Please note amendments to the timetabled events – see the main article in italics
Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd July sees the latest special event at Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway as Tramtastic takes place. This year it’s the double the fun as its been expanded to a two day event with all the usual favourites of events at the tramway on offer for visitors.
Saturday 2nd July
- Trams running 1100-1630
- Two car operation making use of all operational trams
- 1100 will see a parallel run along the double track section between Middleton Road Depot and Middleton Road Gates (using Stockport 5 and Manchester 765)
- Static display of trams outside Lakeside Depot – featuring Blackpool 623 and Blackpool 702
- Museum and shop open from 1100 where a selection of 2nd hand books will be on sale
- Subject to volunteer availability there may also be tours of Lakeside Depot
Sunday 3rd July
- Trams running 1100-1730
- Three car operation making use of all operational trams
- 1400 there will be a cavalcade of all operational trams between Lakeside and Middleton Road Gates (subject to volunteer availability – if not a three car service will run instead)
- 1600 there will be a parallel run along the double track section between Middleton Road Depot and Middleton Road Gates (using Stockport 5 and Hull 96)
- Static display of trams outside Lakeside Depot – featuring Stockport 5, Hull 96 and and Manchester 173
- Museum and shop open from 1100 where a selection of 2nd hand books will be on sale
- Subject to volunteer availability there may also be tours of Lakeside Depot
Operational trams at Heaton Park are currently Stockport 5, Hull 96, Blackpool 623 and Manchester 765, so expect to see those operating the service over the course of the two days – subject to the usual availability and weather caveats.
There is a reference in TMS Journal 250 to MTMS talking with TMS with a view to creating a replica Manchester bogie car. Is anyone in the know able to comment further?
Good question Geoff. I recall a discussion but I don’t think it ever progressed to serious proposal. I can’t remember what funding was discussed now either. Personally I’d rther both museums restored what exists first!
It was mentioned on this site some time ago, IIRC causing heated debate at 5he time, a bequest was left but it was conditional that it could ONLY be used for this replica, so assume it is a start of that project.
Unfortunately, John, the money couldn’t be spent on other trams so its not taking funds from other trams, though it will occupy workshop space so it makes good sense for the two museums to collaborate on it.
There was a bequest. Whether or not it was adequate for the project is another matter. The two main resources for this sort of project are, indeed, money and workshop capacity but also commitment. The MTMS is definitely the most likely organisation to be able to raise funds towards any financial shortfall for the replica, to have the will to see the project through and make workshop facilities available (less Blackpool focus?). Any such collaboration would be excellent news for the tram preservation movement.
The MTMS is NOT the right people to do this at this time. They have 173 which has been on site a good number of years and hasn’t progressed despite being in an advanced state of restoration. They have 752 awaiting work, 702 (whatever long term plans may be), rawtenstall 23 and Oldham 43 before they even think of doing a Tornado. Also they simply haven’t the workshop capacity (literally as a decker won’t fit). they are 100% the right people to research and advise, potentially to an outsourced project. As John said above I too would prefer museums to do other trams in the queue before building anything new with the potential headaches that would cause.
Anonymous – I never siad the money should be used for other projects, I said other existing projects should be finished first before building new stuff. No way would the bequest go anywhere near construction from scratch I suspect.
P.s. any photos of the Temporary !!! Terminus yet?
What temporary terminus? If you mean the presnt Lakeside end of the line, there’s litterally hundreds on this site alone!
Geoff what temporary terminus? They terminate at lakeside, as they have done since 2011.