In Pictures: Blackpool 143 arrives at its new home

Posted on Wednesday 4 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

As we reported last week, the Fylde Transport Trust’s Blackpool Standard 143 has a new home following its move to the East Anglia Transport Museum in Carlton Colville, Suffolk. This move is part of a loan agreement which will see the team at the museum complete repairs to the tram (which failed in September 2019 with a motor fault and hasn’t carried passengers since) and then it will be completing mileage accumulation in service.

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Passenger numbers increase on Isle of Man Railways

Posted on Wednesday 4 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

2025 was another year of increasing passenger numbers on Isle of Man Railways with all four lines (Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway and Douglas Bay Horse Tramway) seeing more use than the previous year. Overall passenger numbers across all the heritage lines were up by 4.5% when compared to 2024, helping to show the importance of the rail network from both residents and visitors.

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UKTram to host online session in March: “Trade and trams: delivering light rail together”

Posted on Wednesday 4 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

UKTram will be bringing together members of the Light Rail Engineering Group (LREG) and the supply trade for an online Trade and Trams session focused on shared learning, engineering insight and practical experience from across the light rail sector.

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In Pictures: West Midlands Metro 58 gets a Peaky Blinders makeover and a new name

Posted on Tuesday 3 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

West Midlands Metro 58 has a new wrap and its first ever name with it now promoting Peaky Blinders following a special unveiling ceremony in Centenary Square on 2nd March 2026. The tram is now named Steven Knight (after the creator of the hit TV series, which has now spawned a film) and will be carrying the vinyls for the next 12 months.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

Phase two of Coventry Very Light Rail underway

Posted on Tuesday 3 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

Colas Rail UK has begun work on Phase 2 of Coventry’s Very Light Rail (CVLR) programme. This will see a new 800 metre double track demonstration line built between Coventry Railway Station and Coventry University Technology Park.

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Plans for new ramp at Radcliffe Metrolink stop

Posted on Tuesday 3 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

A new ramp providing step free access to the Manchester Metrolink stop at Radcliffe has been recommended for approval by Bury Council. The ramp would provide a third entrance to the stop for passengers and would give direct access to the eastern platform from Spring Lane and Church Street West.

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More Tyne and Wear Metro fleet changes

Posted on Monday 2 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

We may now have come to an end of updates of new trains being delivered, but that doesn’t mean that changes to the Tyne and Wear Metro fleet are over – far from it! The past week has seen another of the Stadler trains enter service for the first time, whilst for outgoing fleet another couple have headed off for scrap.

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West Midlands transport projects accelerated thanks to confirmed funding

Posted on Monday 2 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) have agree to advance £50 million worth of funding for transport projects in the region – involving both the West Midlands Metro and Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR).

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15 Years Apart: South Yorkshire Supertram 120

Posted on Monday 2 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

Time for another edition of “15 Years Apart” as we feature two photos of a tram taken in both 2010 and 2025, and spot the obvious differences!

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Out and About: Edinburgh Trams – January 2026

Posted on Sunday 1 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

Another edition of “Out and About” coming from the Edinburgh Trams system.

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Days to forget for Nottingham Express Transit

Posted on Sunday 1 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

The end of February 2026 had another period to forget for Nottingham Express Transit as more issues combined leading to major service disruption, which at one stage saw no trams able to run on the entire network.

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Nexus open up apprenticeship applications

Posted on Sunday 1 March 2026 by Gareth Prior

Applications for ten new engineering apprenticeships to help deliver essential work on the Tyne and Wear Metro have been opened. Nexus – who operate and own the Metro – says the vacancies offer an exceptional pathway into the rail industry at one of the most exciting periods in the network’s history.

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In Pictures: Metrolink 3102 swaps adverts as 3091 returns to service

Posted on Saturday 28 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

ITV advertising on trams in the UK has come to an end (at least for now) as following quickly on from West Midlands Metro where saw 47 stripped of its yellow vinyls, Manchester Metrolink 3102 has also lost its similar adverts. But in this case its not back to fleet livery as it has straight away received a new advert – and it’s a familiar advertiser as its L’Oreal who have just started advertising on the West Midlands Metro as well!

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Around the World in Trams: Istanbul 701

Posted on Saturday 28 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

Its one final photo from Istanbul as “Around the World in Trams” continues.

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West Midlands Metro name their 2026 charity of the year

Posted on Saturday 28 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has been chosen as the West Midlands Metro Charity of the Year 2026. Following in the footsteps of charities including Black Country Women’s Aid, Macmillan Cancer Care, Cancer Research, and Compton Care, they will be supported by a number of fundraising activities throughout the year.

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 28th February 2026

Posted on Saturday 28 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

Into the archives again this week. This time we take a look at Blackpool’s Centenary Cars from 2005-2009:

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LRSSB appoint Head of Learning and Competence

Posted on Saturday 28 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

For the first time the Light Rail Safety and Standard Board (LRSSB) have their own dedicated Head of Learning and Competence following the appointment of Marlene Pearson-McGrath into the role.

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In Pictures: Wolverhampton St George’s work completed

Posted on Friday 27 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

The engineering work which was taking place at Wolverhampton St George’s has been completed, ahead of the previously released schedule. Work had been taking place on the signalling and pointwork here as part of the plan for a permanent return of services to the original terminus in Wolverhampton.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 3 Comments

Trams for Bristol?

Posted on Friday 27 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

Over the 23 years that this website has been in existence there are several subjects which keep coming up and then disappearing again, and one of those is trams for Bristol and the West and England. And its back on the agenda, or at least the concept of mass transit to link to the airport which could include trams or light rail. Its all come out as part of the West of England Transport Vision, recently unveiled by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

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Picture in Time: Paisley 68 & Blackpool 49

Posted on Friday 27 February 2026 by Gareth Prior

Back to Crich again for another edition of “Picture in Time” and its still 1984.

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