It has been well documented that the Birkenhead heritage tramway will be holding a special event to mark 60 years since the closure of Liverpool’s tram system on Saturday 16th September. However, a more modest event has now been announced for Thursday 14th September as well – this being the actual date of the tramway closure, which it was felt should not pass by unnoticed.
On September 14th, it is planned to have Liverpool 245 in service during the afternoon, whilst a representative of Museums of Liverpool on hand to provide talks on the history of trams in Liverpool, and the restoration to active service of car 245. This will take place at the Museum of Liverpool from 1330. The Mayor of Wirral will travel on the final service departure of the day, the 1640 from Woodside.
The main event on Saturday 16th September will again see 245 operating with other historic Liverpool vehicles also in attendance, including a Guy tower wagon which has recently been treated to some restoration work, along with vintage buses, some of which would have replaced the trams in 1957. The highlight of the event is likely to be a staged photographic opportunity at Pacific Road featuring a number of 1950s vehicles. There will also be musical entertainment, refreshments and a free vintage bus service connecting the tram depot at Taylor Street with two museums in Liverpool. It has been suggested previously that the other two Liverpool trams on site – 43 and 762 – will also feature although their actual role is not clear right now. Horse car 43 will presumably be posed for static display as it is not currently operational, whereas 762 may or may not be able to run. The tram has been receiving motor repairs and was undertaking test runs recently, although this highlighted a need for some further work. However, the organisers are clearly pulling out all the stops to create an event to remember and hopefully it will be a great success!