Lockdown Walks: Stagecoach Supertram 103

Posted on Tuesday 20 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Sheffield is again the location for this latest edition of “Lockdown Walks”.

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In Pictures: Another wiring and track update from the Blackpool Tramway extension

Posted on Monday 19 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

By this time next year we will all hopefully be able to enjoy a ride on a tram up to Blackpool North Railway Station with the tramway extension currently slated for an opening in early 2022. Before that can happen though there remains some work to be completed, most notably the laying of the last sections of track on the former Wilko’s site as well as the installation of overhead along the entire length of the route. In this update we take a look at both of those projects.

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More Metro overhead line problems

Posted on Monday 19 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

This is, unfortunately, not one of those articles where we forgot we’d already run the story – once again West Midlands Metro services have been severely disrupted due to overhead line problems. Coming less than a day after the previous issue was fixed the only difference this time is that it is on the northern section of the line at Bilston.

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Whatever Happened To? Crich Tramathon 2005 – Metropolitan Electric Tramways 331

Posted on Monday 19 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

We stay in London for this latest edition of “Whatever Happened To?” as we take a look at Metropolitan Electric Tramways 331 which was another of the trams in passenger service during the 2005 Tramathon at Crich.

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Update – Current services on public transport systems across the British Isles

Posted on Monday 19 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

With the latest easing of restrictions taking place in England from today (Monday 19th July) which has seen the removal of the legal requirements for wearing face masks and to maintain social distancing – although still highly recommended in most settings – we thought it was time to review the current services running on public transport systems (i.e. not heritage tramways!) across the British Isles. This article gives a summary of services which are planned to be run but please note due to high numbers of staff having to isolate there have been frequent occasions recently of reduced services having to run on some systems – so, as always, if travelling any distance please check with the operators first.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Docklands Light Railway, Dublin Luas, Edinburgh Trams, London Trams, Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit, South Yorkshire Supertram, Tyne and Wear Metro, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Update – Current services on public transport systems across the British Isles

Stop by Stop Nottingham Express Transit: Toton Lane – Inham Road

Posted on Sunday 18 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

We’ve nearly made it all the way to Toton Lane in “Stop by Stop” but there is still one more stop before we reach there – that stop is at Inham Road.

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In Pictures: Work carries on at Wilko’s

Posted on Sunday 18 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

With there now being two main worksites for the Blackpool Tramway extension up Talbot Road (down at Talbot Square with overhead being installed and up at Wilko’s where track is being put down) it has become a hive of activity in recent weeks. While a lot of our recent updates have concentrated on the wiring in this article we take a look back up at Wilko’s.

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Lockdown Walks: West Midlands Metro 22

Posted on Sunday 18 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

In this edition of “Lockdown Walks” we view the West Midlands Metro again.

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In Pictures: Howdon Depot on the Tyne and Wear Metro

Posted on Sunday 18 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

As part of the major investment in the Tyne and Wear Metro which will see a complete fleet of new trains introduced in the coming years and the original depot at Gosforth being redeveloped, a new temporary second depot as been constructed at Howdon in North Tyneside to allow some train sets to be stabled each night. The depot was officially opened in December 2020 and will provide space to clean and prepare up to a quarter of the fleet over the next four years.

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In Pictures: Overhead damage leads to Haymarket Yards becoming temporary terminus!

Posted on Saturday 17 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Friday 16th July saw a very unusual destination for Edinburgh Trams – Haymarket Yards where there isn’t a proper stop! With the overhead damaged at West End after a lorry reversed into a lamppost and the power having to be isolated it wasn’t possible to run as far as Haymarket so after a period of trams from the Airport terminating at Murrayfield it was decided to run to Haymarket Yards instead.

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Just another day on the West Midlands Metro – more overhead damage

Posted on Saturday 17 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

This article has been updated since original publication.

Saturday 17th July – although the way things are continuing on the network you could put many other dates in this sentence – has seen yet more overhead damage on the West Midlands Metro leading to service disruption. This time the damage was at Jewellery Quarter with the West Midlands Metro Twitter feed first reporting the issue at 1142.

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 17th July 2021

Posted on Saturday 17 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Having featured the West Midlands Metro in 2021 last week, this week our main feature includes the Midland Metro (as was) in 2008 and 2009:

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Posted in Picture in Time, Site News, West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Around the World in Trams: San Diego 1001

Posted on Saturday 17 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Before we return to Europe from our brief stay in the United States of America during 2006 we move on for a very quick look at the streetcar system in San Diego.

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Official Tyne and Wear Metro merchandise available now!

Posted on Saturday 17 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Have you ever wanted a Tyne and Wear Metro tea towel or even a branded face mask? Well, if you have now is your chance as Nexus have just launched an online shop for various items of merchandise – all available for under £10!

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Lockdown Walks: Stagecoach Supertram 399 207

Posted on Saturday 17 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

We head back to Sheffield for another “Lockdown Walk” with a view taken of one of the Citylink tram-trains which is able to run on the conventional tram network.

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Introducing the Mini Manx Heritage Transport Festival!

Posted on Friday 16 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

The past 18 months have been a case of restrictions introduced, events cancelled or severely scaled back so its always nice to bring some positive news as Isle of Man Transport have confirmed that a three day Mini Manx Heritage Transport Festival will be taking place. Running from 30th July to 1st August the Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway, Douglas Bay Horse Tramway and Isle of Man Steam Railway will all be taking part to celebrate the heritage transport on the island!

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£56 million more committed by government to support English light rail

Posted on Friday 16 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

The Department for Transport have announced a further £56 million worth of funding for tram and light rail systems in England (outside of London) to help the operators continue to operate services as restrictions start to be eased across the country. The funding will be from 20th July 2021 until April 2022 (the longest period of funding announced so far).

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In Pictures: Wolverhampton City Centre extension

Posted on Friday 16 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

One of two extensions of the West Midlands Metro which are expected to open in the near future, the line to Wolverhampton Railway Station still has some work to be completed but after the opening of the second phase of the railway station redevelopment last month the Midland Metro Alliance are back along the route to make progress to trams able to run this way. Ken Jones recently took a trip into Wolverhampton and this pictorial article shows some of the sights of the extension.

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Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink 1004

Posted on Friday 16 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

We move forward a little in time for this week’s modern tram edition of “Picture in Time” as it’s the first day of passenger services across Manchester City Centre.

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Lockdown Walks: West Midlands Metro 18

Posted on Friday 16 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Its time for another “Lockdown Walk” with the West Midlands Metro the location again.

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