Status Open Route length 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) Locale Heaton Park | Stock 19 trams Phone +44 161 740 1919 | |
![]() | ||
Operator(s) Manchester Transport Museum Society Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ⁄2 in) Address Heaton Hall, Heaton Park Tramway, Prestwich, Manchester M25 2SW, UK Hours Open today · Open 24 hoursSaturdayOpen 24 hoursSundayOpen 24 hoursMondayOpen 24 hoursTuesdayOpen 24 hoursWednesdayOpen 24 hoursThursdayOpen 24 hoursFridayOpen 24 hours Similar Heaton Park, Heaton Park tram stop, Benchill tram stop, Queens Road tram stop, Robinswood Road tram stop Profiles |
Heaton park tramway a passengers eye view
The Heaton Park Tramway is a heritage tramway running old trams as a visitor attraction in Heaton Park, Manchester.
Contents
- Heaton park tramway a passengers eye view
- Heaton park tramway manchester hull 96 tram
- History
- The route
- The tramcars
- Projects
- References
Heaton park tramway manchester hull 96 tram
History
Shortly after Heaton Park was bought by Manchester Corporation the tramway was extended into the park and the first tram arrived on 31 May 1903, bringing visitors from Manchester. By 1934 buses were taking over from trams and the tramway was disconnected from the main system and covered in tarmac for use by buses.
The Manchester Transport Museum Society (MTMS) was founded in 1961 with the aim of creating a museum in which to exhibit the society's collection for public display. It was decided that Heaton Park would be a suitable site for the museum and proposals were made to the Parks Department of Manchester City Council.
The route
The initial idea, to construct a tramway from Grand Lodge to Heaton Hall, was considered too expensive, as it would require remedial works to carry it across the railway tunnel. A new scheme was proposed to open up the old Manchester Corporation Tramways spur from Middleton Road to the old tram shelter 300 yards (270 m) inside the park. The original track was buried under a layer of tarmac which was cleared and the tram shelter restored to form the centre of the society's operations. Work was completed in 1979 and the Heaton Park Tramway was officially opened on 28 March 1980.
The operation based upon the original siding has been extended using track salvaged from elsewhere, largely on a right of way to a new terminus by the boating lake. Plans exist for a further extension as far as the hall. Major restoration of the depot and museum complex was completed in 2007.
The tramcars
Trams that have visited the line include:
Projects
The main project is fund raising for a new depot building to provide storage for all of the current collection of trams, this project is now complete. Future projects include the restoration of Manchester Corporation Tramways open top tram 173 built in 1901, Blackpool Balloon 702, Oldham 43 built in 1902 and the Blackpool railgrinder No. 752. Current projects include the additional work required on Stockport 5.