So Nearly, Not Quite! Blackpool Replica Vanguard 619

Posted on Saturday 4 July 2020 by Gareth Prior

We’ve had pedestrians, cars and buses blocking the view of a tram in this series of not so perfect photos so its about time that a cyclist joins in as well!

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Is free wi-fi on the way out for Metrolink?

Posted on Saturday 4 July 2020 by Gareth Prior

If you remember when you used to be able to go out and about as and when you felt like it, one of the things on public transport, in shops, cinemas and practically anywhere else you care to think of was that you would be able to access free wi-fi so you could continue to surf the net or update your social media until your heart was content. But now as Transport for Greater Manchester look to make savings they have warned free wi-fi may be permanently axed from the Metrolink network.

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Is a change on the way for public transport in Edinburgh?

Posted on Friday 3 July 2020 by Gareth Prior

As Edinburgh seeks to achieve its ambitious carbon neutral goals by 2030, a new set of proposals for changing the way public transport is operated in the city have just been announced and will be discussed at a forthcoming meeting of the Policy and Sustainability Committee. Options range from “doing nothing” to creating a single company running all transport in Edinburgh.

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In Preview: Seaton Tramway reopens

Posted on Friday 3 July 2020 by Gareth Prior

Its been over three months since a heritage tram last ran in passenger service but that period of closure will be ended on Saturday 4th July when the Seaton Tramway becomes the first line to reopen. But with Covid-19 restrictions still in place, albeit not as severe as before, the tramway will not be what we have been used to before with various changes in operating practices to allow full social distancing to be put into practice.

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Whatever Happened To? Blackpool Balloon 717

Posted on Friday 3 July 2020 by Gareth Prior

The latest subject in this series that is looking at those trams which ran over the last weekend of traditional tram operation in Blackpool is Balloon 717.

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Picture in Time: Bradford 104

Posted on Friday 3 July 2020 by Gareth Prior

Well before Blackpool started heritage tram operation there was a short length of track in Bradford used for special outings by surviving Bradford tramcar 104 and in this edition of “Picture in Time” we are heading back over 60 years ago to see the tram in action.

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Tyne and Wear Metro 4022 scrapped

Posted on Thursday 2 July 2020 by Gareth Prior

It has been reported in The Railway Magazine that Tyne and Wear Metro 4022 has been scrapped following the writing off of the vehicle. It becomes the first of the original Metro Cars to be scrapped, leaving just the 87 production models and two prototypes in existence.

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Lockdown Walks: Edinburgh Trams 255

Posted on Thursday 2 July 2020 by Gareth Prior

It is time for another “Lockdown Walk” in Edinburgh!

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Still Standing! Darwen Tram Depot

Posted on Thursday 2 July 2020 by Gareth Prior

Today we head back to Darwen in Lancashire for another edition of “Still Standing” showing images of the original tram depot.

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Blackpool Tramway to start running again Sunday 19th July

Posted on Wednesday 1 July 2020 by Gareth Prior

After 112 days of no trams running in Blackpool (except for engineering trips and some familiarisation runs) it has been announced that a reduced timetable will run again from Sunday 19th July. This will just be the core Flexity service for now but is hopefully the sign of an improved service to come for all trams on the Fylde Coast.

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Trams &: Sheffield 264 & Beamish Access Bus J2007

Posted on Wednesday 1 July 2020 by Gareth Prior

This latest look at a Tram and something else is again in the northeast of England at Beamish.

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Picture in Time: Luas 3017

Posted on Wednesday 1 July 2020 by Gareth Prior

The next batch of modern tram “Picture in Time” images come from Dublin and the Luas system.

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In Pictures: Tram track unearthed in Leeds

Posted on Tuesday 30 June 2020 by Gareth Prior

It’s the type of story which continues to happen all around the UK as various utility works and roadworks see old tram tracks unearthed. Once buried beneath the road surface following the abandonment of first generation tramways, partly for ease and also partly to help strengthen the surface, many towns and cities across the country periodically see them come to public attention again. The latest city is Leeds.

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Metrolink services to divert to 1CC

Posted on Tuesday 30 June 2020 by Gareth Prior

Ongoing development works at Manchester Town Hall will require all Manchester Metrolink services through the city centre to be diverted via the original city crossing over the weekend of 4th and 5th July.

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So Nearly, Not Quite! Blackpool Illuminated Frigate 736

Posted on Tuesday 30 June 2020 by Gareth Prior

We are once again heading off to Blackpool for our series which looks at photos which the finished product certainly wasn’t we planned when we set out to take the image!

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Around the World in Trams: Oslo 129

Posted on Tuesday 30 June 2020 by Gareth Prior

In this latest look at trams from overseas we are again visiting Oslo, Norway.

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In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams 263 wears a mask!

Posted on Monday 29 June 2020 by Gareth Prior

As from Monday 22nd June it has been compulsory when travelling on public transport to wear a mask in Scotland. This has included the Edinburgh Trams network and as part of the campaign to get the message across to intending passengers tram no. 263 has also started to wear masks!

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Whatever Happened To? Blackpool Balloon 715

Posted on Monday 29 June 2020 by Gareth Prior

As we continue this series we now take a look at Balloon 715, a tram already preserved by 2011 and one which has remained under the ownership of what is now the Fylde Transport Trust ever since.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Centenary 641 & 647

Posted on Monday 29 June 2020 by Gareth Prior

We take another trip to Blackpool for today’s dip into the archives and the year is 1998 for an image of two Centenary Cars in operation.

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Trams in Video: Blackpool Heritage and Illuminated Trams – October 2015

Posted on Sunday 28 June 2020 by Gareth Prior

Despite the fact that this is the 32nd edition of “Trams in Video” we haven’t featured the Blackpool Tramway but we change all that tonight as we head back to October 2015 for footage of the heritage and illuminated trams in action during the busy Half Term week.

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