SOLLER TRAIN - DEPOT AND WORKSHOPS MARCH 2017

Power car 3 brings a train from Palma into Soller; tram depot on right, train depot on left. Tram 1 shunts the train depot when required.

New pantograph castings made by a Barcelona foundry, compared with the originals

The original forge still in use if required

Needle roller axle bearing for ex-Lisboa MV115 motor

Curious little Renault inspection saloon rear

How many people do you need to clean train windows?

Hispano-Suiza tower wagon, still used on a regular basis rear

Hispano-Suiza tower wagon, still used on a regular basis

This Renault was in use for many years to transfer personnel along the line, the engine still starts and ticks over

New body under construction using an ex-Lisboa underframe

Maley and Taunton swing-link truck, ex-Lisboa, as received

Power car 3 arriving at Soller. This is the last power car to retain the original rheostatic brtaking equipment

Backing onto the train in the yard at Palma. The power car still retains leather settees in first class.

Mural on the side wall of a building at Palma station

SOLLER MAJORCA 20-24 MARCH 2017

More Soller photos 

Conductress on the Soller-|Palma train with custom made cash bag for ticket printer

To prove you need eyes in the back of your head if you are duty manager

No3 (original 1913 Carde e Escoriaza with trailer leaving the depot at Soller

Soller depot with the Tramuntana mountains in the background

Tram weaving its way through the coffee tables in Placa Constitucio in Soller

SOLLER TRAMWAY MAJORCA 21-24 MARCH 2017 (1)

I have just returned from a 5 day trip to Majorca to see the Soller tramway and train.

No 2  At Puerto de Soller station

No 2 running around trailer

No 2 crossing points at Puerto de Soller ready to attach to train

No 2 departing Pueto de Soller with trailer

No2 moving off ready to run around its trailer at Puerto de Soller station

No 20 (the last ex-Lisboa car with original body) heads an empty motor-trailer-trailer-motor formation leaving Puerto de Soller after forming a charter service

CRICH LCC1 ON 17 MARCH 2017 - Frank Bagshaw

 LCC 1 being reassembled in the Crich workshop, March 2017.

LISBON - BAIXA POMBALINA ON 16 MARCH 2017 - Luis Vieira

All taken at Baixa Pombalina

BURTON & ASHBY 14 ON 13 MARCH 2017

An invitation was received a few weeks ago to visit the Statfold Barn Railway near Tamworth to see the progress made on the refurb on B & A 14.  We were surprised to find that the tram was up and running and very nicely turned out. A speedy renovation to a high spec.

14 on its way back from the end of the line

14 rounding the corner before the tram stop

Almost at the stop

At the stop - showing a really good paint job

Upper deck

New controller top and handles

14 has its own depot at the far end of the line with 3 foot gauge and standard gauge provision for a standard gauge engine Statfold are due to receive.

Staircase and hand rail - we noticed that the majority of the adverts were for different kinds of soap and wondered if the citizens of Burton and Ashby were particularity dirty!

Inside the controller. The original controllers were no good and have been scrapped, also the top and controller handles were lost in Detroit. The original casings have been used to house Fork Lift Truck electronics. The arrangement has been made that the tram can only be driven in the direction of the controller and not reversible.

The original motors were no good and have been scrapped. New fork lift truck motors have been housed in the original motor casings. It still has the correct 'tram' sounds when moving! The tram has  been re-gauged to 3 feet and has different wheels.

Motive power comes from 60 x 2 volt Fork Lift Batteries, housed in banks of 10 under the seats

High gloss varnished seats

The main switchgear housed under the stairs under lock and key

The original fluted lights, carved wood and ceiling cornices have been kept

14 on the way back to its depot after a super morning

SOMETHING DIFFERENT - IRELAND - Martin Miller

Another find which has a variety of transport in Ireland including the Fintona horse tram, Hill of Howth, narrow guage, lots of steam, buses, Belfast trolleybuses and a traction engine:-

Northern Ireland Screen | Digital Film Archive

BEAMISH MUSEUM ON SATURDAY 4 MARCH 2017

First sight of 264 approaching the entrance stop

 A visit to Beamish Museum for the last running of Blackpool 147 before its return to Blackpool.

In the main I was interested in seeing how the museum has progressed since my last visit almost 10 years ago.

The tram I was most interested to see was Sheffield 264 and how good it looked. It would be nice to think that one day Sheffield 264 from Beamish and Sheffield 264 from Crich (newly renovated), might run together in service. One can wish and hope!

There were five trams available to ride during the day, 147, 264, 114, 196 and 16.
It was also good to see more vintage shops open - the Chemist (complete with Bunsen burner), the Photographers Studio (with potted palm, background drapes and fur stole), the rear of the car showroom (showing the workshop and vintage parts department) and best of all the working Bakery and shop (I can recommend the bread, teacakes and sticky ginger cake!

264 loading at the entrance stop

264 rounding the corner of the street

264 at the tram stop on the street corner

264 and 196 crossing at the entrance tram stop

147 and 114 pass at the entrance tram stop

147 from the top deck of 114 at the entrance

The double decker and the access bus pass through the street

114 and 196 pass at the entrance stop

Access bus and 114 at the entrance

196 at the entrance with the double decker approaching in the background

196 passing the depot approach

16 in the depot entrance ready to come into service in the afternoon

16 and 147 progressing along the street

MANCHESTER METROLINK SECOND CITY CROSSING OPENING DAY - Martin Miller

 Martin went to Manchester yesterday to see the first day of the Second City Crossing and the extension of the Airport service from Cornbrook to Deansgate Castlefield. Still seems amazing that we are able to witness new British tramway routes opening!

 Manchester Metrolink Second City Crossing opening day

Manchester Metrolink St Peter's Square 2CC Opening Day