Picture in Time: Brussels 9062

Posted on Thursday 21 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

We may have finished our look at the trams running at the Glasgow Garden Festival last week (for now at least, we have more coming to you at some point in 2020!) but that doesn’t mean we are finished with trams in Scotland for our archive photo series as its off to Summerlee this week.

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Illuminated Tram comes to Heaton Park!

Posted on Wednesday 20 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

Whilst the Heaton Park Tramway’s main operating season came to an end on Sunday 17th November which saw a three car service operate during the Season Swansong that isn’t quite the end for the hardworking volunteers as they will be supporting the Lightopia event in the park with evening services every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 1700 and 2130 – and it will include their very own illuminated tram in the form of Blackpool 623!

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In Pictures: Testing continues on Trafford Park line

Posted on Wednesday 20 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

The first half of 2020 will see the latest – and for now last – piece of the Manchester Metrolink jigsaw open with trams able to run from Pomona to Trafford Centre for the first time. But before then there will be extensive testing and commissioning runs and the past week has seen plenty of this going on, as we initially reported last week, another set of testing took place during the day on Sunday 17th November between Pomona and Wharfside with the purpose of testing the signalling system at the Pomona junction between the Trafford Park and Eccles lines.

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In Preview: Blackpool Winter Gold – 23rd & 24th November

Posted on Wednesday 20 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

It may be November and we may be turning our thoughts to Christmas (and the inevitable Santa Specials at various tramways across the country) but before then the Heritage Tram Tour team at Blackpool haven’t finished for the year yet with the final intensive Gold weekend of 2019 taking place on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th November. As with all Winter Gold weekends the timetable sees trams running all the way from Starr Gate to Fleetwood and to add a bit of interest for anyone in Blackpool the night before, the Western Train will be running a couple of trips to Fleetwood on Friday 22nd November too.

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Blackpool Brush 298 to return to Crich to start restoration

Posted on Tuesday 19 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

The first planned move of a tram in 2020 has been confirmed, although this will not a be a mere tram loan as it will see Blackpool Brush Railcoach 298 return to Crich from the Tramway Museum Society’s Clay Cross store for a start to be made on its full restoration to original 1937 condition – set to be the only Brush Car preserved in this condition.

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In Pictures: Driver Training starts on Birmingham Westside extension as new timetable and fares announced

Posted on Tuesday 19 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

Preparations for the start of passenger services on the first section of West Midlands Metro’s Birmingham Westside extension have stepped up a pace this week with the start of driver training. At the same time it has been announced that a new timetable will be introduced onto the entire line from 1st December whilst revised fares will be in place from 8th December – the date public services are expected to start.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40

Posted on Tuesday 19 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

Another dip into the archives from 2007 for this edition of Picture in Time as we head back to Blackpool for a view of a tram which has since left the resort.

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In Pictures: Work continues at Bradley Lane

Posted on Monday 18 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

We haven’t paid a visit to Bradley Lane on the West Midlands Metro for a while where work has been ongoing on constructing a new Park and Ride site since October 2018. Originally due to open in the summer of 2019 the project has been delayed but good progress is now being made with both the access and hard standing being put into place. The result will see a 196 space car park giving plenty of parking for travellers wishing to use the Metro to get into either Birmingham or Wolverhampton. Photos from Andy Walters.

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In Pictures: Metrolink at twilight

Posted on Monday 18 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

As the nights draw in, the chance to get photos of trams in twilight and the dark increases with even late afternoon seeing very little natural light in the sky. Armed with his camera on 12th November, Steve Hyde was in Manchester City Centre and took a few photos of Metrolink at St Peter’s Square and Deansgate-Castlefield.

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Nexus find extra cash – two more years of services at current level now possible

Posted on Monday 18 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

We recently brought the news that Nexus were concerned that without a major input of extra cash they would not be able to operate the service at the current levels (Tyne and Wear Metro, ferries and buses) beyond 2021 but now the latest update, as reported in the local media in the northeast, says they have now revaluated their pension surplus which could give an extra £3.4million a year and thus reduce the need to hit the reserves. If this does happen it is said that it will be 2022 that a review of services would be needed.

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Around the World in Trams: Milan 7141

Posted on Sunday 17 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

Again this week’s overseas tram image comes from Milan as we continue our brief look at the trams operating in that Italian city.

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In Pictures: 34 does return to service as the batteries keep on coming

Posted on Sunday 17 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

We mentioned a few days ago that there had been reports that 34 had entered service with batteries fitted but had no confirmation, well even if it hadn’t been used before it certainly has now! With both 22 and 34 having entered service during the past week it does now mean that there have been 16 of the 21 strong Urbos3 class which have operated in passenger service with batteries fitted and by our maths that means there are just five more to go!

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Performance up on Metrolink

Posted on Sunday 17 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

After a couple of periods where performance had been on a small decrease there is more positive news to report on Manchester Metrolink where it has now increased in the latest period which ran between 15th September and 12th October.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 17 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

Just the one Photo Gallery for you this week:

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New safety videos released as WMM prepares to expand testing

Posted on Saturday 16 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

With testing and driver training on the Birmingham Westside extension set to expand in the coming weeks, West Midlands Metro and the Midland Metro Alliance have released a series of safety videos giving simple tips on how to stay safe when going around Birmingham City Centre.

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Picture in Time: Tyne and Wear Metro 4055

Posted on Saturday 16 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

We are heading back to the 30th anniversary depot open day at the Tyne and Wear Metro facility in South Gosforth for this latest look into the archives.

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Free trams back for Hogmanay

Posted on Saturday 16 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams have confirmed that they will once again be providing a free overnight tram service for Hogmanay – the fourth year in a row they have done so. Free trams will run between West End and the Airport (the line will be closed from West End to York Place) every 20 minutes from midnight on 31st December and 0500 on 1st January 2020 with support from Edinburgh’s Hogmanay producer, Underbelly, to make it possible.

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Three hour service suspension for Blackpool Tramway after overhead problems

Posted on Saturday 16 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

There was a complete suspension of the Blackpool Tramway service for three hours on Tuesday 12th November to allow for emergency repairs to the overhead to take place. It is not known what caused the problems but the damage was severe enough to prevent any trams running for three hours until shortly after 1100. A replacement bus service was put into operation during the disruption running as close to timetable as possible.

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In Pictures: An interloper in the tram depot at Beamish

Posted on Friday 15 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

You get rid of one set of squatters and then another one turns up! That’s how it is in the tram depot at Beamish with the buses now having left the building for their all new garage but the Steam Elephant from the Pockerley Waggonway has now turned up for a visit with it being positioned at the very rear of the depot. It has taken the place formerly occupied by Gateshead 52 which itself has been moved to the front of road 1, its first move for quite some time and allowing its condition to be seen in more detail.

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15% pay rise rejected by Tyne & Wear Metro drivers

Posted on Friday 15 November 2019 by Gareth Prior

Strike action could be on the cards on the Tyne and Wear Metro after drivers represented by the RMT and ASLEF unions rejected a proposed pay rise of 15% over two years; on top of the usual cost of living increase. In announcing the news of the rejection Nexus, who operate the Metro, said they were astonished at the rejection whilst urging the unions to get back around the table to discuss the offer further.

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