Midland Metro Track Replacement update

Posted on Saturday 6 December 2014 by Gareth Prior

Midland Metro have announced that they are hoping to be able to resume services between Priestfield and The Royal from “around the 15th of this month” but no estimate of reopening through to Wolverhampton St Georges is currently being provided with extensive work still required. As you will be aware the line between Priestfield and Wolverhampton St Georges has been closed since the start of September for what was expected to be a 12 week track relay but the discovery of mine workings under the surface of Bilston Road has severely impacted on the completion of the work.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 4 Comments

Railgrinding to take place in Nottingham

Posted on Saturday 6 December 2014 by Gareth Prior

Railgrinding on the current Nottingham Express Transit line is to take place overnight between Monday 8th and Sunday 14th December. The work will start at Lace Market (8th/9th) before moving on to Noel Street (10th), Cinderhill branch line (11th), Wilkinson Street (13th) and Waverley Street (14th). It will take place between 2330 and 0500 each night to try and avoid disruption.

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In Pictures: Nottingham Express Transit Phase Two testing reaches ng2

Posted on Wednesday 3 December 2014 by Gareth Prior

Early on the morning of Wednesday 3rd December a significant step was taken in the testing and commissioning of Nottingham Express Transit’s Phase Two line to Beeston and Chilwell with the first test runs of a tram as far as ng2. Although only a small part of the final route (ng2 is two stops from Nottingham Railway Station) the significance of these test runs should not be underestimated and will hopefully signify the start of a major period of testing and commissioning of the route ahead of its opening during 2015.

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Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 3 Comments

In Pictures: Unusual destinations on Metrolink’s Airport line

Posted on Wednesday 3 December 2014 by Gareth Prior

Over the weekend of Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November there were some unusual destinations for LRVs on Manchester Metrolink’s Airport line. On the Saturday one of the four cars which have recently ended up on the Airport line caused disruption which meant that some services were unusually terminated at Martinscroft whilst on the Sunday early morning engineering works meant trams were having to stop at Wythenshawe Centre. Steve Kemp was on hand to record these destinations on camera.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 4 Comments

In Pictures: NET Phase Two Clifton line construction update

Posted on Wednesday 3 December 2014 by Gareth Prior

This photo update concentrates on the Nottingham Express Transit Phase Two extension to Clifton with construction work continuing ahead of a planned for opening sometime in 2015. It has been reported that completion of the trackwork on this line should not be far off and in these photos provided by Bob Gell we start off with the Karlsruhe Friendship Bridge before heading into Wilford where we see both completed and in progress trackwork.

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Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 3 Comments

British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2014 – multiple votes

Posted on Wednesday 3 December 2014 by Gareth Prior

When we opened the voting for the British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2014 we asked that people refrain from multiple voting knowing full well that there would be some people who would be tempted to vote more than once and we kind of accepted that would happen on a small scale. However within the first couple of days of voting we have noticed that at least one individual has decided that their favourites have to win and have so far voted at least eight times (all in one ten minute session!). Obviously this is very disappointing and so we renew our plea asking anyone who votes to refrain from voting multiple times. Tram of the Year is meant as a bit of fun at the end of the year and the winner should be what all our readers want (from the shortlist and yes we appreciate that your favourite may not have made the final list but we’re not forcing you to vote!) and not just a few people. We will now be reviewing all votes cast and any multiple votes will be discarded ahead of revealing the winners in January.

Posted in Tram of the Year | 5 Comments

British Trams Online This Week…

Posted on Sunday 30 November 2014 by Gareth Prior

As well as the start of voting in the British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2014 we also have a few more updates for you this week on the main website including the start of our annual Advent Calendars:

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British Trams Online Tram of the Year 2014 – Start Voting!

Posted on Sunday 30 November 2014 by Gareth Prior

Voting is now open in all four categories of the British Trams Online Tram of Year 2014 contest following a week of nominations and lots of discussions. We are looking to find the “Tramcar of the Year”, “Light Rail Vehicle of the Year”, “Tramway of the Year” and “Event of the Year” and you can now place your vote (one vote per person per category only please!). Voting will remain open until Saturday 10th January 2015 at 1000 so get your votes in so that your favourite doesn’t miss out! For details of the four shortlists read on…

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Posted in Tram of the Year | 17 Comments

In Pictures: Blackpool Brush 631 on driver training

Posted on Saturday 29 November 2014 by Gareth Prior

As we have previously reported Blackpool Brush 631 has been used on its home tramway in recent weeks for driver training – a surprising but welcome development during the winter months. As well as being used on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th November 631 was also out on Thursday 20th November when, with L plates fitted again, it was spotted travelling along the Prom by Ken Jones during a visit to the resort.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Work continues at Deansgate-Castlefield

Posted on Saturday 29 November 2014 by Gareth Prior

One of two major construction projects currently underway on the outskirts of Manchester City Centre is at Deansgate-Castlefield where a new layout is to be introduced which will now include three platforms. This photo special shows recent progress at Deansgate-Castlefield.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 3 Comments

In Pictures: Midland Metro Birmingham City Centre extension

Posted on Saturday 29 November 2014 by Gareth Prior

Progress is continuing in Birmingham City Centre on the construction of the short extension between Snow Hill and New Street railway stations, which is due to open during 2015. On 19th November Ken Jones paid a visit to the city centre to see the latest progress and as these photos show most of the track work and points have now been installed on Bull Street.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 11 Comments

Delays for Edinburgh Trams after power failure

Posted on Saturday 29 November 2014 by Gareth Prior

Friday 14th November saw major problems for Edinburgh Trams after an electrical fire in a substation in West End. The fire was discovered at approximately 0945 and meant that all tram services were suspended between Murrayfield and York Place until shortly before 1700 – the longest service disruption since the tramway opened in May. The Edinburgh Evening News reported that at the time of the fire – which led to the power being lost to the overhead within the City Centre – there were four trams “stranded” on the city streets. During the disruption prospective passengers were guided towards the Airlink bus.

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Updated: Heritage Trams this winter…

Posted on Saturday 29 November 2014 by Gareth Prior

It’s getting darker, colder and keeps on raining and there are hardly any heritage trams to ride on – not much to look forward to for the next few months then? Wrong! Although we have now entered the off season for many of our heritage trams there is still the chance to ride on trams at Beamish, Birkenhead, Heaton Park and Summerlee whilst Seaton will be welcoming a man in the red suit ahead of Christmas with limited opening following that. This one stop guide will help you find out just where you can get your tram fix over the next few months…

Since this article was originally published it has been updated with information for Birkenhead, Blackpool and Heaton Park.

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Metrolink T68As move for scrapping

Posted on Saturday 29 November 2014 by Gareth Prior

The Manchester Metrolink T68A fleet was decimated over a nine day period in mid-November when three of the remaining four examples at Trafford Depot left on the back of a low loader for scrapping in Rotherham. 2006, 2002 and 2003 all made the trip across the Pennines as the programme to scrap the remaining, unclaimed T68/T68A fleet stepped up a gear.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 2 Comments

Midland Metro LRV update

Posted on Saturday 29 November 2014 by Gareth Prior

Since our last update from Midland Metro we have seen the 16th Urbos 3 arrive in the West Midlands whilst the T69 fleet continues to be in a state of flux with vehicles seemingly being taken out of service and then returned to operational condition a few days later! Whereas a few weeks ago it seemed the end was definitely very close of the T69s more recent weeks have seen an upsurge in the use of T69s.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 6 Comments

Manchester Metrolink M5000s update

Posted on Saturday 29 November 2014 by Gareth Prior

Although most attention on Metrolink is concentrated towards the departure of the T68 and T68A fleet for scrapping the M5000 fleet continues to expand with vehicles being delivered, entering service as well as the application of the very first all over advert on one of the class.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 3 Comments

Llandudno & Colwyn Bay replica no. 7 to make another appearance

Posted on Saturday 29 November 2014 by Gareth Prior

The replica Llandudno & Colwyn Bay tramcar no. 7 is to make another appearance before the year is up when it will be hauled through the streets of Llandudno as part of the Christmas Parade on Saturday 6th December.

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Trackwork completed on Beeston & Chilwell NET Phase Two line

Posted on Saturday 29 November 2014 by Gareth Prior

In a week of completions on Nottingham Express Transit all trackwork is now in place on the Beeston and Chilwell line with a special ceremony taking place on Thursday 27th November to mark the occasion. The final bolt – which was painted gold to mark the significance – was tightened into place with local Councillor, Steve Barber, who is also the Chairman of the Greater Nottingham Planning Advisory Board, providing assistance to the engineers who have worked hard on the project over the past few years.

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First tracks laid on Second City Crossing

Posted on Saturday 29 November 2014 by Gareth Prior

A major milestone has been reached in the construction of the Manchester Metrolink Second City Crossing (2CC) with the first tracks laid as progress continues ahead of a partial opening next winter. Thanks to a grant from the European Regional Development Find (ERDF) the section of line between Manchester Victoria and Exchange Square is being prioritised for opening and all being well should be operational in winter 2015/6.

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Midland Metro trackworks delayed

Posted on Saturday 29 November 2014 by Gareth Prior

Earlier this month Centro confirmed that the rail replacement works on Midland Metro between The Royal and Wolverhampton St George’s were delayed after the discovery of mine workings underneath the track bed on Bilston Road. It was originally planned that the works would take up to 12 weeks (which takes it up until this weekend) and that trams would able to run through to The Royal ahead of this although obviously this has now not been possible.

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