Since its return to the Heaton Park Tramway following an extended stay at Beamish Museum, a great deal of work has already been undertaken on Leeds 6 to reverse the effects of many months of outside storage. The tram has made a number of runs under its own power since coming home, although it has not yet been approved for public service.
The priority task has been to make the roof of the tram watertight, as it had begun to leak as a result of standing outside for much of its time at Beamish. Two coats of fresh paint have been applied to the roof already and some further tidying up will be carried out to keep water out! Other cosmetic work is now well underway, which has seen the bumpers and the area above the platforms rubbed down ready for painting in order to improve the car’s slightly dishevelled appearance. Some damaged floor slats have been removed and refitted following repair, and soon the saloon floor will also be repainted.
In addition to the above, Leeds 6 has received a full service which has included work on the handbrake equipment, controllers, gears and circuit breakers. Beamish have taken good care of the tram to keep it fully operational for the duration of its time spent in the North East, and as a result the car is in excellent mechancial attention, hence there is little need for much work in this department. Following these adjustments, 6 was driven up to Lakeside on Sunday 14th April on a test run and is pictured in this location below. It should be remembered that Leeds 6 has not yet run through to the new terminus in passenger service, making this a novel image for the time being – although once the current work is completed, the tram will return to service. It is hoped to stage a low-key event once the car is declared fit to officially welcome it back home, although a date for this will not be confirmed until the volunteers carrying out the work are more certain of a likely completion date.
More regular updates and images showing the work on Leeds 6 progressing will continue to be added to the official Heaton Park Tramway Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/#!/HeatonParkTramway?fref=ts
Leeds 6 stands proudly at the new Lakeside terminus on one of its first test runs to this location, on April 14th. (Photo courtesy of the Heaton Park Tramway Facebook page)