Reaching the letter H we go to Manchester for what is the only true preserved tramway in the country.
Opening as a preserved tramway in 1980, the first section of the line from the Middleton Road Gates up to what is now Middleton Road Depot (but was originally a very large and grand waiting shelter) was part of Manchester Corporation Tramways. It was a short stub from the main tramway for the many people who wanted to head to Heaton Park and was in use between 1903 and 1934. As with so many tramways when abandoned rather than lifting the tracks they were buried under tarmac with this being removed to allow the new heritage tramway to open. Since 1980 the line has been extended – the latest of which has taken it to the edge of the lake making it more visible to visitors at the park.
The flagship tram of the Heaton Park Tramway is Manchester 765, which was the first tram to be restored by the Manchester Tramway Museum Society. Still at Heaton Park today (although it has made trips away) we see it here running along the original section of the line on 30th November 2008. (Photograph by Gareth Prior)