28th Feb

Its exactly one month to the 30th Anniversary bash. One poor bloke wandered in thinking it was today! Are we ready? What do you think? Will we be ready? I hope so!

So, todays update. I haven't featured the model Tramway before so here it is:

A gorgeous 3/4" scale Pilcher by eric Hall. Fabulous.

On the opposite side some interesting models. From top to bottom: A model of thr Bury night soil car made by either the apprentices at Buty or Mountain and Gibson. The photograph shows the model on display c. 1905 though it has been altered. The 2 Manchester trams were donated to us and do run but tend to live in the case for reasons of space! The bottom model is the builders model of Blackpool 619 which does differ slightly from the finished item - note the double entrances. The green tower framing them? Why Blackpool 752 of course.

The dual gauge siding which will allow narrow gauge prototypes to run.

The new terminus showing the new (and complex!) pointwork and improved siding arrangements.

That's all folks!

February 21st 2010

Firstly, an apology for my poor typing skills! Apologies to Paul Jarman of Beamish (not Paul Harman!) and for omitting Alan Kirkman as builder of the parcels car model.

So, today. More snow as can be seen from the pics. We carried few people despite the park being busy, perhaps they were too busy sledging!

6 waits at Middleton Road in the snow.At the compulsory stop, quite thick snow and which white line??

We had a meeting about the future (temporary) home of one of our cars, more later in the year . . . . . .

John

We're back! February 17th update

Hi all

I've had a phone call chastising me for not updating my blog (wehat's the point of having a blog if you don't update it?) so just for that person who shall remain nameless, here I go.

Check out the website http://www.heatonparktramway.org.uk/ for the major news on the acquisition of 4 Blackpool Trams and the visit of 706 this winter.

So what's happened since the last update?

Leeds 6 is maintaining the winter service.

765 is having attention to its brakes and saloon door which hasn't worked properly for many years but will certainly need to in Blackpool.

Leeds 6 will be moving to Beamish on Tuesday 30th March and 196 arrives on Wednesday 31st March. 196 will be seen out and about on training duties for a few weeks. It is hoped to use the car in service as soon as we can to 'try it out' but we are not advertising that until we are satisfied that training is complete. To help us in this I travelled to Beamish with Alan (driving instructor Williams) and we spent a very pleasant (but cold) afternoon learning all about the car and driving it to get a feel for it. Many thanks to Stuart who patiently spent the afternoon with us and to Bob Fielding and Paul Harman for facilitating the visit. The cars will stay in their new homes for the summer.

Also this month we have the first of the parcels car models which is due for relase on 28th March.

There's bound to be lots I've missed so don't forget to keep checking the website as well as the blog!

John (happy now Gordon???!!!)