A highly succesful year of operation at Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway came to an end on Sunday 16th December, before the regular volunteers take a much-deserved short break for the Christmas period. As planned, the day saw Manchester 765 in service, emerging from its winter hibernation, and there were a few extra surprises as well!
In the days leading up to December 16th, there had been some confusion about whether 765 would be the only tram running. Although this was very much the intention, due to a surplus of volunteer crews, it was decided to use Blackpool 623 for the latter part of the day as well, giving the chance for visitors to enjoy a two-car service at the park for the first time in several weeks. The Blackpool Brush car had received some subtle festive decorations the previous week, in the form of some window stickers (donated by your writer!), although unfortunately they did not stick very well to the glass and some of them ended up attacking the passengers! However, it was 765 that stole the show as this was probably its last day of service for quite some time, as it had been recommissioned especially for a recent press event, having been withdrawn to await its turn for some well-deserved workshop attention over the coming months.
The day ended with a superb impromptu photo opportunity featuring both 623 and 765 posed side by side at the tramway’s current terminus near the boating lake. Although the stub track here is currently out of use whilst the track is extended to the site of the new depot, just enough rail was useable for 765 to be placed here and this allowed for some fantastic photographs to be taken as darkness fell. Both trams then headed back to the depot for the final time in 2012, although 623 will not have long to wait for its next outing as the tramway is due to re-open on Sunday 6th January 2013.
The activity wasn’t confined to the main line however; inside the depot, work continued on Stockport 5 which is having its top deck handrails rubbed down ready for repainting. The tolley mast has been re-sealed to prevent leaking, and the lower deck ceiling are also currently under attention. Further work will hopefully be undertaken at the last working party of 2012 on Saturday 22nd December, and with the project believed to be running ahead of schedule, hopefully it won’t be too long before 5 is back in service looking smarter than it has done for many years.
A delightful evening scene at Lakeside on December 16th, with the moon shining down on Manchester 765 & Blackpool 623 before both cars headed back to depot for a Christmas rest! (Photo by Andrew Blood)
'Tram of the Year' nominee, Blackpool 623 uses the crossover at Middleton Road in darkness as Manchester 765 waits patinetly for its turn to reverse. (Photo by Andrew Blood)