ROGER MERCER - SCATTERING OF ASHES AT CRICH

It has been arranged to have a ceremony of scattering of Roger's ashes at the Museum on Tuesday 22 JULY. Meet at 0930 for 1000 am ceremony.  

To get an idea of numbers who may attend, please either email RichardandKath@gmail.com 
or tel. 01773 744835 which has an answerphone, so that I can let the TMS know.  Thank you.  Kath

MIDLAND METRO ON THURSDAY 26 JUNE 2014 - Frank Bagshaw

Frank visited Midland Metro today (26th June) and saw newly laid track by New Street station. No sign of any of the new trams apart from in the depot area, trams 12 and 16 photographed at Wednesfield still

in the original livery.

 

 

HEATON PARK ON SUNDAY 22 JUNE 2014 - Keith Chadbourne

  With the weather being as nice as it is I thought I would go and see how things were going in Heaton Park.

I attach some pictures. 619 was the service car on a 20 min. frequency. 702 and the works car were out of the new depot whilst work was underway in what looked like the depot entrance. Hull 96 was standing outside the old depot in undercoat / primer whilst work was ongoing at the depot end of the car. Work was going on on 765's trucks in the depot.

 

702 and the works car

Service car 619

 

CRICH UPDATE - 6 June 2014 - Frank Bagshaw

Frank Bagshaw reports that Blackpool & Fleetwood toastrack no. 2 has been used this year, below is a photo of it in service at Glory Mine terminus on June 6th.

Also LCC 1 has now entered the workshop, in preparation for restoration. It is alongside MET 331 which is receiving workshop attention. 

LCC1 in the workshop

LCC1 and Met 331 int the workshop

Blackpool & Fleetwood toastrack no. 2 has been used this year, below is a photo of it in service at Glory Mine terminus on June 6th.

SEATON TRAMWAY W/C 2 JUNE 2014 - Keith Chadbourne

  I got back last night from a week in Devon. Here are a few pictures of the Seaton Trams in service or on Specials. A number of my Duties were on Specials.

Colyton

Depot Gates

Along the River

Riverside Loop

Cowhayne Loop

EDINBURGH ON 4 JUNE 2014 - Frank Bagshaw

Frank Bagshaw has visited Edinburgh this week to sample the new trams. Frank reports the trams were well patronised, especially with people trying out the new service. However, ticket pricing may become an issue, it's £1 more expensive by tram to the airport than by bus. An "all day" ticket up to Ingleston P+R is £3.50 and that is just one stop short of the airport, to include that terminus the all day fare is £9.

During the evening rush hour trams seem to be held up by other traffic on Princes Street. However, the trams run particularly smoothly so no issues with ride quality.

Photos of trams: in Princes Street, West End and at Airport terminus are below.

 

 

LISBON - NEW LIVERY FOR SANTO ANTONIO'S DAY 13 JUNE - Luis Vieira

New liveries on Lisbon trams.

We´re close to Santo Atónio, (June 13), Lisbon holiday, typical commemorations with sardines and red wine.

 

 

MANCHESTER ON WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE 2014

I paid a quick visit to Manchester, mainly in the pouring rain, and managed to find time to go to Ashton and Oldham King Street.

Approaching King Street Oldham stop en route to East Didsbury

Ashton tram en route at Holt Town

At the compulsory stop Shude Hill

Work in progress at Victoria

Track being laid and further along gauge checking was in progress

Coming off the single track on the approach to Shude Hill

Waiting to receive the staff on the approach to Victoria single line

MANCHESTER FAREWELL OF T68s MONDAY 26 MAY 2014 - Keith Chadbourne

 I attach three pictures taken today on the Farewell Tour of the T68s. The route was Piccadilly Station to Eccles; Eccles toMediaCity; MediaCity to Bury and then to Altrincham. I only photographed on the leg from Piccadilly to Eccles and MediaCity to Exchange Quay which took the best part of 2 hours. I then left them to it and came home. 

Leaving Pomona and crossing the Ship Canal

on Eccles New Rd on route to MediaCity

on Eccles New Rd on route to MediaCity

 

NOTTINGHAM ON SUNDAY 25 MAY 2014 - John Henderson

Due to the closure of the Market Square in Nottingham for the Milk Race, the opportunity to replace tram rail at the entrance to Station Street Viaduct has been undertaken, along with the connection of overhead wiring at the Station Street terminus over the new station viaduct.

Trams have been turning short at the Royal Centre, and using the cross over.

The out of town Royal Centre tram stop has today had Citadis 219 occupying this space, and the public has been allowed to view their new trams. Training staff were on hand to answer any questions.

Meanwhile, a staff member has the frequent task of changing the points by hand on the cross over, allowing service trams to revert the the correct side of the road.

Images show the day's events, including the Citadis with the Alstom liveried Incentro next to it!

 

 

NOTTINGHAM W/C 18 MAY 21014 - Frank Bagshaw

Frank Bagshaw was in Nottingham last week looking for Citadis trams on test. Here are photos of new tram 217 passing the Arboretum and at Goose Fair site with an Incentro in yellow advertising livery. 

At Goosefair

Passing Arboretum

ACTUAL SEASIDE - BLACKPOOL ON 24 MAY 2014

Took a risk on the weather and went to Blackpool for the Heritage running day today. We arrived at 1100 to fine but dull weather, which then became very wet from 1430.  There seemed to be a very good turnout of spotters despite the weather forecast. The only problem is that I still haven't ridden on one of the new trams, ce la vie! An excuse to visit again. (by the way the Blackpool donkeys went home early due to the weather).

Very frequent service on the Flexcitys and well patronised too

Service trams crossing at Talbot Square/North Pier

Just managed to get a ride on the open topper before the rain started

167 at the crossover at North Pier.  We later rode all the way to Thornton Gate and return on 167.

147 and 167 at Pleasure Beach

and again (147 later broke down at Bispham)

Open topper gone to depot and 717 in replacement  went  to Cabin

Liked the light fittings on 717