On the weekend of 8th & 9th August, a number of heritage organisations in Manchester hosted a joint event celebrating the city’s love affair with the seaside resort of Blackpool. Naturally, such an event provided the perfect opportunity for the Heaton Park Tramway to showcase its impressive collection of historic Blackpool trams, of which three ran on both days with two others on display outside the Lakeside Depot.
On Saturday 8th August, a two-car service operated although to ensure that all three of the serviceable Blackpool trams were used, they were swapped around a few times over the course of the day. The day began with Railcoach 280 and Brush car 623 in service with 623 later replaced by Replica Vanguard 619, although later on 280 retired allowing 623 to re-enter service for the latter part of the afternoon. Lakeside was a hive of activity with a selection of trams posed in front of the depot, comprising Blackpool Railgrinder 1, Blackpool Balloon 702 and Manchester 765. 702‘s lower deck was opened up to visitors and used to host a sales stand and a collection bucket, which provided a significant boost to the day’s takings.
The following day followed a similar pattern although this time a more intensive service operated, with Manchester 765 joining the Blackpool trio in service – not as inappropriate as it may seem at first, as this tram has visited Blackpool twice in the past in connection with milestone events in the tramway’s history. However most attention was focussed on car 280 which was making its last appearance in traffic in its current guise, ahead of being transformed back into its 1990s guise as 680 which will involve a repaint into the smart green, cream and black livery of the period ahead of its forthcoming visit to Blackpool. Indeed, no time was wasted in preparing the car which had its trolley tower and lifeguards removed the next day, enabling it to move into the Middelton Road depot for the first time (it was previously unable to access this building due to the height of its tower) where its repaint is to be undertaken.
The weekend appears to have been a great success for the tramway, and the other hosting venues, and it is hoped that the various museums will work together more in the future to allow such diverse events to be staged, which will hopefully benefit all concerned.
A fine selection of trams lined up at Lakeside, with Blackpool cars 702, 619 & 1 joined by former Blackpool visitor Manchester 765.
Blackpool Brush car 623 seen awaiting departure from Lakeside terminus on 8th August in gloriously sunny weather.
Blackpool 280 seen heading up the hill towards Whitegate on its penultimate day of operation in Manchester painted in its bland cream livery. (Photos x 3 by Rob Bray)
What was good, was that yet again the park demonstrated its “can do and lets do it” approach and that you could see how everyone involved loved what they were doing. It was also good that it brought the locals out and led to a mix of enthusiasts and Joe Public. Well done to ALL the organisations involved and to echo BTO’s comment may this be the start of the various museums working closely together to deliver special events which can only benefit all concerned.