Easter weekend

Sorry, no pics this week. Just didn't get round to it!
Easter Sunday was quite busy and a 2 car service was run for most of the day, though 765 did have to undergo a couple of hasty repairs. Oporto 196 really stole the show, though. Well, w've done it. A Tram on loan from another museum in service - just 6 to enter service at Beamish and the 'swap' will be complete! THis is the first guest Tram at HPT since 600 left in 1997 and the sixth electric Tram to operate (the seventh Tram). It is the first of 3 guests to run this year and by the end of the year 7 different Trams should have operated (possibly 8, actually) if all goes to plan . . .
Monday was much quieter and the weather was much duller. 196 has certainly settled in though.

765 is now out of service again to allow its freshening up for Blackpool to continue.

The pattern for the rest of the spring/summer will (should) be as follows:
April - 196 (L53 on private hite on 25th April, its last appearance at HPT)
May - 196. 765 should be avaialable from mid-May. L53 leaves HPT on long term loan.
May and June Saturday service - 1 - 4 with 196.
June - 619 arrives, 765 to Blackpool.
June, July, August 2 car service.
September and beyond . . .?
November 706, still a long way to go here folks.

Enjoy!

John

I shall leave the weekend festivities report to the official blog, but I will just say thank you and well done to all the HPT staff. And thank you to all who came and supported us.

So, on to this week.

6 moved to Beamish on Tuesday.

6 on Middelton Road, ready for its journey North.
6 at around 7pm sat on the depot access track at Beamish.

196 arrived at HPT on Thursday.

At the compulsory stop on its first run.

Climbing our hill - not exactly Pockerley bank is it? The eagle eyed will spot the bunting on the trolley, to match our other cars for the 30th year.

196 was commissioned and staff trained by 6pm. It will see its public service debut this weekend and will be in service Easter Sunday and Monday. Why not come along and see its first day of operation?

Whilst consuming copious amounts of tea we pondered, when was the last inter museum Tram swap and when was the last Tram on loan to another museum? (apart from L53 to Beamish last year)

Enjoy.

April 1st

Oops, try again.

I shall leave a full report of the weekend's events to the main website. Just to say, however, well done and thank you to all the HPT staff and thank you to all who attended and supported us.

6 moved successfully to Beamish on Tuesday and duly touched Beamish rails at around 7pm!

Here it is about to set off on Middleton Road.

Here it is shortly after unloading.

196 arrived at Heaton Park this morning at 8.30. It was unloaded and fully commissioned by 1 and by 6 five members of staff had been trained. Just for the record the weather was sunny, snow and hail at various times during the day.

At the compulsory stop on her first run.

Climbing the hill - somewhat kinder than Pockerley bank on its home system!

So it will be in service Easter Sunday and Monday. We should have a 2 car service for at least part of Sunday.

This swap (the first inter museum electric Tram exchange of this millennium?) raises a few questions. When was the last time there was an inter museum electric Tram swap? Has there ever been one or were any others just loans? On loan to Blackpool doesn't count.

Hmm . . . .

JOhn

1st April

Well, what a full week!

Tuesday 23rd March

Sunday was a lovely busy day with 765 back in service and 6 on training duties. The 2 cars are seen here passing at Depot. This scene will only be possible twice more (27th and 28th) before 6 goes to Beamish and when it returns, 765 will be gone. Who knows what will happen after the 2010 season yet so this could very well be the end of an era. 765 and 6 have been the sole passenger cars since 600 went demic in 1997. 13 years!!! (L53 doesn't count, by the way).

Depot Dalek - Martin in refurbished condition on patrol outside the shop today while heavy cleaning took place inside the depot. It is planned to have a Depot Dalek this year for that extra bit of lunatic PR.

And finally . . .what we've all been waiting for. 752 has the last of its bulbs tested as it is being prepared to be Heaton Park's first illuminated Tram and the first in the Manchester area since ??? Interestingly one of the team behind 752's new role was responsible in part for 752's sister car, grinder 2 being illuminated at Crich way back in the 1960s. Hmmm.

Looking forward to this weekend already.

Check www.heatonparktramway.org.uk for latest info and possible running order.

John

14th March

A nice but relatively quiet day due to various events in Manchester. We did however end up with all Trams outside at one point which was nice but sorry no photos!

6 was in service but also managed a training run as did 752. L53 and 765 emerged into daylight for a shunt and yours truly ended up driving the whole fleet in the space of 45 minutes (if propelling L53 manually counts as driving).

Now, onto the 30th birthday. Me not being known for my sanity has decided that we need something a little different.

Behold:

Yes, that is a Dalek in a state of some disrepair. Below is the Dalek (whose name is Martin, by the way) a few years ago. You can tell where we're going with this can't you?

Incidentally, Martin has visited Crich. How many Daleks can claim to have visited two Tramways?

I have no idea why Martin, but he was originally named Tarquin (I kid you not).

If he proves popular, expect him to take up residence for a while. Some Tramways had a depot cat, Heaton Park will have a depot Dalek. Why? Because we can (and he doesn't need feeding).

John