FHLT plan a second illuminated Brush car

Posted on Friday 30 November 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Following on from the popularity of Blackpool Brush Railcoach 290‘s ‘Diamond Jubilee’ livery and illuminations, the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust have announced plans to create a brand new display for the 2013 illuminations season, featuring another of its trams. This time, fellow Brush car 621 is to be the subject of attention and like its predecessor, the tram will be transformed into its new guise within the confines of Kirham Prison.

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Posted in Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust | 4 Comments

Tragedy strikes as teenager dies after being struck by tram on NET

Posted on Thursday 29 November 2012 by Gareth Prior

A teenage girl has died after being hit by a tram near Hucknall on a non-automatic gated crossing. The incident happened at approximately 1900 on Wednesday 28th November 2012 and according to initial reports in the local press she crossed the tracks along with some of her friends at the time of the collision.

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Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 7 Comments

Edinburgh Corporation Tramways enamel sign goes up for auction

Posted on Thursday 29 November 2012 by Gareth Prior

For those of you who wish to own a bit of history from the original Edinburgh tram
system now is your chance as an enamel sign is to go up for auction on Saturday 1st December. The sign – which has come from a premises at 68-69 Broughton Street in the City – is double sided and was used to promote that the premises was an “Agent for Edinburgh Corporation Tramways Parcel Express Parcel Tickets Sold Here”.

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More tracklaying to take place in Oldham

Posted on Thursday 29 November 2012 by Gareth Prior

From 4th December more tracklaying will take place on the Oldham Town Centre diversion of Manchester Metrolink when Brunswick Street will be closed at its junction with Union Street. This will enable track to be laid across this section of Union Street and will require a number of traffic diversions to be put into place, which will be well signposted in the vicinity. The work is due to be completed by late January 2013. In addition on Sunday 2nd
December a section of Middleton Road will be closed to allow work to take place on laying a new road surface as a result of Metrolink works and as a result there will be further diversions for this day only.

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 3 Comments

Spring 2013 return planned for Blackpool 680

Posted on Monday 26 November 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The Heaton Park Tramway have announced a provisional launch date for the next new addition to its fleet of operating trams, Blackpool Ex-Towing Railcoach 680. Subject to the completion of the new Lakeside depot and any necessary commissioning work, 680 is due to be launched into service at its new home on Sunday 24th March 2013, kick-starting what should be another exciting year for Manchester’s preserved tramway.

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Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 8 Comments

Coronation 304’s farewell goes off track

Posted on Sunday 25 November 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The Lancastrian Transport Trust have confirmed that Blackpool Coronation car 304 has been withdrawn from service prematurely following a minor incident at Beamish Museum, where the tram has been operating on loan for the past few weeks. The tram derailed whilst in service on Saturday 24th November, and duly remained out of action for the rest of the weekend.

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Posted in Beamish Tramway, Fylde Transport Trust | 1 Comment

This week on British Trams Online

Posted on Sunday 25 November 2012 by Gareth Prior

It has been a much quieter week this week on British Trams Online with just one photo gallery added and the Tram of the Year page updated for this years contest:

Gallery 334: Manchester Metrolink East Manchester Line Testing & Construction Update – http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/gallery334.html

Tram of the Year – http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/tramofyear.html

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Tram of the Year 2012 – Nominations Now Open!

Posted on Sunday 25 November 2012 by Gareth Prior

Yes it’s that time of the year again – British Trams Online Tram of the Year! This is the ninth year of the contest and I am sure you all know what it is all about but for those of who you don’t – read on! As a bit of fun at the end of the year we came up with the idea of having a contest to find the tram which had done the most exciting or special thing during the previous 12 months and so the contest was born.

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Posted in Site News | 6 Comments

In Pictures: Metrolink testing resumes to Droylsden

Posted on Sunday 25 November 2012 by Gareth Prior

Testing and driver training on the East Manchester line extension of Manchester
Metrolink has recommenced this week with 3050, 3056 and 3058 all spotted undertaking runs. This is the first time for several weeks that trams have been seen on the East Manchester line and is another step forward towards services commencing.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 5 Comments

Power to go live in Edinburgh

Posted on Sunday 25 November 2012 by Gareth Prior

As reported a few weeks ago, and now confirmed in yet another press release from the Council, the overhead power lines between Gogar Depot and Edinburgh Airport
will go live from Monday 26th November 2012 as another major milestone is reached in the project to bring trams back to the Scottish capital. Initially the testing will not involve a tram but it is anticipated that the first trams will be seen undertaking their own testing on this stretch of track within two to three weeks. Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 2 Comments

In Pictures: Metrolink Rochdale Town Centre extension

Posted on Sunday 25 November 2012 by Gareth Prior

The Manchester Metrolink line through to Rochdale Railway Station may not yet have
been opened but already significant progress is being made on the extension of the line into Rochdale Town Centre. This photo update shows the latest progress on Drake Street in the town centre and show that the tracks are being laid at the side of the road rather than in the middle which means at the Wet Rake end there is a considerable distance between the lines.

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Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 6 Comments

NET delays after signalling fire on national rail network

Posted on Sunday 25 November 2012 by Gareth Prior

Nottingham Express Transit services to Hucknall suffered delays on Friday 23rd
November following a fire in a signalling cabinet on the adjacent national rail Robin Hood line the previous evening. Services were still able to run between Bulwell and Hucknall but were having to travel at slower speeds due to the problems with the signalling equipment caused by the fire. Repairs were completed to the equipment by Network Rail to allow normal services to resume fully from early evening.

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Princes Street reopens fully as tram works continue to progress

Posted on Sunday 25 November 2012 by Gareth Prior

Princes Street has reopened fully to traffic following the completion (again) of tram
work on  the main shopping street in Edinburgh – in time for the Christmas shopping rush. The majority of the road had reopened to traffic in September although some works continued at the junction with South St Andrew Street – but these have now been finished allowing traffic to use Princes Street fully for the first time in almost 15 months. As a result of this motorists in the City Centre will now be diverted via St Andrew Square, Princes Street and Leith Street which will cut the amount of traffic diverted through the narrow streets of the New Town.

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Oldham Town Centre Metrolink Works continue

Posted on Sunday 25 November 2012 by Gareth Prior

More work on constructing the extension of Manchester Metrolink into Oldham Town
Centre is due to take place over this weekend which will lead to some temporary road closures and diversions. On Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th November Middleton Road will be closed from its junction with Plato Street and West End Street to allow a new road surface to be laid. Then on Sunday 25th November only there will be minor remedial works taking place at the junction of Huddersfield Road, Oldham Way and Lees Road. Local traffic diversions for both of the road closures will be clearly signposted. The work being undertaken is as a result of recent work to install the diversion of the Oldham and
Rochdale line through the town centre which is due to open to passengers in 2014.

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Oldham Town Centre Metrolink Works continue

Traffic delays after NET Phase Two works overrun

Posted on Sunday 25 November 2012 by Gareth Prior

There were lengthy delays for motorists using University Boulevard in Nottingham on
Wednesday 21st November after tram construction works overran leading to the City Council offering apologies to those affected. Contractors Taylor Woodrow Alstom blamed poor weather conditions overnight for delaying the completion of the works which were being undertaken as part of planned closure during the night.

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Edinburgh Tram contractors visit Scottish Parliament

Posted on Sunday 25 November 2012 by Gareth Prior

The charm offensive from Edinburgh Trams has really been in full swing in recent
weeks with senior Directors from the lead contractors on the project visiting the Scottish Parliament as they were in the City to see first hand the progress being made on the construction of the tram line, which is due to open in 2014.

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Rocket tram lights up for Christmas

Posted on Saturday 24 November 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool’s famous illuminated Rocket tram 732 has surprisingly been illuminated again this week, to co-incide with the start of the town’s Christmas lights. Although nowhere near as spectacular as the main autumn illuminations, the annual display normally includes a special feature on Gynn roundabout – and this year’s was, of course, the Rocket tram!

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Coronation 304 set to bid farewell to Beamish

Posted on Saturday 24 November 2012 by Andrew Waddington

Preserved Blackpool Coronation car 304 will soon be leaving its current, temporary home at Beamish Museum and heading back for the Fylde Coast. Before it goes however, the tram will be making a few final outings to give its fans one last chance to enjoy this wonderful tram operating in the North East.

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Posted in Beamish Tramway, Fylde Transport Trust | 1 Comment

Centenary 646 update – more parts go up for auction!

Posted on Thursday 22 November 2012 by Andrew Waddington

The bizarre tale of Blackpool Centenary car 646‘s post-service career continues, following on from recent developments which saw some items taken from the tram being offered for sale on eBay. The first item was then hastily removed from sale following an announcement that a museum had expressed interest in taking the complete tram – but its fate now seems to be sealed as more parts have begun to be listed on the same Internet auction site.

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Transport Minister visits new Airport tram stop

Posted on Thursday 22 November 2012 by Gareth Prior

The progress being made on constructing Edinburgh Trams has been in the spotlight again recently as Keith Brown – the Scottish Minister for Transport – visited the site of the Airport tramstop alongside Cllr Lesley Hinds – Transport Convener on the City of Edinburgh Council. The CEO of Edinburgh International Airport, Gordon Dewar, was also present as all three saw how much progress was being made on the construction of the stop.

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