While some heritage tramways resumed operation after the go-ahead was given by the government in July there have been some which haven’t been able to start running again and this included Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway. But all that is set to change as we approach Christmas – as they have confirmed they will be operating during the Lightopia event again.
The tramway ran during at weekends during the first Lightopa event which took place in Heaton Park in December 2019 and they were planning to do the same again for this year’s event but with world events intervening and no trams having run in public service since March it had been presumed that this wouldn’t be possible but confirmation has now been given that when Lightopia opens so will the tramway!
No details have been given on which days of the week the trams may run but Lightopia is now due to take place between 3rd December 2020 and 10th January 2021 (obviously subject to any further restrictions put in place during this timeframe).
The Heaton Park Tramway have also confirmed that as well as the trams which ran at the event in 2019 – Blackpool 623, Manchester 765 and Hull 96 – that Stockport 5 will be available. This will mark its return to service for the first time since 2013!
More information as we receive it or keep an eye out on the Heaton Park Tramway Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HeatonParkTramway.