Update on Blackpool Railcoach 680

Posted on Thursday 19 December 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Since arriving at Beamish Museum last week, a considerable amount of work has been carried out on Blackpool Railcoach 680, in order to prepare this tram for service at its new temporary home. As will be remembered, this car has been loaned to the museum by its owners, the Manchester Transport Museum Society, and is expected to make its preservation debut at the North East.

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Posted in Beamish Tramway, Heaton Park Tramway | 5 Comments

In Pictures: More of Liverpool 245

Posted on Thursday 19 December 2013 by Andrew Waddington

On Sunday 15th December, a few working members from the Heaton Park Tramway visited Birkenhead, where they were treated to a close look at Liverpool 245. As reported previously, the major restoration of this tram is finally nearing completion ahead of an anticipated launch back into passenger service next year, and these photos show the recent progress on returning the car to an operational condition.

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Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway | 2 Comments

Birkenhead trams stay up late for Christmas party

Posted on Wednesday 18 December 2013 by Andrew Waddington

On Tuesday 17th December, two of the operational trams at the Birkenhead heritage line had an unusually late outing, when they were called upon to operate some special evening journeys in connection with a local Christmas party. The chosen trams were Hong Kong 69 and Wallasey 78, with the latter making a particularly splendid sight after dark thanks to the festive decorations it received for last weekend’s ‘Santa Special’ event.

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Beamish restoration updates

Posted on Wednesday 18 December 2013 by Andrew Waddington

The current major tram-related project at Beamish Museum may be the restoration of Sheffield 264, but that hasn’t stopped thoughts being turned towards the completion of two other tramcars. Some work has recently been undertaken on the museum’s recently acquired horse car Leamington & Warwick 8, whilst plans are also being put in place for another big project further in the future.

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Oldham town centre line to open 27th January 2014

Posted on Wednesday 18 December 2013 by Gareth Prior

Providing that there is no adverse wintry weather conditions in the meantime Transport for Greater Manchester have announced that the Oldham town centre extension will open to the public on Monday 27th January 2014. As previously announced the line between Central Park and Rochdale Railway Station will have to be closed for a week ahead of this and this is expected to happen from Saturday 18th January 2014.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 19 Comments

In Pictures: Nottingham Express Transit 206 in e-on all over advert

Posted on Wednesday 18 December 2013 by Gareth Prior

As predicted at the weekend Nottingham Express Transit Incentro 206 has now received a full vinyl wrap livery for e-on, replacing 208 which is expected to shortly enter the workshops for a full refurbishment. 206’s advert is almost identical to that formerly carried by 208 and includes contravision over the windows. 208 currently remains in service with most of the e-on vinyls removed.

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Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 4 Comments

Early Christmas present arrives at Heaton Park – Manchester 173!

Posted on Tuesday 17 December 2013 by Andrew Waddington

We seem to be referring to momentous occasions at the Heaton Park Tramway on this website with great regularity of late, mainly thanks to the incredible progress made on the construction of a second tram depot at the park in recent months. On Tuesday 17th December, yet another milestone was achieved when Manchester 173 arrived at Heaton Park, becoming the first passenger tram to take up residence inside the new Lakeside Depot just two days after Blackpool railgrinder 752 was first stabled there.

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Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 3 Comments

Metrolink T68 1009 withdrawn

Posted on Tuesday 17 December 2013 by Gareth Prior

The Manchester Metrolink T68 fleet has decreased by one further example with the news that 1009 has now run its last journey. The vehicle had last run back on 2nd December when it operated on the Eccles line and it had been stopped awaiting tyre turning and a traction motor change but it has now been decided not to undertake this work.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 3 Comments

New look for Edinburgh Trams revealed

Posted on Tuesday 17 December 2013 by Gareth Prior

Another tram has made it into Edinburgh city centre, this time to show off the new look for the trams. The mainly white livery remains but Edinburgh Trams branding has been added along with madder stripes both above and below the window with grey and black also completing the look. Tram drivers and other operational staff were also on hand to show off their new uniforms as preparations continue for the opening of the tramway.

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Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 5 Comments

New range of season tickets launched on Nottingham Express Transit

Posted on Tuesday 17 December 2013 by Gareth Prior

Regular users of Nottingham Express Transit can now make excellent savings with the launch of a range of season ticket options. The tickets – offering unlimited travel on the NET system – are available for one month, three months, six months or a year and can be purchased at the NET Travel Centre, online or by using My Mobile Tickets.

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First tram moves into new Heaton Park depot

Posted on Monday 16 December 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Sunday 15th December 2013 was another landmark day in the history of Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway, as a tram was moved into the new Lakeside Depot under power and stabled inside for the very first time. It was particularly appropriate that the tram which did so was Blackpool 752, the tramway’s resident works car, which has played a significant role in the work associated with preparing the depot for use.

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Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 4 Comments

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 15 December 2013 by Gareth Prior

The main site of British Trams Online has been updated this week with four new Photo Galleries covering both traditional trams and light rail systems:

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In Pictures: Original Nottingham Express Transit livery consigned to history

Posted on Saturday 14 December 2013 by Gareth Prior

The original Dark Green, Black and Silver livery carried by the Nottingham Express Transit Incentro trams from new is no more following the withdrawal of 210 to receive the full refresh and the application of red vinyls on 206, presumably ahead of a new all over advert.

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Photo CD available to help Blackpool 761’s move

Posted on Saturday 14 December 2013 by Gareth Prior

To help fund the recent move of Blackpool Jubilee 761 from an open yard in Fleetwood to secure covered accommodation at Blackpool Transport’s Rigby Road Depot a Photo CD has been prepared showing the move of the tram along with views of the tram over the years.

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Posted in Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust | 1 Comment

Liverpool 245 goes glossy

Posted on Saturday 14 December 2013 by Andrew Waddington

The major restoration of Liverpool 245, the last remaining ‘Baby Grand’ type tramcar in the UK, is now rapidly approaching completion at the Birkenhead tramway’s Taylor Street depot. The car has received significant attention over the last few years, largely helped by a substantial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and after a number of unavoidable delays the end of this massive project is now very much in sight!

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Christmas trimmings for preserved trams

Posted on Saturday 14 December 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Whilst some of the UK’s museum tramways are now closed for winter, those which remain open for business are now looking ahead to the Christmas festivities. Trams at Beamish, Birkenhead and Summerlee have all received appropriate decorations to celebrate the festive season, as detailed below.

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Citadis 221 arrives in Nottingham

Posted on Friday 13 December 2013 by Gareth Prior

Alstom Citadis 221 has become the sixth of the class to arrive at Wilkinson Street Depot in Nottingham, arriving on 11th December. Just like its five sisters before it the tram was transported from Alstom’s Barcelona plant to Southampton Docks before being transported by road to Nottingham. This is the last delivery of 2013 with the next tram now expected to arrive during January.

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In Pictures: Manchester Metrolink 3077 arrives

Posted on Friday 13 December 2013 by Gareth Prior

Saturday 7th December saw the arrival of the last M5000 in Manchester of 2014 with 3077 being delivered on the back of a low loader. 3077 arrived at Queens Road Depot shortly after midday before being unloaded and transferred to the depot for a start to be made on initial commissioning.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

Late night trams for the New Year in Nottingham

Posted on Friday 13 December 2013 by Gareth Prior

For the first time since opening Nottingham Express Transit are going to offer a service during the early hours of 1st January to aid those coming back from New Year parties in the city centre. Between 0030 and 0200 on 1st January trams will depart Station Street for Hucknall every 30 minutes with return trips also due at 1222, 1252 and 0122.

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Midland Metro fares to rise

Posted on Friday 13 December 2013 by Gareth Prior

Midland Metro fares are to increase from 2nd January 2014 to support improvements to the network. In fact the press release from National Express West Midlands give details of both bus and tram fare changes and goes on to say they are to find investment in a fleet of new buses with no mention of it going towards the tram network, hopefully this is just an oversight and tram passengers are not actually funding shiny new buses!  Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | 2 Comments