The recent lifting of remaining Covid restrictions, combined with the continued popularity of ‘staycation’ holidays, looks set to provide a welcome boost for heritage tramways this summer.

Visitors to some of the UK’s most popular tourist attractions can now look forward to a packed programme of activities as operators announce details of their plans for the coming months, members of the UKTram Heritage Group have reported.

Among the systems leading the way will be Seaton Tramway in Devon, which recently scooped the prestigious ‘Outstanding Visitor Attraction’ at the recent Heritage Railway Association annual awards.

You can read more about the Heritage Group here.

In other light rail news:

Blackpool Transport

A new ticket is set to prove extra flexibility for ‘hybrid’ employees in Blackpool who are travelling to their workplace less frequently.

The Flexi10 provides access to 10 single journey tickets for the price of 8, saving customers 20 per cent. Single tickets can be activated at any time within three months of purchase and are ready to use when needed.

Three versions of the ticket are available, with the both the Two zone Flexi10 and the Tram Flexi10 tickets, priced at £20.80, accepted on both tram and bus services. A One Zone ticket is also available, priced at £16.80 and you can find more details here.

Tyne & Wear Metro

Four artists have each won a unique commission to create major works for the interior of the Tyne and Wear Metro’s £362m new train fleet.

Metro will be the first urban transit system in the world to feature permanent art inside trains when the new fleet enters service next year, thanks to a project led by operator Nexus and funded by Arts Council England through its National Lottery Project Grants programme.

Following an open call for submissions, each of the four artists will go on to create a work to cover the full height and width of carriage end walls and the full story can be found here.

Luas

Today (Friday, 22nd April) is Earth Day and Transdev, operator of Luas, has been celebrating its credentials as Europe’s leading operator of zero emission mobility.

In conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, a number of sustainability projects have been developed and put into action since Luas first opened in 2004, including reductions in energy consumption and protecting biodiversity.

The theme of this year’s Earth Day is “Invest in Our Planet”, and you can read more on how Luas is marking the day here.

Extension Projects 

A significant concrete pour has taken place on Castle Hill in Dudley for the eagerly awaited Metro extension last week, as reported here.

The activity took more than eight hours to complete and with six loads of concrete, equating to 42m3, used for the pour.

It is the second major milestone to be reached for the project in 2022 following the laying of track on one half of the busy thoroughfare earlier in February, signalling a clear sign that the main construction in this area is progressing well.

Heritage

The Polar Express™ Tram Ride is coming to Seaton Tramway on selected dates through November and December, enabling families to take a magical tram ride to Santa’s home in a specially decorated single deck tramcar.

Passengers are encouraged to travel in their favourite pyjamas whilst they enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, a delicious treat and admire the awesome lights of the North Pole.

Tickets go on general sale from today (Friday, 22nd April) and you can read more here.

To be included in the next round-up, or the Members News section of the UKTram website, send your press releases to info@uktram.org.