Volunteers at the Heaton Park Tramway are being kept very busy this winter, with a number of trams requiring varying levels of workshop attention. Following the major work on Hull 96 which is currently the main service car, attention has been turned towards the rest of the operating fleet which have been left looking a bit sorry for themselves, particularly when compared to the immaculate Hull car!
The current status of the resident fleet at the park is summarised below.
Stockport 5 – The main workshop project. Roof canvassing is being replaced with the decency panels and upper deck handrails lifted to allow access to the canvas. In addition, work is being undertaken on the lower saloon to bring it up to a standard comparable to that of 96, whilst one staircase has been removed for repair. Various small fittings have also been removed for cleaning and attention as deemed appropriate. Some paint work will be undertaken by Heritage Painting before the tram returns to traffic.
Hull 96 – First choice winter service tram. Requires some minor finishing jobs but is essentially complete and available for regular service.
Manchester 173 – This is expected to be the next major workshop project with work likely to start once car 5 is completed. It is presently stored inside Lakeside Depot pending transfer to Middleton Road when required.
Blackpool Vanguard 619 – This car is serviceable and should run in 2016 before it takes its turn in the workshop programme for some well-deserved attention, as it is looking very shabby, largely due to a period of outside storage followed by a hasty return to service. This is expected to include replacement of some wood which is life-expired, and attention to the ceiling which has deteriorated badly.
Blackpool Brush 623 – Out of service with worn brake blocks. Awaiting assessment once Stockport 5 vacates the workshop pit; the outcome of this will determine whether it is considered viable to carry out remedial work or if a more thorough overhaul is required.
Manchester 765 – Withdrawn at the end of 2015 due to a severe roof leak which is now being repaired, with some other work being carried out at the same time. 765 should be back in use fairly soon but is showing its age and may well require more extensive renovation before long.
Other trams at the park are considered longer-term projects and are unlikely to run in the short term, although this could of course change – particularly if funding becomes available for a specific car.
Details of special events for 2016 are also due to be announced shortly and will be posted in the events diary on this website once confirmed.
Parralell to this, work has also been on going to tidy & reorganize the workshop, lay the groundwork for future projects and improve the archive. Always appreciate our hard work being shared.
Didn’t realise Hull 96 still needed work. I’d have thought this would have been completed prior to its launch. Also wondered why it was done instead of Stockport 5, as that is a Manchester car. Not a criticism just an observation.
The only work outstanding is some brass fittings that have been manufactured that were not yet ready. Also the doors which the tram is authentic to run without.
Hull 96 was requiring work before Stockport 5 and due to having bare timber needed to be completed to seal it.
Always good to see different museum’s helping each other out
Meant to make this comment on the Amsterdam 474 story
I think perhaps readers such as Kev would have understood the 96 report better if it had been specified that the outstanding work is the doors (and I believe an additional handrail) which are desirable not essential to its launch! It had no doors as 96 until it became 6 again.
The intention is (and away was) that the doors would be removable offering ‘summer’ and ‘winter’ modes. both are authentic in Hull single deck works car condition…