Picture in Time: Leeds 180

Posted on Tuesday 6 November 2018 by Gareth Prior

Its time for another change in Picture in Time as Blackpool takes a rest with Tuesdays now set to see other traditional trams featuring. And in the first instalment we are off to Crich for a view of a long standing member of the operational fleet – Leeds 180.

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Strike action on the way for Edinburgh Trams?

Posted on Monday 5 November 2018 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams services could be disrupted in the lead up to Christmas after the results of the consultative ballot into potential industrial action were released by the Unite union. As we reported a few weeks ago this ballot was undertaken as a result of what has been described as the unjust use of disciplinary procedures by management and although it gives the union it doesn’t give the legal right to strike with a further ballot required for this. The results of this consultative ballot saw 83% of drivers in favour of striking.

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Armed Forces to travel free out of uniform on Metrolink

Posted on Monday 5 November 2018 by Gareth Prior

Transport for Greater Manchester have reaffirmed their Armed Forces Covenant which will allow members of the Armed Forces to travel for free on Metrolink out of uniform. Regular or reserve members can travel for free after 0930 Mondays to Fridays and all day on weekends, Armistice Day, Remembrance Sunday and Armed Forces Day as long as a military identification card is carried.

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In Pictures: New advert for M5000 3007

Posted on Sunday 4 November 2018 by Gareth Prior

Another week, another new advert on Manchester Metrolink. This time around the tram chosen is 3007 with the advertiser being National Geographic’s Mars 2 programme. Images from the series feature on the advert which is – once again – a full vinyl wrap (save for the end of the tram which retains fleet colours) including contravision on the windows. This isn’t the first time that 3007 has carried an advert with it having previously been in an advert for Crunchie.

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In Video: Sheffield Tram-Train service launches

Posted on Sunday 4 November 2018 by Gareth Prior

As a companion to our Photo Gallery added this week on the start of the Tram-Train pilot between Sheffield and Rotherham we also bring you links to several videos from the start of operations showing this new service in action on the first day.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 4 November 2018 by Gareth Prior

Another double helping of Photo Galleries for you this week with coverage of two more significant events in the UK:

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Consultation launched for possible Tramlink extension to Sutton

Posted on Saturday 3 November 2018 by Gareth Prior

It is a scheme which has been on the cards for a number of years but a new consultation has just been launched looking at the possibility of extending Tramlink through to Sutton. However, the consultation isn’t committed to the so-called Sutton Link being an extension of the current London Tramlink system with bus rapid transit also being considered. The consultation is a chance for the public to put their views across on three possible routes between Merton and Sutton.

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Around the World in Trams: Stuttgart 460

Posted on Saturday 3 November 2018 by Gareth Prior

Today our world tour is back on mainland Europe as we head to Germany and the city of Stuttgart.

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In Pictures: Half Term at Beamish

Posted on Saturday 3 November 2018 by Gareth Prior

The October Half Term is usually the last hurrah for many heritage tram lines across the UK of each year (until the inevitable Christmas rush with Santa specials running in some locations) and 2018 has been no different. With the daily afternoon heritage tours and evening illumination tours ongoing in Blackpool until the end of the weekend, over the other side of the country at Beamish the hardworking trams having also been continuing to work hard – aided by a spell of dry if not that warm weather. On Friday 2nd November a three tram service was in operation with the following views captured by Trevor Hall.

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In Pictures: Battery trams – and then there were five!

Posted on Friday 2 November 2018 by Gareth Prior

West Midlands Metro are now the proud operators of five battery fitted trams following the return to service of 28. The tram continues to run in the old Network West Midlands livery of Magenta and White – still leaving 31 as the only tram in the new Blue livery – and was first spotted operating in passenger service at the beginning of November.

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In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams carries the Poppy

Posted on Friday 2 November 2018 by Gareth Prior

As has become the norm on most tram networks across the UK, trams on Edinburgh Trams are carrying poppies in their cabs in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday which this year will be marking the centenary of the end of the First World War. In Edinburgh the poppies are being carried prominently inside the trams in the cab windows.

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In Pictures: Pinfold Street Metro extension works

Posted on Friday 2 November 2018 by Gareth Prior

With work to extend West Midlands Metro towards Edgbaston continuing, Pinfold Street is a hive of activity with a floating slab being installed to prevent vibration in this narrow street where trams will be running at some point in 2019 as part of the first stage of the extension. Ian Nightingale with the photo.

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More engineering works for Supertram

Posted on Thursday 1 November 2018 by Gareth Prior

Friday 2nd November will see further engineering works being undertaken on Stagecoach Supertram which will cause a change to services on the Blue and Purple routes. The affected area will be between Sheffield Station and Gleadless Townend with no trams – except for a few very early and late services – running between these stops. The Blue route will be operate either side of the works with the Purple route completely suspended throughout the day.

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Picture in Time: Midland Metro 09 & 08

Posted on Thursday 1 November 2018 by Gareth Prior

Today we are back in the West Midlands for another image from the past featuring two of the original T69 trams on Midland Metro.

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Now Nottingham suffers as car collides with tram

Posted on Wednesday 31 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

Coming just a couple of weeks after the launch of a new safety campaign warning motorists and pedestrians of the dangers around trams in Nottingham there was disruption for Nottingham Express Transit on Wednesday 31st October following a collision at Meadows Embankment between a BMW and Citadis 226. The impact of the collision caused the front section of the tram to derail.

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In Pictures: New Sheffield College adverts for Supertram 110

Posted on Wednesday 31 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

For the second year in a row Stagecoach Supertram 110 has received branding for Sheffield College publicising their forthcoming open days. Carrying limited window vinyls and above window stickers the tram looks set to carry these adverts until at least the start of March 2019 (as that is when the last of the open days takes place). And for 110 this isn’t the only bit of news for the tram as it also made an appearance in Sunday’s episode of Doctor Who (along with another unidentified Siemens Duewag tram and the Park Square bowstring bridge) – is this the first UK tram to have featured in the long running BBC Sci-Fi series?

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In Pictures: Metrolink 3036’s new vinyls

Posted on Tuesday 30 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

The vinyl revolution on Manchester Metrolink is showing no signs of slowing down with the latest tram to receive some being 3036. This is not a full vinyl wrap livery a la many of other all over adverts but has just received full window vinyls on the windows either side of the centre articulation with no changes to the bodyside fleet livery. With the slogan “Hello Manchester” it advertises Lululemon who apparently sell yoga clothes and running gear although the actual advert doesn’t tell you who the advertiser is with just the firms logo!

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 712

Posted on Tuesday 30 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

Today our archive photo series is back in Blackpool once again for a late 1970s view of the last of the open top Balloon Cars – no. 712.

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Final decision on Edinburgh Trams extension delayed until early 2019

Posted on Monday 29 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

A final decision on whether to press ahead with plans to extend Edinburgh Trams from the current city centre terminus of York Place to Newhaven via Leith Walk will not be made until early 2019 to allow full evaluations of tenders to take place before the Final Business Case is considered. It had previously been expected that the final decision would be made before the end of 2018.

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In Pictures: Open trams in Blackpool

Posted on Monday 29 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

It may be late October but it has also suddenly become a time for open trams in Blackpool with the recent entry into service of Birkenhead 20 (special priced tours only) and return to service of Boat 227. With the weather still pleasant enough for open tram rides both trams have seen use in Blackpool and the weather was so good on 26th October that the two car daytime service saw 600 join 227 in service. Kevin James with photos taken on 26th and 27th October.

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