2565 completes Tramlink Stadler order

Posted on Monday 10 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

Sunday 9th October saw the twelfth Stadler Variobahn arrive at London Tramlink’s Therapia Lane Depot completing the order (for a third time!). 2565 was delivered during the morning and was unloaded and moved into the workshops where it will now start the commissioning process. The delivery of this tram comes just two weeks after 2564 arrived in Croydon – a tram which has now started test running – and completes the process of deliveries from Stadler which started back in January 2012 with 2554. It remains to be seen whether any more of this class of tram is ordered but for now it is a nice round dozen for Tramlink.

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In Pictures: Steampunk at Crich

Posted on Monday 10 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

It was Steampunk Day at Crich on Saturday 8th October, a day which also marked the exact 56th anniversary since the last original tram ran in Sheffield. The actual event saw Steampunks – who aim to take the very best parts of the past and make them part of a bright future – at the museum with market stalls, tea duelling and some wonderful Steampunk costumes. Meanwhile Sheffield 510 was in service to commemorate the closure of Sheffield Corporation Tramways and was joined by London United Tramways 159 in providing part of the service. In this small pictorial update we take a look at the event plus 510 and 159 in service along with views of the latest progress on London County Council 1. Photos from Hazel Quarmby.

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Posted in National Tramway Museum | 4 Comments

In Pictures: 17 finally enters service on Midland Metro

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

Having been in the UK for almost three years the oldest Urbos 3 has finally entered service on Midland Metro. 17 was used in passenger service for the very first time as one of the evening peak extras on Tuesday 4th October and was then in use again the next day on a full day diagram.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

A new advert on Manchester Metrolink

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

After a short period of livery uniformity another M5000 has now received advertising vinyls on Manchester Metrolink. 3117 is the latest tram to be covered in a vinyl wrap with the sponsor being Manchester College, and yes it does feature extensive use of contravision. Mainly green with sections also in white the advert is publicising The Manchester College where you can “be amazing”. This is the first all over advert that 3117 has carried and is also the highest numbered tram yet on Metrolink to run in non-fleet livery.

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 3 Comments

Blackpool Brush 636 on the move again

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

Blackpool Brush Railcoach 636 has been on the move again with it returning to Stored Energy Technology in Derby having spent the past couple of months at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway where it has been used for testing. The return to Derby is only expected to be temporary with 636 requiring further modifications before the tests can continue.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Sheffield tram-train project work continues

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

It may seem to be the project which has been progressing at a snail’s pace but work is underway on the necessary construction work needed for the introduction of the Sheffield to Rotherham tram-train service which it is hoped may be up and running at some point in 2017. In this photo update – courtesy of Glyn Hill – we take a look at some recent shots of the stage various sections of the project has now reached.

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Midland Metro Alliance apply for Birmingham Eastside extension TWAO

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

Plans to extend Midland Metro from Bull Street to Digbeth – the Birmingham Eastside extension – have moved a step forward following the application by the Midland Metro Alliance, on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), for a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO). This short 1.05 mile line would serve the proposed HS2 station at Curzon Street and is planned to open in 2023.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 3 Comments

Mayor to press ahead with another DLR extension?

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

The expansion of the Docklands Light Railway has stalled in recent years but the new Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has now announced that he intends to approve an extension across the Thames from Gallions Reach to Thamesmead to support the growth of business and housing in East and South East London.

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Posted in Docklands Light Railway | 1 Comment

Everyone’s a winner at Light Rail Awards

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

Well not quite everyone but it does seem a lot of the UK’s tramways are celebrating wins at the recent Light Rail Awards! Edinburgh Trams, Manchester Metrolink, Midland Metro and Nottingham Express Transit have all been delighted to announce their wins this week although no UK tramway seems to have walked away with the big prize of Operator of the Year.

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Posted in Edinburgh Trams, Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Everyone’s a winner at Light Rail Awards

A new name for a new tram stop

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

Midland Metro’s Snow Hill tram stop is to be renamed St Chad’s from January 2017 to avoid confusion for passengers who alight wanting to access the adjacent railway station. The stop opened in May as part of the Metro extension to Grand Central and although you can see the railway station from the stop there is no access with any rail passengers having to work back alongside the tramway towards the city centre – almost to Bull Street which is now considered the best stop for Birmingham Snow Hill railway station.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 5 Comments

Crich prepares to be illuminated for the Starlight Spectacular

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

We may be approaching the end of another season of operation at the Crich Tramway Village but that doesn’t mean there isn’t time for another special event with final preparations now underway for the Starlight Spectacular event which takes place between Monday 24th and Saturday 29th October. During the event there will be special lighting effects in place and there will be the rare chance to ride on a tram through the Derbyshire countryside after dark.

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Collisions in Croydon and Nottingham

Posted on Sunday 9 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

Thursday 6th October was a bad day for collisions on our tramways with both Nottingham Express Transit and London Tramlink suffering delays following incidents which saw trams collide with road vehicles. The first incident was shortly before 0900 outside Nottingham Trent University and saw Citadis 236 hit by a van causing damage to the side can window. Minor delays were suffered as the tram was returned to depot for repairs. Then at around 1700 down in Croydon a white Audi collided with CR4000 2553 close to Sandilands tramstop. This caused the service to be suspended between East Croydon and Sandilands at the height of the evening rush hour. In both incidents no injuries were reported.

Posted in London Trams, Nottingham Express Transit | 1 Comment

The Trawler sails again!

Posted on Friday 7 October 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool’s illuminated Trawler 737 has finally made its long-awaited return to service following a thorough overhaul. The tram made its first appearance on the promenade for nearly two years on Thursday 6th October, when it was unveiled to its main sponsors Lofthouse’s, the makers of the famous Fisherman’s Friend products which of course bear the trawler image which inspired the tram’s design.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 19 Comments

More progress towards North Station

Posted on Friday 7 October 2016 by Andrew Waddington

It is pleasing to report that the Secretary of State for Transport has decided that it will not be necessary to hold an inquiry or public hearing in regard of the application for the proposed tramway extension to North Station via Talbot Road. The application submitted has satisfied the powers that be, that the written representations procedure will adequately cover the objections which have been received, and it is felt that the case for the extension is strong enough to proceed to the next stage in the decision-making process.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 5 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Wednesday 5 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

More midweek tram action for you as we bring you our extensive photographic coverage from the Blackpool Anniversary Spectacular:

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Site News | 1 Comment

It’s here! 3120 arrives in Manchester

Posted on Sunday 2 October 2016 by Gareth Prior

The full fleet of 120 M5000 trams are now in Manchester following the arrival of the last of the Bombardier built trams at Queen’s Road Depot at around 1130 on Saturday 1st October. The arrival of 3120 brings an end to a little over seven years of regular deliveries of the class with 3001 having been delivered back on 13th July 2009. As things stand at the moment this completes the order however rumours persist that more may be forthcoming although currently nothing official has been announced regarding this.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 6 Comments

Event Review: Blackpool Anniversary Spectacular

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Over the weekend of 24th and 25th September the Blackpool Tramway celebrated its 131st anniversary in style with an Anniversary Spectacular which saw an intensive tram service in operation alongside depot tours and tram displays at Rigby Road Depot. This review of the event actually starts on Friday 23rd September when a special afternoon heritage service ran.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Event Reviews | 3 Comments

Trawler launch tour announced for 7th October

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Its been a long time coming, but the much-anticipated return to service of the illuminated Trawler 737 in Blackpool is now just a few days away. With the major refurbishment of the tram now nearly complete, it has been confirmed that it will be operating two very special tours on the evening of Friday 7th October to celebrate its re-launch.

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Don’t Forget! Wirral Bus & Tram Show 2016

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

The annual Wirral Bus & Tram Show 2016 will take place on Sunday 2nd October with the Birkenhead Heritage Tramway once again at the centre of the event with a four car service using up to six trams in operation between 1000 and 1700.

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It’s coming – 3120 departs Vienna

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

3120 – the last of the current order of Bombardier M5000s – is on its way to Manchester having left Vienna on Tuesday 27th September with its arrival at Queen’s Road Depot expected in the usual lunchtime slot on Saturday 1st October. The tram will be delivered over seven years since the first of the class arrived in July 2009, a seven years which has seen the major expansion of the Metrolink network and the eradication of the original T68 trams.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 2 Comments