In Pictures: Progress slows on the demolition of Wilko’s

Posted on Tuesday 17 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Over the past few weeks we have seen rapid progress in the demolition of the old Wilko’s store in Blackpool but in this latest update that progress has slowed somewhat with little of the structure having been removed over the past week. Whilst there is only a small part of the total structure still standing the past week seems to have seen the removal of rubble previously knocked down and boring holes. Tony Armitage’s photos comes were taken on 13th November 2020.

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Whatever Happened To? Midland Metro 01

Posted on Tuesday 17 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Our series looking back at a set of trams from either an event or a complete class returns from today as we take a look at the original Midland Metro trams and see what has happened to the once 16 strong class in the intervening years. Its not much of a spoiler when we say that there isn’t much of a mystery what has happened to most of the T69s as after a spell in store at Long Marston following their departure from Wednesbury Depot they were sent for scrap but that isn’t the case for all of them, as we will see in this 16 part series illustrated with photos of the trams in better days. We’ll start at the very beginning as that is apparently a very good place to start – its 01.

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In Pictures: Good progress continues around Ocean Terminal

Posted on Monday 16 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Work on the laying of track around Ocean Terminal on the Trams to Newhaven project has been continuing on this first tangible sign of constriction for the extension of the current line between York Place and Newhaven. Since we last saw images from this location more track has now been laid – on both inbound and outbound track – as it is confirmed that a slight redesign will also see the retention of the Discovery Garden next to the shopping centre.

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Later finish time to be reinstated on Supertram

Posted on Monday 16 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Its an article which we seem to have published before but Stagecoach Supertram have announced that they are again intending to resume a later finish time to services on all lines – whilst the Tram-Train service has also returned to two an hour instead of the hourly service which has been running recently.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Twin Car 686+676

Posted on Monday 16 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Today “Picture in Time” is back in Blackpool as we take a look at an image captured during the Centenary celebrations in September 1985.

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Trams in Video: Trams & Light Rail in Alicante

Posted on Sunday 15 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

In this edition we view excerpts from Bob Hodges’ DVD “The Trams and Light Railways of Alicante and Valencia” with the Alicante section featuring in this footage. Alicante tram routes L2, L3 and L4 are all shown with Bombardier Flexity Outlook trams, L1 with Vossloh Tram-Trains and L9 which is operated by diesel powered trams.

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In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams 257 receives new advert

Posted on Sunday 15 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

The ranks of the trams in full standard fleet livery in Edinburgh has decreased by one with 257 receiving a new advert – only the second it has carried and the first since January 2020. The tram is now advertising a new exhibition at National Galleries Scotland – Ray Harbyhausen: Titan of Cinema.

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Blackpool trams looking for a new owner

Posted on Sunday 15 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

In the great big Blackpool tram sell off at the end of traditional tram operation in 2011, not all the trams ended up with established preservation groups with some private individuals ending up the proud owner of an iconic Blackpool tram – or in this case two! But now a change of circumstances means the two trams – Brush Car 625 and Balloon 726 – are being made available.

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What’s New on British Trams Online?

Posted on Sunday 15 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Its another look into the recent past for this week’s photo collection as we go to Croydon in 2005:

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It’s that time again! Tram of the Year is back!

Posted on Sunday 15 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

We don’t know if you’ve noticed but 2020 has been anything but normal with a long period where barely anything tram related happened. Despite this, and after much consideration, we have decided that the British Trams Online Tram of the Year will still take place (with our aim of trying to find any positivity we can!) and today marks the launch of the 2020 contest – so its time to get your thinking caps on as to what should make the final shortlists.

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Manchester welcomes M5000 3121 to the city!

Posted on Saturday 14 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Saturday 14th November saw Manchester Metrolink welcome the first of 27 new trams ordered to increase capacity on the network (at the time because of high passenger numbers although now capacity is needed for different reasons – namely so everyone can stay as far away from each other as possible!). 3121 made the trip from mainland Europe arriving in the traditional Saturday slot at Queens Road Depot.

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Around the World in Trams: Innsbruck 4

Posted on Saturday 14 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

We just have time for one more photo from Innsbruck before our world trip moves on.

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Crossover installed on Hagley Road in another major milestone for Birmingham Westside extension

Posted on Saturday 14 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

The major milestones in the construction of the Birmingham Westside extension seem to be coming thick and fast and the latest to be celebrated is the installation of a crossover on Hagley Road which will allow trams to access both tracks when arriving and departing from the new terminus.

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Man dies after being hit by train in Nottingham – NET services affected

Posted on Saturday 14 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

A man has died after being hit by a tram at Bulwell on the East Midlands Railway Robin Hood line which runs alongside the tram line to Hucknall. Due to the proximity of the railway and tramway, NET services were suspended whilst the emergency services dealt with the incident. Tragically the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident was reported at around 0700 with tram services resuming approximately two hours later. Our thoughts go out to anyone affected by this incident.

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Blackpool Brush 298 new underframe to be constructed in Wales

Posted on Friday 13 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Earlier this year it was confirmed that the full go-ahead had been given for the restoration of Blackpool Brush Car 298 at the Crich Tramway Village and now as the project comes close to a physical start it had been announced that a new underframe for the tram is to be constructed by the Ffestiniog and West Highland Railway as the two organisations come together.

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Tramlink inquest delay confirmed until Spring 2021

Posted on Friday 13 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

It has been confirmed that the inquest into the London Tramlink derailment at Sandilands in November 2016 will now not take place until spring 2021. The inquest had originally been due to start on 10th October but was delayed as a result of Coronavirus restrictions and with England now in lockdown it has been decided this delay will be extended until next year. The derailment saw seven people lose their lives when the tram derailed on the curve at Sandilands as a result of the driver losing awareness and not lowering the speed of the tram sufficiently. The inquest will be heard in front of a jury.

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Picture in Time: Leeds 532

Posted on Friday 13 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Our final stop in Leeds during 1959 moves on from the Horsfield Cars and takes a look at one of the Feltham trams which had moved north for their final years of service.

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Tram Operations Limited named Operator of the Year at Global Light Rail Awards

Posted on Thursday 12 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

Its the Global Award ceremony where most of the winners seem to come from the UK but the winners have again been announced for the annual Global Light Rail Awards with the “big” Operator of the Year prize going to the operator of London Tramlink, Tram Operations Limited (TOL). They just bear Midland Metro Limited to the award with many other systems, projects and individuals also celebrating virtually on the night.

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In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams 254 receives new Edinburgh Park advert

Posted on Thursday 12 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

We saw last month how Edinburgh Trams 268 had lost its advert for Parabola Edinburgh Park in favour of a revised advert for Edinburgh Park (without the Parabola!) and now a previously unillustrated similar change has also been seen on 254. Also in October, 254 lost the old Parabola Edinburgh Park advert in favour of the new vinyls for Edinburgh Park.

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Stop by Stop Nottingham Express Transit: Clifton South line – Meadows Embankment

Posted on Thursday 12 November 2020 by Gareth Prior

In the second part of our look at the tram stops on Nottingham Express Transit’s line to Clifton South we reach Meadows Embankment.

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