Picture in Time: Stagecoach Supertram 120

Posted on Wednesday 13 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Continuing our series of photos from Sheffield, in this edition of “Picture in Time” we move forward to 2002.

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Horse Tram route won’t be completed by 2021

Posted on Tuesday 12 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

I guess its reassuring that even though we are all adapting to a new way of life thanks to Covid-19 there are some things which still plough as usual – such as the saga of the relaying of tracks for the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway! As you will no doubt recall the decision had been taken that the tramway would run on double track between Derby Castle and Broadway before switching to a single track on the seaward side of the Prom for the remaining section to the Sea Terminal but a recent newsletter has set hares running again as it announced that trams would not go any further than the War Memorial. It has since been clarified that this was an error but the Department of Infrastructure have confirmed it won’t be until 2022 at the earliest that the full line will be operational.

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Whatever Happened To? Blackpool Centenary 643

Posted on Tuesday 12 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

The next tram we take a look at that appeared over the final weekend of traditional tramway operation in Blackpool is the first to longer be on the Blackpool Tramway.

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Around the World in Trams: Wellington 257

Posted on Tuesday 12 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

We continue a look at the trams based at MOTAT in Auckland today and in this edition of “Around the World in Trams” we feature a tram which has moved to Auckland from Wellington.

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In Review: Croydon Tramlink A Definitive History by Gareth David

Posted on Monday 11 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

I guess its sign of getting old when a book entitled “A Definitive History” on one of the UK’s modern tramways comes out but when the main wave of new systems have now been around for approximately 20 years it is certainly time that we saw some in-depth looks at their gestation and operation. A new book from Pen & Sword Books seeks to do just this with Croydon (now London) Tramlink – but is it worth purchasing? Read on for our review of the book.

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Lockdown Walks: West Midlands Metro 27

Posted on Monday 11 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

For our latest “Lockdown Walk” we are back on the West Midlands Metro for another look at one of the Urbos3s in service.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Railcoach 679

Posted on Monday 11 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Today we feature Blackpool Ex-Towing Railcoach 679 – a tram currently being worked on hard by the Fylde Transport Trust to return to the tracks in its original condition.

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Trams in Video: East Anglia Transport Museum September 2014

Posted on Sunday 10 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Today our latest video features not only trams but also trolleybuses as we are off to the East Anglia Transport Museum. Filmed on 7th September 2014 we see Sheffield 513 in service on the tramway and it is joined by trolleybuses from Newcastle, London, Belfast, Portsmouth and Derby.

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Trams &: Summerlee Trams & Buses

Posted on Sunday 10 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

We have a multitude of trams and buses at the Summerlee Museum for this latest look at “Trams &”…

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Andy Burnham hits out at government support

Posted on Sunday 10 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has become the latest official across the UK to criticise promised government support saying the funding being offered to help Manchester Metrolink doesn’t go far enough and without more decisions will have to be made to mothball the network completely.

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What’s New on British Trams Online?

Posted on Sunday 10 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

As its another Bank Holiday we have a double dose of Photos for you again:

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Western Train gets a repaint as Heritage Tram Tours launch online shop

Posted on Saturday 9 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Whilst the majority of restoration and overhaul work on trams across the UK has been suspended during lockdown there are still a few projects which have been able to be continued, and one such job is the overhaul on Blackpool’s Western Train.

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Around the World in Trams: Auckland 44

Posted on Saturday 9 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Another look at trams in the collection at MOTAT in Auckland today and we feature another of the “home” trams.

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So Nearly, Not Quite! Blackpool Balloon 718

Posted on Saturday 9 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

We’ve been here before! Previously in this series we have been on the approach to Victoria Street stop in Fleetwood with a road vehicle getting in the way and that is exactly what happened to me again in this image of Balloon 718.

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Metro ticket gates back in use

Posted on Saturday 9 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Ticket gates at 13 key stations on the Tyne and Wear Metro have been returned to use with added social distancing measures now in place. When restrictions were first introduced on the network the ticket machines were temporarily left open whilst a detailed assessment into their use took place but which this now complete they have been closed again to ensure that everyone travelling not only has a ticket but also takes a moment to consider whether their journey really is necessary.

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Transport for West Midlands launch survey for post-lockdown services

Posted on Friday 8 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Even when lockdown measures are gradually relaxed in the coming months there is undeniably going to be a change in people’s travel arrangements (with many people now working from home it is likely to be quite an attractive proposition to do on a more regular basis going forward) and to help understand how this may impact various modes of transport in the West Midlands an online survey has been launched by Transport for West Midlands.

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Whatever Happened To? Blackpool Centenary 642

Posted on Friday 8 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

We now reach the Centenary Cars as we continue our look at those trams which ran on the last weekend of the pre-upgrade of the Blackpool Tramway in November 2011.

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Picture in Time: Oporto 196

Posted on Friday 8 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Another visit to the northeast today as we are again at Beamish in 1996. This time we take a look at Oporto 196.

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Enjoy tram events – virtually!

Posted on Friday 8 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Now, here’s the thing. We are all under restrictions as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and even if we were able to get out and about all heritage tramways are currently closed and are likely to remain so for some considerable time. It’s a Bank Holiday weekend and usually many of us would be enjoying the sunshine – which, of course, is shining this weekend when we can’t go anywhere! – and trams so what to do? Have a tram event virtually – that’s what!

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Manx Heritage Transport Festival cancelled – goes online!

Posted on Thursday 7 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

It has been confirmed that the second big heritage transport event on the Isle of Man of the year has been cancelled with the Manx Heritage Transport Festival following Rush Hour on the Railways as going online. The Virtual Transport Festival will be held on the same dates as the planned physical event, 29th July to 2nd August and will feature events from the Manx Electric Railway and Isle of Man Steam Railway again plus the Groudle Glen Railway, Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Orchid Line at the Wildlife Park, Crogga Valley Railway and the Great Laxey Mines Railway will also get involved too.

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