2012 looks set to get off to an exciting start at the Heaton Park Tramway in Manchester, with the announcement that Blackpool Brush Railcoach 623 is set to be launched into passenger service at the tramway on Sunday 22nd January.
Having last operated in November 2009 when it finally retired from service at Blackpool unannounced, the chance to ride on this particular tram again is something that many tram enthusiasts have been looking forward to for some time. When 623 moved to Heaton Park last month having been evicted from storage at Trafford Park, it was a major step forward and now a date for the much-anticipated return to service of this tram has been set. With commissioning and weatherproofing work now at an advanced stage, it has been
decided to launch 623 on January 22nd. This will bring a bit of rare interest to a fairly barren time of year for tram events, and will also allow the tramway to operate a fully enclosed car for the latter part of the winter period.
Perhaps most significantly of all though, this event should make 623 the first Brush Railcoach ever to run with passengers away from Blackpool – another important first for the popular heritage tramway. Although a programme of events is still being arranged, anyone who attended the launch of the tramway’s last new arrival, Stockport 5, in August 2011 will no doubt realise that this is sure to be a fantastic day not to be missed!