An important milestone in British tramway history which seems to have gone largely unnoticed, is the 25th anniversary of Metrolink – the first second generation tramway in the UK. However, the Manchester Transport Museum Society have decided to hold a small celebration at Manchester’s other tramway, the heritage line at Heaton Park.
Although the MTMS have acquired one of the original T68 vehicles from Metrolink, 1007, the unit remains stored by its original owners. Therefore the event at Heaton Park will star the much older Manchester 765, which is being referred to as the grandfather of the Metrolink fleet, and a range of other more modern artefacts which the Society has collected in the recent past. A whole host of Metrolink items will be extracted from storage for the day and displayed to the public, hopefully bringing back memories for people of all ages with fond memories of Manchester’s newest tram system. Highlights should include the opportunity to sit in a genuine tram driver’s seat, salvaged from one of the withdrawn T68s.
The event will be held on Sunday 16th July. Unfortunately, this date clashes with the annual Fleetwood Festival of Transport AKA Tram Sunday, and this is made more baffling by the fact that this weekend is expected to see the MTMS-owned Blackpool Brush Railcoach 623 making its first runs in passenger service on Blackpool tracks since 2009. Presumably the event at Heaton Park is being aimed at a different audience, and at least this key date in transport history will not go by without celebration, albeit not provided by Metrolink itself.
I wouldn’t say that Metrolink’s 25th Anniversary has gone unnoticed as it was celebrated on the system and as we have seen M5000 3092 has a special version of the livery applied. Indeed British Trams Online ran a news item on the event here http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=17064#comments
How puzzling to clash an event. Surely holding it the weekend after would be more beneficial? Once before the Tramway had an event clash, a celebration of Leeds and the last day of Fleetwood. Whilst this was accidental and too late to change when they found out it had a massive effect on visitor numbers (I was there!)
The date was chosen as it was the nearest date to when the queen officially opened Metrolink in 1992 (17th July). Heaton Park Tramway has already rearranged the date of one our major events this year to avoid a clash with Blackpool. The week before was race for life and if the week after a number of our volunteers are on holiday and it was therefore not practical to move the date.
Martyn, you have no need to justify Heaton Park’s activity. You are recognising a fixed date – why did Blackpool not re-schedule their event?
Tram Sunday happens on a set weekend every year and has done (one year excepted) since 1985, so not really fair to expect them to move! By contrast the Heaton Park event has only just appeared.
To be honest its getting very hard to avoid Blackpool gold weekends as they happen so often – its just a pity that the one that involves a visiting tram from Heaton Park is clashing with a Heaton Park event! Hopefully 623 will debut on Saturday so any Manchester tram fans can do both – although in the interests of fairness it should be pointed out that Birkenhead have an event on the Sunday as well!
Because Blackpool have no say over Tram Sunday and never have had!
I think some people need to bear in mind that there is more to life than the Blackpool tramway. From what has been said over recent years the Fleetwood event is but a shadow of its original status anyway. Each event will have its own supporters and some may have to make a difficult decision but that’s life.
Cant be the only one who cant see the problem with the perceived “clash”. Enthusiasts in recent years have hardly flocked to Tram Sunday (as its evolved into carnival / car boot / family fun day). 623 will probably launch on the Friday Evening (purely guess on my part but would make sense based on past use of the evening slot) The bulk of those riding at Tram Sunday wont even know theirs a park in Manchester… Let alone aware of small tramway operation inside one. Likewise am sure a good % of ordinary families enjoying a ride on 765 wont even be aware Heritage Trams at Blackpool remain on track alongside modern counterparts. Bulk of the two customer bases entirely separate.
The problem only comes when a groups flag ship event clashes with others (Leeds Horse Tram Launch Classic Example). As it clearly suppressed turnout. Flag Ship events in ideal world avoided. But these types of clashes really making mountains out of mole hills.
Thank you Chris for a dose of reality and common sense…
As one of a few persons with current passenger service licences for both Heaton Park and Blackpool Tramways, I’ve no axe to grind either way and see from both sides the interaction and cooperation between different tramway operators, unlike some commentators who frustratingly seem intent on stirring or implying rivalries where none exist. I can assure you that all possible effort is made to ensure that major enthusiast focussed events do not clash.
In this case, I do feel the original article was perhaps a little clumsily worded in using terms like “baffling” which resulted in some readers seeing a greater degree of criticism than I’m sure was intended.
As Chris said the two events are likely to appeal to very different audiences so competition is negligible and Martin has explained the rationale for the date (the only issue will be availability of staff). It is a simple display of artefacts – it’s not as though it will be the first run of 1007 at the Park (you will have to wait a bit longer for that!!)
In other words its a bit of a pointless event anyway? Surely arranging something with Metrolink like a depot visit would have been a good idea and had much more mass appeal?
No one has accused anyone of rivalry, comments were made about clashing events! It should be noted that Blackpool’s calendar is set a year ahead and has been the same (give or take a few tweaks) for 3 years now! Blackpool are operating on a ‘live’ tramway and to some extent this dictates what happens with an enormous amount of goodwill from Blackpool Transport.
Time for people to get a grip. Both tramways have particular reasons for their chosen date as stated. During the summer there are numerous events across the country and clashes are not always avoidable.
I also don’t see why the Heaton Park event is ‘pointless’ just because the Metrolink part is restricted to artifacts – or if it is then at least it makes the choice of event easy. I don’t see why they should refuse to stage it just because some people don’t like it. It’s an event with a difference and marking a significant anniversary.
Full marks to Heaton Park and Blackpool for the time and effort put into organising their respective events.
Sometimes we have to choose which event we prefer to attend. It’s hardly the end of the world!