In Pictures: Sunderland 16 on the move at Beamish

Posted on Wednesday 10 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

We recently briefly reported on the continued overhaul of Grimsby & Immingham 26 at Beamish whilst also mentioning that work is also taking place on Sunderland 16 with a view to the double decker from the Wear returning to service in the short-term. Since that report 16 has been moved from the side shed (road 1) to the main tram depot and is now situated over the pit on road 3. Sunderland 16 had been taken out of service for attention to its wheels which were returned at the start of September. With autumn soon to become winter the return of 16 is sure to be welcomed by passengers and tram crews alike.

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In Pictures: Wirral Bus and Tram Show 2018

Posted on Tuesday 9 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

Bringing an end to a very busy six weeks of tram events the 21st Wirral Bus and Tram Show took place on Sunday 7th October with a four tram service offered alongside all the other sights of buses and other visiting vehicles. With Birkenhead 20 still in Blackpool all four true operational electric heritage trams were used – Wallasey 78, Liverpool 245, Lisbon 730 and Liverpool 762 – during the day.

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North Station extension works to continue over the winter

Posted on Tuesday 9 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

Blackpool Council have confirmed that the Promenade road at Talbot Square will be closed as soon as the illuminations end at the start of November as work to construct the tramway extension up Talbot Road to North Station continues. The news of the major road closure – which will encompass the Christmas shopping period and beyond – has been met with disappointment and anger in Blackpool but will be necessary for the tracks to be connected if the opening date of Easter 2019 is to be met.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Illuminated Western Train 733+734

Posted on Tuesday 9 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

Another look at one of Blackpool’s illuminated feature cars in this edition of Picture in Time and this time around it is probably the most popular of all – the Western Train.

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In Pictures: Dusseldorf 392 in service at Summerlee

Posted on Monday 8 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

A little while ago we featured some images of trams in service at Summerlee in early September when Lanarkshire 53 was in action with Dusseldorf 392 as the back-up and now it is the German tram that we feature in this article. These photos were taken on 21st September and 392 was the sole tram in service on a fairly quiet day at the museum, shortly after Storm Ali and with the schools well and truly back into the swing of things. Photos from Peter Narramore.

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Stone throwing children apologise to tram drivers

Posted on Monday 8 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

Five children – all aged 10 – who threw stones at trams in Manchester have recently attended Queen’s Road Depot to find out about the impact of their actions and to apologise to the tram drivers affected. This meeting – attended by the children, their relatives and the police – was part of the restorative justice process which will also see them agree to become young ambassadors for Metrolink and undertake cleaning and gardening activities at the depot.

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In Pictures: New adverts on Manchester Metrolink

Posted on Sunday 7 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

It seems that new adverts on Manchester Metrolink often come in multiples and that is certainly the case again. Last week we reported on the application of a new advert for Easy Jet on 3052 and now 3114 has entered service with a vinyl wrap for the same sponsor whilst 3018 has returned to Call of Duty for the second year in succession.

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In Pictures: More construction images from Rotherham

Posted on Sunday 7 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

With a date now announced for the start of services to Rotherham Parkgate (Thursday 25th October in case you missed it!) the last of the construction work is now coming to an end to make sure that everything is ready for those first passengers. We recently saw the start of works for passenger access to the single platform stop at Parkgate and in this latest update we take a look at recent progress there along with the current state of affairs at Rotherham Central. Glyn Hill provides the pictures.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 7 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

We conclude our coverage from the Isle of Man and the 125th Anniversary of the Manx Electric Railway events including images in the immediate aftermath:

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Event Review: Horse Trams join in the celebrations

Posted on Sunday 7 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

After a week of celebrations the Manx Electric Railway 125th Anniversary came to an end with a further day of events, including the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway getting in the act with a seven tram Cavalcade. But the MER was still celebrating with two further photography tours alongside the normal service.

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In Pictures: 21 makes it four battery trams in service

Posted on Saturday 6 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

West Midlands Metro are now the proud owners of four battery fitted trams following the return to service of 21 for the first time since it underwent the installation at Wednesbury Depot. The tram retains the old Magenta based Network West Midlands livery – including the old logo on the ends of the vehicle. The other three battery fitted trams are 18, 31 and 36. Mark Cufflin provides us with the photo.

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Around the World in Trams: Geneva 845

Posted on Saturday 6 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

We’re back for more from around the world, with this edition heading to the Swiss city of Geneva.

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Upper Douglas Tramway survivor to go on display

Posted on Saturday 6 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

The one remaining piece of machinery which used to help operate the Upper Douglas Tramway is to go on display in the town following restoration. The flywheel has been restored by volunteers from the Jurby Transport Museum and a team from Douglas Borough Council and will now be displayed at the Bottleneck Car Park for all to see once more.

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In Pictures: New arrangements at Grand Central

Posted on Friday 5 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

Since 24th September all arrivals and departures at Grand Central on West Midlands Metro have been using the same platform, the platform which is closest to Birmingham New Street station. This is because there are construction works in progress to extend the line to Centenary Square and Edgbaston which are preventing trams running forward to reverse for the opposite platform. This arrangement is expected to be in place until summer 2019 by which time the track should be connected to the new line ahead of the start of services later next year. The new arrangements were captured on camera by Ian Nightingale.

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Luas & Edinburgh Trams win the main award at Global Light Rail Awards again

Posted on Friday 5 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

Transdev Dublin Light Rail – operators of Luas – and Edinburgh Trams have been named joint Operators of the Year at the Global Light Rail Awards. The annual award ceremony took place in London on 3rd October and as always seems to be the case announcements of the winners has been sporadic with full details of who won each award not available. However, other known winners have been Blackpool Transport, Manchester Metrolink and Nottingham Express Transit whilst Sam Flynn from Trams for Lytham was also Highly Commended.

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Overhead works to curtail Supertram services early on Saturday

Posted on Thursday 4 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

Services on Stagecoach Supertram’s Blue route (and the Purple route fully suspended) will be partially suspended on Saturday 6th October to allow overhead line works to take place. The work will start from 1930 and will see Blue route trams running Malin Bridge to Sheffield Station and from Gleadless Townend to Halfway. There will be buses from Herdings Park to Fitzalan Square.

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Consultative ballot for industrial action on Edinburgh Trams

Posted on Thursday 4 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

Strikes may be heading to Edinburgh Trams with Unite the Union announcing their intention to hold a “consultative ballot” of some of their members. The decision has been made as a result of what they call “a damaging culture of blame” but although they are concerned about this enough to call the vote this ballot would not give the union the mandate to call a strike with a second legal ballot required for this but it would presumably be used during negotiations to say that if a resolution isn’t reached there would likely be the final mandate to strike.

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Tram-Train services will start 25th October

Posted on Thursday 4 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

25th October 2018 will not just mark two months until Christmas but will also see the start of public services on the UK’s Tram-Train pilot between Sheffield and Rotherham. Unusually starting on a Thursday the service will run three times an hour between Cathedral in Sheffield City Centre and Rotherham Parkgate via Rotherham Central railway station.

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Picture in Time: Croydon Tramlink 2553

Posted on Thursday 4 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

Picture in Time today is off to the capital again (or Surrey, depending on your opinion!) as we take a look at the Croydon Tramlink system (as it was then) ahead of opening.

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More events take place this weekend

Posted on Wednesday 3 October 2018 by Gareth Prior

It looks set to be another busy weekend on UK heritage tramways with Crich enjoying a Steampunk day on Saturday 6th October whilst the following day all eyes will be turned towards Birkenhead with the annual Wirral Bus and Tram Show taking place.

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Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway, Event Previews, National Tramway Museum | 2 Comments