In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Awards deadline approaches, Extra trams for a fusion of Scottish and Australian culture in Edinburgh, a step back in time for West Midlands Metro customers, police operations on Luas and summer tours in Blackpool.

There’s less than a month to go until the submission deadline for this year’s Global Light Rail Awards.

Now in their 16th year, the sector’s ‘Oscars’ recognise innovation and excellence from across the light and urban rail sector in categories which showcase ground-breaking projects and products, as well as outstanding individual and team contributions.

A recognised mark of excellence for authorities, operators and suppliers, the awards offer organisations the chance to be honoured amongst their peers across 16 categories which celebrate the passion and dedication which makes our sector so special.

Further information, including details about submitting an entry, can be found here.

In other light rail news:

West Midlands Metro

Passengers on board the West Midlands Metro will now be able to travel back in time thanks to a new 360° mobile experience.

Specially created for the Birmingham 2022 Festival, and in time for the start of the Commonwealth Games, Time Travel Tram uses cutting edge technology to transform an everyday tram journey into an exciting, shared experience.

It can be enjoyed by anyone with a smartphone and headphones on services between Birmingham and Wolverhampton and is accessed by scanning a QR code available on board. The Time Travel Tram, invites people to discover the people and places that moulded Birmingham and the Black Country into the vibrant and industrious place it is today and you can read more here.

Edinburgh Trams

A spectacular fusion of Scottish and Australian culture is set to launch one of the world’s largest arts festivals, and Edinburgh’s award-winning tram operator is gearing up to make it as easy as possible to get to and from the venue.

Trams already run from every seven minutes between Edinburgh Airport and St Andrew Square but, before and after MACRO at the BT Murrayfield Stadium tonight (Friday, August 5), service frequency is being boosted to every three minutes.

After the usual last tram at 11:30 pm, a special 20-minute service will then be in operation until 1:30 am for the free event which marks the start of the 75th Edinburgh International Festival. Click here for more on this story.

Tyne & Wear Metro 

A full-sized replica of the new Tyne and Wear Metro train has gone on public display for the very first time.

The detailed cab mock-up is being exhibited at the Stephenson Steam Railway in North Tyneside and will give visitors of all ages the chance to see inside the new Metro train’s driver cab.

Features include the full cab layout, the driver’s seat, a dashboard, and an exterior with the iconic yellow Metro livery and destination displays.Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, has donated the replica to the museum and you can read the full story here.

Luas

An Garda Síochána has launched a major operation as part of its Community Engagement and Rail Safety Partnership, which aims to ensure public safety and address anti-social behaviour on trams and trains.

Operation Twin Tracks is being carried out in partnership with Irish and Luas operator Transdev Ireland and has featured high visibility patrolling. It has also provided the opportunity for officers to offer crime prevention advice and the full story can be found here.

Heritage 

Blackpool’s Heritage Tram Tours is planning a spectacular programme of events on Fylde coast over the August bank holiday weekend.

For anyone who likes to be beside the seaside, there are tours that can be pre-booked as well as hop on/hop off trips, depot visits and plenty of themed events featuring, spooky tales, real ale and fish and chips!

Tickets for the event weekend can be purchased in advance and full details can be found here.

Meanwhile Crich Tramway Museum has announced that its Victorian cabmen’s shelter from Bradford is now open for visitors to explore following restoration.

Located at the Wakebridge tram stop the shelter returned to Crich in December 2020 following the first phase of restoration off-site. Staff from Crich’s Conservation Workshop team have since been working to fit out the interior and you can read more here.

Light Rail SSB

Key projects that are set to play a crucial role in further enhancing light rail safety will be the focus of a series of workshops in Birmingham next week.

Over two days at the Advanced Transport and Infrastructure National College, they will help to drive an ambitious delivery programme by the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board.

Safety professionals from across light rail are set to discuss the development of a national safety plan, upgrades to the Tram Accident and Incident Reporting (TAIR) database and enhancements to a sector-wide risk model.

The introduction of a Risk Management Maturity Model (RM3) audit tool and the development of a comprehensive database of assessments using BowTie XP software will also be put under the spotlight, as reported 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.