As we all continue to look ahead to a time when restrictions are eased further, the Heaton Park Tramway have confirmed that they are planning to resume passenger services from Saturday 5th June. This date will allow the volunteers at the tramway to get everything prepared to welcome passengers back onto the tramway for what will be the first operation since Lightopia and the first “normal” running since last March!
While it is possible for heritage lines to start running again from 12th April as part of the “roadmap” (a word which appears to be the overused word for 2021 after the many, many overused words we all started to use last year!), the team at Heaton Park have taken the sensible decision to make sure the tramway is looking its best and is fully operational when they welcome back passengers.
Included in work which they aim to complete before the re-opening is:
- Staff familiarisation
- Sleeper replacement between Whitegate and Old Lakeside
- Archive reorganisation
- Workshop restructure
- Improve the appearance of the trams
- Museum improvements
We’re sure everyone can wait a few more months before enjoying a tram ride at Heaton Park once more with it looking as good as new when it does resume operation!
New sleepers have been delivered for the sleeper replacement project.
The next tram to go through the workshops – now that Stockport 5 is back in service – will be Blackpool 619. Work had already commenced sometime ago and the current state of the tram is seen here.
Talking of Stockport 5 – here it is! Outside Lakeside Depot with Manchester 765 for company.
Another look at one of the operational trams, this is Hull 96 at Middleton Road Depot. (All Photographs courtesy of Heaton Park Tramway)