MANCHESTER TRANSPORT MUSEUM SOCIETY
HEATON PARK TRAMWAY NEWS UPDATE 13th SEPTEMBER 2008
Updated 17th November 2008
752 now set to move to Heaton Park on 20th November
The MTMS have been offered Blackpool Works Car 752 which is no longer required at Blackpool. It had been intended to transport the car to Heaton Park on 20h November in order that it might take part in the Works Car Event detailed below on the 30th November. However the haulier has revised the date and brought it forward to Tuesday 18th November.
EVENTS
We will be holding “A Celebration of the British Works Car” on Sunday 30th November. This unique event will see examples of two types of works car being in operation - Leeds 6 (aka Hull 96) and Blackpool Railgrinder 752.
Leeds 6 represents the converted passenger car as it started off life as Hull 96 before becoming a works car and later being sold on to Leeds. This tram is being re-launched to the public on the day after a 12 month overhaul. The purpose built works tram is represented by Blackpool 752, a general purpose works vehicle and rail scrubber.
Also on the day we are proud to be hosting the launch of “Works Trams of the British Isles” by David Voice. David is an acknowledged authority on tramway history and has been writing tramway books for 25 years and this will be his 22nd published book. The book is published by Adam Gordon of Brora, Sutherland who specialise in tramway history publications and also sell second-hand and antiquarian tramway books.
Additionally there will be a models competition – bring along your models of works cars to be in with the chance of winning a very special prize, namely the chance to drive one yourself!
A special vehicle guest for the day will be a Bolton Tower wagon provided by Greater Manchester Museum of Transport at Boyle Street.
The full programme of events is as follows:
10.00 - 3.00: Works car models on display and works car model competition
10.00 - 11.30: Tram driving experience using 752, must be pre booked 1 trip each
(contact John Whitehouse on 01282 436802 to book)
10.30 - 12.00: Tram service with Manchester 765.
11.30: 752 posed on siding at Lakeside for photos.
12.00: Official re-launch of Leeds 6. Trams on display, 6 and 752 side by side
outside depot. 765 and Horse Tram L53 on the depot road.
12.00 - 12.30: First runs with 6 using bow collector for photos and filming.
12.30: launch of the book with photographs etc. on/with the two works cars.
1.00 + :Book signing and sales.
1.00 - 3.00: Tram service with 765.
1.00 - 2.00: Tram driving experience with 752. One trip available on the day,
pre-booked.
2.00: Judging of the model competition. Small scale and large scale prize.
1st prize a copy of Works car book and an afternoon Tram driving experience
voucher.
2.00 - 3.00: Demonstration runs with 6 and 752, parallel runs etc. Passenger
service terminates at centre crossover, giving a photo opportunity of works and
passenger cars working around each other. Also demonstration of scrubbing gear
on 752.
3.00: close to the public.
3.30 - 5.00: Trams in the dark for invited and pre-booked guests, including dusk
run of 6 and 752 in the dark, which is when works cars were usually active.
(To book, contact John Whitehouse on
01282 436802)
Above information on Works Car Event thanks to British Trams Online
Please check with John Whitehouse, Commercial Manager or telephone 01282 436802/07840 707653 for details.
WINTER RUNNING
The tramway will operate on the following dates during this winter.
November 16th (12:00 to 3:30), 23rd (12:00 to 3:00), and 30th (note 30th is Works Car Event see below).
December 7th and 14th (11:30 to 3:00).
January 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th (11:30 to 3:00).
February 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd (12:00 to 3:00).
March 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd (12:00 to 3:30).
From 14th December the service will be operated by ex Hull 96 in its temporary guise as Leeds 6.
Please check with John Whitehouse, Commercial Manager or telephone 01282 436802/07840 707653 for details.
2008/09 WORKS PROGRAMME
Please visit this site for updates.
L53 OPERATING DAYS
L53 will not be operating during the winter but it is hoped to run it during 2009.
Please contact John Whitehouse, Commercial Manager or telephone 01282 436802/07840 707653 for details.
The tram was officially unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Manchester on Thursday 27th March 2008 in the presence of members of the Eades family and Society members.
(Photos S. G. Hyde)
Following the ceremony L53 ran a number of trips up and down the double track for the benefit of the media and guests gaining much publicity on local TV news programmes and local press. The tram horse 'Murdoch' and handlers travelled over from the Bradford Industrial Museum to take part in the event. 'Murdoch' had previously attended 'rehearsals' for his appearances and appeared to take the need to turn the tram around in his stride.
(Photos S. G. Hyde)
Join the MTMS and keep up to date!
Anyone interested in finding out more can keep up to date by telephoning us on 0161 740 1919 at the Museum where a 24 hour telephone answering machine operates when nobody is available. Alternatively you can E-mail us for details or download a copy of our membership form.
MANCHESTER TRANSPORT MUSEUM SOCIETY