The fickle British weather really can make and break any transport event – if the sun shines lots of people will make the trip but if the rain falls then numbers are down. Over the past few weeks we have seen sun and rain at tram events with the latest of the quickly occurring trio of events – the Wirral Bus and Tram Show taking place on Sunday 6th October fortunately seeing plenty of sun – and some less than sunny weather! – leading to a large number of visitors – and plenty on offer with six different trams in service at times during the day as well as lots of buses, classic cars and so much more!
On the tram front of the operational fleet in Birkenhead only Lisbon 730 didn’t see service at all during the day. The event started with a four car service running featuring the two Hong Kong built trams 69 and 70 plus Wallasey 78 and the ever popular Liverpool 245. Things were changed in the afternoon with the second Liverpool car, and previous British Trams Online Tram of the Year winner, 762 replacing 70 before 245 came out of service allowing 70 to return to action. The normal service between Taylor Street and Woodside Ferry was also augmented by a special service running between Pacific Road Yard and Woodside Ferry – Birkenhead 20 was the tram used for this.
Of the other trams on site Lisbon 730 was displayed in Pacific Road Yard with horse cars Birkenhead 7 and Liverpool 43 also on display with the former in Taylor Street Museum and the Liverpool car in Pacific Road. There was also the chance to see current progress on the restoration of Warrington 28.
Wallasey 78 and Birkenhead 70 are seen in this view at Woodside Ferry with the latter just unloading and the Wallasey car ready for the off.
The trolley is turned on Birkenhead 69 at Woodside Ferry.
Birkenhead 20 on one of its special Pacific Road to Woodside Ferry trips with the tram approaching the latter location. (All Photographs by Trevor Hall, 6th October 2019)
* More photos from the Wirral Bus and Tram Show will follow in a future update of British Trams Online.
The MTPS always do put on such an excellent show and have made it possible for visitors to ride on almost every working tramcar they own. It is always well worth a visit to Birkenhead to ride and to visit the fascinating Museum, which now boasts a pleasant cafeteria to offer handy refreshments for those on the go in addition to providing seating for people taking in the delights at a more leisurely pace. My choice is to take the Ferry from Liverpool to Woodside and together with the wonderful experience provided by the Heritage Tramway and Museum, this makes for a most enjoyable day out. A great delight to visit at any time of the year, it is quite something to experience during the Bus and Tram Show. Don’t be deceived by the fact the line is not one of the longest as the ride is very traditional along ‘street track’ and there is so much to see at the Museum.