A blast from the past at Heaton Park

Posted on Friday 8 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

An old operating practice is set to return on the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester on Saturday 9th May, when due to an event taking place in the park, trams will terminate at the location often referred to as ‘Old Lakeside’. This was the former tramway terminus before the short extension across the road to the boating lake was opened a few years ago.

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Heritage trams stretch their wheels even more!

Posted on Friday 8 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

The good news keeps coming from Blackpool Transport’s heritage tram team, who have continued to make improvements to the service that is offered by the traditional tram fleet remaining in Blackpool. Their latest amendment concerns the blue timetable, whilst a seperate announcement has revealed that heritage trams will be running to Starr Gate for the first time this year on Sunday 21st June.

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Going for a ride…

Posted on Thursday 7 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

It’s Thursday evening which means it is once again time for us to round-up just when and where you can enjoy a ride on a heritage tram in the UK. The main highlight over the next seven days is the return of the horse trams to Douglas from Monday 11th May – a season we didn’t expect to see…

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B Fleet Balloons run on split service in Blackpool

Posted on Wednesday 6 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

As reported previously, filming for a new feature film in Blackpool is causing chaos for the town’s transport services, with disruption to the tramway over three consecutive days, with a partial closure of the promenade enforced between 0700 and 1500. Whilst the return of the unpopular split service was no doubt cursed by the travelling public, it did have one positive side for tram enthusiasts – the use of members of the ‘B Fleet’ in ordinary passenger service.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 12 Comments

Picture in Time: Dudley, Stourbridge & District Electric Tramways 5

Posted on Wednesday 6 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

The latest tram to feature in our “Picture in Time” series is Dudley, Stourbridge & District Electric Tramways 5 a tram which for many years was the mainstay of the service at the Black County Living Museum but in more recent times has been sent to Wales for an extensive restoration.

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Posted in Black Country Living Museum, Picture in Time | 1 Comment

A golden May Day in Blackpool

Posted on Wednesday 6 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

The second spell of operation for Blackpool’s newly improved heritage tram service occurred over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend, providing enthusiasts, tourists and local residents alike with another chance to enjoy a large number of historic trams in action together. Experience and feedback gained over Easter had been used to make a few tweaks to the gold service which ran on two of the three days, with detailed timetables published in advance to help visitors get the best out of the six car heritage service.

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This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Monday 4 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

We have a bumper update for you this Bank Holiday weekend with six new Photo Galleries, updates to another gallery and updates to several Fleet Lists:

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Tramlink welcome the first of the second batch of Variotrams

Posted on Monday 4 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

London Tramlink are now the proud owners of seven Stadler Variotrams following the delivery of the first of second batch of the trams at the Therapia Lane Depot. 2560 was delivered during the early hours of Monday 4th May having made the journey from Stadler’s plant in Berlin, Germany.

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Picture in Time: Manchester Metrolink 1003

Posted on Monday 4 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

As we continue our Picture in Time series today we are back on Manchester Metrolink with the featured tram being a vehicle which has been in the news recently – 1003.

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In Pictures: Stagecoach Supertram Rail Replacement update

Posted on Monday 4 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

The first phase of rail replacement works on Stagecoach Supertram for 2015 is now drawing to a close with only a few days now left before it should be completed. In the lead up to the end concentration has been moved to the section of track just before Shalesmoor stop where approximately 200 yards of rail was in the process of being replaced at the end of April. Photos showing some of the work are provided courtesy of Stuart Cooke.

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More new adverts appear in Blackpool

Posted on Sunday 3 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Two more members of Blackpool’s modern Flexity2 class have recently received new advertisements, although unlike the recent treatment of car 016 these are merely side panel banner adverts rather than full vinyl wraps. Both cars 005 and 013 now feature advertising for ‘Stayblackpool.com’ on one side only, whilst retaining their previous adverts on the opposite side.

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In Pictures: A day of ups and downs in the Crich workshop

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

Saturday 2nd May might have been the first day of a new three day event at Crich Tramway Village entitled ‘Bands at Crich’, but arguably the most important events of this day actually took place in the workshop and the depot yard. On this date the overhaul of Liverpool 869 took a major step towards completion, whilst two other trams were lifted for attention.

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Welcome back 715!

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Andrew Waddington

The May Day Bank Holiday weekend got off to a fantastic start in Blackpool on Saturday, with the return to service of Balloon 715 following workshop attention. The tram had last run on the tramway on 6th November 2011 on hire to the Fylde Tramway Society – and therefore it was highly appropriate that its return was marked with another tour for the same organisation.

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More Urbos 3s enter service on Midland Metro

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

The last week of April has seen a further two Urbos 3 trams enter service on Midland Metro bringing the total number of this class of tram available for service to 13. The latest two trams to enter service have been 28 and 29 with the former being seen for the first time on Tuesday 28th April and 29 on Wednesday 29th April. The continued improvement in reliability of the CAF built trams does of course have a knock on effect for the outgoing T69s with only four now available for service and only used sparingly.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Plans to be revealed for new Seaton Terminus

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

Friday 8th May will give members of the public their first chance to see the plans for the new Seaton Tramway terminus with a public exhibition taking place at Seaton Town Hall between 1200 and 1600. The contemporary design is set to replace the Edwardian style ticket office built in 1996 and should be completed by spring 2016.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Marton Vambac 15

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

Today our latest Picture in Time image goes back to Blackpool with a view of a tram which is no longer in existence – Marton VAMBAC 15.

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Book Review: An Illustrated History of the Midland Metro T69 Trams

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

Sometimes when you get a new book it is very difficult to put it down and that is exactly the case with Andrew Coward’s new book “An Illustrated History of the Midland Metro T69 Trams” which as the title should suggest to you takes a look at the original Midland Metro trams as they come to the end of their initial operating careers.

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Funding approved for Metrolink Trafford Centre line

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

The Trafford Centre extension on Manchester Metrolink has moved a step closer following the confirmation by Greater Manchester councils of the £300 million funding required to build the line. Detailed designs of the route will now be confirmed ahead of a full inquiry into the plans, it is then hoped that work on constructing the line will be able to start in 2016.

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Another threat of strike action on the DLR

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

For the second time this year workers on the Docklands Light Railway are to be balloted over strike action as a result of two ongoing disputes. The RMT are balloting their members over pay and conditions and this includes both staff who are directly employed by the Docklands Light Railway and also those employed by facilities company Interserve. Mick Cash, the RMT General Secretary, commented: “The union will not sit back while core issues on pay and working conditions are left unresolved. Our reps are in no doubt that we need to send a clear message to management that staff are prepared to fight to demand decent rewards and recognition, a safe working environment, decent working conditions and will not be forced into accepting inferior pay arrangements.” The results of the ballot will be revealed on 12th May.

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Shaw and Crompton Park and Ride site expands

Posted on Saturday 2 May 2015 by Gareth Prior

The Park and Ride site at Shaw and Crompton on the Oldham and Rochdale Metrolink line has expanded with an extra 46 parking spaces now available to passengers. The original car park here had 44 parking spaces but an extra site was obtained by Oldham Council to allow for this expansion to take place.

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 10 Comments