Sheffield Supertram & Tram Train news

[JD2168]

I visited yesterday to complete my coverage of the supertram network by travelling to Herdings Park and Halfway, and the Herdings Park service was not running. I thought all the engineering works for that line were supposed to be completed, and I couldn't find any references anywhere to why the service was not running and when it is expected to resume, although of course I may not have looked in the right places!

(Still had a pleasant day out, walking in the Rother Valley Country Park).

I wouldn’t be surprised if a lack of driver/conductor was responsible, the Purples do tend to drop first with ticket acceptance quickly put in place on First 47/48/51 services

 

[33109]

Anybody know when the trams are likely to get an interior refresh? It was supposedly said from what I'd heard that they'd get freshened up as internally they are very scruffy.

Also there's been mutterings now for ages about wanting to expand the network since it came back under local authority control again.

Questions are:

What Routes?
Is there a need to expand or is the current system decent enough?
Is there funding in place or could be to do the above????

 

[eastwestdivide]

Bit of a wild card earlier today - tram-trains being slightly delayed around Magna because of a deer on the line! Couldn't believe my eyes. So here's my terrible photo. The deer is on the right hand track.


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Apr 2026 ==

Anybody know when the trams are likely to get an interior refresh? It was supposedly said from what I'd heard that they'd get freshened up as internally they are very scruffy

A few that I travelled on today had new seat covers (as well as some with threadbare old ones).

 

[The Pelican]

Trambi

 

[ALEMASTER]

The third area of planned rail replacement works have just concluded, replacing the diamond crossing at Gleadless Townend (where the trams from Halfway cross over the line to Herdings before heading down into the tram stop).

The next area of rail replacement works is a level crossing between Beighton and Halfway which will see a weekend closure with trams turning at Beighton, after that there is Tramlines music festival with lots of extra trams running and some changes to routes at certain times.

 

[joseph0m]

I noticed a tram train heading southbound from Hillsborough park the other day, undergoing “Driver training”. Are they simply just using them as extra vehicles for route learning or is there something else happening that I’m not aware of? I’ve never seen them on the yellow route up there so I had to do a double take!

 

[sytransport]

I noticed a tram train heading southbound from Hillsborough park the other day, undergoing “Driver training”. Are they simply just using them as extra vehicles for route learning or is there something else happening that I’m not aware of? I’ve never seen them on the yellow route up there so I had to do a double take!

Citylink trams are capable of using the full network when not using the tram-train wheel profile (I think there’s only one or two like this) and drivers have to be trained on them for this reason. Not seen one in service for a while on normal Supertram network.

 

[Bryson]

I noticed a tram train heading southbound from Hillsborough park the other day, undergoing “Driver training”. Are they simply just using them as extra vehicles for route learning or is there something else happening that I’m not aware of? I’ve never seen them on the yellow route up there so I had to do a double take!

The 399's are regularly used on the Yellow route to Middlewood. It's not at all unusual to see them standing at the Terminus. Some of them are still fitted with the tram wheel profile that allows them to run anywhere on the system. The Tram Train profile is restricted to areas where rail replacement has taken place, this is expanding with each project.

 

[JD2168]

On Friday I noticed:
111 has a new overall advert for Monzo
399206 in service on Purples, not seen this one for a long while

 

[ALEMASTER]

On Friday I noticed:
111 has a new overall advert for Monzo
399206 in service on Purples, not seen this one for a long while

The Purple was running an enhanced service extended to Malin Bridge to an increased frequency that weekend for Tramlines music festival so every serviceable tram was pressed into service!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Aug 2026 ==

Next area of rail replacement works starts on Saturday 8 August and this is a big one with the Delta Junction being replaced (Fitzalan Square-Hyde Park/Sheffield Station).

Trams running Cathedral to Middlewood/Malin Bridge, Sheffield Station to Halfway/Herdings and Woodbourn Road to Meadowhall/Parkgate.

Replacement buses Cathedral to Granville Road and Cathedral to Woodbourn Road.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Crikey, that’s 8-31 Aug!
More info here:

Bus, tram and train travel - Travel South Yorkshire

Information on bus, tram, tram train and train travel in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. Routes, maps, live departure times, plan a journey, ticket information and travel updates.

www.travelsouthyorkshire.com

from which:

During this time, we will be renewing the main tram junction – known as the Delta junction, above Park Square roundabout in Sheffield city centre. Works will include – replacing worn track, points, signalling equipment and pedestrian crossings. The Delta junction is of vital importance to the network and is used by all tram services – over 440 trams run over it each day – and after 32 years of operation the junction is in need of renewal. Once complete, this £3.5m project will improve the ride quality and ensure the junction is fit for another 30 years of operations.

We will also be replacing the track where it crosses Bernard Road near Hyde Park tram stop. By planning these works together, we reduce the need for further closures in the future.

 

[ALEMASTER]

Crikey, that’s 8-31 Aug!
More info here:

Bus, tram and train travel - Travel South Yorkshire

Information on bus, tram, tram train and train travel in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. Routes, maps, live departure times, plan a journey, ticket information and travel updates.

www.travelsouthyorkshire.com

from which:

Yes, although I gather 28th onwards is contingency and there is a hope to reopen the network in time for the Rock & Roll Circus event on the evening of the 27th if testing and commissioning of the new installation is finished that morning.

 

[Mike99]

Hi, I'm travelling, in October from Rotherham at 22.05 changing at Tinsley at 22.08, to go on to Meadowhhall Interchange, I see a yellow route arrives at Interchange at 22.11. Does anyone know if this connects at Tinsley (Yellow route doesn't seem to give a departure time)? Either scheduled, missed or is it pot luck!

 

[py_megapixel]

Hi, I'm travelling, in October from Rotherham at 22.05 changing at Tinsley at 22.08, to go on to Meadowhhall Interchange, I see a yellow route arrives at Interchange at 22.11. Does anyone know if this connects at Tinsley (Yellow route doesn't seem to give a departure time)? Either scheduled, missed or is it pot luck!

I don't believe there are any guaranteed connections on Supertram, and it looks like Tinsley to Meadowhall Interchange is 3 minutes. So you might just make it but I'd not rely on it.

There's an X2 bus that leaves Rotherham Interchange at 21:48 and arrives at Meadowhall at 22:03. Would that meet your needs?

 

[Mike99]

I don't believe there are any guaranteed connections on Supertram, and it looks like Tinsley to Meadowhall Interchange is 3 minutes. So you might just make it but I'd not rely on it.

There's an X2 bus that leaves Rotherham Interchange at 21:48 and arrives at Meadowhall at 22:03. Would that meet your needs?

Yes, thank you for that info

 

[waterboo]

Seems quite a stretch to keep units away from the depot for such an extended period. What provisions have they got to keep the fleet running?

 

[edwin_m]

Seems quite a stretch to keep units away from the depot for such an extended period. What provisions have they got to keep the fleet running?

They may be phasing the works so there are periods with one track available to swap trams back to the depot.

 

[ricoblade]

Interesting seeing the drivers manually changing the points east of the Cathedral stop to swap from the incoming track and then reverse back up after changing the points again.

 

[dmncf]

The 399's are regularly used on the Yellow route to Middlewood. It's not at all unusual to see them standing at the Terminus. Some of them are still fitted with the tram wheel profile that allows them to run anywhere on the system. The Tram Train profile is restricted to areas where rail replacement has taken place, this is expanding with each project.

I assume the 399s with the tram wheel profile (rather than the tram-train wheel profile) can't run onto National Rail tracks?

 

[ALEMASTER]

I assume the 399s with the tram wheel profile (rather than the tram-train wheel profile) can't run onto National Rail tracks?

Correct, tram wheel profile can't go on heavy rail and tram train wheel profile can't run beyond Shalesmoor or Sheffield Station.

 

[JD2168]

The works on the Delta have now finished & trams have returned to normal on this section.

The only disruption now is between Gleadless & Halfway due to a well opening up. This is being covered with buses. The Blue route is instead running from Malin Bridge to Herdings Park meaning the Purple service is suspended.

This does actually free up some trams in case of extra requirements with a music event at Don Valley Bowl this weekend.

 

[Islerman]

The Blue route is instead running from Malin Bridge to Herdings Park meaning the Purple service is suspended.

The last time there was an old mine vent opening (on the Park Square Junction) it took approx. 4 months to fix it. I would expect something similar again, but now they're looking at investigating the whole line to see if there's any more undocumented mineshaft vents. Best-case, there's no more vents on the line and the current one can be repaired quickly.

 

[Lemmy282]

Quite amazing this well wasn't known about during construction, the tramway at this point runs off Birley Lane across what was the site of a farm. Of course maybe Balfour Beatty did find it and just covered it and didn't log it!

 

[snalty]

This is from the mayor:

Birley Lane tram update

Over a fortnight ago, I shared some news about the track issue at Birley Lane - engineers had uncovered what appears to be a historic mine shaft or well beneath the tram tracks.

Since then, we’ve commissioned specialist engineers to carry out further studies and review all the historical records. The evidence suggests the structure dates back to the late 1800s and may have been linked to a former coal mine. Some records also describe it as a well used for farming purposes.

We're now carrying out the next phase of investigations to understand exactly what's happening beneath the track. This includes drilling boreholes and using specialist scanning technology to build a detailed picture of the shaft and the surrounding ground.

The challenge is that because of the age of the structure, there are still a number of unknowns. We do not yet know its full depth or the condition it’s in. We're working closely with the Mining Remediation Authority and other experts to make sure we fully understand the risks and develop a solution that is safe, permanent and robust.

I know loads of people will want to know when Blue route services will return to normal. Based on what we've learned so far, this is shaping up to be a complex engineering challenge that is unlikely to be resolved quickly, in days or even weeks. I want to be upfront about the scale of the challenge now rather than promise a plan I can't guarantee we can stick to.

At the same time, I've asked the team to explore every possible option to reduce disruption while repairs are being planned and carried out.

One option under consideration is whether trams could safely operate past the site using the unaffected track. Before any decision is made, we need to be certain that can work safely and without impacting the work needed for a long-term fix.

I appreciate how frustrating all this is, particularly for those who rely on the Blue route every day. Replacement bus services will continue to operate between Gleadless Townend and Halfway, with Supertram tickets accepted. Following passenger feedback, we're also increasing the number of buses along this line of route to get people moving quickly and to make sure journeys are as comfortable as they can be in the circumstances.

Thank you for all your patience and understanding. I'll keep updating everyone as we learn more, and as we continue to try and restore services as quickly and safely as possible.

source

 

[Dougal2345]

Not really news, more of a trip report, but thought it would be better here as it's all Supertram focussed.

Had my first ever trip on the Sheffield Supertrams on Monday, during a day-trip there.

Arrived at the railway station and the route to the tram stop was signposted clearly. Didn't have to wait too long for my first tram into the centre.

It looked a little less modern and shabbier than I was expecting - not like the ones I'd seen in Nottingham a few days earlier. But not too crowded on a Monday mid-morning.

Surprised to see a conductor on a tram! - and I assumed from observing that he was merely there to sell tickets, not inspect them too, so I didn't proffer my PlusBus for inspection as he went by, and wasn't challenged. It wasn't until the third tram that I realised this was not how it should be - presumably the first two thought I was a fare-dodger but not worth challenging.

After a visit to the Arts Tower to sample its Paternoster, and a bit of bussing to Ecclesall, headed to Hillsborough on the tram - a nice enough ride. A lot of the departure boards were displaying error messages - not so great for a new arrival!

Then back and onto the tram-train to Rotherham Central. It's a long walk up the narrow platform before you exit the station - shouldn't think that's much fun in rush-hour, if they have a rush-hour! It's also a bit of a walk on to the delights of the shopping centre - you rather expect a tram to run into the centre, not arrive at the outskirts. Then continued to the end of the tramline at Parkgate, tucked away behind some massive warehouse shops.

Travelling back, I realised that it was possible to sit behind the driver and see out the front window, and rather regretted I hadn't done this earlier in the day.

Getting back to the station, it seemed odd that when going in through the same 'footbridge' side entrance, there were no signs visible telling you the platform numbers for each set of stairs. Or maybe I just missed them.

I understand the whole 'tram train' thing was a bit costly to build, and wondered whether it was really worthwhile just to get to Rotherham. Also wondered why they call it a 'tram train' when to the public it's just another tram - shouldn't they just allocate it another colour to identify it?

Still, all in all, a nice day out.

 

[S101]

Not really news, more of a trip report, but thought it would be better here as it's all Supertram focussed.

Had my first ever trip on the Sheffield Supertrams on Monday, during a day-trip there.

Arrived at the railway station and the route to the tram stop was signposted clearly. Didn't have to wait too long for my first tram into the centre.

It looked a little less modern and shabbier than I was expecting - not like the ones I'd seen in Nottingham a few days earlier. But not too crowded on a Monday mid-morning.

Surprised to see a conductor on a tram! - and I assumed from observing that he was merely there to sell tickets, not inspect them too, so I didn't proffer my PlusBus for inspection as he went by, and wasn't challenged. It wasn't until the third tram that I realised this was not how it should be - presumably the first two thought I was a fare-dodger but not worth challenging.

After a visit to the Arts Tower to sample its Paternoster, and a bit of bussing to Ecclesall, headed to Hillsborough on the tram - a nice enough ride. A lot of the departure boards were displaying error messages - not so great for a new arrival!

Then back and onto the tram-train to Rotherham Central. It's a long walk up the narrow platform before you exit the station - shouldn't think that's much fun in rush-hour, if they have a rush-hour! It's also a bit of a walk on to the delights of the shopping centre - you rather expect a tram to run into the centre, not arrive at the outskirts. Then continued to the end of the tramline at Parkgate, tucked away behind some massive warehouse shops.

Travelling back, I realised that it was possible to sit behind the driver and see out the front window, and rather regretted I hadn't done this earlier in the day.

Getting back to the station, it seemed odd that when going in through the same 'footbridge' side entrance, there were no signs visible telling you the platform numbers for each set of stairs. Or maybe I just missed them.

I understand the whole 'tram train' thing was a bit costly to build, and wondered whether it was really worthwhile just to get to Rotherham. Also wondered why they call it a 'tram train' when to the public it's just another tram - shouldn't they just allocate it another colour to identify it?

Still, all in all, a nice day out.

TramTrain is very underwhelming. The whole project lacks ambition, and other than serving Parkgate, does nothing that the proper railway didn't already do. It's often unreliable when trans enter or leave NR infrastructure, with the signals regularly not clearing.

It should have served Rotherham properly. But rather than learn from the rest of the world and their TramTrains that they have successfully ran for decades, little England had to try reinvent the wheel, literally. All in all, it's disappointing. Meanwhile, in Manchester with all the investment, even Birmingham, Sheffield's network appears sad, tatty, and forgotten. Like Sheffield in general.

 

[williamn]

Sheffield's network appears sad, tatty, and forgotten. Like Sheffield in general.

I didn't get that impression at all when visiting, nor did my friend visiting from Paris. We thought the city and its public transport, including the tram, was great!

 

[snalty]

I didn't get that impression at all when visiting, nor did my friend visiting from Paris. We thought the city and its public transport, including the tram, was great!

Yeah, I thought the jab at the city in general was a bit weird and a bit unnecessary.

 

[JD2168]

Conductors have been on the Trams since around 1995 after the original ticket machines at each stop proved unreliable, difficult to use & extremely prone to vandalism.

The problem with getting the Tram Train to road level is that it would have to rejoin the road network very quickly after joining the rail network.

The Tram Train should have extended through to at least Mexborough via Manvers & even onto Doncaster Station with a possible deviation as well to CortonWood

 

[edwin_m]

The Tram Train should have extended through to at least Mexborough via Manvers & even onto Doncaster Station with a possible deviation as well to CortonWood

There was discussion of using tram-trains more extensively to free up capacity on the main line when HS2 was expected to be running through Sheffield.