During April 2015, the Birkenhead heritage tramway marked its 20th anniversary with a special enhanced running day held on Saturday 18th April. Unfortunately the intended six-car service proved to be overly ambitious with neither enough manpower or trams available, and therefore a more modest two car service operated throughout the day with a change of trams part way through the event, giving a total of four different cars in action.
The day started off with Hong Kong 69 and Liverpool 762 in service, whilst the other one of the two Hong Kong cars, 70, posed on the siding at Taylor Street as it was unavailable due to a minor fault. This was quite regrettable as it was 70 which had inaugurated the tram service two decades ago, however at least the tram was brought out for static display so that it was not completely left out. Later on, the Liverpool car was replaced by the numerically appropriate Birkenhead 20, whilst 69 retired a little later on allowing its crew to transfer onto Lisbon 730, thus completing the day’s line-up. Sadly, the immaculate Liverpool 245 remained tucked away at the back of the depot at Taylor Street, as did Wallasey 78. Strangely, this tram has not even been commissioned for service yet and therefore was presumably never likely to play a part in the day’s proceedings, despite being possibly the most popular member of the resident fleet. However, the usual friendly atmosphere at the tramway combined with superb weather made the day more enjoyable than it might otherwise have been; however it is hoped that the next event at Birkenhead will come a bit closer to delivering what is expected.
It should really have been the star of the show, but unfortunately the defective Birkenhead 70 spent the whole day on the stub track at Taylor Street, where it is pictured.
The wonderful Liverpool 762 at Woodside against a stunning blue sky: what could be better?
Hong Kong car 69 passes the Egerton bridge on another journey shortly before heading back to the depot.
The afternoon service trams, Birkenhead 20 and Lisbon 730, pass at Pacific Road. Both trams have of course visited Beamish in recent years, albeit not at the same time! (Photos x 4 by Bradley Jones)
A Day Salvaged ?…. Having driven over 150miles to attend the Event , on arrival to be told that only the 2 Hong Kong trams were to run!. I was not a happy man. However credit to the guys who were prepared to try and provide us with something and 4 cars in all were used. I don’t like to complain to volunteers as they give up there time freely for our benefit …However I feel the website should have been updated(the night before would have helped) to say the Event was unlikely to happen . It would have then given me a choice ?
David.
The web site was correct and stated the two Hong Kong cars were to be used as they were the original two cars on the tramway. Unfortunately several other web sites miss-interpreted the information. I picked this up and this web site was contacted but did not change the details. As a gesture of good faith other cars were used on the day but unfortunately I was away in the IOM doing voluntary work so could not enjoy the fruits of our labours.
For the future work has restarted on Warrington No. 2 and I look forward to having another two trams on the tramway.
David
Having checked the photo’s I see that five trams were in use on the day and not 4. Four out of seven is not bad when you consider we have a small maintenance team.
Further volunteers are welcome
Just to clarify we were contacted a couple of weeks before the event with further details which were still pretty vague and asked for clarification of exactly what was happening and when. We were told that we would be told when they knew the final details and did not receive any further communication. Incidentally as I write this message the MTPS website is showing the event as featuring “up to” 6 trams in service.