General support for Tramlink Dingwall Road loop

Posted on Friday 16 October 2015 by Gareth Prior

The results of the latest round of consultation for the proposal to construct a new loop line in Croydon Town Centre has been released with over three quarters of those who responded being in support of the line. The extension would leave the current line heading westbound at George Street running along Dingwall Road and then onto Landsdowne Road where a new stop would be constructed. Trams would then rejoin the current line on Wellesley Road enabling them to return east.

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And another award for Metrolink’s Airport line

Posted on Friday 16 October 2015 by Gareth Prior

Three awards in four weeks isn’t too bad is it? Well that is exactly what has happened for the Manchester Metrolink extension to the Airport which is now celebrating the award for Major Civil Engineering Project of the Year (over £50m) at the British Construction Industry Awards.

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Crich win at the Derbyshire Heritage Awards

Posted on Friday 16 October 2015 by Gareth Prior

Award season is continuing with the latest organisation to be rewarded being Crich Tramway Village who were given awards at the recent Derbyshire Heritage Awards. The awards were in the Young People in Heritage category and were for Excellence and for the Young Persons Development Programme.

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In Pictures: Hull 96 on test

Posted on Thursday 15 October 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Hull 96 may have now entered service at the Heaton Park Tramway – but we are now moving very slightly back in time to eight days before the launch took place, when the immaculate tram completed its first test run along the full length of the tramway since restoration work began. The date was Saturday 3rd October, and we are pleased to bring you some images of 96‘s first test runs on this rather foggy day.

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Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 1 Comment

Going for a ride…

Posted on Thursday 15 October 2015 by Gareth Prior

We again turn our attention to just when and where you can enjoy a ride on a traditional tram in the British Isles and for the first time in what seems like ages there is no special event to look forward to this weekend. But as we are sure you are aware just because of that it doesn’t mean there isn’t anywhere you can go for a ride…

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NET Citadis 222 becomes Sam and Amy

Posted on Wednesday 14 October 2015 by Gareth Prior

The regular namings of the new Citadis trams on Nottingham Express Transit has continued with the latest example to receive a name being 222. The tram was named Sam and Amy at Clifton South on Monday 12th October as part of a joint campaign between NET and local radio station Gem 106 which is taking place over the next few months to promote the expanded network. Sam and Amy are the award winning breakfast show presenters on Gem 106.

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More winners revealed from Light Rail Awards

Posted on Wednesday 14 October 2015 by Gareth Prior

Following on from our report last week about the annual Light Rail Awards Manchester Metrolink – or more precisely Transport for Greater Manchester – have now confirmed that they too won two awards on the night and were highly commended in a third category. The two winning categories were for Project of the Year (over 50m euros) and Best Customer Initiative with a highly commended in the Project of the Year (under 50m euros).

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 3 Comments

Balloons by night

Posted on Tuesday 13 October 2015 by Andrew Waddington

As the illuminations season progresses and the nights become darker earlier, the potential number of illumination tours being operated in Blackpool grows. Saturday 10th October was a high point for the year so far with an impressive total of six different trams being used on tours, with the Balloon cars proving to be especially popular choices of late. Meanwhile the use of modified ‘B Fleet’ Balloons in normal service on a daily basis continues, generally utilising staff before they take out illuminated cars later in their shift.

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Picture in Time: Snaefell Mountain Railway 1 & 2

Posted on Tuesday 13 October 2015 by Gareth Prior

We are back across the Irish Sea on the Isle of Man for today’s Picture in Time image as we head to Laxey for an image of two of the trams used on the Snaefell Mountain Railway back in 1992.

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Hull 96 returns to service

Posted on Monday 12 October 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Two years of painstaking work undertaken largely by a small team of volunteers came to a satisfactory finale on Sunday 11th October, when Hull 96 was officially launched back into service at the Heaton Park Tramway. The tram had operated for several years in its later guise as Leeds 6 in a plain grey livery, including a three year stint of operation at Beamish Museum, and more recently it has received extensive renovation work resulting in it now looking better than it had at any previous time since being preserved.

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Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 9 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 11 October 2015 by Gareth Prior

This week we bring you another Photo Gallery from a special event with our coverage from the Wirral Bus and Tram Show:

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Picture in Time: Midland Metro 09, 15 and 06

Posted on Sunday 11 October 2015 by Gareth Prior

We are back on Midland Metro for the latest edition of Picture in Time for a view taken during the initial testing period and we see three trams all in one photo – 09, 15 and 06.

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3105 arrives and 3104 enters service on Metrolink

Posted on Sunday 11 October 2015 by Gareth Prior

Once again as the latest M5000 is delivered to Manchester the previous arrival enters service with Saturday 10th October being the milestone date this time around. 3105 was the tram to be delivered on the back of the low loader having made the journey from mainland Europe whilst on the same day 3104 was first noted in service being used on the Rochdale to Ashton-under-Lyne service.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Illuminated Trawler 633

Posted on Friday 9 October 2015 by Gareth Prior

This weeks Blackpool offering in Picture in Time continues our look at some of the Illuminated trams which have operated over the years with a view of the latest tram feature car to be constructed – Trawler 633 (as it was when this photo was taken)

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Edinburgh Trams named Operator of the Year at Light Rail Awards

Posted on Friday 9 October 2015 by Gareth Prior

The annual Light Rail Awards have taken place this week in London and the big winner of the night turned out to be Edinburgh Trams which walked away with the prestigious Operator of the Year accolade. Other systems to win awards included Nottingham Express Transit and the Manx Electric Railway.

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Edinburgh Trams inquiry starts

Posted on Friday 9 October 2015 by Gareth Prior

After months of preparation and debate the inquiry into the Edinburgh Trams project has opened with the first of the preliminary hearings taking place although it will be some time before any witnesses are called to give evidence. The Chairman of the inquiry is Lord Hardie and at the hearing he revealed that officials are now looking at six million documents related to the project showing the sheer scale of the inquiry.

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Leeds 602 legacy rejected – again!

Posted on Friday 9 October 2015 by Andrew Waddington

A recent announcement that the decision by the Board of Management at the Tramway Museum Society to reject a substantial donation to enable the restoration of the unique Leeds 602 was being reviewed, had been met with approval by the many enthusiasts who had felt that the original decision was a highly questionable one. Sadly however, the review has now been concluded and the outcome remains the same as before – the money for 602 will not be accepted and the tram will be conserved in its current form, rather than returned to running order.

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Posted in National Tramway Museum, Opinion | 17 Comments

Delays after collision between car and tram on Metrolink

Posted on Friday 9 October 2015 by Gareth Prior

It was a case of “what again?” as passengers wishing to travel to Manchester Airport during the Thursday 8th October evening rush hour faced delays after a collision between a car and a tram at Shadowmoss. The collision took place shortly after 1700 and although no injuries were reported on either vehicle damage was suffered to both car and tram and Metrolink services were suspended between Wythenshawe Town Centre and the Airport. Services resumed through to the Airport from approximately 1900.

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Going for a ride…

Posted on Thursday 8 October 2015 by Gareth Prior

So just where and when can you enjoy a ride on a traditional tram in the British Isles over the next week or so? Well this weekend sees another special event (for the fifth weekend in a row – well done if anyone has attended all five!) with the Heaton Park Tramway having a Hullova Day with the relaunch into service of Hull 96 (Sunday 11th October). Elsewhere the main operating season may be coming towards an end – just where has this year gone?! – but there are still 11 other tramways in England, the Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales where you can go can for a ride…

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Hull 96 launch preparations underway

Posted on Wednesday 7 October 2015 by Andrew Waddington

At Heaton Park in Manchester, final preparations are well underway for the return to service of Hull 96. As has often been mentioned on this website, the tram has been under overhaul for many months which has become the most extensive work undertaken on this tram since it was preserved, and all this hard work should pay off very soon when the car is launched into public service on Sunday 11th October.

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Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 3 Comments