From 2008 to 2013 our tramcar fleet had more than doubled size and with capacity at our Middleton Road depot already an issue we were forced to store members of our fleet elsewhere. While some cars found refuge in museums, others were placed into the undesirable option of outdoor storage, leaving us with an urgency to bring the fleet home to Heaton Park. The culmination of the resulting project was celebrated in 2013 with the opening of phase 1 of our newly constructed Lakeside depot.

Most of our tramcars were swiftly transported to the park and by the end of the year Lakeside depot was at full capacity. Although the whole fleet could not be accommodated it meant all of our trams were protected from the outside elements and there long term futures were secured.

In 2014 the MTMS, working with Transport for Greater Manchester, announced the acquisition of Manchester Metrolink 1007 following the withdrawal of the entire T68 class of tram. Although comparatively young compared to our fleet, being built in 1991, 1007 had previously marked a historic milestone in Manchester Tramway history being the first tram to carry passengers through the city streets when the Metrolink opened in 1992.

Now we are faced with the task of housing this historically significant vehicle. 1007 measures almost the length of our current Lakeside depot. It is planned to be housed in a extension to the rear of the building where a museum display dedicated to the history of Manchesters other tramway can be incorporated. The other tracks built into the phase 2 extension will allow the remainder of our fleet, such as Manchester L53, to be housed at the park.

Upon completion of the necessary construction work we plan to move our museum and shop from Middleton Road depot to the busier area at Lakeside, allowing Middleton Road to become a dedicated workshop for the restoration of our vehicles and infrastructure.

Over the following years our volunteers have been working with the City Councils park department and the planning departments to develop a plan to incorporate the extension. Fundraising and grants continue to be worked on and significant progress has been made behind the scenes to ensure 1007 can be preserved for future generations.

In the meantime 1007 remains in store with Transport for Greater Manchester at Metrolink's Trafford Depot.

The construction of our Lakeside depot was only possible with the thousands of hours put in by our dedicated volunteers, a task they are preparing to do again. Want to help? Visit our Join Us page to find out how.