723: from scruffy to shiny!

Posted on Monday 7 March 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Welcome news from the Blackpool Heritage Trust is that Blackpool Balloon 723 has recently been admitted to the Paint Shop for a full repaint. The tram was re-activated as an extra attraction for last year’s 130th anniversary weekend, following the removal of its previous advertising vinyls for the Sands Venue. This exposed the green and cream livery beneath, but the removal of the vinyls unsurprisingly caused some paintwork damage.

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Good Friday gets even better in Blackpool

Posted on Sunday 6 March 2016 by Andrew Waddington

When the 2016 operating dates for Blackpool’s heritage tram service were first announced, Good Friday was a surprising omission. However, this has now changed for the better as an amended ‘blue’ timetable will now run on this day. The amendment involves a later start time than usual, allowing the trams in service to stay out later to allow for a very special treat to kick off the Easter excitement!

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In Pictures: Blackpool 147 enters service at Beamish

Posted on Sunday 6 March 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Saturday 5th March saw Blackpool Standard 147 make its debut in passenger service at Beamish Museum, just seven days after it last operated in Blackpool. In between the two the tram has endured a rather prolonged and eventful road journey – but in spite of this, the tram was ready to meet its adoring public at its new temporary home for their first enhanced transport weekend of 2016.

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Another M5000 arrives in Manchester

Posted on Sunday 6 March 2016 by Gareth Prior

M5000 3112 has arrived in Manchester with the tram being delivered to Queen’s Road Depot on Saturday 5th March. Upon arrival – shortly after midday – the tram was unloaded and moved into the workshops where initial commissioning will take place ahead of mileage accumulation and then eventual entry into service. With 3112 now in Manchester there are only a further eight M5000s currently on order due to be make the trip across from Germany.

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 4 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 6 March 2016 by Gareth Prior

Three more Photo Galleries for you this week as part of the main site update:

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Picture in Time: Midland Metro 03

Posted on Sunday 6 March 2016 by Gareth Prior

Picture in Time today heads to the West Midlands for a view dated to 2000 of Midland Metro T69 03.

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In Pictures: Rare trams in the open at Crich

Posted on Friday 4 March 2016 by Gareth Prior

As part of the continued preparations for the 2016 season at the Crich Tramway Village – home of the National Tramway Museum – work on the depot roof saw it necessary to extract all vehicles on road 4 of the main depot. Regular visitors to Crich will know that this is the road which is mainly used to store works vehicles (both operational and stored) but is also home to the longest single decker in the national collection: Grimsby & Immingham 14.

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Earlier trams for Manchester Airport

Posted on Friday 4 March 2016 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink services to the Airport will start running at 0300 from Monday 21st March to help staff working on the early shift which starts at 0400. The first extra early trams will depart Firswood at 0300 arriving at the Airport by 0340; in plenty of time for staff needing to start work.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 4 Comments

NET set to celebrate 12 years with discounted travel

Posted on Friday 4 March 2016 by Gareth Prior

Wednesday 9th March marks the 12th anniversary of the opening of Nottingham Express Transit and the network will be celebrating the event with special offers, giveaways and activities to mark the occasion.

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Midland Metro gains ISO 9001 accreditation

Posted on Friday 4 March 2016 by Gareth Prior

Midland Metro have been awarded the ISO 9001 accreditation, an internationally respected certification which recognises high-quality operations and maintenance procedures.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Trouble for Tramlink after fallen tree

Posted on Friday 4 March 2016 by Gareth Prior

London Tramlink services were unable to run through to Elmers End on Wednesday 2nd March after a fallen tree temporarily blocked the line. Services from Therapia Lane and West Croydon bound for Elmers End were terminating at Arena whilst the engineers attended the scene to remove the tree from the overhead.

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In Pictures: Trailer 681 leaves Fleetwood

Posted on Thursday 3 March 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Last week we reported the exciting news that Blackpool Trailer 681 had been moved from the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust’s storage compound to undercover storage at Rigby Road, having been repatriated by the Blackpool Heritage Trust to be reunited with its long-term coupled partner, 671. We can now bring readers some more pictures showing 681 leaving Fleetwood.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 11 Comments

Standard 147 runs at Beamish

Posted on Thursday 3 March 2016 by Andrew Waddington

After finally arriving at Beamish Museum on 2nd March following a long and eventful road journey from its home town, no time has been wasted in preparing Blackpool Standard car 147 in its temporary new home. The following day, the tram operated on the main line at Beamish – marking the very first time it had ever run on a tramway other than Blackpool.

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An epic journey concludes for Standard 147

Posted on Wednesday 2 March 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The road journey from Blackpool to Beamish by Standard 147 finally reached its conclusion on the morning of Wednesday 2nd March, when the tram finally arrived at the North East museum. Once unloaded, Marton 31 was then placed on the same low loader for its own journey to Blackpool, which was completed significantly more quickly and the tram is now safely housed inside the Rigby Road car sheds.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Brush 634

Posted on Wednesday 2 March 2016 by Gareth Prior

Last time we were in Blackpool for Picture in Time we featured Brush Railcoach 634 in 1972 and it is the same tram which we take a look at again today; this time we are in 2009 and it is about to depart Blackpool for what we all presumed would be forever…

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T69 08 departs Wednesbury

Posted on Tuesday 1 March 2016 by Gareth Prior

Half of the T69s have now left Wednesbury Depot following the departure of 08 on Tuesday 1st March. The tram was collected by the familiar sight of a Allelys low loader to make the relatively short journey to Long Marston for further storage and potential future use.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 8 Comments

Gone four seven!

Posted on Tuesday 1 March 2016 by Andrew Waddington

On Monday 29th February, Blackpool Standard car 147 bid a temporary farewell to its seaside home, departing for a loan period at Beamish Museum. This marked the first time that 147 had left Blackpool since its return home in 2000 having spent many years in America, although this time around its absence should last months rather than decades!

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Posted in Beamish Tramway, Blackpool Tramway | 7 Comments

Update on the Trawler

Posted on Sunday 28 February 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The overhaul work on Blackpool’s illuminated Trawler 737 is continuing to make good progress. The tram has been residing in the Paint Shop for the last few weeks, and its repaint is now virtually complete with the car now looking immaculate again in its familiar black, white and red livery.

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Boating in February!

Posted on Sunday 28 February 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The second ‘Winter Gold’ heritage tram running weekend in Blackpool took place over the weekend of 27th & 28th February, once again putting a fine selection of historic trams to work on the tramway. For many, the highlight – and certainly the most unusual event of the weekend – was the surprise use of Open Boat 230 on both days, surely the earliest in a year that a Boat car has ever been used in public service!?

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Blackpool’s award winning heritage trams!

Posted on Sunday 28 February 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours were presented with a special trophy at the Blackpool Civic Trust Awards, held on the evening of Friday 26th February in the Paradise Room at the Pleasure Beach. This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the incredible progress that has been made in the last twelve months to develop the heritage trams as one of Blackpool’s most valuable attractions, much of which has been achieved by dedicated volunteers.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 3 Comments