take place on the bodyside cracking issue very few of these have yet to return to passenger service with until recently 17 the only one to have done so. The ranks of this category have now increased by two though with 26 returning to action on Monday 1st May and swiftly followed by 29 the next day.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on In Pictures: 26 & 29 return to service on the West Midlands Metro

Around the World in Trams: Christchurch 152+115

Posted on Saturday 6 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

We swap Europe for New Zealand for the next few weeks of “Around the World in Trams”. We will be taking a look at a few of the vehicles which operate on the Ferrymead Tramway in Christchurch.

Continue reading →

Posted in Around the World in Trams | Comments Off on Around the World in Trams: Christchurch 152+115

Edinburgh Trams shortlisted for awards

Posted on Saturday 6 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams are celebrating after they were nominated for a number of awards at the forthcoming Scottish Transport Awards. This includes the prestigious Operator of the Year category where they will be competing against other top transport operators in the country.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on Edinburgh Trams shortlisted for awards

Seaton Tramway team attend FEDECRAIL Conference in Austria

Posted on Saturday 6 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Members of the team at the Seaton Tramway have recently attended the annual FEDECRAIL Conference in Austria. Bringing together heritage railways and tramways from across Europe the conference allowed attendees from across Europe to discuss a range of topics including coal sources, insurance and the future of heritage rail.

Continue reading →

Posted in Seaton Tramway | Comments Off on Seaton Tramway team attend FEDECRAIL Conference in Austria

In Pictures: Blackpool trams in action at Carlton Colville

Posted on Friday 5 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Whilst last year saw the East Anglia Transport Museum acquire three Blackpool trams it shouldn’t be forgotten that before these three arrivals there were already two trams from the Fylde Coast fully restored and operational at the museum. And on Sunday 30th April those two trams provided the two tram service providing the perfect excuse for Bryan Grint to pay a visit to the museum once more!

Continue reading →

Posted in East Anglia Transport Museum | Comments Off on In Pictures: Blackpool trams in action at Carlton Colville

Tramways join forces to help tackle anti-social behaviour

Posted on Friday 5 May 2023 by Gareth Prior

Members of the UKTram Marketing and Customer Services Group have recently met to join forces to help to tackle anti-social behaviour on UK tramways and similar transit systems. Operators have reported that since the Covid-19 pandemic there has been a marked increase in reports of anti-social behaviour from a small minority of people and now the group is looking at how this can be combated.

Continue reading →

Posted in UKTram | Comments Off on Tramways join forces to help tackle anti-social behaviour