Heaton Park Tramway Spring Gala

Blackpool 623, Stockport 5 and Manchester 765 parked line abreast at the Lakeside terminus of the tramway

The Manchester Transport Museum Society held their Spring Gala at the Heaton Park Tramway on March 24th, three cars were operational, these being Blackpool 623, Stockport 5 and Manchester 765. In the morning a small ceremony was held to mark the 80th anniversary since tramcars last ran down Middleton Road outside the park gates, the Lord Mayor of Manchester made a short speech and then cut a ceremonial ribbon. Stockport 5 was launched into service in the afternoon after a few speeches, complete with the full set of adverts that have been applied recently. Stockport 5 had been due to visit the museum at Beamish this Spring, but unfortunately the move was cancelled due to logistical reasons. After Stockport 5 had been relaunched into service, the three operational trams formed a cavalcade near the Middleton Road gates, they then proceeded together to the Lakeside terminus. At Lakeside, 623, 5 & 765 were positioned line abreast on the three track layout there, the first time that three trams have been lined up side by side at this terminus.

Blackpool 623 operated the passenger service in the morning, seen here passing LTT owned Blackpool PD3 No 529

623 passes Stockport 5 carrying the Lord Mayor of Manchester from the depot down to the Middleton Road gates

The Lord Mayor of Manchester performing the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Middleton Road gates

The Lord Mayor of Manchester and former councillor Keith Whitmore holding a Route 15 information board

MTMS Chairman Bob Hill, John Whitehouse and Martin Bryan after the speeches at the Stockport 5 relaunch

The cavalcade of trams gather at the Middleton Road gates before proceeding in convoy to the terminus at Lakeside

Stockport 5 and Manchester 765 on the new depot approach tracks at the Lakeside terminus of the tramway