Can you help? Photographic locations on Manchester Metrolink

Posted on Wednesday 23 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Regular contributor to British Trams Online, Edward M Koehler is a self confessed British Tram fan, which makes life difficult when it lives across the other side of the Atlantic in America! But later this year Edward will be paying a visit to the UK again (primarily for a rail tour in Wales) but will be flying into Manchester Airport and spending a night in the city. In that time Edward will have some time on the afternoon of Friday 29th and morning of Saturday 30th March to enjoy the delights of Manchester Metrolink. Edward is looking for any tips on best places to take photos in that time and we are throwing it open to the readers of British Trams Online! If you have any favourite photo locations you are willing to share please either leave a comment below or alternatively email Edward directly at EdwardMKoehler@nyc.rr.com.

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Can you help? Photographic locations on Manchester Metrolink

In Pictures: Sunshine at Beamish

Posted on Wednesday 23 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

We’ve already had the exciting news from Beamish this week that Manchester 765 is to visit from Heaton Park for most of the first half of the year but before that tram arrives it is up to the resident fleet to cater for early season visitors. On a sunny 22nd January a two tram service was in operation with Blackpool 31 and Oporto 196 operating either way around the tramway circuit. Work to replace the sleepers between Pockerley and the Town is still ongoing but is not a daily task and when it is not taking place a normal service runs.

Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway | Comments Off on In Pictures: Sunshine at Beamish

Trams revealed for first Winter Gold of the year in Blackpool

Posted on Tuesday 22 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

This weekend will see the first Winter Gold operation of 2019 in Blackpool with six trams due to run on each day plus the unusual sight of a snowplough fitted tram as the Shop at North Pier/Tower. As has become standard during Winter Gold events trams will run on New South Promenade to Starr Gate as well as the more usual Pleasure Beach to Fleetwood section.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Event Previews | Comments Off on Trams revealed for first Winter Gold of the year in Blackpool

Back to fleet livery for two more trams on Metrolink

Posted on Tuesday 22 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

So far in 2019 it has been a case of more trams returning to fleet livery in Manchester than those receiving new vinyl wraps with another two now noted running in standard Yellow and Silver. The two trams are 3007 (losing its Mars2 advert which had been applied back in November) and 3014 (formerly in an American Express advert which had only been applied at the end of November) which leaves just eight and a bit adverts left on the trams.

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Back to fleet livery for two more trams on Metrolink

Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon

Posted on Tuesday 22 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

We stay in Fleetwood for this week’s offering from the Blackpool Tramway archives as we have another photo of a tram which we can’t quite identify!

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon

Long serving Tyne and Wear Metro driver retires

Posted on Monday 21 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Ian Rossiter – one of the very first people to drive on the Tyne and Wear Metro when it opened back in 1980 – has retired after 40 years driving the trains on the transport network. Mr Rossiter, now 60, started driving trains in 1980 when he was just 21 and rose through the ranks to become a senior Metro manager.

Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Long serving Tyne and Wear Metro driver retires

Manchester 765 to Beamish – The Return!

Posted on Monday 21 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Back in 2011, Manchester 765 spent a very successful month on loan at Beamish, primarily for operation at the Great North Steam Fair of that year, as it made its way back to its usual home tramway at Heaton Park from Blackpool (via the rather picturesque route it must be said!). And now some eight years later 765 is to head back to Beamish; this time for a slightly longer stay where the chance will also be taken for some maintenance work to be undertaken on the tram.

Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway, Heaton Park Tramway | Comments Off on Manchester 765 to Beamish – The Return!

Around the World in Trams: Tenerife Tram 13

Posted on Sunday 20 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

We stay out in the Canaries for this week’s worldwide tram image for some more winter sun as we view another of the Alstom 302’s which operate the two line tramway in Tenerife.

Continue reading →

Posted in Around the World in Trams | Comments Off on Around the World in Trams: Tenerife Tram 13

In Pictures: Update on Crumpsall works

Posted on Sunday 20 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

When trams start to run on the Trafford Park extension in 2020 they will be operating a service through Manchester City Centre to Crumpsall giving additional capacity on the Bury line. To this end a third platform and track will be provided at Crumpsall to accommodate the terminating trams and this is where work will be concentrated over the next year before services began. The following photos show the current scene on 18th January 2019 with images courtesy of Keith Chadbourne.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on In Pictures: Update on Crumpsall works

New App launched for West Midlands Metro

Posted on Sunday 20 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

A new mobile phone app has been launched which should make it even easier than before to travel on the West Midlands Metro and there are also exclusive discounted fares available to purchase only through the app.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on New App launched for West Midlands Metro

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 20 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Another small gallery of photos for you this week:

Continue reading →

Posted in Volk's Electric Railway | 3 Comments

Metro passengers wanted for new ITV documentary

Posted on Saturday 19 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

As we reported in December a new ITV documentary has been commissioned which will be looking at the workings of the Tyne and Wear Metro as it approaches its 40th anniversary. The producers of the documentary are now looking for passengers who travel on the Metro who may have “extraordinary” stories to tell.

Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Metro passengers wanted for new ITV documentary

Picture in Time: Tyne & Wear Metro 4038

Posted on Saturday 19 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Staying in the northeast for the second week of our look back at the Tyne and Wear Metro we find snow on the ground as we feature another of the original 1980s trains in action.

Continue reading →

Posted in Picture in Time, Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Tyne & Wear Metro 4038

New vehicles for Southend Pier

Posted on Saturday 19 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Many Piers in the UK have had rail borne transport operating along them and there is often a debate as to whether these are railways or tramways but over the years we have tended to cover these on and off as news or historic photos have come to light. Probably the most famous of all these lines is that which runs along Southend Pier – the longest pier of course – which does describe itself as a railway but nonetheless it has been reported this week that the local council have earmarked some funding to replace the trains which have now been in operation for over 30 years.

Continue reading →

Posted in Southend Pier Railway/Tramway | Comments Off on New vehicles for Southend Pier

In Pictures: Balloon 711 on Pleasure Beach loop – what was the occasion?

Posted on Saturday 19 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

A bit of a quiz question for you today. In the below image we feature Blackpool Balloon 711 on Pleasure Beach loop – carrying an all over advert for Blackpool Zoo – on 1st July 2007 but what was the occasion? Let us know your guesses in the comment section! Fred Fitter with the photo.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

In Pictures: 31 named Cyrille Regis

Posted on Friday 18 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

West Midlands Metro now has a third named tram following the naming of 31 Cyrille Regis MBE at a special ceremony on Friday 18th January. As we reported back in December the tram was to be named after the West Bromwich Albion legend who sadly died in January 2018 and is said to be a pioneer for black footballers in the game playing 297 times for the club, scoring 112 goals between 1977 and 1984 before moving on to other clubs.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Newcastle 102 under attention at Crich

Posted on Friday 18 January 2019 by Andrew Waddington

Although the main ongoing restoration project at Crich Tramway Village at the moment is London County Council 1, that hasn’t stopped work from being started on a major overhaul for Newcastle 102 which is being funded by members of the Tramcar Sponsorship Organisation. Here we take a look at recent progress on the tram with a couple of views from 12th January supplied by Peter Whiteley.

Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on In Pictures: Newcastle 102 under attention at Crich

Delays to Prom reopening after delay in tram works

Posted on Friday 18 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Originally due to open on Monday 21st January it has been announced that the main Promenade road past Talbot Road in Blackpool will now not open until the end of February with an apparent delay in the tram trackworks the cause.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | Comments Off on Delays to Prom reopening after delay in tram works

Eccles line suspension after overhead problems

Posted on Friday 18 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink services on the Eccles line were suspended for several hours on Thursday 17th January after a problem with the overhead caused a pantograph to smash. The incident happened close to the stop at Broadway around 1230 with the pantograph coming off the roof and smashing a side window.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Eccles line suspension after overhead problems

As you were on the MER for 2019

Posted on Thursday 17 January 2019 by Gareth Prior

The timetable for the Manx Electric Railway – and the Snaefell Mountain Railway and Isle of Man Steam Railway – has been released and it is very much a case of as you were with very limited changes in the timetables. In fact the only really significant change is the use of the “World’s Oldest Trams” whose operation has now been pulled forward in the day and may not necessarily mean you get 1 or 2.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manx Electric Railway | Comments Off on As you were on the MER for 2019