The biggest event of the year for the Birkenhead tramway will take place on Sunday 5th October, in the form of the popular annual ‘Bus & Tram Show’ which will feature a wide range of visiting road vehicles as well as an intensive service using trams from the collection of the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society. In anticipation of Sunday’s big event, several tram moves occured on Friday 3rd October and these are illustrated below.
Lisbon 730 has spent some time stabled inside the Pacific Road tram depot but on this day it was returned to Taylor Street in readiness for Sunday, when it is due to appear in service. Birkenhead 70 has now taken its place at Pacific Road which is normally used as a store due to insufficient space for the whole fleet at the main depot building. There, it joins two long-term residents, Liverpool horse car 43 and Blackpool Brush Railcoach 626.
The interest did not end there however, as Liverpool 245 was also transferred to Pacific Road depot so that it can be displayed in the yard outside on Sunday. Although this tram has still not been approved for passenger service due to various setbacks, it has recently been on test, and it will be great to see it outside at the event and this should build up anticipation for its public launch even more. However, even more exciting is the announcement that it will be joined on static display by Liverpool 43, providing an extremely rare opportunity to see this beautifully restored horse tram outside. The sight of the two contrasting Liverpool cars together should make an already enjoyable event even better and will provide some welcome extra interest alongside the established attractions.
Our thanks go to John Hewitt of the MTPS for kindly providing the information and pictures in this article.
An impressive line-up on the Birkenhead tramway with Lisbon 730, Birkenhead 70 and Liverpool 245 all present.
Another look at cars 70 and 245 during the shunting procedure on October 3rd.
Moving inside the Pacific Road complex and we see Liverpool 245 along with horse car Liverpool 43, which is set to appear at this year's Bus & Tram Show as a static exhibit.
A last look at Liverpool 'Baby Grand' 245 in its temporary home at Pacific Road. (All photos by John Hewitt)