Crich launch appeal for funds

Posted on Tuesday 2 June 2020 by Gareth Prior

There can be no doubting that one of the major impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic has been financial for many businesses and organisations across the country. The Crich Tramway Village has now been fully closed for over two months (last opening day was 21st March 2020) with several high-profile and usually popular special events having also been lost in this time. This has led to no visitor income during this period (not only the general admission but also the money spent in the shops and catering outlets) and although it has been possible to furlough the majority of staff there are still many other fixed costs which still need to be covered. The museum have now launched a public fundraising campaign to help cover these costs.

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So Nearly, Not Quite: Blackpool Centenary 645

Posted on Tuesday 2 June 2020 by Gareth Prior

Its another “it’s a bit dark around here isn’t it!” entry into the series that proves that there is a good reason to take lots and lots of photos in the hope at least one comes out something resembling what you had hoped!

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Around the World in Trams: San Francisco 1058

Posted on Tuesday 2 June 2020 by Gareth Prior

We take another trip to San Francisco’s historic F line for this latest look at trams from around the world.

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In Pictures: Railcoach 279 restoration continues

Posted on Monday 1 June 2020 by Gareth Prior

Whilst the Coronavirus pandemic has caused a number of long-standing restoration and overhaul projects to be put on hold there is one high profile job which has been continuing – Blackpool Railcoach 279. It has to be said that the rate of progress on the tram is nothing short of outstanding with recent work included the external repanelling, really showing the shape of things to come.

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Whatever Happened To? Blackpool Centenary 648

Posted on Monday 1 June 2020 by Gareth Prior

We reach the end of the list of Centenary Cars which ran on the last weekend of the traditional Blackpool Tramway today – 648.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Railcoach 679

Posted on Monday 1 June 2020 by Gareth Prior

We start another set of archive photos from Blackpool today and in this edition we are heading back to 1993 for a view of a long-forgotten advertising livery on Ex-Towing Railcoach 679.

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Trams in Video: Manchester Metrolink 2012-2017

Posted on Sunday 31 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Today we are back on the video and take a trip to Manchester Metrolink for views of the ever expanding network between 2012 and 2017 as lines opened across the city centre, to the Airport, East Didsbury, Ashton-under-Lyne and from Oldham to Rochdale.

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Lockdown Walks: Edinburgh Trams 252

Posted on Sunday 31 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Today we have another a double dose of photos taken on a “Lockdown Walk” in Edinburgh City Centre.

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Construction site preparation works for Trams to Newhaven project to start

Posted on Sunday 31 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Monday 1st June will see preparation works for the restart of construction on the Trams to Newhaven project get underway – all in line with the Scottish Government’s Phase 1 pre-start site preparations. Work has been suspended since the end of March but this will be the first step to the resumption of full construction works in the coming weeks and months.

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What’s New on British Trams Online?

Posted on Sunday 31 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Photos old and new are included in this week’s latest main site update:

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Next stage of Blackpool North Station extension works to get underway

Posted on Saturday 30 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

It may have been some time coming but Blackpool Council have confirmed that the next phase of the Talbot Gateway regeneration scheme will get underway at the start of June. This phase will include the completion of the new tramway interchange at Blackpool North Railway Station with a new deadline for trams running along Talbot Road now set for May 2021 – meaning we could be enjoying a tram ride along the newest section of the Blackpool Tramway in 12 months time!

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Around the World in Trams: San Francisco 1062

Posted on Saturday 30 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

For the next few editions of “Around the World in Trams” we find ourselves in San Francisco and take a look at a few of the PCCs which were operating on the “F” line in September 1996.

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Trams &: Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Electric Railway 7 & Arriva bus

Posted on Saturday 30 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

We take another look at Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Electric Railway 7 with a bus for company in this edition of “Trams &”.

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More changes on the way across the UK

Posted on Saturday 30 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Change, constant and quick moving change at that!, seems to be buzz word at the moment on various UK tram networks with yet more service and ticketing amendments on the way in the coming days and weeks. In this latest update we see ticketing changes in Manchester, Sheffield and the West Midlands and a service change and an amendment in operating practices in Edinburgh amonst other alterations.

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Metro services resume to South Hylton – but at reduced frequency

Posted on Friday 29 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

After a week of disruption Tyne and Wear Metro services are now running through to South Hylton again after Network Rail engineers repaired some of the overhead line damage. However, a reduced frequency will be running for the next “few weeks” as extra parts are required to allow a full repair to be completed.

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So Nearly, Not Quite: Blackpool Centenary 643

Posted on Friday 29 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

In this series of photos that didn’t go according to what had been planned when the decision was taken to press the shutter, this latest “dark” image possibly takes the prize of why did I bother! An incredibly dark livery and dark conditions combined with poor photography skills led to this “image”.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool 31

Posted on Friday 29 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

The last in this series of photos from Beamish in 1996 is featured in “Picture in Time” today with the ever-popular Blackpool 31 shown.

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Details announced for next area of Supertram rail replacement

Posted on Thursday 28 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

We are now fast approaching Area 2 of Stagecoach Supertram’s rail replacement programme for 2020 with the work around White Lane due to get underway from Saturday 6th June. This means that there will be further changes to the temporary timetables running on Supertram from this date, although as was the case in the current phase of works no specific replacement bus service will be put on for passengers.

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Whatever Happened To? Blackpool Centenary 647

Posted on Thursday 28 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Once again we take a look a tram which ran over the last weekend of the traditional operation of the Blackpool Tramway with another Centenary Car the feature today.

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Still Standing! Heaton Park Tram Shelter

Posted on Thursday 28 May 2020 by Gareth Prior

Have you heard the story of the old tram shelter which was converted to a tram depot, museum and shop? Its probably quite a widely known story as it has been the main base of the Heaton Park Tramway for the past 40+ years and is the latest feature of our “Still Standing” series.

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