Group Formed
Monday, 16th October, 2006
Group Description
An email group for news about trams in the UK. This group is for the posting in advance of info about any tram related events or workings, or the posting of such info as it happens.
Our aim is to get as much info in advance so that members have the opportunity to get out and see, ride on or photograph tram workings at preserved tram sites, and other renowned tram locations like Blackpool and the new light rail systems around the country, rather than hearing about happenings after the event. A vast proportion of the news on this group concerns Blackpool as this is one place where tram workings give the most variation, but news from any tramway in the UK is extremely welcome on this group.
Advance notice of tram related events.
>Advance notice of noteable tram workings.
>'As it happens' postings of tram workings (eg: Balloon 700 is on the Fleetwood circuit today).
>News of tram incidents either as they happen or just after the event.
>Updates to fleet lists and livery changes.
>Questions relating to tram workings (but keep them relevant and to the point)
>Answers to questions.
Please don't post:
>Messages that only advertise updates to websites (if you wish to say that you have updated your website or put a link to your website at the end of a proper 'gen' message that is OK).
>Spotting reports, and details of what you saw last week.
>Abusive or non tram related messages.
This group encourages the posting of messages from mobile devices as well as from PC's to ensure that the info received by members is up to date.
Hopefully the above will mean that the messages the members of this group receive will be news and info that assists their hobby rather than endless website updates and comments (there are other groups that are happy to receive such postings).
Our aim is to get as much info in advance so that members have the opportunity to get out and see, ride on or photograph tram workings at preserved tram sites, and other renowned tram locations like Blackpool and the new light rail systems around the country, rather than hearing about happenings after the event. A vast proportion of the news on this group concerns Blackpool as this is one place where tram workings give the most variation, but news from any tramway in the UK is extremely welcome on this group.
>Advance notice of noteable tram workings.
>'As it happens' postings of tram workings (eg: Balloon 700 is on the Fleetwood circuit today).
>News of tram incidents either as they happen or just after the event.
>Updates to fleet lists and livery changes.
>Questions relating to tram workings (but keep them relevant and to the point)
>Answers to questions.
Please don't post:
>Messages that only advertise updates to websites (if you wish to say that you have updated your website or put a link to your website at the end of a proper 'gen' message that is OK).
>Spotting reports, and details of what you saw last week.
>Abusive or non tram related messages.
This group encourages the posting of messages from mobile devices as well as from PC's to ensure that the info received by members is up to date.
Hopefully the above will mean that the messages the members of this group receive will be news and info that assists their hobby rather than endless website updates and comments (there are other groups that are happy to receive such postings).
Group Link
Go to:
Tramgen
Geographic Area Covered
Locations within group area
 | Location Name: TS759 - Blackpool Pleasure Beach, TramwayLocation Notes: Totally different to Blackpool Pleasure beach (national Rail), this station, serving the large fun park in south Blackpool, is on the Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramway.Railway type and traffic Trams of the Blackpool and Fleetwood tramway, in both Driver only and crew operated mode, in both double and single deck form, and in fleet liver, or advertising liveries. Some trams carry on to Starr Gate, others terminate here, and use the turning circle to run round for their next journey. |
 | Location Name: TS707 - Blackpool Tramway, Starr GateLocation Notes: The southern end of the Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramway, the only regular public tramway in the UK not using light rail vehicles (Manchester, Sheffield, Croydon and Nottingham use light rail vehicles). However, plans to modernise the tramway will see this status end, with light rail vehicles being planned.Railway type and traffic The Blackpool and Fleetwood tramway operates both double and single deck trams, in both crew operated, and Driver only operated mode. Tickets are bought on the tram, except when using a travel card. |
 | Location Name: TS764 - Blackpool, Metropole HotelLocation Notes: The Metropole hotel is located next to the Blackpool Tramway. The hotel itself has quite an interesting history, currently owned by a London based hotel group. The Metropole is the only hotel in Blackpool borough to be located on the seaward side of the tram tracks, all other hotels being on the town side of the tracks.The first bit of track for the Blackpool and Fleetwood tramway was laid outside the hotel in 1885. Butlins bought the hotel in 1955, and sold it in 1998 to a consortium, who subsequently sold it to its present owners. Visit the Butlins memories website page,and look for Butlins hotels, for more details on the Metropole. Incidentally, as a result of this hotel, the trams have to take to the road for a a short distance. This is the only bit of street running that the trams actually do in Blackpool itself (Clevelys, and Fleetwood are in Lancashire, not Blackpool!). Railway type and traffic The Blackpool and Fleetwood tramway operates both single and double deck trams, in both crew operated and driver only mode. Tickets are bought on the tram, except when using a travel card. |
 | Location Name: TS1084 - Cleveleys, Blackpool TramwayLocation Notes: First stop outside the Blackpool Borough Boundaries, this section of the tramway incorporates a reversing facility, basically a crossover, acting as a terminus for Pleasure Beach - Cleveleys trams, as well as an intermediate stop for Service to and from Fleetwood.The station is located right at the crossroads in the middle of Cleveleys. Railway type and traffic Tramcars of the Blackpool Tramway are all you will see along here, in double and single deck mode. |
 | Location Name: TS485 - Crossgate Metro Viaduct, South ShieldsLocation Notes: Located south of South Shields town centre, this bridge was built new in 1984, for the introduction of Tyne and Wear Metro services to South Shields, and provided a link to the new Chichester Metro station. The bridge replaced the old BR route to South Shields, via High Shields. Just along from this location, it is possible to see some of that old alignment, as the embankment still remains!Railway type and traffic Tyne and Wear Metro trains, working South Shields - Airport workings, though some other, short workings, do also take place. The bridge, incidentally, is built to the same specification as that of the Ouseburn Metro Viaduct, Byker. |
 | Location Name: TS83 - Gosforth East JunctionLocation Notes: Located between South Gosforth & Longbenton on the Tyne & Wear Metro, approx. 4 miles north of Newcastle city centre. The junction is straddled by a long footbridge giving views of the junction to the east and the Metro Fleet depot in the distance to the west.Although in a residential area, the footbridge is little used. Probably advisable to be at least 5’10”, or have steps, tall to get a good view over the bridge. Railway type and traffic Tyne & Wear Metrocars pass approx. every 10mins between South Gosforth and Longbenton. The best times to see traffic entering and leaving the depot is between 06:30 – 07:30 and 17:30 – 19:00, Mon-Fri, summer only for daylight photography. There is a peak hour extra (Mon-Fri) scheduled to leave the depot and pass under the footbridge at approx. 15:00. Looking towards the depot, it is not unusual to see one of the 3 Battery locos and other Metrocars shunting around
the depot, but their movements are sporadic.
|
 | Location Name: TS460 - Old Jesmond StationLocation Notes: North of Newcastle City centre, located on the former BR line from Jesmond to Manors BR, which was closed in 1977, to allow metro construction to take place. Nowadays, the line is an ECS line from Manors Metro to Jesmond junction.Railway type and traffic The old Jesmond station is located just off Sandyford Road in Jesmond. The old station was closed in 1977, when the Metro service was introduced, and a new Jesmond station was built, underground. The line that the old station sits on is still used, but only for ECS workings at peak times on the Tyne and Wear Metro. No regular passenger Metro trains are scheduled to use the line. |
 | Location Name: TS464 - Ouseburn Metro Viaduct, BykerLocation Notes: Byker is a suburb of Newcastle. It is just to the east of Newcastle city centre, and is served by the Tyne and Wear metro. The ECML also runs in cutting just to the north, a short walk away.Railway type and traffic The bridge carries the east west lines of the Tyne and Wear metro, to and from St. James and Newcastle city centre. The bridge was built in 1979 new for the metro, and the actual path that it follows into Byker station from Manors was originally planned for a motorway but that was abandoned, and the Metro follows that route instead. When opened, it won an architectural award! |
 | Location Name: TS535 - Sunderland StationLocation Notes: Located on both the Tyne and Wear Metro, and the National rail Newcastle - Sunderland - Middlesbrough rail line. NR and Tyne and Wear trains share the same tracks. The station is right in Sunderland city centre.Railway type and traffic Tyne and Wear metro trains, which use the southern end of the platforms, and Northern rail 142 and 156 DMUs, which use the northern end of the platforms. Freight is very rare. |
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.