This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 12 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

We have another couple of Photo Galleries for you on our main site update and they probably couldn’t be from two more different systems! Photos comes from the Douglas Horse Tramway and Manchester Metrolink as the former closes for not only the year but also until 2016 whilst the latter makes preparations for the opening of its latest extension.

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Another T68 leaves Trafford Depot

Posted on Saturday 11 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

The first LRV to operate in passenger service between Victoria and Bury on 6th April 1992 has become the latest T68 to depart Trafford Depot for scrapping in Rotherham. 1012 departed Manchester on Friday 10th October making that now very familiar trip across the Pennines to South Yorkshire and Booths scrapyard where it will not be broken up with just memories left of the vehicle to remember it by.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 3 Comments

In Pictures: Midland Metro rail replacement works

Posted on Saturday 11 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

Although recently our concentration on Midland Metro has been with the departure of the T69 trams there is also the not too insignificant matter of the rail replacement works between The Royal and Wolverhampton St George’s. The line beyond Priestfield was closed to trams from Saturday 6th September and during this time fairly good progress has been made on replacing the track at both stops and along Bilston Road. It is still hoped that the works at The Royal will be completed ahead of the full 12 week closure so that trams can be extended to there but no date has yet been set for a partial reopening. Photos courtesy of Andy Walters, all taken on 1st October 2014.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 1 Comment

Is Tramlink’s Crystal Palace extension dream over?

Posted on Saturday 11 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

Confusion reigns over the potential extension of London Tramlink to Crystal Palace following the release of a consultation document into a proposed Bakerloo line extension into Beckenham. The document stated that the extensions to Crystal Palace “are not actively being progressed at this time” despite previous assurances from the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson that he would back the extension. But the saga doesn’t end there as a short statement from TfL seemed to deny that it was the end of the road for Crystal Palace and Tramlink!

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Posted in London Trams | 2 Comments

Another consultation launched for Midland Metro extension

Posted on Saturday 11 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

Centro have launched a public consultation into plans to extend Midland Metro through the heart of Digbeth. Previously a route from Bull Street in the city centre to the proposed HS2 station at Curzon Street was agreed but during the summer further government funding was secured which will enable the line to be extended further into Digbeth and it is this route which is now out to consultation.

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Council to allow Edinburgh Trams merchandise to be sold

Posted on Saturday 11 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

City of Edinburgh Council bosses have revealed that they are to allow various products to be released with the Edinburgh Trams image on as they try to raise extra money during this time of budget constraints. It is not just the trams which be used on products such as mugs and t-shirts but landmarks such as the Scott Monument and Princes Street Gardens will also be used.

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Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 4 Comments

Manchester Metrolink Performance Update

Posted on Saturday 11 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

Slightly later than usual we bring you the regular look at the statistics from Manchester Metrolink on the service performance, details of major incidents, trams out of service and the number of complaints received. Three different periods are reviewed in the latest report: period 2 (Monday 26th May-Sunday 22nd June), period 3 (Monday 23rd June-Sunday 20th July) and period 4 (Monday 21st July-Sunday 17th August).

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Stagecoach Supertram change in destination screens

Posted on Saturday 11 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

The main end destination screens on the Siemens built trams of Stagecoach Supertram have now reverted to their large non-scrolling destinations (i.e. just showing the final destination in large writing rather than a smaller destination and stops the service goes via). The route letter on the coloured square is retained (i.e. the Y for Yellow route etc.)

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More winners from Light Rail Awards 2014

Posted on Saturday 11 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

Barnbrook Systems – a family run business from Hampshire – is celebrating after winning an award at the recent Light Rail Awards and being highly commended in another category. The company was praised by the judges for its longevity and innovation when it walked away with the “Supplier of the Year” award and was highly commended in the Technical Innovation category.

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Tram lines blamed for death of cyclist in central Croydon

Posted on Saturday 11 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

A coroner has blamed the tram lines at East Croydon for the death of a cyclist in November last year. Roger de Klerk became trapped under a bus at the junction of Cherry Orchard Road and Addiscombe Road on 12th November 2013 having slipped on the tram lines shortly before the incident.

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Posted in London Trams | 6 Comments

Man injured after being hit by tram in Manchester City Centre

Posted on Saturday 11 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

A 21 year old man had to be taken to hospital with serious injuries about he was hit by a tram outside the Manchester Central Convention Centre. The man, who had been out in the city centre, was hit by the tram shortly after 0200 and firefighters using specialist equipment had to release from under the tram where he had become trapped. The incident happened during the early hours of Saturday 4th October. He was knocked unconscious during the incident and was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

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Improved interchange between tram and bus at Malin Bridge

Posted on Saturday 11 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

From Monday 13th October there will be an improved interchange for passengers wishing to swap between the tram and Supertram Link SL2 service at Malin Bridge with a new and improved bus stop – closer to the tramstop – being opened. An extended bus shelter and layby with a new bus lane through a former traffic island has been constructed with the aim to remove buses from the busy Loxley New Road, ease the flow of traffic, improve access and connections to SL2 services and provide shelter for those waiting for public transport. The work has been financed by the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.

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Public urged to give views on Douglas Horse Tramway future

Posted on Saturday 11 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

A public exhibition is being held on Saturday 11th October at the Sea Terminal in Douglas as the Isle of Man Government seek opinions on where members of the public think the new single track Horse Tramway should be installed. As previously reported on British Trams Online the Douglas Horse Tramway closed on 14th September and is not expected to operate again until 2016 and during this time a start will be made on moving the tracks to the side of the Promenade road on Douglas seafront and this consultation is looking to see just where the tracks should be installed – despite the fact everyone thought the decision had already been made.

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Heritage Trams this week

Posted on Thursday 9 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

It’s that time of the week again as we round-up just when and where you can ride on heritage trams in the UK and Isle of Man. Highlight of this week looks set to be at Crich where you are invited to join Blackpool 711 to celebrate its 80th birthday party and it should be joined by another eight Blackpool passenger trams in service with the Blackpool Electric Loco also due to be in use on the mainline with Blackpool 49 on static display. And Blackpool will start to be the main focus of our attention for the rest of the month as well with the Illumination Tours reaching a crescendo as the month draws to a close!

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Winter track work at the museums

Posted on Thursday 9 October 2014 by Andrew Waddington

Two of the UK’s museum tramways are using the winter shutdown as an opportunity to carry out some vital work on their infrastructure, with major track renewal taking place at both the East Anglia Transport Museum and Crich Tramway Village. Indeed, work at the former is already well underway, having begun the day after the last day of operation for 2014!

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T69 02 leaves Midland Metro

Posted on Wednesday 8 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

As expected another of the withdrawn Midland Metro T69’s has departed Wednesbury Depot with 02 the second of the week to make the trip to Long Marston courtesy of Allelys. The tram departed on Tuesday 7th October and follows in the footsteps of 13, which left just one day earlier, and 14 which had made the trip on 17th June.

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Posted in West Midlands Metro | 4 Comments

National Express West Midlands win Operator of Year at Light Rail Awards

Posted on Wednesday 8 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

The annual Light Rail Awards took place in London on 1st October 2014 with many of the UK’s systems winning on the night. Probably the most prestigious award is the “Operator of the Year” and this went to National Express West Midlands for their running of Midland Metro during the past 12 months but there were also awards for Blackpool, Edinburgh, Manchester Metrolink and Nottingham Express Transit.

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Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Edinburgh Trams, Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit, West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments

NET Citadis to be named Carl Froch

Posted on Wednesday 8 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

It has been confirmed that a second Nottingham Express Transit Citadis tram is to receive a name. An unknown vehicle will be named “Carl Froch” in a special ceremony at The Forest on Thursday 16th October at 1615 after which 12 competition winners will be able to join the boxing world champion for a trip into the city centre where he will awarded the title of Freeman of the City.

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Metrolink mobility scooter permit trial extended

Posted on Wednesday 8 October 2014 by Gareth Prior

The trial permit scheme that allows mobility scooter users to travel by Metrolink has been extended until 1st December 2014. An initial six month trial started on 31st March and since that time 52 mobility scooter users have receiveid a permit which allows them to travel across the Metrolink network. A report is due to be presented to the TfGM Committee on 14th November when a final decision will be made on the viability of continuing the scheme.

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Liverpool 245 steals the (Bus & Tram) show

Posted on Tuesday 7 October 2014 by Andrew Waddington

This year’s Wirral Bus & Tram Show was held at Birkenhead on Sunday 5th October and, as usual, featured a superb selection of vintage vehicles on display whilst the Birkenhead tramway had four different trams operating in passenger service throughout the day. However, despite not being available for service, most attention seemed focussed on Liverpool ‘Baby Grand’ 245 which was prominently displayed to enable visitors to get a really good look at the tram for the first time since its major restoration.

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