Trams

[Western SMT]

The last Tram to run in Dundee was the No 25 from Maryfield depot to the Lochee depot on 20 Oct 1956 and was watched by thousands of people.
Blackpool still retains it's well known Tram system.
Is there any other old Tram systems still in use in the UK?

Edinburgh is currently laying a new Tram network and should be running by 2011.
How many other new Tram networks are there in the UK?

[billyboy]

Great when theres a wet day and the cyclists get their front wheel in them....Whoooooop's

[G-CPTN]

Anybody know the 'mechanics' of the electrical supply systems used by cities such as Prague?
I believe that UK cities that ran old trams and trolley buses generated their own electricity.
I'm sure some enthusiasts would know . . .

[Trapper John]

Edinburgh is currently laying a new Tram network and should be running by 2011.
Don't I know it! Road works everywhere! Technically speaking, they're re-adjusting utilities lying just below the road surfaces, though why they can't lay the track as well is beyond me.
How many other new Tram networks are there in the UK?
1) MANCHESTER. I saw them building some of the system in August 1989.
2) CROYDON, south of London. There's a network based on old closed railway lines from Croydon to Elmers End, Beckenham Junction and Wimbledon. There's a long section, mostly just off-road to Europe's largest housing estate at New Addington. I've been on the entire network in BOTH directions.
3) SHEFFIELD. The only sight of this I've seen is from a XC train.
4) NOTTINGHAM. This is the most recent tram system to open, and it's based on the Nottingham - Shirebrook - Worksop line.

Apart from Edinburgh, I'm not aware of any other new tram networks being built, though they're talking about grabbing current NR lines in South London and adding them to the Croydon Tramlink.

John

[Western SMT]

Trapper John
Work to lay Edinburgh's tram tracks starts on Mon 6th October and Leith will be the first part of Edinburgh to see the tracks in place. This follows what they describe as a series of utility diversions and enabling works started in June 2007.

[Ian]

Wolverhampton is another city to reinstate trams

Ian

[Energumen]

Bristol has talked about it since Brunel's time, or so it seems.

Likely, his 10xGreat descendants will be born before they stop the talking.

[Trapper John]

Wolverhampton is another city to reinstate trams.

Ian

Er...yes. I forgot about the Snow Hill to Wolverhampton tram system. As it traverses the streets of Wolverhampton it IS a tram network, but the reason I forgot it is because the majority of the system is on the old ex-GWR line that used to run between Snow Hill and Wolverhampton Low Level. If it had ALL been on old line, I would have described it as a Light Railway. However, they ARE trams, whether they are on the street or on reserved track. Thanks for reminding me.

Didn't Bristol have trams 100-odd years ago? I think I saw a photo of trams in Bristol negociating a tight curve that necessitated single line working on the curve.

Trapper John

[Western SMT]

Bristol has talked about it since Brunel's time, or so it seems.

Likely, his 10xGreat descendants will be born before they stop the talking.

Just been reading stories about your Bristol yes/no/yes/no tram system and see what you mean.
Bye the way I found your explanation for the name 'Energumen' on the forum and you will no doubt know there is another meaning, I just know you will have a good answer and look forward to it.

[Energumen]

Hi de hi, yes you are absolutely correct, it does have semantic links with ossession by the devil himself.

Rest assured however, that whilst I can be a bit of a devil in the most harmless and good humoured way, there are no demonic connotations in my use of the word. It really is as an enthusiast of transport that I adopt it.

Having said that, it is oft muted, that the devil is in the detail.?.

[Western SMT]

Edinburgh's trams project is on budget and still due to open in 2011 - despite rumours to the contrary - according to the city council's transport convenor.

[Western SMT]

Edinburgh Tram Update -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7777331.stm

[Trapper John]

Yes, I heard about this tonight in my local rag (Edinburgh Evening News). The article already shows how bus routes are going to be diverted off Princes Street onto George Street AND Queen Street. Doesn't show completely how routes like the 23 & 27 (my route), which come down The Mound, are going to cross over Princes Street. If the plan comes to fruition, we, the great Joe Public, might be told about it!

[Western SMT]

Edinburgh councillors have voted unanimously to close Princes Street to traffic for much of 2009 to allow tram tracks to be laid.

It is hoped a full closure of the city centre's main shopping street will ensure work is completed more quickly.

[dmackay]

I hope they close Princes st, get the job done and the trams up and running as quickly as possible

[Western SMT]

For a detailed list of the trams throughout the world -

http://www.lrta.org/world/worldind.html

[wilfo098]

I have had the pleasure of travelling on many trams ,Sheffield, Nottingham Croydon ,Belgian and Dutch and Lille France.Also those in Sydney and hope to find some more soon on my first trip to Germany. Barcelona should have new ones by now and Le Mans has recently joined the club .I love Em! my regret is that I was just too young to ride the London trams on their routes instead of musem rides.Some of the best routes are lisbon, Happy new year to you all...Alan

[G-CPTN]

Prague has superb trams
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Skoda_14_T_Praha.jpg


http://www.myczechrepublic.com/prague/transportation.html
http://www.myczechrepublic.com/prague/trams.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague_Tram_System

[Western SMT]

Update on Edinburgh Trams -

http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Edinburgh-business-leaders-warn-council.4901111.jp

[Western SMT]

More comments on Edinburgh trams -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7846817.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7320800.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7305662.stm

[Western SMT]

The new fleet of trams for Manchester

http://www.gmpte.com/news.cfm?news_id=6109811

[Western SMT]

Trams could return plus some old film
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7893614.stm

[Western SMT]

Tram works stopped

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7900617.stm

[Western SMT]

There are just hours left before the deadline to resolve a dispute that has put Edinburgh's tram project on hold.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7953621.stm

[Western SMT]

Agreement reached

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7956329.stm

[G-CPTN]

But will they still meet the installation deadline(s)?
A break had been planned in the works during August but retailers had called for it to continue so Princes Street could reopen in time for the festive period.
They said they were worried deadlines would be missed and the street would still be closed to all traffic during the Christmas shopping period.

[Western SMT]

They say they are only one week behind

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7959002.stm

[Western SMT]

Fresh funding concerns have been raised over the future of Edinburgh's trams project, after a multi-million pound extension to the network was shelved.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8016093.stm

[John Hunt]

More here -

http://www.edinburghguide.com/story/edinburghcitycouncil/3277