In Pictures: Balloon 700 goes back to wartime colours

Posted on Wednesday 29 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

It was due to be the highlight of the Anniversary Weekend in Blackpool – the unveiling of (and possibly the worst kept secret for some time!) Balloon 700 back in the popular Wartime Green and Cream livery it last carried between 1997 and 2009. Unfortunately, a fault meant its debut in public service on Sunday 26th September wasn’t possible but it had still escaped onto the Prom the previous day showing off its new paintwork for a brief Private Hire allowing those in Blackpool to catch sight of the new look tram and to whet the appetite for the future.

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Coroner urges reassessment on automatic tram brakes

Posted on Wednesday 29 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Sarah Ormond-Walshe, South London senior coroner, who presided over the inquest into the traffic deaths of seven people after a London Tramlink tram left the rails at Sandilands in November 2016, has called on the government to reassess the need for trams to be fitted with automatic braking systems as part of her published findings.

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In Pictures: Latest from Birmingham City Centre

Posted on Tuesday 28 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

The work on laying track in Birmingham City Centre has continued to make good progress over the past week or so with much of the track along Corporation Street now in place with work concentrating now on the curve round to Grand Central and also at the delta junction which will link the current line with the Birmingham Eastside extension.

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West Street closure in Sheffield causes limited Supertram service to Middlewood and Malin Bridge

Posted on Tuesday 28 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

With West Street closed to all through traffic from late on Friday 24th September only a very limited service was able to run on the Blue and Yellow routes the other side of the closure the following morning. One tram was running from Malin Bridge to Shalesmoor whilst one tram was operating on the route from Middlewood to Shalesmoor.

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Planned Metrolink engineering works this October

Posted on Tuesday 28 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

There are to be further engineering works on Manchester Metrolink during October affecting services on the Altrincham, Bury, Rochdale and Airport lines on a couple of Sundays during the month. Works will take place on Sunday 3rd October (Bury line and Victoria Station) and Sunday 17th October (Altrincham line).

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Shortlist revealed for Global Light Rail Awards

Posted on Monday 27 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Tramways and light rail systems from across the world will be waiting with anticipation for Wednesday 6th October when the results are announced on the Global Light Rail Awards at a glitzy ceremony in London. The shortlist has now been announced with many UK systems in the running for the much sought after awards.

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UK’s first 5G connected tram helps to win award at Connected Britain Awards 2021

Posted on Monday 27 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

You may recall earlier this year that West Midlands Metro Urbos3 35 became the UK’s first 5G connected tram and now that initiative has helped West Midlands 5G (WM5G) win at the recent Connected Britain Awards 2021.

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Whatever Happened To? Crich Tramathon 2005 – Sheffield 510

Posted on Monday 27 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Today’s “Whatever Happened To?” features a tram which has been regularly in the operational fleet at Crich in recent years but at the 2005 Tramathon was confined to a static display role at Wakebridge.

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Stop by Stop Blackpool Tramway: Sandhurst Avenue

Posted on Sunday 26 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

In this article we continue our way along the Blackpool Tramway with “Stop by Stop” now arriving at Sandhurst Avenue.

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Criticism over Trams to Newhaven pavement designs

Posted on Sunday 26 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Campaigners from Living Streets Edinburgh have criticised the Trams to Newhaven project over what they describe as “hopeless” pavement designs with their width said not to meet the required standard. They claim that there are 11 different sections of pavement totalling over 250m which do not meet the Council’s own policy – although for their part the Council have said these are only recommendations and aren’t possible in all areas.

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West Midlands Metro joins Workwise scheme offering free travel to new workers

Posted on Sunday 26 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Anyone resident in the West Midlands who has just gained a new job could benefit from free bus, tram and rail travel to work as part of a new scheme. Workwise has seen Transport for West Midlands team up with local transport operators to offer two four-week tickets free, then a third four-week ticket at a 50% discount from the standard price on selected bus, tram and nnetwork travel passes.

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Over 1.2 million journeys made using Metro’s Pop blue card

Posted on Sunday 26 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Introduced by Nexus in 2018, the Pop Blue smartcard for travel on the Tyne and Wear Metro has proved to be very popular with more than 1.2 million journeys recorded. The idea of the introduction of the card was to give more affordable travel for young people aged 16-18 with trips costing just £1.

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In Pictures: Trams return to Beamish Town Centre

Posted on Saturday 25 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Since trams returned to service at Beamish on 4th September they have only been able to run to the outskirts of the town with a temporary terminus provided at Town East, but all that has now changed with Wednesday 22nd September seeing trams running actually into the “town centre” with different stops provided for setting down and picking up.

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Fewer staff required to self isolate but staff retention and recruitment remain challenge to UK tram operators

Posted on Saturday 25 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

“This service has been cancelled because of staff shortages”. Anyone who has attempted to travel on the UK transport network in recent weeks and months probably can’t help but be aware of the challenges all transport operators – whether that be tram, bus or train – have been suffering in being able to fully crew their advertised services. Staff shortages came to a head in the summer before the track and trace self-isolation rules changed with some operators – including Manchester Metrolink – having to introduce temporary timetables to run a guaranteed level of service. UK Tram’s HR Group have recently reported that there has now been an improvement in staff absences but there does still remain a challenge over staff retention and recruitment and this is leading to further service disruption with the most high-profile system being affected now being Blackpool.

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Around the World in Trams: Amsterdam H9 to the rescue!

Posted on Saturday 25 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

As we continue our 1983 views from Amsterdam we feature a tram rescue.

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Wirral Transport Show returns Sunday 3rd October – without operating trams

Posted on Saturday 25 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

With the Wirral Heritage Tramway in Birkenhead still unable to operate, the return of what used to be called the Wirral Bus and Tram Show but for 2021 will be known as the Wirral Transport Show will be a bit different to how it once was but just because trams won’t be running doesn’t mean they won’t be involved!

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Out and About: Edinburgh Trams from above at the Airport

Posted on Saturday 25 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

In this latest edition of “Out and About” we feature Edinburgh Trams as we take an aerial view at the Airport.

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First section of track installed outside Wolverhampton Railway Station

Posted on Friday 24 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Trams should be running on the West Midlands Metro extension to Wolverhampton Railway Station by the end of the year after the first sections of track were laid outside the station – the final section which needs to be completed having been deferred during the station redevelopment works. This significant milestone was, of course, the ideal opportunity for another local dignitary photo opp with Mayor the West Midlands Metro, Andy Street amongst those who visited the worksite.

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In Preview: Blackpool Anniversary Weekend – 25th and 26th September

Posted on Friday 24 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

As we’ve reported previously the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September will see a special Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours event take place including the return of hop-on/hop-off tours for the first time since March 2020. There are also pre-bookable depot tours, trams on displays on Blundell Street, a shop tram and heritage bus tours too. This short preview hopefully gives you a bit more information of what is happening during the weekend.

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More Luas Green line engineering works: 2nd and 3rd October 2021

Posted on Friday 24 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

There will be further engineering works on Dublin’s Luas Green Line over the weekend of 2nd and 3rd October 2021 with the section between St Stephen’s Green and Beechwood closed throughout.

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