All change (again)

Well, for the first time since 1987 the service is to be maintained entirely by on loan cars (1985 - 88 was 40 and 600 with 96 arriving in 1988). Oporto and Blackpool is certainly an interesting mix, not to mention the endless comedy value of 196 and 619.

To begin with Ian Johnson's new book on Manchester Pilcher's is now on sale and is rather good.

Here is Ian with the book and the closest we have to a Pilcher, at the moment . . . . .

Here is 765 on Sunday looking rather better for having its numbers redone in gold leaf and repainted yellow lining as well as patched up paintwork.

Tuesday rolled around and late morning we received a phone call to say that 619 had left Blackpool. The enthusiast world seems divided on the subject of the length of its loan - various people have told me that it will be going back to Blackpool by Christmas and other people have told me it will stay in Manchester forever, whilst others seem to think its on loan for anything from 2 to 10 years! The actual agreement? When somebody tells us we'll let you know.

196 basks in the morning sun in a shot which shows its enormous width!

765's lifetrays on the platform ready for transit.

What's that coming over the hill . . . . is it . . . well, you get the idea. Its the l,ongest Tram ever to travel up Middleton Road.

A certain ex-Blackpool driver watches as 619 moves ever closer towards his grasp once more! Expect the footage to appear on a future DVD.

619 touches Manchester rails and so begins life in its new (temporary?) home.

It was pulled out of the way by 752 (old friends) and posed very briefly next to 765. Is it just me or does it look right in the Park setting?

It was then coupled to 765 and propelled into the workshop.

765 then came out and was driven, yes driven, onto the wagon bed. Great care was taken not to lose the earth connection. It was hauled the rest of the way. This move saved about an hour!

And here she is on the wagon. So what's new in Blackpool since she left in 1988? Hmmm...Stockport 5, Sheffield 513 which was there in 1988, then came back! The Trawler, 2 rebuilt illuminateds, fat doors, no cabin loop. I will let you fill the rest in yourself.

Even 765 has impressive length when straddling both carriageways.

Goodbye old friend (for now)

Outside depot in the process of being washed. The car was filthy after a winter of storage and a motorway journey.

Since this photo was taken the car has been fitted with a mini tower and trolley with carbon skid. All is in working order but at the moment the compressor won't play ball, which puts its appearance on Sunday in some doubt. More work on Saturday and we shall see.

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!

18th April and Beamish

Wow, what another fabulous week.

Power from the Past was tremendous and all the organisers, staff and participants at Beamish deserve a massive thank you and congratulations for a stunning event. The combination of 4 operating railways (including passenger rides on the full size demonstration line), a plethora of steam vehicles and the visiting Aidensfield Bus (yes the one from Heartbeat!!!) made a truly enjoyable event. Not to mention Trams from 3 museums - well done for getting that together! The combination of 4, 6 and 131 was tremendous and probably quite unique as it is unlikely to happen ever again.

It was nice to see our Leeds 6 in an authentic street, giving just a hint of Leeds suburb! To see it perform on the 1.5 mile circuit is nice to see (especially crammed to capacity!) as you don't always feel you can get the best out of cars on our current (but not for long) short line. 6 is also displaying 'on loan' notices in the cab window.

The unusual sight of 6 descending Pockerley bank. Is this a foretaste of what any future Heaton Park extensions could look like?

6 and 16 at Pockerley stop.

6 sandwiched between Beamish buses!

There will be a photo CD of 6's holiday at some point.

Today the service was maintained by 196 with 752 making an appearance on guard training. With 765 out of action it stood in pretending to be a hand brake passenger car!

That's all for now.

John

11th and beyond

196 has nicely settled into its role as service car, carrying a few 3 bell loads on Sunday.

A few pics for you to enjoy courtesy of Andrew Hazlehurst. An unusual shot of 196 approaching Lakeside.

A host of . . . .

Anyhow, off to Beamish tomorrow to see 6 in action alongside Cardiff 131 and Blackpool 4.

See you there!!!

John