Midland Metro service change: Sunday 2nd October

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Bull Street will again be the terminus for Midland Metro services heading into Birmingham on Sunday 2nd October between approximately 1030 and 1500. This is due to the TUC march taking place in Birmingham City Centre and the resulting road closures.

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

Manchester Metrolink Metrolink closure: 1st and 2nd October

Posted on Friday 30 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Safety critical maintenance work will be taking place between Altrincham and Timperley on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October causing Metrolink services to be suspended between these stops. Trams will not run from Altrincham to Timperley from 2355 on Saturday 1st until approximately 1400 on Sunday 2nd October with a replacement bus service in operation instead. A normal service will run on the rest of the Metrolink network throughout the weekend.

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399 205 delivered to Sheffield

Posted on Thursday 29 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

The Tram-Trains may not have turned a wheel in anger as yet but on Monday 26th September the fifth of seven vehicles being built for use on Stagecoach Supertram was delivered to Nunnery Depot. The arrival of 399 205 means there are just two more to arrive in South Yorkshire and these are expected to be delivered by the end of the year. The vehicles are still mainly confined to depot and it is not believed that any have found their way onto the mainline during daylight hours as yet.

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 2 Comments

2564 arrives in Croydon

Posted on Thursday 29 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

The first of the extra two Stadler Variobahn’s for London Tramlink arrived at Therapia Lane on Sunday 25th September. 2564 was transported from Stadler’s plant in Berlin via Harwich before arriving at its new home where it will now start the commissioning and testing process ahead of entering service. This is the eleventh Stadler to be built for Tramlink and the last of the current order – 2565 – will follow in the coming months.

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Blackpool 272 catches fire during Anniversary Spectacular

Posted on Thursday 29 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

On Saturday 24th September shortly before midday Blackpool Twin Car 272+T2 suffered a fire whilst operating a heritage tour from Pleasure Beach to Little Bispham. The fire broke out as the tram was on the climb between Gynn Square and Cliffs Hotel with all passengers from both the motor and trailer being evacuated promptly before the Fire Service attended the scene.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Centenary 645

Posted on Sunday 25 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Our latest trip to the archives heads to Blackpool as we take a look at one of the many advertising liveries carried by the Centenary Cars over the years. With Nottingham Express Transit 206 having recently received vinyls for Jet2.com we thought it was an apt time to look at Blackpool Centenary 645 when it too carried vinyls for the same sponsor.

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Welcome home to the Hovertram!

Posted on Thursday 22 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Following on from the surprise return of Blackpool Balloon car 708 to Blackpool on Wednesday 21st September, the following day saw an even more exciting return in the unmistakable shape of the illuminated Hovertram 735. As previously announced, this tram has come home on a long-term loan from the North Eastern Electrical Trust having spent the last few years at their Sunderland premises.

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Blackpool’s anniversary weekend expands

Posted on Thursday 22 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

A late addition to the planned events for Blackpool’s tramway anniversary spectacular event, is a day of extra heritage tram operation on Friday 23rd September. A two-car heritage service will operate between Pleasure Beach and Tower/North Pier every twenty minutes from 1400 to 1800. As usual, illumination tours will also run during the evening and heritage day tickets will be valid on both day and night tours, representing superb value for money.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

In Pictures: Tramlink 2537’s Turkish Airlines advert

Posted on Thursday 22 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Back in August we reported on a new advert livery for Turkish Airlines on London Tramlink 2537 and now we can show you an image of this latest vinyl wrap livery. Over the past few years the application of advert liveries has been a controversial one with the use of contravision over the windows but this latest livery proves that it isn’t necessary as there isn’t a single piece of contravision! Retaining its standard livery on each end the tram features images of Turkey on the body.

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Posted in London Trams | 7 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Wednesday 21 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Another Photo Gallery for you this week – there may only be one but it is extensive coverage from Tram Day at Crich:

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Trams on the move from NELSAM

Posted on Wednesday 21 September 2016 by Andrew Waddington

On Wednesday 21st September, initial preparations were made at the North East Land, Sea & Air Museum (NELSAM) at Sunderland, to remove the illuminated Hovertram 735 from their storage depot for its journey by road back to Blackpool for an extended loan period, as was announced earlier in the year. However, this task was complicated by the fact that two other Blackpool trams were positioned in front of it – meaning that both had to be moved out of the way first.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Heaton Park Tramway, North Eastern Electrical Transport Trust | 7 Comments

Your Heritage Tramways need you!

Posted on Wednesday 21 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

If our recent coverage of the issues which have affected the Heaton Park Tramway tells us one thing it is just how much our heritage tramways rely on volunteers. Unfortunately as free time becomes more of a commodity and with more and more calls on people’s time all volunteer led organisations – not only tramways – are finding they are relying more and more on the same individuals, something which affects the events and services which can be offered to the paying public. Although Heaton Park have been hit by this problem on a more high profile basis than elsewhere it should be noted that on several occasions this year Crich have only been able to operate a two tram service (instead of the advertised three) whilst other organisations also seem to rely on a limited pool of individuals. In this article we take a look at a few of the organisations who are always on the lookout for volunteers and how you can become part of the team.

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Posted in Heaton Park Tramway, National Tramway Museum, Seaton Tramway | 1 Comment

John & Fletcher retire from Douglas Bay Horse Tramway

Posted on Wednesday 21 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

We often report on trams being withdrawn from service but rarely do we run a story on when horses are retired from active duty – until now! Recently two of the trammers who are the key to the success of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway have been retired to the Isle of Man Home of Rest for Old Horses – John and Fletcher have both made the trip across from Summer Hill Stables where they will now have a relaxing life without having to worry about keeping to timetable anymore.

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Service changes ahead for NET

Posted on Wednesday 21 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Two events taking place in Nottingham over the next few weeks will see changes to Nottingham Express Transit services. Both the Robin Hood Half Marathon (Sunday 25th September) and the Goose Fair (Wednesday 5th to Sunday 9th October) will see service amendments in place.

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Heaton Park Tramway – A clarification

Posted on Tuesday 20 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

In our recent news article on the forthcoming closure of the Heaton Park Tramway we may have suggested that the tramway was due to be open to the public throughout the winter; this was not the intention. The tramway was always due to be closed from December 2016 until February 2017 but the closure period has been extended to include all of November and the early part of December to enable the works to take place ahead of the 2017 season. The closure period has also meant that the previously planned Autumn Gala has now been cancelled. We apologise for any confusion the original article may have caused.

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway, Site News | 1 Comment

In Pictures: New advert for NET 206

Posted on Tuesday 20 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit Incentro 206 has recently received new advertising vinyls for Jet2.com, replacing the previous long standing advert for e-on. The tram has retained its red base but has been covered in vinyls for Jet2.com – and we mean covered – with extensive use of contravision on the windows. This is the second advert livery that 206 has carried in Nottingham.

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Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 1 Comment

Taking coals to Newcastle…

Posted on Saturday 17 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Well a Coal Tram to Beamish anyway! The latest acquisition for the tram fleet at Beamish – Oporto Coal Tram C65 – has now arrived at its new home following its transfer from Crich. C65 was spotted outside the depot at Beamish on Friday 16th September having completed its road trip from Crich earlier in the week.

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Metrolink suspended after storm

Posted on Friday 16 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Tuesday 13th September was a bad night for Manchester Metrolink following a major storm which saw lightning strikes on two substations and flooding in the city centre. At one stage all lines were completely suspended but as the evening progressed services started to resume on most lines although both the Altrincham and Bury lines remained suspended throughout the evening.

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Consultation launched on future of Supertram

Posted on Friday 16 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) are to launch a consultation on the future of the Supertram network from 19th September to “help shape long-term plans for the system”. It is hoped to find out what people think of Supertram, how the network could be developed or improved and how services could fit with other transport.

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Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | 8 Comments

In Pictures: 3119 enters service in Manchester

Posted on Friday 16 September 2016 by Gareth Prior

Whilst we still await the delivery of the last of current order of Manchester Metrolink M5000’s the penultimate arrival – 3119 – has now entered service. The tram was first noted in passenger use on Wednesday 14th September running on the Shaw & Crompton to East Didsbury service. Steve Kemp provided us with these photos from its second day of use.

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