In Pictures: Fisherman’s Walk the temporary Fleetwood terminus

Posted on Thursday 3 February 2022 by Gareth Prior

Its all about the temporary termini on UK tramways at the moment – we’ve had one at Bull Street on the West Midlands Metro for over six months and will see West End becoming one for a couple of months soon on Edinburgh Trams. Completing a trio of temporary terminus should be the most temporary of all with Fisherman’s Walk in Fleetwood due to be in use for this purpose for up to eight weeks allowing gas mains replacement works to take place. This article takes a trip to the northern extremities of the Blackpool Tramway to show the current arrangements.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | Comments Off on In Pictures: Fisherman’s Walk the temporary Fleetwood terminus

Change for Beamish’s transport events in 2022

Posted on Thursday 3 February 2022 by Gareth Prior

Over recent pre-Covid years Beamish had developed their annual transport events leading to an annual four day Great North Steam Fair with lots of different forms of transport all competing for space around the museum site. But now after a review of their operations, 2022 will see a change to this pattern and two separate two day events will take place – one in April and one in September. Whilst they aren’t specifically tram related, trams do run during them so we feature a quick look at what is planned.

Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway | Comments Off on Change for Beamish’s transport events in 2022

Robert Burns statue returned as tram works progress

Posted on Thursday 3 February 2022 by Gareth Prior

When work on the Trams to Newhaven project really got underway during 2019, the famous Robert Burns Statue was removed for safety and restoration work but now, just over two years later, it is back in prime position in Leith. The newly restored statue was unveiled once more on  Tuesday 25th January 2022 – Burns Night.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on Robert Burns statue returned as tram works progress

In Pictures: Works at Picardy Place

Posted on Wednesday 2 February 2022 by Gareth Prior

We’ve reported recently that in order for the worksite between Picardy Place and York Place to be extended to allow more work to take place that the current terminus at York Place will be closing from early February and in this article we see the progress which has been made so far in this area.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on In Pictures: Works at Picardy Place

More tram shortages lead to reduced service on West Midlands Metro

Posted on Wednesday 2 February 2022 by Gareth Prior

Whilst much of the country has seen service reductions over the past few months as a result of staff shortages it seems that the West Midlands Metro are having a completely different problem leading to a reduced service – tram shortages. Although services did manage to resume in December after the complete month long service suspension as a result of the cracks discovered and it seemed as if things were improving recently there have been several occasions when not enough trams have been available to run leading to an irregular service.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Out and About: Trams at rest in Manchester

Posted on Wednesday 2 February 2022 by Gareth Prior

The only day of the year in the UK where you will be unable to see a tram running anywhere is Christmas Day and in this latest edition of “Out and About” we take a look at trams resting on their day off in Manchester.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink, Out and About | Comments Off on Out and About: Trams at rest in Manchester

In Pictures: Wolverhampton City Centre extension

Posted on Tuesday 1 February 2022 by Gareth Prior

For an extension which it has been said would be open by the end of 2021 progress on the final section of the Wolverhampton City Centre West Midlands Metro extension still seems to be making very slow progress with no signs of when trams may be able to start testing let alone when public services may kick off. Whilst there is no rush currently to get trams running – with the tram problems and the fact they haven’t yet started to run on the already completed extension of the line to Library – the slow progress here does make you think whether its another extension which is competing with Blackpool for how long it can take! Andy Walters provides these photos of the eventual Wolverhampton Railway Station terminus.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 3 Comments

Storm Malik leads to major recovery operation on Tyne and Wear Metro

Posted on Tuesday 1 February 2022 by Gareth Prior

Maintenance workers on the Tyne and Wear Metro were out in force again over the weekend after the network was severely affected by Storm Malik which led to the system being completely suspended on Saturday 29th January. The majority of services were able to resume from the start of service on Monday 31st January after the dedication of the team working across the weekend.

Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Storm Malik leads to major recovery operation on Tyne and Wear Metro

No Tram-Train service on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th February

Posted on Tuesday 1 February 2022 by Gareth Prior

Network Rail will be undertaking engineering works in the Rotherham area on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th February which means there will no Tram-Train service to Rotherham Central and Rotherham Parkgate with tram services only running from Cathedral to Meadowhall.

Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on No Tram-Train service on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th February

In Pictures: First new tram of 2022 arrives in Manchester

Posted on Monday 31 January 2022 by Gareth Prior

Saturday 29th January saw the latest new M5000 to be delivered to Manchester as 3135 became the first arrival of 2022. The now incredibly familiar journey across Europe via the Rotterdam to Hull ferry and then over England to Manchester was completed by the Alstom built tram to allow it to join its classmates in the UK.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on In Pictures: First new tram of 2022 arrives in Manchester

First track delivered to Dudley for Metro extension

Posted on Monday 31 January 2022 by Gareth Prior

Another week and another milestone for a West Midlands Metro extension. This time it’s the Brierley Hill extension with the first pieces of track being delivered for the line in Dudley. In total 300 metres of rail have been delivered to Castle Hill where they will shortly be installed as work there continues.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on First track delivered to Dudley for Metro extension

Trams in Video: West Midlands Metro August 2021

Posted on Monday 31 January 2022 by Gareth Prior

West Midlands Metro is the subject of our latest “Trams in Video” as we take a look at operations over the August Bank Holiday weekend in 2021. This was during the city centre closure so trams were only running from Wolverhampton St George’s to Bull Street, with the trams operating under battery power between St Paul’s and Bull Street (with the usual battery operated section beyond Grand Central closed).

Continue reading →

Posted in Trams in Video, West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

Stop by Stop Nottingham Express Transit: Central – Wilkinson Street

Posted on Sunday 30 January 2022 by Gareth Prior

We continue our journey on the central section of Nottingham Express Transit in this edition of “Stop by Stop”.

Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit, Stop by Stop | Comments Off on Stop by Stop Nottingham Express Transit: Central – Wilkinson Street

Free parking at four Metro Park and Ride sites to continue

Posted on Sunday 30 January 2022 by Gareth Prior

There will be free parking at four Park and Ride sites on the Tyne and Wear Metro until the end of March after Nexus agreed to extend the offer as more people return to travelling on the network after the latest Covid restrictions were lifted. The sites at Four Lane Ends, Callerton Parkway, Bank Foot and Stadium of Light are included in the offer.

Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Free parking at four Metro Park and Ride sites to continue

Out and About: More shots of new trams on the West Midlands Metro

Posted on Sunday 30 January 2022 by Gareth Prior

This new edition of “Out and About” is heading back to the West Midlands Metro as we take another look at one of the new Urbos 100 trams in service.

Continue reading →

Posted in Out and About, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Out and About: More shots of new trams on the West Midlands Metro

What’s New on British Trams Online? 30th January 2022

Posted on Sunday 30 January 2022 by Gareth Prior

Our photographic offering for you all this week heads back to Tramtown in Blackpool as we take another look behind the scenes at Rigby Road Depot:

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Site News | Comments Off on What’s New on British Trams Online? 30th January 2022

Metrolink services to Ashton to be suspended for two years as part of HS2 work?

Posted on Saturday 29 January 2022 by Gareth Prior

The latest HS2 bill for the Crewe to Manchester section of the proposed line was presented which on the face of it should be mainly positive transport news and not really affect trams so what are we doing reporting about it here? The reason becomes apparent when you delve into more of the detail where it confirms that during the HS2 work the Piccadilly Metrolink station would be relocated and whilst these works took place there would be a period when no Metrolink service would be able to run on the East Manchester Line out to Ashton-under-Lyne. Whilst a spokesperson from HS2 said work would be phased to limit disruption its reported that the closure would be for up to two years from 2024 at the earliest.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 3 Comments

Around the World in Trams: Kolkata 710

Posted on Saturday 29 January 2022 by Gareth Prior

Today’s “Around the World in Trams” makes another visit to India as we take a look inside and out of another one of the trams running on the system.

Continue reading →

Posted in Around the World in Trams | Comments Off on Around the World in Trams: Kolkata 710

NET backs scheme to provide “Safe Space”

Posted on Saturday 29 January 2022 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit have backed the city’s new “Safe Space” initiative which has seen funding made available for a new safe space refuge area in the city centre where anyone, particularly women, can receive medical help and support if they find themselves in danger or at risk.

Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | Comments Off on NET backs scheme to provide “Safe Space”

Out and About: A foggy day in Blackpool

Posted on Saturday 29 January 2022 by Gareth Prior

Sunday 19th December 2021 was a foggy day on the Fylde Coast and proving that it doesn’t have to be sunny to take tram photos this latest edition of “Out and About” takes a look – just about! – of some Flexity2s running through the fog in Blackpool.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Out and About | Comments Off on Out and About: A foggy day in Blackpool