No change in route for Supertram around main railway station

Posted on Sunday 11 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Last year we reported on initial proposals to re-route Stagecoach Supertram between Granville Road and the city centre as part of major redevelopment plans of Sheaf Valley. But these plans have now been abandoned with the Council saying the so-called Sheaf Valley Masterplan was never set-in-stone. While the tramway route change won’t happen other aspects of the plan are still going ahead according to the latest statement.

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In Pictures: Blackpool Brush Railcoach 298’s new underframe arrives at Crich

Posted on Saturday 10 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Friday 9th July 2021 was another momentous day in the restoration of Blackpool Brush Railcoach 298 with its newly constructed underframe arriving at the Crich Tramway Village. The construction of the new underframe was contracted to the Ffestiniog Railway in Wales and they have been working hard on this since the end of 2020 with the original underframe of the tram needing replacement as part of the restoration.

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Posted in National Tramway Museum | 1 Comment

What’s New on British Trams Online? 10th July 2021

Posted on Saturday 10 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

This week we have a couple of new photo galleries with images from Germany and the UK:

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Around the World in Trams: Milan 1895

Posted on Saturday 10 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Its another trip to San Francisco today for “Around the World in Trams” as we feature yet another iconic class of tram which is now a long way from home.

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Seaton Tramway want to hear views on Covid restriction removal

Posted on Saturday 10 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Unless you’ve been deliberately avoiding the news (and we can’t blame you if you are!) you will know that it is currently the intention that in England the majority of COVID restrictions will be removed from Monday 19th July (including most significantly face coverings and social distancing). While it will no longer be law for these to be in place, the Seaton Tramway are looking for views before deciding what restrictions they may keep in place.

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Posted in Seaton Tramway | 2 Comments

Lockdown Walks: Edinburgh Trams 273

Posted on Saturday 10 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

“Lockdown Walks” time again as we head out to Edinburgh Trams’ Gogar Depot.

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In Pictures: Blackpool 636 at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

Posted on Friday 9 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

One of the earlier departures in the great Blackpool tram sell-off with the then impending upgrade of the tramway in mind was Blackpool Brush 636. But unlike many of the other trams which went on to pastures new and a life in preservation the tram was acquired by Stored Energy Technology of Derby who had the aim of using the tram to test an experimental motor and bogie.

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Metrolink passenger numbers almost reach 50% of pre-pandemic levels

Posted on Friday 9 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

In a report being given to the July meeting of the Greater Manchester Transport Committee Metrolink and Rail Networks Sub-committee (catchy title!) it has been confirmed that passenger numbers on Metrolink have now increased to 48% of pre-pandemic levels with a further rise expected after the anticipated removal of restrictions from 19th July.

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More maintenance work on West Midlands Metro

Posted on Friday 9 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

There will be more disruption to late evening West Midlands Metro services on Saturday 10th and Monday 12th July to allow for essential maintenance works to take place. From 2200 on both days there will be no trams between West Bromwich Central and Library.

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Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink T68

Posted on Friday 9 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

In this edition of “Picture in Time” we again feature a tram on Manchester Metrolink before services began in 1992.

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In Pictures: Extension works East and West in Birmingham City Centre

Posted on Thursday 8 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

We go East and West in Birmingham City Centre today as we take a quick look at construction works on both the Eastside and Westside extensions. While the Westside extension is nearing completion for the Eastside extension to Digbeth it is just at the start of a journey, a journey which will see no trams able to run through the city centre for almost three months starting later in July. Martin Miller and Ken Jones both took trips out to capture these progress images for us.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

In Pictures: Update from the overhead work in Blackpool

Posted on Thursday 8 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

With tracklaying at the old Wilko’s site having come to a temporary stop (with more of the track base now needed to be out down before further track towards the terminus is laid) the main focus of our Blackpool construction updates are likely to be the installation of overhead along Talbot Road for the next few weeks.

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Seaton Tramway expands community events and engagement

Posted on Thursday 8 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

The Seaton Tramway are bouncing back from COVID-19 with a new programme of events and outreach centred around the local community and local offers. This not only includes a new programme of events but also opportunities for volunteers and new job roles including two engineering apprenticeships.

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In Pictures: Substation works on Trams to Newhaven project

Posted on Wednesday 7 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Since work began on the construction phase of the Trams to Newhaven project in Edinburgh much of the progress we have featured has been concentrated on the preparation for and the actual installation of tracks. But recently, in addition to this, work has also commenced on the construction of two new substations.

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More frequent tram services in Blackpool from 11th July

Posted on Wednesday 7 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Trams will be running more frequently on the Blackpool Tramway from Sunday 11th July in the latest timetable change as a more usual summer service resumes. Exact details of the timetable haven’t yet been revealed but it would seem there will be intermediate services between Starr Gate and Little Bispham running in addition to a tram every 15 minutes to Fleetwood.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

More revised services for Metrolink

Posted on Wednesday 7 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

No Manchester Metrolink services will be able to run through Victoria for four days starting on Thursday 8th July to allow urgent utility repairs to be undertaken by Electricity North West. This is all to do with the fire at Balloon Street which saw a disruption to services last month and comes after an investigation between TfGM and Electricity North West into the cause of the fire.

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Nexus unveil final interior design of new Metro trains

Posted on Tuesday 6 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Nexus has finalised the design options for the interior of the new Stadler built trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro network after one of the most far-reaching public consultations the global rail industry has seen. 23,000 responses were received from customers, employees and specialist user groups which has resulted in comprehensive improvements and option selection compared to the original design.

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In Pictures: Overhead installation resumes on Talbot Road

Posted on Tuesday 6 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Over the past few weeks a lot of our attention on the Blackpool Tramway extension up Talbot Road to Blackpool North Railway Station has been on the former Wilko’s site where track has finally start to be laid but the next few weeks are likely to see a slight shift in focus with the resumption of overhead installation.

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Seaton Tramway reaches final of Muddy Stilettos Awards

Posted on Tuesday 6 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

The Seaton Tramway has now reached the finals of the Muddy Stilettos Awards for Devon having gone through the earlier nomination stage. Up for the Best Family Attraction they now need your votes to help them win the award!

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Help to return Blackpool Works Car 1 to the rails at Heaton Park

Posted on Monday 5 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

It has been six years since Blackpool Works Car 1 (formerly numbered 752 and used as a Railgrinder during its operating career in Blackpool) last ran at the Heaton Park Tramway but plans are now afoot to return the tram to operational condition with an appeal for funds having recently been launched.

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