Blackpool 619 Launch and First Day of the Season 2023
Join us on 26th March to formally welcome our latest restoration project, Blackpool 619, back into traffic and celebrate the start of our 2023 season!
This day will feature a two car service, with 619 operating alongside a compatriot from her days at the seaside also living out her retirement at Heaton Park, Blackpool 623.
The precise details of the event, for example, photographic runs, will be released soon.
Thanks to our friends at the Fylde Transport Trust, a vintage Blackpool bus will also be joining us for the event – in addition, this vehicle will be operating in service from Blackpool so enthusiasts can ride and travel in style to our event! Please see their Facebook page soon for more information.
The picture below is of 619 on test in wintery conditions in December 2022 – final finishing touches are being made ready for this event, including advert boards and lining out.
Easy Fundraising
You are now able to help support Heaton Park Tramway just by doing your shopping.
Click the link below for more information.
Updates from the workshop – August 2022
Hi All,
Apologies for no recent updates, its been a very busy year for everyone at the tramway.
With several of our younger working members studying up for exams to others who are progressing well with careers.
Here is a quick update on what has been going on in the workshop over the last few months.
First of all, our workshop has undergone a huge clean up and reorganize.
Its astounding the difference that this has made to the workshop staff, apart from now being unable to find anything 🙂
Dave M and Geoff continuing to build the new OPs area.
A lot of work has also been taking place out and about on the tramway.
Here we see our overhead team fixing it back up as well as breaking up the tree that had fallen.
April 3rd saw our first day of service for 2022 and also our 42nd birthday.
Infrastructure Painting
Corporate volunteers play a key role in the tramway by providing large groups of volunteers to help tackle some of the larger jobs.
In June, 619 finally re-entered the workshop to continue the work that started many years ago.
The edges being trimmed to sit flush with the steps.
Throughout June, July and August we have continued to operate weekend services, maintain our fleet and work on an additional tram.
This is not an easy task.
The above just highlights some of the different tasks undertaken at the tramway.
Its not all about “Ding, Ding and away”
There are hundreds of different tasks undertaken at the tramway.
If you would like to get involved with the tramway, be it guarding, driving, helping in our shop, track work, overhead work or anything of your choosing- Please get in touch.
info@hptramway.co.uk
All Models Great & Small 2022
SATURDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 2022 AT 11:00
We are happy to announce All Models Great & Small 2022 featuring many model tramways and railways.
Split across 2 sites within Heaton Park Tramway we host a variety of layouts depicting locations from all over the UK.
Our very own “Wooton Trams” will be on display at Lakeside Depot.
A 3 tram service will be in operation from 11:00 until 17:00
Further details will be posted once confirmed.
Heaton Park Tramway Photography Evening
SATURDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2022 AT 17:00
Join us on the 22nd October for some unique photographic opportunities with our vintage tramcars – more details to be announced soon!
Update 20-8-22
It has now been confirmed that Manchester Corporation 4127 will be joining in for the evening curtesy of Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester
Sunday 3rd April 2022 – 40th (+ 2) Birthday Running Day
The first day of service for 2022 and also Heaton Park Tramway’s 42nd birthday.
sun whilst work has been taking place within the depot.
This event was due to take place in April 2020, but due to the pandemic was delayed until now.
We will start the day at 11:00 with 96 and 765 running in parallel from Middleton Road Depot towards the gates, followed by a 3 car service operating throughout the day.
Our museum will be open to visitors for the first time in over 2 years after an extensive refurbishment.
Our shop will be open, and a pop up book stall will be located outside of the main door.
Lakeside depot will also be open to the public for the first time, As well as static tramcars being displayed outside Middleton Road depot and Lakeside depot.
A temporary workshop viewing area will also be open at Middleton Road depot.
Volunteering with Us
Have you made a new years resolution to learn a new skill or start a new hobby?
Well you could do both by volunteering with us.
We are ALWAYS looking for new volunteers, to help run our shop, Landscaping, painting the trams, maintaining the track and overhead, servicing and repairing the trams and of course operating the trams as crew.
So for a challenge that’s rewarding and satisfying, send an email to info@hptramway.co.uk to find out more.
Happy New Year!
What a year we have planned for you too, with Lightopia complete we now look ahead and whilst the tramway is now closed for winter maintenance here’s what you can expect from us next.
3rd April we reopen to finally celebrate our 40th (+2) Birthday. Including the reopening of our shop and museum.
2nd & 3rd July sees the return of our tramtastic event now expanded to be a two day event. The first weekend of September sees the return of a model event to the tramway with our new all models great & small event. (exact day to be confirmed).
22nd October sees a new night photography event taking place in the park after the tramway has closed with posed shots and photo opportunities galore.
NEW FOR 2022! We will be having a connecting bus service between us and the Greater Manchester Museum of Transport on the following dates: Sunday 24th April Sunday 29th May Sunday 26th June Sunday 31st July Sunday 28th August In conjunction with this we aim to operate Manchester 765 & Stockport 5 (subject to volunteer and tramcar availability.)