Leeds 6 makes new friends at Heaton Park

As reported previously, Leeds 6 finally departed from Beamish Museum on Thursday 4th April having enjoyed a three-year long stay there on loan from its owners, the Manchester Transport Museum Society. The tram arrived back at Heaton Park later the same morning and was soon unloaded, allowing the small team of volunteers to reassemble its lifeguards.

 Things have changed a great deal at Heaton Park since 6 was last present, making this an opportune time to reflect on all that the MTMS have acheived over the last three years. Most notably, 6 came into contact with three trams that it had never encountered before on its return – these being Heaton Park ‘Vanguard’ 7 (resident since 2010), Stockport 5 and Blackpool Brush Railcoach 623 (which both arrived in 2011). 6 was also reunited with its old stablemate Manchester 765 for the first time since 2011, when both cars spent a few weeks together at Beamish when 765 paid a brief visit to the North East for that year’s Great North Steam Fair. The opportunity was taken to line up all five trams on site for an impromptu photo opportunity – another notable first for the tramway.

When Leeds 6 returns to service, it will be able to stretch its legs a little more than it did when it last ran at the park, as that was before the opening of the new Lakeside extension. However, we will have to wait a little longer to enjoy this experience as 6 will receive some remedial work before it is pressed into service. Having spent much of its time at Beamish stored outside their depot, the tram has suffered somewhat and will therefore receive some weatherproofing work as well as other cosmetic attention. With many of the MTMS members currently at Beamish, work has not yet commenced but hopefully 6 will be prepared for use again in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, a small compound has been prepared in which Leeds 6 will be temporarily housed until the new Lakeside Depot can be completed. This will allow the car to be stored in front of the current tram depot and museum, suitably hidden from view from any less welcome members of the public who may be passing, but accessible enough to be available for use if needed.