Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway has announced that the start to their 2024 season is to be delayed. The trams were due to start running from Saturday 30th March but for technical reasons this will now not be possible with no new date yet to be announced.
In a statement posted on social media the tramway said: “We are disappointed to announce that we are will be not operating a tram service until further notice. This also affects our museum, which will also be closed as we cannot move the tramcars currently stored in the building.
“This is due to a failure of the main contactor in our substation, which acts as a big “on” switch for the power that runs the tramcars, while undertaking pre-season testing prior to this weekend. Whilst this component is easily replaced, it will take some time for our team to work with our partners at Manchester City Council to procure and fit a replacement.
“We apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment caused – we hope to back in action soon!”
Further announcement of when trams will start running will follow in due course.
Whilst this is obviously further disappointing news for heritage tramways in the UK, the Easter weekend should see two further lines open for the first time this year.
Good Friday marks the start of the new season for both Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours and the East Anglia Transport Museum. They will join Beamish, Seaton and the Great Orme Tramway in running this year. Further afield on the Isle of Man, the Manx Electric Railway and Snaefell Mountain Railway have already started for the year with the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway following very soon.