More Metrolink extension works to start

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

The ongoing scheme to extend Metrolink across more of Greater Manchester will see
road closures and changes in Wythenshawe and Oldham from the start of next week. In Wythenshawe road closures will last for ten weeks from Monday 5th March whilst in Oldham there will be road changes for at least eight weeks.

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Broken down tram causes central Croydon loop to be closed

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

London Tramlink suffered more problems during the afternoon of Saturday 3rd March when 2540 failed at West Croydon causing the entire central Croydon loop to be suspended for several hours whilst the tram was dealt with. According to the official Transport for London website the service was suspended between Wandle Park and East Croydon and between East Croydon and West Croydon via George Street during the incident.

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Tramlink delays after passenger taken ill

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

There were severe delays on London Tramlink on Monday 27th February after a 20 year old woman was taken ill on a tram at Morden Road. The incident happened at around 0810 and delays were experienced on the Wimbledon to New Addington route until midday. The woman was treated at the scene before being taken to Kingston Hospital.

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Edinburgh Tram Project makes the headlines for the wrong reasons – again

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

It seems that the Edinburgh Tram Project just can’t resist making the news in all the
wrong ways with the latest story to break accusing Bilfinger Berger of disposing of potentially toxic waste in the wrong way. It is said that soil waste from a site at Murrayfield is being taken to a normal disposal location whereas it should be going to a specialised place as the soil is contaminated with heavy metals and other toxic materials.

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One in, one out in Blackpool

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Friday 2nd March was yet another eventful day at Blackpool with another of the surplus
trams leaving for pastures new, as the eighth of the new low-floor trams arrived in town. The latest departure following hot on the heels (or should that be wheels?) of Boat 605 was Balloon 721, which has been sold into private ownership having spent more than two years in storage at Rigby Road since it last ran in service during the 2009 illuminations season. Like 605 before it, 721 has moved to the North East of England, and it is now in
temporary storage at a top secret location pending development of plans for its future.

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Berlin 3006 shows off new livery

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

It is pleasing to report that work on the Access Tram, Berlin 3006 at Crich Tramway Village is approaching completion. The tram has been receiving a heavy overhaul during the closed season, the most visible change being an exterior repaint in the earlier cream and black livery worn by the Berlin REKO class, of which 3006 is one. On 29th February, the car was moved to Road 1 in the workshop by the Blackpool electric locomotive, allowing its new look to be seen in daylight for the first time, and a photo of this event can be seen at http://www.crichtramwayvillagenews.blogspot.com/ This move has also  allowed Leeds 345 to move back onto Road 2, as its own overhaul nears completion.

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Blackpool ‘Boat’ 605 docks at Beamish!

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Following a safe journey from the North West, Blackpool ‘Boat’ car 605/233 arrived at Beamish Museum early on Monday 1st March. This was an unusual instance of a tram ending a journey in a different month to the one it started in! On arrival, and after being driven along the Museum street on board the Scott’s low loader, 605 was safely unloaded and shunted into position on the depot track fan, with some assistance from a fellow visiting tram, Leeds 6 from Heaton Park. This was completed before the Museum opened to visitors in order to minimise disruption and keep the modern lorry away from public sight!

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Bon Voyage 605!

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

British Trams Online sponsored Boat car 605 left Blackpool on Wednesday 29th February, for the first time in its 78 year history. As we announced earlier this week, the tram is being loaned by its owners, the Lancastrian Transport Trust, to Beamish Museum for a two year period and this website will be funding the repaint of the tram back into its 1930s style green and cream livery.

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By Boat to Thornton Gate!

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Wednesday 29th February was an interesting day on the Blackpool tramway with not one, but two open ‘Boat’ cars appearing in daylight! The appearance of 605 outside the depot is described elsewhere, but a huge surprise came during the morning when Boat 600 was taken out for a test run on the main line! The tram ran as far north as Thornton Gate – this is as far as trams are currently able to reach – and is believed to have visited this location twice before heading back to the depot.

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Blackpool’s heritage tram plan revealed

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Details have emerged regarding Blackpool Transport’s plans for the operation of its
retained heritage tramcars during 2012 and the years ahead. It was recently announced that Bryan Lindop, a key figure at BTS who is also a well known supporter of the classic tram fleet, will be taking charge of the heritage operation – and details are now filtering through to the enthusiast community about what Bryan has planned. The proposals are very ambitious and look set to exploit the appeal of the old trams to enthusiasts and tourists alike, in fact some of the trams that are staying in Blackpool may be used far more than they have been for many years under this new operating regime!

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Blackpool Boat 605 to visit Beamish

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

In an exciting development, British Trams Online can exclusively announce that
Blackpool ‘Boat’ car 605 will shortly be making the journey to the North East for an extended operating loan at Beamish Museum. Even more excitingly, British Trams Online will be sponsoring 605 in order to fund its restoration back to original 1930s green and cream livery! The deal between ourselves, Beamish Museum and the Lancastrian Transport Trust will see the tram operate at Beamish for a minimum of two years.

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In Pictures: Flexity2 005 makes an appearance

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Of the Flexity2s in Blackpool for any length of time 005 has proved to be rather elusive as it has been confined to Starr Gate depot with several reported defects. This was, however, changed on Friday 24th February when it was used on New South Promenade on brake tests.

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Edinburgh Trams to become freight vehicles?

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

As the City of Edinburgh Council continue to try and find work for their surplus trams – with at least half of the 27 CAF vehicles ordered likely to not initially be needed – they have come up with a strange plan which would see some of them converted into “nocturnal couriers” or freight trams running during the night to you and me. However the Scottish National Party are said to be against this idea as they believe it to be unworkable.

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New off peak tram travel offer to be launched in Sheffield

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Travel South Yorkshire and Stagecoach Supertram are teaming up to offer a new special
off peak day ticket on the Supertram network on weekdays between1000 and 1600 – with superheroes being used to publicise the offer!

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Manchester Metrolink Engineering Works: 3rd & 4th March 2012

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

There will be engineering works on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th March which means no trams will run on the South Manchester line for throughout both these days. A replacement bus service will operate from St Werburgh’s Road and Trafford Bar, from where passengers will be able to pick up Altrincham line trams. Normal service is planned to resume from the start of service on Monday 5th March.

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Consultation launched for Wythenshawe Transport Interchange

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

The latest public consultation related to Manchester Metrolink has been launched, this one being for a new transport interchange in Wythenshawe which will be part of the Airport extension of Metrolink – due to open in summer 2016.

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Dudley tram to be restored

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

In a very unexpected but extremely welcome development, the Black Country Living Museum have taken steps towards restoring one of their tram collection to operational
status following a lengthy period of neglect. This museum rarely makes the news as it normally runs just one tram, but it seems that the management have decided to make a positive step and invest in its vehicles with a much-needed overhaul on the cards for Dudley & Stourbridge 5.

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Birkenhead restorations progress

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

Despite the air of uncertainty regarding the future operation of the Birkenhead heritage tramway, volunteers of the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society have continued to work hard on two major restoration projects simultaneously. Both Warrington 2 and Liverpool 245 have made impressive progress in recent months and so it seems that an update on both cars is now due.

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Lauderdale crossing closes – again!

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

The controversial road crossing at Lauderdale Avenue on the northern stretch of the
Blackpool tramway has finally been closed for good, as upgrade works draw to a close. A previous attempt to close this crossing was met with howls of protest from local residents who insisted that the crossing was vital access point, and was later reinstated, but this time it seems that the work being undertaken is of a more permanent nature.

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Crich Tramway Village kicks off a promising season

Posted on Thursday 22 March 2012 by admin

A potentially exciting year for the Crich Tramway Village got off to a belated start on Saturday 18th February, when the Museum opened its doors to the paying public for the first time this year. The attraction had been forced to postpone its re-opening by a week due to heavy snowfalls, and the severe winter weather unfortunately meant that it wasn’t possible to operate a full tram service for the first weekend as work on commissioning the relaid line to Glory Mine has been delayed.

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