Seaton Tramway gets Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition

Posted on Wednesday 13 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

One of the big advantages of the new Seaton terminus is the ability for temporary exhibitions to be put on and for two months from 10th March the world renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will be doing just that. On loan from the Natural History Museum this exhibition features exceptional images capturing fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world. And if it gets any visitors inspired Seaton have also announced they will be hosting their Wildlife & Landscaping Trams in 2019 allowing participants the chance to take photos in the company of a professional photographer.

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In Pictures: More on new adverts for Edinburgh Trams

Posted on Wednesday 13 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Recent weeks have seen a couple of new adverts debuting on Edinburgh Trams with both 251 and 261 losing former adverts for C R Smith in favour of new contracts for Edinburgh Live and Standard Life respectively. We have seen a few images of these trams previously but in this pictorial we take another closer look at the new designs courtesy of Roy Calderwood.

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In Pictures: Blackpool North Station extension latest

Posted on Tuesday 12 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The work to connect the old Promenade tramway tracks with those being installed in Talbot Square and Talbot Road for the Blackpool North Railway Station extension has been continuing in recent weeks. Whilst there is still some work to be completed before the two are as one excellent progress has been made with the tracks being welded together ahead of the final road surface being put into place. There still remains no word on a possible opening date for the line with no sign of a new store for Wilkinson’s on the immediate horizon which, of course, means there is nowhere for the new terminus to go. Peter Dockerty with the photos.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 710

Posted on Tuesday 12 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Can you remember the time when Blackpool Balloon 710 was included as part of the Fleetwood Transport Festival parade? The year was 2011 and with the tram acquired by the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust it was transported through the town – its last public appearance.

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In Pictures: Bradley Lane Park and Ride progresses

Posted on Monday 11 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Whilst there may be more high profile construction projects connected to the West Midlands Metro an equally important job is continuing at Bradley Lane where a new park and ride site is being built to allow travellers the chance to catch the tram into Birmingham or Wolverhampton. Work started back in October 2018 and is due to be completed by the summer of this year.

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Metro bridges to be replaced

Posted on Monday 11 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Two Tyne and Wear Metro bridges are to be replaced as part of a £2.5 million project with the work set to take place during March. The two bridges are in Tynemouth and Cullercoats and their replacement will require line closures over two weekends during March.

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Around the World in Trams: Budapest 1556

Posted on Sunday 10 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Our look at trams from outside of the British Isles moves on this week as we head to the Hungarian capital city of Budapest. A city that has an extensive public transport network including a fleet of around 600 trams of various different types.

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Birkenhead, Douglas and Seaton celebrate wins at Heritage Railway Association Awards

Posted on Sunday 10 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The annual Heritage Railway Associate Awards – held with a lavish ceremony – have seen two tramways in the British Isles celebrating. The Seaton Tramway in Devon, the Isle of Man’s Douglas Bay Horse Tramway and the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society were rewarded for work in 2018.

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Government call for new light rail solutions?

Posted on Sunday 10 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

As we saw earlier this month, Jesse Norman MP, Transport Secretary, visited Birmingham for a special ceremony to lay the first track on the Birmingham Westside extension and whilst there took the opportunity to launch a call for evidence to seek views on the potential for light rail and “other rapid transit solutions” in English towns and cities. The consultation – which will be open until May – states that it is looking to “build on the popularity of light rail” with one of the aims to see if there are any issues preventing new schemes from getting off the drawing board. Just quite what another consultation might mean is unclear at this time.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 10 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Photos this week come from overseas as we bring you something a little different from our norm:

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More details released for Tramlink line closures

Posted on Saturday 9 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

As we reported last month there will be some forthcoming closures on London Tramlink to allow for work to take place in connection with the replacement of Blackhorse Lane bridge over the Beckenham Junction/Elmers End lines whilst further track work will also take place in the same are during March.

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Picture in Time: Tyne & Wear Metro 4086

Posted on Saturday 9 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Concluding our series of images from days gone by of the Tyne and Wear Metro we feature an image today showing that not everything goes according to plan with a double unit in trouble.

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New report states only 68% of Metro trains on time at end of 2018

Posted on Saturday 9 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The continuing travails of passengers wanting to travel on the Tyne and Wear Metro has hit the headlines in the area again with a new report stating that only 68% of trains were on time in November and December. The concerns of how poorly the service continues to operates is very much in Nexus’ sights with the operator of the network saying they will be taking all steps to improve the reliability.

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Plans for tram-trains to Glasgow Airport abandoned

Posted on Saturday 9 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

We last heard news on the plan for a tram-train service to link Glasgow City Centre and Glasgow Airport back at the end of 2016 but now it has been reported that the Scottish Government have decided to abandon the plans as they consider it would detrimentally affect other rail services in the area. The last we had heard was that local councils were in favour of the plan but they have now been told there will be no support from the government bringing an end to hopes for improved transport to the airport.

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First tracks laid in Victoria Square

Posted on Friday 8 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The first tracks of the Birmingham Westside extension of West Midlands Metro have been laid as progress on the first phase of this line continues ahead of an opening later in 2019. The tracks were laid in a special photo opportunity ceremony attended by Transport Minister Norman Jessop MP in Victoria Square.

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Controversy guaranteed – Edinburgh Trams extension costs increase by a quarter

Posted on Friday 8 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

It was almost inevitable it would happen but the Final Business Case (FBC) for extending the Edinburgh Trams line to Newhaven via Leith Walk has confirmed that the estimated cost will now be £207m (including contingency) up from the previous estimate of £165m. Despite this increase the City of Edinburgh Council have said it remains affordable, is self financing and would not divert funds from other Council services. Nonetheless the news is going to be met with dismay from many in the city who are still angry about the initial project and awaiting for answers from the inquiry.

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In Pictures: Three tram Tuesday at Beamish

Posted on Friday 8 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Tuesday 5th February saw three trams in action at Beamish – albeit only one was in normal passenger service. With some snow still lying on the ground following the recent snowfall that didn’t deter the use of open toppers with the service car being Blackpool Marton Box 31 with Newcastle 114 in use on driver training. The third and final tram out was Oporto 196 which was on a special with a teddy bear and lots of small children on board! Trevor Hall took advantage of his Unlimited ticket once again and provides us with the below photos.

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In Pictures: 36 gets partial relivery – including adverts

Posted on Thursday 7 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

Up until now West Midlands Metro’s Urbos3 trams have been devoid of external advertising but that has changed with 36 receiving adverts for the new My Metro app – along with a bit of the new blue livery on the ends. The result is a bit of hotchpotch as the tram now includes new livery, old livery (minus the magenta) and adverts but it is certainly something a bit different!

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In Pictures: Tyne & Wear Metro Engineering Work

Posted on Thursday 7 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

There was planned engineering work on Tyne & Wear Metro on Sunday 3rd February which saw the line shut between Heworth and Jarrow and from Heworth to Brockley Whins. As is usual during works like this a replacement bus service was out on over the affected sections to ensure prospective passengers could still get around. Trevor Hall captured the below images of some unusual moves.

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Picture in Time: Glasgow 1195

Posted on Thursday 7 February 2019 by Gareth Prior

The second of three trams to be captured on camera just before scrapping in Glasgow in November 1962 is the feature of Picture in Time today.

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