Back with avengeance!

HI all

Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated and I am, in fact, back!
I shall endeavour to update very regularly to keep you updated on the Blackpool event.
As you probably lknow 31 arrives on the 9th and 196 leaves on the 9th - a 2 car service is pencilled in to say goodbye on the 7th.
Traction poles are now planted on the extension and we await the overhead being erected - most likely before the track is done.

The movements therefore mean that 619 (roll on 2011 - 7 is so much easier to type!) will be the service car on Sunday 14th with 31 on training.

31 takes over as the service car on 28th (if we survive the events of 19th - 22nd).

Will try and post some pics later.

John

WOW - things move fast

Firstly, lets start with a rare view. Its the Sunday of Bank Holiday weekend and yes, that is me Guarding - a shot rarer than the overalls, me with ticket rack and bag!

OK, so since the last post things have moved apace.

August Bank Holiday Monday was the busiest Bank Holiday I have ever seen! There were so many people around at one stage we had to get both Trams out and they ran full for a good couple of hours.

L53 has been to Beamish and back. It ran successfully for four days in glorious sunshine.

Sunday 5th September played host to the Trans Lancs Rally and the now annual Model Tramway exhibition. After a quiet start the day went very well - the depot being packed with visitors nearly all afternoon. The Trams had the busiest day of the year - only eclipsed once at the Arabian Festival a few years ago. We carried about 1000 passengers and both Trams were absolutely full to bursting all afternoon - 196 even carrying full standing loads a la Beamish! Its nice to see just how busy we can be now. A MASSIVE thank you is due to all the staff of the day. Despite being down on staff due to holidays and L53 operating at Beamish we covered every journey and maintained a full service. Musical drivers? Musical bleedin' everything! I shall break with tradition and mention you all - Alan Williams (who didn't know he was D.I. for the day until he arrived!), Dave McFarlane, Iain Hatrick, Tony Molloy, Rebecca Palmer, Martin Bryan, Martin Strickland (experiencing a baptism of fire on his first event day crewing) and Shaul Croshaw who made the mistake of asking if we needed any help and was promptly dragged onto the rear platform of 619.

Another massive thank you to all the exhibitors - Steve Smith, Doug and Vera Pritchard, Gerald and Jean Southern, Wilf and Joan Helliwell, Ian Thompson, Keith Gilliver, Pete Whiteley (and Whitleley junior), Eric Hall, Greg Marsden, Ian Johnson, Mark Casson and Mrs. casson (!). Apolgies if I've missed anyone.

And another thanks to all who came down and helped behind the scenes - Marjorie, Jeremy, Andrew, Hilda, Mark, Bob, Terry and Alex who had high tailed it down from Beamish.

OK Oscars over.

The biggest news of all, though is construction starting on the new terminus. The ground has the first layer of ballast and sleepers are due very soon. Moving of track into position should be in the next week or so, then . . . .

For pics of all the above, see the main website at www.heatonparktramway.co.uk

I'm back

Hello, after nearly a month the blog is back - sorry foer the delay but just been so busy, then ill (amn flu) just haven't had chance to update. So Gordon, Andrew et al stop your whinging and here we go.

TRAMS

619 has gone pop again. The Compressor has disgraced itself and is currently in the back of a car awaiting a return to Blackpool - thanks to BT for arranging an rxchange so quickly. There is also a problem with some fuses and switches. It is hoped to have 619 back in service before the exhibition in September.

The bit you never see. 619s railcoach bogie and part of the framework.

The work area with two seats removed to make access easier. The floor plates have been put back in.
Horse Tram to the rescue?
The offensing compressor in the back of Alex's car!

196 is performing well and now bearing the brunt of the service.

752 was out today on guard training duties - as its the only 'standard' handbrake car we have it has been used for training of handbrake procedure.

L53 will leave for Beamish at the end of the month and return a week later.

Rawtenstall 23 remains in the open next to the depot - it is hoped to be able to cover this car a bit better later.

TRACK

We await construction to start on the extension, but this is in the final logistics stages now and should see action very soon.
The depot access point has received attention today and is performing better. We tend to forget that all the double trackwork and points is 105 years old! Interestingly not one of the points matches, leading us to believe that the track in the park was constructed using whatever was left over alnd lying around!

The bit of point you rarely see. The cover is removed for maintenance.

DALEK

Martin has received some attention. The blue hemispheres were very pretty but not robust enough for the knocks and scrapes it gets at HPT, being painted over quite shiny plastic. It has had a new set of unpainted shny black plastic ones put on and paintwork modified to the colour scheme the Daleks appeared in 1974's Death to the Daleks. So far its surviving. I had originally suggested removing Martin but there was such as outcry because of the interest it generates for our younger visitors he got refurbed instead!

Shiny Martin, resplendent in his new livery. One person did suggest Red and cream . . .

TOURS

You will see from the main website that we are planning an illuminations tour on September 28th using Stockport 5, Bolton 66 and Manchester 765. Initially this is open to members of the 3 owning groups (if you are reading this and haven't yet been contacted - you will be soon). We are hoping to open this to all a little later.

Till next time . . .

John

credits

Oops pressed last button before I got chance to add thanks to Andrew Hazlehurst and Martin Bryan for pics.

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.