As announced previously, the Heaton Park Tramway’s Autumn Gala on Sunday 17th November has been scaled back somewhat, due to the fact that work on the new Lakeside Depot is not sufficiently complete for trams to be accommodated within, and this has prevented the addition of anything ‘new’ to the running fleet. However, an interesting programme of events has now been announced and details of the day’s planned activities are provided below.
The day’s events are due to start at 11:00am with Councillor Rosa Battle and Alerman Keith Whitmore on Manchester 765, whilst the tram service is operated by Stockport 5. However, the service will briefly be suspended at 12:00 noon when a five-tram line-up is planned, featuring cars 5, 6, 623, 752 and 765 at a location to be confirmed. Afterwards, 5 and 765 will both return to service whilst Blackpool Brush car 623 will operate on ‘Tram Driving Experience’ trips for a bargain price of just £10 for a return journey. There will also be refreshments available, including a cake!
During the afternoon, there will be a chance to look inside the new depot building at Lakeside at 2:30 and 3:00pm. Leeds 6 will be posed on the stub track near the depot with Blackpool Vanguard 7/619 also on static display on the depot road. Car 623 will complete its TDE duty at around 3:00pm allowing a few passenger workings, before the event comes to a close at 4:30pm.
Although not quite as exciting as what was originally planned, this mini-event should still be a great way to end a year of fantastic progress at Heaton Park, and it is hoped that many enthusiasts will join us for what will probably be the last tram event of 2013.