15 Years Apart: Docklands Light Railway 45

Posted on Tuesday 24 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

On Christmas Eve we head to the Docklands Light Railway before the service comes to an end for a day’s break tomorrow to take a look at one of the system’s vehicles “15 Years Apart”.

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In Pictures: A wintry scene at Summerlee

Posted on Monday 23 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

Along with Beamish and Blackpool there is a third tramway in the UK that operates year round at Summerlee. As well as being the only heritage tramway north of the border (and for 25 years the only tramway north of the border) this tramway has a small and excellent collection of trams which operate in all weathers between the museum entrance and mine. Usually one tram is in each service and Dusseldorf 392 – with disabled access lift – is the usual tram of choice but as the photo below shows open topper Lanarkshire 53 has also recently seen some use.

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Livery changes on Metrolink

Posted on Monday 23 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

There have been some more livery changes on Manchester Metrolink with adverts being removed whilst a new advert has also appeared. The tram receiving an advert is 3076 whilst 3047, 3073, 3081, 3093 and 3100 can all now been confirmed as being back in fleet livery.

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New zonal short-hop fares, January bargains and some increases for NET

Posted on Monday 23 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

Monday 6th January 2020 will see a revised fares structure introduced on Nottingham Express Transit which will include the expansion of the short-hop fares to a new zonal system. At the same time there will be some increases to cash fares whilst the January sales will be extended to the tram on NET as there will be offers on some tickets.

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They Ran in 2019: Blackpool Boat 227

Posted on Monday 23 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

Continuing our photographic series taking a look at heritage trams which ran during the year 2019 we feature Blackpool Boat 227.

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15 Years Apart: Blackpool Twin Car 675+685

Posted on Monday 23 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

Today, as we continue our look at trams “15 Years Apart” we are back in Blackpool as we take a look at Twin Car 675+685.

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And, so that was 2019…

Posted on Sunday 22 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

Well, that’s another year very nearly over (they seem to go faster and faster every year!) and it also brings us to the end of a decade too! Like most other years it has had its ups and downs but despite that (and keeping in with the Christmas spirit) there has still been plenty to keep us occupied – having travelled just over 5000 miles just get to the tramways this year it certainly has for me!

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Councils agree to bid for Fylde Coast tramway feasibility study

Posted on Sunday 22 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

Could the future of public transport on the Fylde Coast see an expanded tramway running in a loop? If the results of a feasibility study are favourable that is exactly what could be seen with extensions at each end of the current Blackpool Tramway seeing the line run to St Annes, Lytham, Kirkham & Wesham, Thornton and Poulton. As part of the plan local councils have recently confirmed that they plan to bid for funding for a feasibility study as part of the Future High Street Fund bid.

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They Ran in 2019: Seaton 10

Posted on Sunday 22 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

For the second – and final time – in this series we are off to Seaton to take a look at one of 2’9” gauge trams which run on this popular tramway. This time its no. 10 the focus of our attention.

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Cyclist taken to hospital after being hit by tram in Oldham

Posted on Sunday 22 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

A 25 year old cyclist had to be taken to hospital on Monday 16th December after he was hit by a tram in Oldham at approximately 1940. The man suffered serious injuries and was taken to Salford Royal Hospital for treatment. The collision occurred at Oldham King Street with tram services suspended for approximately 50 minutes between Oldham Mumps and Westwood.

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15 Years Apart: Nottingham Express Transit 207

Posted on Sunday 22 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

Today “15 Years Apart” is back in Nottingham as we take a look at Incentro 207 in 2004 and 2019.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 22 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

With our final main site update of 2019 now online we have another couple of Photo Galleries:

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Christmas and New Year services 2019/20

Posted on Sunday 22 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

Christmas is a time to spend with your family but what happens if you want to do something a bit different? Well, you could always go for a ride or take some photos of trams around the country couldn’t you?! If you do don’t forget that revised services operate across the British Isles between Christmas and New Year and the below one stop guide gives you a flavour of what is operating when. The service pattern follows previous years with no service anywhere on Christmas Day, Blackpool NOT running on Boxing Day and New Years Day seeing no service in either Blackpool or on the Tyne and Wear Metro.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Docklands Light Railway, Dublin Luas, Edinburgh Trams, London Trams, Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit, South Yorkshire Supertram, Tyne and Wear Metro, West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

In Pictures: April start planned for Trafford Park line

Posted on Saturday 21 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

It seems to be catching – after West Midlands Metro’s “early” opening of the Birmingham Westside extension earlier this month, Manchester Metrolink have now announced their planned early opening of the Trafford Park line. According to an event held on the line, and attended by Mayor Andy Burnham, it is planned to open the line in April (subject to the usual testing being a success), which it says is seven months early.

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Trams in Video: Trams in Italy – 2018 & 2019

Posted on Saturday 21 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

Today we again head overseas to take a look at some “Trams in Video”. The location this time is Italy and the cameras are pointed towards the trams in Rome, Milan and Turin during 2018 and 2019.

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In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams 260 joins the pact

Posted on Saturday 21 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

It may be very nearly Christmas but that hasn’t stopped a new advert livery being applied on Edinburgh Trams with 260 losing its previous C R Smith advert (the from Glasgow to Peterhead version) in favour of a new design for Johnnie Walker and its #Jointhepact campaign.

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They Ran in 2019: Blackpool Toastrack 166

Posted on Saturday 21 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

After yesterday’s foray to Blackpool today’s “They Ran in 2019” is again a Blackpool tram but this time it’s a tram which has left its former home to find a new home in Derbyshire at the Crich Tramway Village. The tram we feature is Blackpool Toastrack 166.

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Power problems cause issues on West Midlands Metro

Posted on Saturday 21 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

Sunday 15th December saw service disruption on the West Midlands Metro after a loss of power saw trams only able to operate between Wolverhampton St George’s and Black Lake. Reasons for the power going down are not known but it was first reported at 0740 with the service remaining disrupted until 1100 when it was possible to run back through all the way to the Library again. The power supply problems also meant that the platform passenger information displays were not working meaning passengers weren’t kept fully informed of what was going on.

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15 Years Apart: Blackpool Balloon 701

Posted on Saturday 21 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

Yes, its Blackpool again and yes its another Balloon Car in this edition of “15 Years Apart” – this time its Balloon 701.

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In Pictures: Refurbishments continue in Nottingham

Posted on Friday 20 December 2019 by Gareth Prior

The refurbishment of the Nottingham Express Transit Incentros is continuing with the entire fleet due to be completed in the first part of 2020. Since we last reported on the refurbishments further examples have gone through the works at Wilkinson Street, including 206 which, in the process, has lost its long-standing advertising livery for Jet 2 Holidays with the new fleet livery now adorning the tram.

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