In Pictures: Rare moves around the Exhibition Hall at Crich

Posted on Wednesday 27 February 2019 by Andrew Waddington

On 24th February, a number of trams and other objects were moved around at Crich Tramway Village as part of the project to install new displays in the Great Exhibition Hall. The creation of a new exhibition on the life and achievements of Michael Holoroyd Smith has led to a number of exhibits being moved around, and this resulted in the need for some shunting on this day with some little seen trams appearing in daylight.

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Damaged sections of Citylink Tram-Trains head back to Spain

Posted on Wednesday 27 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The two sections of the Stagecoach Supertram Tram-Trains which were damaged in collisions within five weeks of each in October and November 2018 have departed Nunnery Square Depot for repairs back in Spain. The damaged parts of 399 202 and 399 204 were dispatched on separate low loaders on Thursday 21st February.

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In Pictures: More from the Blackpool North extension

Posted on Tuesday 26 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Work is continuing on the parts of the Blackpool North Railway Station extension of the tramway up Talbot Road that it is possible to tackle as these latest photos from Peter Dockerty show. The worksite adjacent to the railway station is starting to become emptier with limited parts now remaining in situ whilst work is also continuing on the first stages of the new tramstop in Talbot Square itself.

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In Pictures: Urbos 3s 26 and 34 stored at the depot

Posted on Tuesday 26 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

In recent months we have reported in passing about the fate of West Midlands Metro 26 following its return from Wolverton where it had been for repairs after suffering a derailment at the depot. The tram was returned to Wednesbury back in March 2018 but despite this it still hasn’t turned a wheel in service and is now stored at the bottom of the yard along with T69 16. The pair have now also been joined by 34 which has been used since December.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Coronation 662

Posted on Tuesday 26 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

There is no doubt that one of the most popular classes of trams with enthusiasts in Blackpool is the Coronation Cars and we feature a long-gone member of that class today in our regular look back into the archives.

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In Pictures: Metrolink 3072’s Total Jobs advert

Posted on Monday 25 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

We first reported back in mid-January that Manchester Metrolink 3072 had received a new vinyl wrap advert for Total Jobs but hadn’t actually illustrated the new look – until now that is! The advert has a different design on each half of the tram with one end seeing a white base with the other a flowery background. Dave Elison captured the following photos.

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In Pictures: Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours in action

Posted on Monday 25 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

As we have reported in the past 2019 is set to be the biggest year yet for Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours with the largest number of operating days yet – including every weekend throughout the year plus on various weekdays. The early part of the season is set to be dominated by Box Car 40 which is being used most days before it departs for Beamish. One such day was on Sunday 10th February when it was joined by Balloon 717 on the two tram Promenade tour. John Hibbert captured the following photos.

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Around the World in Trams: Budapest 4140

Posted on Sunday 24 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

From some of the newest trams in Budapest last week to some of the oldest as we feature an image of a Tatra (or more precise three Tatras)!

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In Pictures: A busy February Half Term at Beamish

Posted on Sunday 24 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The first school holidays of the year have arrived (for most of the country anyway, with some having enjoyed their week break seven days previously) and with family’s looking for something to do, Beamish has had another busy few days with plenty of visitors taking advantage of the dry weather. We have already seen the day that Manchester 765 returned to service but on the previous day – Wednesday 20th February – Trevor Hall found a very busy two tram service being supplemented by buses whilst work has now begun on constructing a new bus garage close to the tram depot.

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In Pictures: Latest updates from Birmingham Westside extension

Posted on Sunday 24 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Earlier in February the very first tracks were laid as part of the Birmingham Westside extension which will run from Grand Central to Edgbaston eventually, with the first section to Centenary Square due to be operational by the end of 2019. Work is continuing on the construction of this section of line with the track in Victoria Square being joined by other progress on the route. In this pictorial update from Martin Miller we see the latest images of recent work.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 24 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

We head to Croydon for a selection of photos from Tramlink this week:

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In Pictures: Overhead poles start to be installed in Blackpool

Posted on Saturday 23 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Despite the fact that it will be some time before trams will be using the extension of the Blackpool Tramway up Talbot Road to Blackpool North Railway Station work is still pressing ahead with the parts of the project which can be developed. The past week has seen the start of overhead pole installation whilst progress is also starting on the single platform stop in Talbot Square itself.

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Picture in Time: Croydon Tramlink 2552

Posted on Saturday 23 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Moving forward a bit this week with an image from Croydon dated shortly before the start of public services.

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In Pictures: Double Just Eat helpings on West Midlands Metro

Posted on Saturday 23 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

As expected West Midlands Metro is now home to two trams carrying adverts for Just Eat with 18 returning to action carrying identical vinyls to those already seen on 21. The tram becomes the third tram on the system to carry adverts with new blue ends also applied and means that the UK has now seen five different trams advertise this company.

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Final Business Case for Edinburgh Trams extension published

Posted on Saturday 23 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

With decision day for the Trams to Newhaven project in Edinburgh continuing to approach the Final Business Case (FBC) has now been published into the public domain confirming that a budget of £207.3m would be allotted to constructing the extension. The FBC has been available to Councillors to view in a closed data room for the past couple of weeks but this is the first time that the public will be able to see exactly what is in the report.

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Manchester Metrolink off the air waves with adverts removed

Posted on Friday 22 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Two more trams on Manchester Metrolink have returned to fleet livery with the two remaining radio station vinyls being removed in recent weeks. Both 3030 – formerly advertising Capital Radio – and 3043 – ex-Heart FM – have seen their adverts taken off leaving just seven of the tram fleet carrying adverts. How long this lasts for who knows?

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Full details announced for Box 40 farewell tour

Posted on Friday 22 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours have now announced the full plan for Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40’s Farewell Tour which takes place on Saturday 2nd March. As we have reported frequently over the past few weeks, 40’s loan spell in Blackpool is coming to and end this March with the tram initially heading off to Beamish before it then returns to Crich, it’s “home” tramway but one which it has seldom operated at.

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Call made to divert Edinburgh Trams extension cash to public services

Posted on Friday 22 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

As we move ever closer to decision day for the Trams to Newhaven project the latest headlines on the tram extension plan comes from the Conservatives on the City of Edinburgh Council who have urged the “vanity project” to be abandoned and the cash instead diverted to other public services. Needless to say the ruling SNP-Labour coalition don’t quite agree with these ideas!

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In Pictures: Manchester 765 enters service at Beamish

Posted on Thursday 21 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Just over two weeks after arriving at Beamish for its almost half year loan, Manchester 765 has entered service at the museum transporting visitors around the museum during the February Half Term school holidays. After work in the Beamish workshops and test runs at the end of last week, 765 was first used in service on Thursday 21st February on another busy day at the museum.

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Tram allocations for latest Blackpool Gold weekend revealed

Posted on Thursday 21 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Anyone up for some Boating in February? Well if you are then Blackpool is the place to be this weekend (Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th February) with two examples due to run during the weekend which will also see the latest “Gold” appearance of Box 40 before it departures for pastures new.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Event Previews | 2 Comments