As the start of the main 2014 season approaches for most of Britain’s heritage tramways, preparations for the onslaught of visitors is now well underway at several different locations across the country. Trams at Blackpool, Crich and Manchester have all been undergoing various work in the last few weeks, in readiness to carry their first passengers of the year.
The winter has been an especially busy time at Crich Tramway Village, where numerous projects have been progressing, such as re-decorating the Tea Rooms, refurbishing the indoor play area and laying a new asphalt surface at Glory Mine terminus, ahead of its use as a proper tram stop where visitors can board and alight for the first time ever. The lengthy process of commissioning the operational tram fleet is also well underway ahead of the museum’s re-opening on Saturday 29th March; as well as the usual workhorses, some trams have been prepared for use following a lengthy absence. The bogie overhaul of Oporto 273 was completed at the end of 2013, and now the car has been commissioned ready for service for the first time since its ill-fated visit to Blackpool back in 2010. Although not expected to carry passengers at the start of the year, Blackpool Jubilee car 762 has also made some sorties along the museum tramway following repairs to its defective compressor. Extensive testing and crew training is now required before 762 can make its passenger debut at Crich, with its launch date still not officially confirmed yet (though rumoured to happen in May).
Meanwhile at Manchester, the Heaton Park Tramway will re-open on Sunday 30th March after an extended winter closure. With the work on Lakeside Depot now nearing completion, attention has been turned to Blackpool Vanguard 619 which is expected to return to use on the first day, having not carried passengers since 2011. Following the removal of its protective boards and sheeting, the car was treated to a heavy clean last weekend. Despite a lengthy period of open storage, the tram looks remarkably smart following this attention, and whilst a few jobs remain to be completed, it should be ready for action by the end of the month as planned. Both 619 and Blackpool Brush car 623 have recently been taken out on test runs to dust off the cobwebs accumulated over the winter lay-off, and both should be available for March 30th. As reported previously, this will be the last ever chance to see 619 running with its false identity as number 7, before new vinyl fleet numbers are applied. With Stockport 5 currently out of action, this open car will play a key role in the tram service being provided this spring and should see extensive use.
Finally, the commissioning of Blackpool’s heritage tram fleet at Starr Gate depot continues with the transfer of Open Boat cars 227 and 600 to the southern terminus for attention on Friday 14th March, whilst Twin set 272+T2 was returned to Rigby Road on the same day. Once this pair have been serviced, all three Boat cars remaining in Blackpool will be available for use, and hopefully the weather will be kind enough to allow them to run over Easter, when a three-day heritage tram event will primarily celebrate the 80th anniversary of the iconic Boat and Balloon cars.
Vanguard 619 - sorry, 7 - seen on the extension at Heaton Park during an appearance in the open air on March 16th, when the tram was being cleaned ready for service. (Photo by Joe Savage)
I presume by reading this post that the entire output of trams on the heritage tram service over Easter will only be Balloon cars or Boat cars or will there be others thrown in between? I’m not bothered personally what heritage trams run at Easter, just asking out of curiousity.
Nothing has been announced yet, except that the Easter weekend will primarily be a celebration of the 80th anniversary of the English Electric fleet. Personally I expect that other cars such as 66, 147 etc. will probably join in with the fun and of course if the weather is bad then the likes of 631 would probably be used instead of Boats. With a good variety of cars commissioned at least there will be plenty of choice whatever the weather does. Let’s wait and see what BTS surprise us with!
From a contact at Crich, 762 will be launched during the ‘Beside the Seaside’ Event which is 24 May – 1 June. I would hope it will be the last weekend, not the first as that would clash with Heritage Service in Blackpool.
On the other hand 762 will be a great favourite with the children and, as “Beside the Seaside” is for children, would it be fair to deprive them of this tram for the week if it is available?
A very valid point. Perhaps 762 should have its own separate mini-launch event, like 630 did two years ago? Either way I’m sure the museum will announce their plans soon.
Sadly also heard similar murmuring. But will support Blackpools operation regardless. Am sure he will have something up his sleeve to make up for it 🙂