What does the Integrated Rail Plan mean for light rail?

Posted on Monday 22 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

You probably can’t help but have noticed that over the past few days there has been a major transport announcement from the government affecting the midlands and north of England with details of the Integrated Rail Plan –  which includes £96 billion worth of investment – made public. Whilst the headline of the announcement is not really one for this website as it is all to do with the axing of the eastern leg of HS2 which will cut Leeds out of the high speed line there is also some possible green shoots for light rail, although as always there is no guarantee of this!

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NET strike suspended

Posted on Monday 22 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

The planned strike which would have seen no trams running on Nottingham Express from this evening (Monday 22nd November) and throughout Tuesday 23rd November has been suspended. This will allow a fresh vote to take place amongst members of the GMB Union who had previously voted to take strike action over the pay offer made.

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Trams &: Amsterdam 904 & Coach

Posted on Monday 22 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

“Trams &” is heading overseas today as we head to Amsterdam for an archive view of a tram and a coach.

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Stop by Stop Nottingham Express Transit: Central – Old Market Square

Posted on Sunday 21 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

In another edition of “Stop by Stop” we continue our journey on Nottingham Express as we find ourselves at one of the busiest stops of the line – Old Market Square.

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Independent review launched as West Midlands Metro service remains suspended

Posted on Sunday 21 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

It has now been over a week since the last trams ran on the West Midlands Metro network and with at least a further three weeks before any type of service resumes it has been announced that an independent review into the operations and governance of the system has been launched. The cracks on the CAF built Urbos3 trams are continuing to be looked at and repaired with one local newspaper suggesting that seven of the 21 strong fleet have already been completed – at least nine will be needed to operate any service.

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Tram of the Year returns for 2021!

Posted on Sunday 21 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

Is it that time of the year again? Yes, that’s right today marks the launch of our “just for fun” British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2021! For the second year in a row it has been anything but a normal year for the modern and heritage tramways of the British Isles with a lot of “nearlys” (trams returning to service, extensions opening etc.) but despite that we are still planning to have a full contest of all four categories as all that depends on you as to whether there are any ideas you have for nominations!

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 21st November 2021

Posted on Sunday 21 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

Another two Photo Gallery week with images from London Tramlink and the Crich Tramway Village:

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In Pictures: Balloon 723 goes on The Magical Express Tour

Posted on Saturday 20 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

New adverts always used to be part and parcel of the Blackpool Tramway as each year we waited with anticipation to see which trams would get new designs. But with the advent of the upgraded tramway new adverts started to reduce (there have only been 6 adverts on the Flexity2 trams in almost 10 years) and for the traditional trams they have obviously been almost non-existent (with the exception of Centenary 642’s Travelcard design and Brush 634’s Terror Tram advert which has yet to be seen in anger) – until now! As part of the new Magical Express Tour which is running in conjunction with the Christmas by the Sea event taking place on the Tower Headland, Balloon 723 has received an all new vinyl wrap which certainly marks a big change for the tram!

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NET strike confirmed for Tuesday 23rd November despite continued talks

Posted on Saturday 20 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

There will be more disruption for travellers on Nottingham Express Transit on Tuesday 23rd November after it was confirmed the planned strike by members of the GMB Union will be taking place, despite recent talks between the two sides which led to a revised pay offer.

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Around the World in Trams: Melbourne 939 “Cuthberts”

Posted on Saturday 20 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

The Ballarat Tramway Museum is again the location for the “Around the World in Trams” today.

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New TFI 90 Minute fare to make seamless travel across Dublin easier

Posted on Saturday 20 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

Starting from Sunday 28th November it will be easier to seamlessly travel across Dublin with the introduction of a new TFI 90 minute fare which will allow passengers free transfer between Dublin Bus, Luas and most DART, commuter rail and Go-Ahead Ireland services in the city within 90 minutes of touch-in. And for a promotional period (up until the end of March 2022) it will cost adults and students just 2.30 euros for this new fare – available when using the TFI Leap card.

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Replacement bus to run in lieu of Llandudno & Colwyn Bay 7 at 2021 Christmas Parade!

Posted on Friday 19 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

Over the past 18 months we have seen many things delayed as a result of the Covid pandemic and that has not only included some of the larger heritage tram organisations we often feature on these pages but also some of the smaller groups – such as the Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Tramway Society. Having lost significant time and fundraising opportunities replica tram no. 7 will not be able to attend one of its higher profile events at the Llandudno Christmas Parade this year (with the event having been cancelled in 2020 this will be the first time it has happened since 2019) but to still give the Society some publicity on the day they have arranged for a replacement bus to feature instead!

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In Pictures: Sheffield 460 at South Yorkshire Transport Museum

Posted on Friday 19 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

This article has been updated since original publication of 21st November 2021.

While we often feature Sheffield trams – old and new – there is one surviving tram which has very little mention – Sheffield 460. It may not be a complete tram but the lower saloon of this former double decker has been cosmetically restored and can now be found at the South Yorkshire Transport Museum in Rotherham where it is used to hold a display on the city’s trams.

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Picture in Time: Manx Electric Railway 26

Posted on Friday 19 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

Its that time again where we head into the photographic archives for another edition of “Picture in Time” – and we’re on the Isle of Man again.

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In Pictures: Overhead goes up along Talbot Road

Posted on Thursday 18 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

From tiny steps to giant leaps in no time at all – that seems to have been the story of the construction works in Blackpool for the extension along Talbot Road since it began and today we report on a significant leap as significant sections of overhead wire has now been installed with just the final few metres to be completed within the old Wilko’s site.

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On the internet: Photos from the GEC archive

Posted on Thursday 18 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

Since the first trams were introduced in the British Isles there have been probably millions of photos taken of them, whether that be official works pictures or a member of the public taking a quick snapshot in the city centre. With there little point having photos of anything without sharing it wider many of those photos have ended up in books or on the internet and in this, the first of a new irregular, series we take a look at one such collection which can be found online.

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Safer Streets funding to go towards making Metro even safer to travel on

Posted on Thursday 18 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

A new £800,000 investment in CCTV, Metro safety volunteers, increased lighting and a new reporting app is aiming to make travel safer for women and other passengers as well as visitors to local parks following a award to the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuiness, from the government’s Safer Streets fund.

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In Pictures: More tram track uncovered in Southend

Posted on Wednesday 17 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

Most of our articles featuring Southend-on-Sea on the Essex coast usually look at the Pier Tramway/Railway (which is seeing new trains introduced within the next few months) but the town used to be home to a 3ft6in gauge tramway from 1901 until 1942 and continued roadworks in the town centre have seen further track discovered and removed.

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Edinburgh Trams starts major recruitment drive

Posted on Wednesday 17 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams are looking for 20 new Ticketing Service Assistants as part of a new recruitment campaign which will also see tram drivers and engineers recruited as the tramway recovers from the pandemic and ahead of the expansion of the route to Newhaven.

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New apprentices start at Nexus

Posted on Wednesday 17 November 2021 by Gareth Prior

Ten new apprentices – aged between 16 and 20 – have started new careers with Nexus following an extensive recruitment campaign earlier in 2021. They will be trained in a variety of different roles, including track and signalling engineers, project management, bus services and contracts and commercial services.

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