Sunday 3rd April will not only see the start of another season of operation at the Heaton Park Tramway but will also see a special event with a belated celebration to mark their 40th anniversary. The 40th (+2) Birthday Running Day will see four different trams in service at times during the day with some of the stored trams on static display as well. It will also provide the first opportunity to see the recently acquired Wootton Trams on display since their move to Manchester.
Originally due to place in 2020 – just as lockdown started which saw it cancelled – the belated celebrations will get underway at 1100 with Hull 96 and Manchester 765 running in parallel from Middleton Road Depot towards the park gates.
Following that there will be a three tram service running all day utilising four trams – 96 and 765 will be joined by Stockport 5 and Blackpool 623. Other non-operational trams on site will also be put on display outside Middleton Road and Lakeside depots and this should include the miniature Wootton Trams which arrived in Greater Manchester last year having been acquired by the Manchester Transport Museum Society. This will be the first chance to see them on public display since their arrival.
Lakeside Depot will also be open for the first time after recent work inside has made it more accessible whilst down at Middleton Road Depot there will be a temporary viewing area open.
Other events taking place will see the museum at Middleton Road Depot open for the first time in two years, the shop being open, a second hand book stall and the chance to see the new model tramway.
It may have been delayed by a couple of years but it looks set to be a stunning opening to another season at the Heaton Park Tramway!