NET track replacement work completed on time

Posted on Tuesday 16 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

Services on Nottingham Express Transit resumed normal operation from the start of service on Monday 15th February following the completion of the track replacement work at Lace Market. As previously reported on British Trams Online NET services were split in two for three days whilst this work took place which saw the rails on the sharp curve leading from Victoria Street to Middle Hill replaced over 12 years of constant use. In addition the paved area around the tramstop was also improved. The work was undertaken by VolkerRail who have previously been involved in both Manchester and Sheffield.

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 1 Comment

Delays after car and tram collide at Exchange Quay

Posted on Tuesday 16 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

There have been more delays on Manchester Metrolink after a car collided with a tram close to Exchange Quay on the Eccles line. The collision took place at a road crossing which is controlled by traffic lights on Tuesday 16th February with all trams suspended between Piccadilly and MediaCityUK for around an hour at the start of the evening rush hour. A double unit led by 3065 was involved in the collision and no serious injuries were reported.

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Picture in Time: Docklands Light Railway

Posted on Sunday 14 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

We are off to the Docklands Light Railway for only the second time in Picture in Time with an image taken of the then fairly new system in 1988.

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Posted in Docklands Light Railway, Picture in Time | 1 Comment

In Pictures: M5000 3110 into service as 3111 arrives

Posted on Saturday 13 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

The Manchester Metrolink fleet of M5000s has increased again, both with those now operational and those actually in Manchester. 3110 has now carried its first passengers having arrived in the city back on 23rd January whilst on 13th February 3111 became the latest of the trams to arrive at Queen’s Road Depot having made the trip across from Germany.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 7 Comments

Crich Tramway Village gets a ten from Len!

Posted on Saturday 13 February 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Crich Tramway Village has featured in a recent episode of the BBC1 daytime television series, Len Goodman’s Holiday of a Lifetime. The series shows the Strictly Come Dancing judge accompany minor celebrities as they re-live fond memories of times spent at various destinations around the British Isles, and a recent edition featured Crich as part of a trip to Derbyshire.

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Wheel woes for Wallasey 78

Posted on Saturday 13 February 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Since the launch of Liverpool 245 into passenger service last September, members of the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society have turned their attentions to Wallasey 78 which has been lifted from its truck for an overhaul. Unfortunately, this has revealed a few unforseen problems which have pushed up the costs of getting this tram back into running order.

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Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway | 1 Comment

Pensioners go free in Blackpool

Posted on Friday 12 February 2016 by Andrew Waddington

The debate of whether local senior citizens in possession of a NOW card should be entitled to free travel on the Blackpool tramway has often appeared on this website since the tramway’s modernisation, but it now looks like the topic has taken a surprising turn. Despite various threats of cost-cutting, Lancashire County Council have announced that NOW cards will be accepted on the Blackpool tramway.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 13 Comments

Marton 31 & Standard 147 swap places for 2016!

Posted on Friday 12 February 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Beamish Museum and Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours have joined forces to announce a very exciting arrangement which will be of mutual benefit, involving a temporary swap between two of their most popular trams. Beamish resident Marton Box 31 is set to return to Blackpool for the 2016 season, whilst in return, Standard 147 will be loaned to Beamish.

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Posted in Beamish Tramway, Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

Battery operated trams to run on Midland Metro

Posted on Friday 12 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

In a first for the UK it has been revealed that cutting edge battery technology will enable certain sections of future Midland Metro extensions to be constructed without overhead wires. Often one of the major objections received to the construction of tram lines through historic areas is the supposed unsightliness of the overhead wires and support so the development of this technology will change some of these anti-tram opinions.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 13 Comments

Luas workers go on strike

Posted on Friday 12 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

The Luas tram system in Dublin is coming towards the end of a two day strike with no services having operated on either Thursday 11th and Friday 12th February. The strike was called by the Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union (Siptu) as part of an ongoing dispute over pay.

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More tickets available on get me there

Posted on Friday 12 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

More tickets have been launched on get me there – the mobile ticketing app for transport in Greater Manchester – with passengers travelling on Manchester Metrolink now able to purchase single and return stop-to-stop tickets and a 28 day stop-to-stop travelcard without having to use the ticket machines.

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A new look for the illuminated Trawler

Posted on Wednesday 10 February 2016 by Andrew Waddington

Trawler 737 may not be the most striking of Blackpool’s famous illuminated trams, but the tram looks set to become much more eye-catching thanks to a makeover funded by Lofthouses, whose Fisherman’s Friend brand has been advertised on the car since it debuted in 2001. The Trawler is of course based on the iconic brand logo and it is pleasing that its sponsors are continuing to support the tram as their contribution to both the annual ‘lights’ spectacle and the heritage tram fleet.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 4 Comments

Picture in Time: Liverpool 166

Posted on Wednesday 10 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

We head back into the 1950s for the latest Picture in Time instalment and we feature a tram which is sadly no longer with us – Liverpool 166.

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A capital visitor for East Anglia?

Posted on Tuesday 9 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

A tantalising hint of what may be coming at the East Anglia Transport Museum in 2016 has been revealed on their new website with the possibility of a visiting London tram appearing at the London Event at the start of July. No further details have been released on just which tram may be making its furthest journey east ever but even the mention that it may happen is sure to get some enthusiasts eager to find out more.

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Posted in East Anglia Transport Museum | 5 Comments

Guaranteed outings for MER 1 and 2 in 2016

Posted on Tuesday 9 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

For the first time visitors to the Manx Electric Railway will be able to almost guarantee (subject to the usual caveats) a ride on one of the world’s oldest trams still running on their original system with either 1 or 2 set to be diagrammed to operate a return trip between Derby Castle and Ramsey when the main season Timetable D is in use. This is just one of the improvements in the Manx Electric Railway service in 2016 announced by Isle of Man Railways in the release of the timetables on their three systems for this year.

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Posted in Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway | 2 Comments

Tram derailed after car crashes into side

Posted on Monday 8 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

Dramatic footage has appeared on the internet of the moment a tram was derailed in Croydon Town Centre following a car crashing into its side at high speed. The collision happened shortly before 2200 on Sunday 7th February at the junction of Station Road and Wellesley Road during torrential rain as Storm Imogen struck the south of England.

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Posted in London Trams | 13 Comments

Nottingham Express Transit recognises Notts County legends

Posted on Monday 8 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

After a break the namings of Nottingham Express Transit Citadis trams has resumed with 226 the latest to receive a name – with Notts County FC legends Jimmy Sirrel and Jack Wheeler honoured. This should help to redress the balance somewhat following on from the naming of Incentro 215 Brian Clough who is of course connected with County’s city rivals Nottingham Forest.

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Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 3 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 7 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

More photos for you this week as part of our main update:

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Picture in Time: South Yorkshire Supertram 15

Posted on Sunday 7 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

Our latest modern tram to be featured in Picture in Time comes from the system now known as Stagecoach Supertram but in this image from 1995 it was still just plain old South Yorkshire Supertram.

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Trams for the Isle of Wight?

Posted on Friday 5 February 2016 by Gareth Prior

A report into the future of the Island Line on the Isle of Wight – currently part of the South West Trains railway franchise – has suggested that the best option could be that it is converted to become a tramway using second hand trams. The report – commissioned by Isle of Wight Council as part of the consultation into the new South West Trains franchise which is due to start next year – was prepared by transport expert Christopher Garnett and looked at all ways that the line could be made more self sufficient.

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Posted in General | 13 Comments