31st May

Well, there goes another month!

First of all a Tram rarely featured anywhere (and unlikely to be again for some while) - Rawtenstall 23. Visitors to the shed may have seen bits of it hanging around and 6 is currently fitted with its kick boards, but not many people have ever seen the truck, underframe and roof. These are currently in store and require some attention as can be seen from the angle of the roof. I have been asked not to reveal the location (and if anyone else knows, please dodn't publish it either as it is not accessible to the public and we do not want to cause inconvenience to anyone). It has previously been sheeted up and may move again soon!

Work contines on 765 to prepare it for service in Blackpool. Fun was had today when we realised that the paint just wasn't going to match the colour chart, it looked a reddy colour in depot, but outside it had pink trucks! A hasty dash to the paint shop resulted in now brown trucks and lifeguards - phew! The wrong colour paint acting like a remarkably good undercoat. One of our staff actually did a double take when he spied me in overalls painting! I won't mention Martin's name here, but its a slightly harsh judgement - just like my wallet the overalls do make the occasional appearance!The rather fetching salmon pink trucks.

Brown again!

Joking apart - a quick thank you here, by the way, to the the guys who have been busily away painting and scraping on 765.

Also today we assembled the display boards for the Museum of Museums at Trafford.

Thanks to Andrew for developing the 'house style' for the individual information panels.

So, what's happening in June? More Trams - 619 is due mid-month and we are hoping that 765 will still make an appearance at Totally Transport.

Incudentally to add to last months Tram move tally we have moved Trams in March (6), April (196), May (L53) and June (765/619)!!!

Till next time . . .

Addition!!

Forgot to answer the question posted last week. L53 is moving to make room for 196 which is longer than 765. As the cars are nose to tail in the shed something had to go! L53 is the ideal choice as it will be a fantastic ambassador for the museum.

15/16 May

Saturday was our AGM meeting and the second Saturday of operation. The day was pleasant and warm and the shortest AGM on record - namely because they were relegated to sitting on 765 due to the depot being in use!!
Sunday saw 196 and 765 opeate together for the last time. Just for the record 765 performed faultlessly and was much photographed. We didn't get any buses parked at the depot but there was a frequent service from Boyle Street. A few enthusuasts siezed the day and came to photograph the 2 cars. L53 sat outside to say its goodbyes - it is set to move tomorrow. The car is going on a 3 year loan to Bury Transport Museum at Castlecroft. It will make the occasional appearance elsewhere during this time . . .watch this space.

L53 makes the fifth Tram move so far this year - with may more to come. I don't think I'm saying too much if I point out that there will be no less than 16 possible Tram moves which we are involved with this year. What are they? In no particular order and not all confirmed . . .

1. 6 to Beamish

2. 196 to HPT

3. 623 to Trafford

4. 702 to Trafford

5. L53 to Bury

6. 765 to Blackpool

7. 619 to HPT

8. 706 to HPT

9. 706 from HPT

10. 6 to HPT

11. 196 to Beamish

12. 765 to HPT (provisional)

13. xxx to HPT (provisional)

14. ?????

15. L53 to ???

16. L53 to Bury

Which interestingly makes 752 the only constant this year at HPT!

1. The morning line up. By the end of 2010 no fewer than 10 passenger Trams will have waited here for service since 1980. Not bad going eh? Oh, and that includes a Horse Tram in case you were wondering. 11 Trams if you include 752.

2. 765 at rest - the final time in 2010.

3. L53 basks in the late afternoon sun - the last time for??

Last few weeks

25th April

L53 ran for the last time. The weather was atrocious and by mid afternoon we had to abandon the Horste Tram due to the horses hooves slipping on the moss which seems to like growing in the gap between tarmac and rail. 765 and 196n had intermittently shared the service but 765 had to deputise for L53 so both cars were out. They ran in tandem with 765 at the Lake end. In order to avoid constant point changing in the wet all cars used the left side at Middleton Road and centre crossover, giving the rare chance to see cars coming wrong line with their trolleys on the right then correcting themselves at centre crossover!

L53 in the wet. Its so poor you can even see the red light on L53. Here's a bit of useless knowledge - the front warning light in L53's day was red whilst the rear green!

The morning line up.

Bank Holiday was reasonably busy with Monday seeing a few full loads.

This weekend saw the first of the Saturday services.

Today saw all cars outsidew whilst L53 had its brakes checked over - why outside? Its easier to twist the body and do it from above! The car has now been checked and cleaned in readiness for moving to Bury. The following photo will only be possible once more.

Next weekend sees a 2 car service on Sunday in connection with Boyle Street's rear engine celebration event. If all goes to plan there will be several buses parked at the Tramway and a bus service linking Boyle Street and The Tramway. This is likely to be 765's last outing before Blackpool.

Enjoy!