Tyne and Wear Metro use UV light to help keep system Covid secure

Posted on Sunday 21 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

Nexus have fitted Ultraviolet equipment on all 36 escalators on the Tyne and Wear Metro network as part of their continued range of Covid secure measures. The UV light is used to sanitise the escalator handrails with germs being killed and is a safe and effective method of protecting high touch surfaces from coronavirus.

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More DfT funding for English light rail systems

Posted on Saturday 20 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

The Department for Transport have confirmed that a further £33 million in emergency Coronavirus funding is to be awarded to the six English light rail systems outside of London (London Tramlink and the Docklands Light Railway are supported through the separate TfL funding package) to cover the next 11 weeks. The funding is in recognition of the continuing decrease in passenger revenue and will help to ensure that the essential – and in most cases reduced – services can continue to operate as the country moves along the previously announced roadmap out of lockdown.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit, South Yorkshire Supertram, Tyne and Wear Metro, West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

What’s New on British Trams Online? 20th March 2021

Posted on Saturday 20 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

Back once more into the recent archives with a trip to Crich in 2007:

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Around the World in Trams: Den Haag 1180

Posted on Saturday 20 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

As we bring an end to our visit to Den Haag we go all retro as we view the Tourist Tram in action.

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Lockdown Walks: Edinburgh Trams 275

Posted on Saturday 20 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

We’re off to Edinburgh again for this latest edition of “Lockdown Walks” with a view in the city centre of another one of the CAF built trams in service.

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In Pictures: Latest look at the future site of the Blackpool North Station tram terminus

Posted on Friday 19 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

Since the end of 2020 when the last remnants of the old Wilko’s store on Talbot Road were demolished visible progress on site which will eventually become the site of the tramway terminus at Blackpool North Railway Station has been fairly limited. But over the past few weeks there has been an attempt to level off the site as preparations continue for the construction of the tram terminus as well as a new hotel.

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Greater Manchester concessionary pass renewals deadline extended

Posted on Friday 19 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

Any Greater Manchester concessionary pass holders whose £10 tram and train add-on is due to expire before 21st June 2021 has been given a three month extension as Transport for Greater Manchester reiterate the current “essential travel only” guidance. More than 120,000 concessionary pass holders add-ons are due to expire between February and 21st June 2021 but they will now be able to carry on travelling with their current pass.

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Picture in Time: Seaton 12

Posted on Friday 19 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

We’re heading south to Devon for the next few editions of “Picture in Time” (traditional trams not in Blackpool!) as we visit the Seaton Tramway.

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Demolition work starts at Tyne and Wear Metro depot

Posted on Thursday 18 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

The two and a half year project to redevelop the Tyne and Wear Metro depot at Gosforth has really begun in earnest with the demolition work now underway at the 100 year old depot. Work commenced on demolishing the south east side of the depot on Monday 8th March – with this area to be used to build the new depot building.

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Edinburgh Trams construction contracts changed after signing

Posted on Thursday 18 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

A new row has emerged in Edinburgh after it was confirmed that the contracts signed for the construction of the Trams to Newhaven project were changed after initial signing – with the revised contracts now giving more risk to the City of Edinburgh Council. Now unsurprisingly this revelation has led to concerns amongst opposition parties on the Council.

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Stop by Stop Blackpool Tramway: Manchester Square

Posted on Thursday 18 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

In this edition of “Stop by Stop” we call at a stop on the Blackpool Tramway which many a tram enthusiast has probably alighted at over the years – Manchester Square.

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In Pictures: Trams to Newhaven construction works on Ocean Drive

Posted on Wednesday 17 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

Stevedore Place in Leith has become an unlikely battleground on the Trams to Newhaven project with local residents leading a campaign against the plans over concerns of the loss of a significant number of trees. After discussions at the start of the year a revised plan for the tramway in this area were revealed which will eventually see additional trees planted, but only once the construction works have been completed.

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Metrolink performance remains steady

Posted on Wednesday 17 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

Passenger numbers may still be down on the Manchester Metrolink network but with a fairly regular service still in operation statistics of how the trams are running are still released with the latest four week period – 10th January to 6th February 2021 – showing a pretty steady picture with a slight increase in punctuality and reliability down a small amount.

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Still Standing! Sutton Depot, Greater London

Posted on Wednesday 17 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

In this latest instalment of “Still Standing!” we are again heading to Greater London (or Surrey if you’d rather, its always a bit of a debate in this area!)  as we take a look at another old tram depot that is still in situ.

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West Midlands Metro welcomes the first 5G tram

Posted on Tuesday 16 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

Since the middle of February new JAB codes have been seen around the West Midlands Metro network – both on tram 35 and also at various stops along the line between Birmingham and Wolverhampton. It has now been revealed that this is the UK’s first 5G connected tram as part of a regional transport trial in a partnership between West Midlands 5G (WM5G), West Midlands Metro, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), GoMedia and Icomera.

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In Pictures: Trackworks return to Starr Gate as trams reach Fleetwood Ferry again

Posted on Tuesday 16 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

Now into their second month the trackworks on the Blackpool Tramway are now seemingly coming towards a conclusion with trams now able to run all the way through to Fleetwood Ferry although the southern end has now seen a temporary return to Harrow Place serving as the terminus as the welding gang have returned to Starr Gate.

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Picture in Time: Tyne and Wear Metro 4002

Posted on Tuesday 16 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

We are heading back to 1976 again for this “Picture in Time” to see the testing of the Metrocars.

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Work starts on construction of Brush 298’s underframe

Posted on Monday 15 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

During the latter part of 2020 it was announced that as part of the restoration to service of Blackpool Brush Railcoach 298 to run at the Crich Tramway Village, the Ffestiniog Railway in Wales had been contracted to construct a new underframe. The first few months of 2021 has seen this work progress and it has now got to the stage where the physical work has commenced.

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Posted in National Tramway Museum | 2 Comments

No trams to Eccles for over two weeks

Posted on Monday 15 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

Road resurfacing works on Eccles New Road will see no Manchester Metrolink service between MediaCityUK and Eccles from Saturday 20th March until Monday 5th April. Throughout this period there will be a replacement bus service from MediaCityUK to Eccles, although this will not serve any intermediate stops.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 715

Posted on Monday 15 March 2021 by Gareth Prior

Its early September 1976 again for this latest look at archive photos from the Blackpool Tramway and it’s a tram still popular with enthusiasts which is featured – Balloon 715.

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