More track laid at Manchester and Sunderland

Posted on Monday 14 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

The past week has seen significant progress in track laying work from not one, but two heritage tram preservation groups in the UK. In addition to the ongoing works at the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester, it is equally pleasing to see that work has resumed on laying the future depot tracks at the site of the North East Land, Sea & Air Museum at Washington, near Sunderland.

Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway, North Eastern Electrical Transport Trust | 2 Comments

Blackpool trams visit the Crich workshop

Posted on Monday 14 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Two iconic Blackpool streamlined trams preserved at the National Tramway Museum have recently spent some time in the Crich workshop, for very different reasons. The appearance of Blackpool Brush Railcoach 298 in the works recently led to a great deal of speculation – most of which has turned out to be overly optimistic – but the subsequent arrival of Blackpool Boat 236 will have more obvious and positive consequences in the short term future.

Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on Blackpool trams visit the Crich workshop

Halle 902 to star at Crich event

Posted on Monday 14 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

The annual ‘Red Oktober’ event will be held at Crich Tramway Village on Sunday 20th October 2013, and for the second year running this will include a rare outdoor appearance from Halle 902. It is planned to display this elusive car on the traverser, with Prague 180 also expected to be extracted from its normal resting place in the depot complex and displayed on the depot track fan.

Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 4 Comments

2014 – a year of change for Crich

Posted on Sunday 13 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

Tony Hill, the recently appointed General Manager of the National Tramway Museum at Crich, has confirmed that there will be a number of small but potentially significant changes made at the Crich Tramway Village in 2014, to enhance the visitor experience. The museum has been suffering badly from ever decreasing visitor numbers for a number of years, but this is a clear indication that serious efforts are now being made to reverse this negative trend.

Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | 14 Comments

This week on British Trams Online…

Posted on Sunday 13 October 2013 by Gareth Prior

Three more Photo Galleries have been added to British Trams Online this week:

Continue reading →

Posted in Site News | Comments Off on This week on British Trams Online…

In Pictures: Trams in Oldham town centre

Posted on Sunday 13 October 2013 by Gareth Prior

As previously reported the first tests in Oldham town centre took place over the past week as preparations continue for this extension to join the Manchester Metrolink network. Two trams have been involved in the tests – 3067 and 3069 – and these vehicles have been left stabled overnight at the new Oldham Mumps stop. Photos courtesy of Steve Kemp show these trams at rest.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 3 Comments

In Pictures: Construction work at Queens Road stop

Posted on Sunday 13 October 2013 by Gareth Prior

Work at Queens Road to construct a new stop continues with the platform structures now starting to take shape. This stop will replace the current staff only halt alongside the depot and will also enable Metrolink to close the stop at Woodlands Road. With thanks to Steve Kemp we are able to bring you some images taken from on board a tram showing the latest progress at Queens Road.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

Trams on TV

Posted on Saturday 12 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

On Wednesday 9th October, the Wirral heritage tramway’s Liverpool 762 made a star guest appearance on the third episode of BBC4 series, ‘A Very British Murder’, which had been filmed in May. Not to be outdone however, one of Blackpool’s most popular trams is set to appear on a television programme which should be seen by considerably more viewers within the next week.

Continue reading →

Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway, Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

Nottingham Express Transit Citadis number 2 arrives

Posted on Saturday 12 October 2013 by Gareth Prior

The second of the 22 Alstom Citadis trams being constructed for Nottingham Express Transit has now arrived at Wilkinson Street depot following its transport from Spain. Like the first tram it was transported by sea to Southampton Docks in Southampton and then resumed its journey by road to Nottingham.

Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 2 Comments

Manchester Metrolink Fleet Update

Posted on Saturday 12 October 2013 by Gareth Prior

The latest M5000 for Manchester Metrolink has been delivered to Queens Road Depot, completing the initial order of 12 M5000s to replace the first dozen T68s (which have, of course, already been taken out of service). 3074 arrived in Manchester during the early afternoon of Saturday 12th October.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 4 Comments

Lost Trams 8: Glasgow 1274

Posted on Friday 11 October 2013 by Gareth Prior

The last of the “forgotten” three trams at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Maine, USA is the latest vehicle to feature as a “Lost Tram” – Glasgow Coronation 1274. Like the Leeds and Liverpool cars already featured in this series this tram is also stored in a derelict condition in the car sheds at the Museum waiting for its turn to be restored having been touched since arriving 50 years ago.

Continue reading →

Posted in Lost Trams | 6 Comments

Heritage Trams this week…

Posted on Friday 11 October 2013 by Gareth Prior

It’s time again for us to remind you just where you can travel on heritage trams in the UK and Isle of Man over the next week or so. All the information here is given in good faith but you are advised to check before travelling any significant distance with the organisations involved.

Continue reading →

Posted in Support our Heritage Tramways | Comments Off on Heritage Trams this week…

Book being prepared on Metrolink T68/T68As – photos wanted

Posted on Thursday 10 October 2013 by Gareth Prior
Andy Coward and John Henderson are currently working on a book to mark the withdrawals of the Manchester Metrolink T68 and T68A LRV fleets, of which the final example is expected to be withdrawn before the end of this year. The book will come out as soon as possible after the final example has been withdrawn, but it is expected to be released early in the new year.
 
Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Book being prepared on Metrolink T68/T68As – photos wanted

In Pictures: Heaton Park trackwork update

Posted on Thursday 10 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

The laying of rails connecting the present Lakeside terminus of the Heaton Park Tramway to the new tram depot is continuing to make impressive progress. Members of the volunteer track gang are currently working on site up to four times per week, making a concerted effort to ensure that trams can be safely accommodated inside the new building in time for next month’s ‘Autumn Gala’ event.

Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Edinburgh Trams testing starts to Edinburgh Park

Posted on Wednesday 9 October 2013 by Gareth Prior

Tuesday 8th October saw, as planned, the first test run of a tram as far as Edinburgh Park on the Scottish capital’s tram system due to open in May next year. Tram 267 was the vehicle chosen to perform the honours and on its first slow speed journey was accompanied by numerous staff to check clearances on the route. We are grateful to John Hampton for providing us with the following images showing the first days testing.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 5 Comments

Metrolink arrives in Ashton-under-Lyne

Posted on Wednesday 9 October 2013 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink services are now running in passenger service through to Ashton-under-Lyne following the opening – several months early – of the East Manchester line extension. M5000 3012 had the honour of running the first journeys from Victoria to Ashton-under-Lyne and then back to Bury shortly after 0500 on Wednesday 9th October as the latest piece of the Metrolink jigsaw was put into place.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 4 Comments

The case of the disapearing Facebook page

Posted on Wednesday 9 October 2013 by Andrew Waddington

On the evening of Monday 7th October, the Lancastrian Transport Trust’s Facebook page was mysteriously deleted. Despite a previous period of inactivity, the page had actually been updated less than an hour before it ceased to exist, adding a rather strange twist to this latest development.

Continue reading →

Posted in Fylde Transport Trust | 1 Comment

Metrolink win at International Light Rail Awards

Posted on Wednesday 9 October 2013 by Gareth Prior

The expansion of Manchester Metrolink has been named as Project of the Year at the international Light Rail Awards held in London earlier this month. The opening of the East Manchester line as far as Droylsden, the East Didsbury line and the Oldham-Rochdale line was recognised as the awards which seek to reward the best in international light rail and are organised by the LRTA.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit | Comments Off on Metrolink win at International Light Rail Awards

Metrolink Second City Crossing approved

Posted on Tuesday 8 October 2013 by Gareth Prior

It has been announced that the Second City Crossing (2CC) for Manchester Metrolink has been approved by the Department for Transport. The route – which is necessary to allow all of the extra tram services run through Manchester city centre – will leave the current route just after St Peter’s Square and travel along Princess Street, Cross Street and Corporation Street before re-joining the line just before Victoria.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 5 Comments

Supertram celebrate Customer Service Week

Posted on Tuesday 8 October 2013 by Gareth Prior

As part of National Customer Service Week (Monday 7th-Sunday 13th October) Stagecoach Supertram are celebrating their recent customer service successes as well as launching a competition to find the Supertram Customer Service Star and the chance for passengers to nominate their star employee. DayRider tickets will also be given away at Sheffield Station by staff who will also be on hand to offer information and guidance on using the trams.

Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on Supertram celebrate Customer Service Week