Century-old tram shelter demolished

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

An often forgotten part of Blackpool’s rich tramway history disappeared forever on March
13th 2012, when work on demolishing the large brick waiting shelter at Norbreck was completed. The job had only begun one day earlier, marking the end of the life of one of the oldest remaining buildings on the system. The shelter dated back to 1898 when the Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramroad first opened, and it’s amazing to think that when new, it would have seen brand new open toastrack trams including preserved Fleetwood ‘Rack’ 2 at Crich serving it on a daily basis.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | Comments Off on Century-old tram shelter demolished

We’ve been expecting you… on the promenade!

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Another of Blackpool’s new Flexity2 trams has now debuted on test, with car 007 making what is believed to have been its first ever appearance on the main line on Tuesday 13th March. Regular followers of the latest developments in Blackpool will probably remember that this tram arrived complete with a broken corner cab window at one end, which has now been replaced. Pleasing news is that this car has also received its full livery with vinyls applied, including fleet numbers, as the preparation of the class for service early next month gets underway. 007 was used for driver training on its first day out and hopefully it will now become a common sight on the tramway, although sharing its number with that of a famous secret agent, it may well prove to be a little camera-shy!

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | Comments Off on We’ve been expecting you… on the promenade!

Mitcham double tracking work to see Tramlink suspensions

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Work to increase capacity on the Wimbledon branch of London Tramlink with the doubling of the track around Mitcham has now commenced with vegetation clearance now underway. As part of this work it will be necessary for weekend closures between Mitcham and Mitcham Junction with the Easter weekend and two dates in June currently earmarked for this to take place.

Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams | Comments Off on Mitcham double tracking work to see Tramlink suspensions

Delays after Metrolink points failure

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

It’s been a few weeks since we reported on Metrolink delays but the system hit the headlines again this week when a points failure at Timperley caused chaos on Thursday 8th March – a night when Manchester United were playing at home.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Delays after Metrolink points failure

More Metrolink engineering works: Sunday 11th, Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th March

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Essential engineering works will take place on Manchester Metrolink on Sunday 11th,
Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th March which will mean no trams will run on the Bury line and trams from St Werburgh’s Road on the South Manchester line will run into Piccadilly Station.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on More Metrolink engineering works: Sunday 11th, Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th March

Shandwick Place utility diversions completed ahead of revised schedule

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

The City of Edinburgh Council have announced that the utility diversion works on Shandwick Place have been completed ahead of the revised schedule and that the firm in charge of installing the tram tracks and overhead equipment will now be able to move in to commence this work.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on Shandwick Place utility diversions completed ahead of revised schedule

Another Olympic test timetable for the DLR

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

As the Docklands Light Railway continues their preparations for this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games they will be operating another modified service on Saturday 24th
March. As has been reported before these modified services have been developed to focus on Games venues and spectator demand and need testing before the event to ensure they work in practice.

Continue reading →

Posted in Docklands Light Railway | Comments Off on Another Olympic test timetable for the DLR

RAIB launch investigation into East Croydon derailment

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch have officially confirmed on their website (http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/current_investigations_register/120217_east_croydon.cfm) that they are investigating the derailment of 2538 at East Croydon on 17th February 2012.

Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams | Comments Off on RAIB launch investigation into East Croydon derailment

More job opportunities on Metrolink

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Manchester Metrolink are continuing to increase their staff levels with the advertising for Passenger Services Representatives. This role is mainly concerned with revenue protection and providing a safety presence to provide passengers with a safe, secure travelling environment.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on More job opportunities on Metrolink

Supertram Easter Weekend services announced

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Stagecoach Supertram have been quick off the mark in announcing their plans for the Easter weekend which will see a revised service in operation to reflect changes in demand for trams and to allow some track renewal work to take place.

Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on Supertram Easter Weekend services announced

Blackpool 630 goes all the way!

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Seven days after its first test run between Town End and Wakebridge, another milestone
event occured for Blackpool Brush Railcoach 630 at Crich on Friday 9th March, when the tram was driven all the way to the tramway’s Glory Mine terminus and back. The far end of the line had previously been inaccessible due to ongoing trackwork, the completion of which was delayed due to snow, but with the work now complete the whole tramway has now been re-opened allowing 630 to become one of the first trams to operate over the new track.

Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on Blackpool 630 goes all the way!

Flexity2 update

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

The ninth of Blackpool’s new low-floor tramcars arrived in town late on the afternoon of
Thursday 8th March. The tram had been expected earlier in the day, but an incident on the motorway had delayed its journey and therefore it was almost dark by the time that the tram touched down on Blackpool rails for the first time. In keeping with the last few deliveries, the new Flexity2 tram was driven under its own power into the Starr Gate depot after an uneventful unloading process.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | Comments Off on Flexity2 update

Your chance to own a bit of a Boat!

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Following the success of the innovative shareholder scheme involving Blackpool Balloon car 715, the Lancastrian Transport Trust have decided to invite tram
enthusiasts to purchase shares in another of their tram collection – Blackpool ‘Boat’ 233 (latterly 605). This tram has of course recently moved to Beamish Museum for a loan period of at least two years, meaning that its supporters will be able to visit ‘their’ tram and receive a number of special privileges in return for their help.

Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway, Fylde Transport Trust | Comments Off on Your chance to own a bit of a Boat!

The many projects of Beamish Museum

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

The current trend of exciting tram events at Beamish, the Living Museum of the North is showing no sign of slowing down this year as the first major transport event of 2012 – April’s Great North Steam Fair – approaches. Investment in the resident tram fleet is also continuing at an impressive rate, and this report aims to update our readers on current developments on the Museum’s own trams, as well as visiting Blackpool ‘Boat’ 233 and an unusual new delivery from York.

Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway | Comments Off on The many projects of Beamish Museum

Blackpool tramway set to re-open early

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Passenger services on the all-new, upgraded Blackpool tramway are set to commence on
Wednesday 4th April: two days earlier than was widely reported previously. Blackpool Borough Council have announced the opening date for the modernised system, with a special inaugural journey for invited guests taking place on the previous day. Presumably it has been decided to re-open ahead of schedule so that any minor issues with the revamped service can hopefully be ironed out before the traditionally busy Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | Comments Off on Blackpool tramway set to re-open early

Blackpool 623 earns its keep

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Since its triumphant launch into public service at the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester, Blackpool Brush Railcoach 623 has been proving its worth as an extremely popular and useful addition to the tramway’s running fleet. After a few minor
teething problems – to be expected following two years of disuse – the tram has now settled down into regular service, and can normally be seen in action at the park every Sunday afternoon.

Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | Comments Off on Blackpool 623 earns its keep

To boldly go where no Brush car has gone before!

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Another small but significant piece of history has been made for Blackpool’s Brush Railcoaches, as another member of the class has now operated outside of Blackpool. Although not yet available for passenger service, car 630 has now been commissioned for trial running at Crich Tramway Village, and has been tested both around the depot yard, and more excitingly, on the main line.

Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on To boldly go where no Brush car has gone before!

2555 arrives in Croydon…Variotram entry into service still awaited

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

The second of the Stadler constructed Variotrams for London Tramlink arrived at
Therapia Lane Depot during the early hours of Monday 27th February. Numbered 2555 it is thought that the tram came directly from Stadler’s construction plant near Berlin in Germany rather than the first tram which went to Chemnitz for testing before making the trip.

Continue reading →

Posted in London Trams | Comments Off on 2555 arrives in Croydon…Variotram entry into service still awaited

Edinburgh passenger forecasts down on shortened route

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Following a Freedom of Information request it has been revealed that the Edinburgh Tram
line will carry less passengers on its shortened route between the Airport and City Centre than it would have done if the entire line 1 had been built – who would have thought it!

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on Edinburgh passenger forecasts down on shortened route

Further tram works start in Edinburgh

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

The latest phase of tram works in Edinburgh City Centre were due to commence this
weekend with a new diversion being introduced from 0500 on Saturday 3rd March. At the same time the Mound was due to be reopened to taxis, buses, cycles and emergency vehicles.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on Further tram works start in Edinburgh