First Brush Car To Run In Preservation

[northernrail]

Hi All,
Blackpool Brush Car 623 currently at Heaton Park Tramway, Manchester is set to be the first Brush Car to run in Passenger Service in preservation, January 22 is the aimed date to have the car enter service with many of the Museum's volunteers working hard to get the vehicle ready for service, 623 has only been under power once since arriving at its new home a month ago, this is due to a different shorter tower being put on the tram so it will fit in the depot, on a unrelated note planning permission has been granted for a new depot to built in the park so we can house the now fairly large fleet of trams stored accross the country.

 

[BestWestern]

Excellent news, well done guys Be great to see the old girl back in action, I will definitely have to be paying a visit to Heaton sometime soon!

 

[bluegoblin7]

Slight clarification, 623 will be the first Brush car to run with passengers under its own power in preservation.

We couldn't resist piling onto Brush 630 at Crich yesterday after it arrived, taking a ride from Stephenson Place to Crich Town End, thence to the Depot Cross Over. Not under its own power, but it was carrying far more than just a 'crew' so counts... :P

Here's a picture shortly after arrival...

 

[northernrail]

Slight clarification, 623 will be the first Brush car to run with passengers under its own power in preservation.

Ah, but i didnt say Run with passengers, i said run in passenger service

 

[bluegoblin7]

Ah, but i didnt say Run with passengers, i said run in passenger service

...but when does a service become a service? It saved me from having to walk back to the workshop!

In all seriousness - really looking forward to seeing 623 running at Heaton Park next year, as well as the Balloons and the Railcoach some point after.

My only slight gripe is that I think Heaton Park needs to concentrate on its own local collection, including Manchester 765, Stockport 5 operational, and Leeds 6 (at Beamish), Manchester 173 (Boyle St, unrestored) and Rawtenstall 23 (unrestored) more than it should Blackpool. It is, after all, a Manchester tramway and has little connection to Blackpool. Other, more local organisations are doing a good job with the Blackpool trams!

It would be a shame if any of the local trams were pushed out in preference to Blackpool.

Jack

 

[northernrail]

My only slight gripe is that I think Heaton Park needs to concentrate on its own local collection, including Manchester 765, Stockport 5 operational, and Leeds 6 (at Beamish), Manchester 173 (Boyle St, unrestored) and Rawtenstall 23 (unrestored) more than it should Blackpool. It is, after all, a Manchester tramway and has little connection to Blackpool. Other, more local organisations are doing a good job with the Blackpool trams!

It would be a shame if any of the local trams were pushed out in preference to Blackpool.

Jack

I do see where your coming from, and many of us feel the same, but at the minute were moving trams as required with as little hassle as possible, With 5 and 765 on site and opperational, 173 doesnt need to be on site yet and 6 coming in useful at Beamish it is just the Blackpool cars that need to be moved, soon we will be able to have the trams we need, on site

 

[bluegoblin7]

I do see where your coming from, and many of us feel the same, but at the minute were moving trams as required with as little hassle as possible, With 5 and 765 on site and opperational, 173 doesnt need to be on site yet and 6 coming in useful at Beamish it is just the Blackpool cars that need to be moved, soon we will be able to have the trams we need, on site

Yeah I fully understand and appreciate the reasons for the Blackpool cars and that they're the ones that need moving around at the moment, it's just a bit of a shame that the nation's preservation groups have all got 'Blackpool fever' at the moment when it was always inevitable that some would need to be scrapped! This is not intended as a 'dig' at Heaton Park as they're doing wonders at the moment - 2011 has been a particularly fantastic year for them - and I honestly hope that when the inevitable D-day comes Heaton Park are one organisation that can benefit from spares, if they need them.

 

[12CSVT]

I presume January 22nd has been chosen because it is the same weekend as the East Lancs Railway kettle gala

 

[northernrail]

I presume January 22nd has been chosen because it is the same weekend as the East Lancs Railway kettle gala

As far as i am aware, January 22nd is just a realistic date to have her running.....

 

[northernrail]

A message from our opperations manager,
Launch of 623 update
Sunday 22nd January. Open from 10 am for Tram rides on Stockport 5 and photo opportunities with 623, including a view from outside the gates. It will be officially launched at 12.30 by a special guest from our friends at Blackpool Transport and will go into service at approx 1pm. A Tram cavalcade and all 3 Trams in service will form part of the afternoon as well as a relaunch of the depot appeal. Any questions or requests can be sent directly to me at j.d.whitehouse2@tesco.net

 

[Crimson_Quiff]

I am hoping to be in attendance this day for some 623 action! Hopefully, others will follow suit and support the great little tramway that is Heaton Park. Well done to those involved in the work on 623

 

[MJBryan1979]

Just to keep the thread updated.
623 had it's trolley pole fitted yesterday and after testing ran to the Lakeside end of the tramway shortly after 17.00 last night.

Some more minor tweaks are needed, as well as crew training but 623 is on schedule to make it's intended debut on the 22'nd January.

For more info on the launch or to donate to our depot appeal please visit http://www.heatonparktramway.co.uk/

Martin

 

[Crimson_Quiff]

Just to keep the thread updated.
623 had it's trolley pole fitted yesterday and after testing ran to the Lakeside end of the tramway shortly after 17.00 last night.

Some more minor tweaks are needed, as well as crew training but 623 is on schedule to make it's intended debut on the 22'nd January.

For more info on the launch or to donate to our depot appeal please visit http://www.heatonparktramway.co.uk/

Martin

Top stuff! Great to hear 623 is one step closer to THAT day! Can't wait!

 

[MJBryan1979]

For anyone wishing to see 623 it will be out on testing and training runs this weekend but will NOT be carrying passengers until its launch on the 22nd

 

[northernrail]

623 Was out on the line today, working on Crew Training duties ahead of its Launch......

 

[Crimson_Quiff]

623 Was out on the line today, working on Crew Training duties ahead of its Launch......

Photos taken from 623's crew training day -

 

[Crimson_Quiff]

Here's the last two that wouldn't fit onto my previous post! -

 

[MJBryan1979]

Good Morning all

623 will be launched at Heaton Park Tramway approx 12.30 and first run tickets will be on sale from 11.00. they are £5 each and include free travel for the rest of the day on all trams. There will be 34 available and 14 guest tickets. First come first served and no free passes are valid for this trip – strictly pre-paid tickets.

All proceeds raised will be going towrds our new depot appeal

 

[Crimson_Quiff]

I shall be in attendence tomorrow to get my first ride on 623 in Pres and also to support Heaton Park in their bid to build the new depot. The new depot means more space. More space means more tramcars!

Please attend and show your support

 

[jnrsnr]

623 was launched into passenger service today, operating alongside Manchester 765 and Stockport 5

 

[Crimson_Quiff]

Top day out! Riding 623 was my first Blackpool car journey since Sunday 6th November 2011, very proud to be part of it and also the first passenger (JUST!!) to board 623 for the first trip! A great day all round. Also, park regulars 5 and 765 deserve an applause for running the timetable services along with 623 and also when the car was sidelined for a brief period in the afternoon with a minor fault.

Well done Heaton Park! Here's to many more trips with the Wartime Green & Cream beauty!


Photos from the day can be found here (scroll to the bottom) - http://blackpooltramstop.weebly.com/latest-photos.html

And a video here! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAEVOEpbnFQ

 

[northernrail]

A bit late for an update now, but here we go.....

Despite an incident with the trolley pole dewireing and bending as it was leaving the depot the launch was held on time, with Brian Lyndop from Blackpool Transport Driving on the first run.
623 then entered service running a 3 Car Service with 765 and 5, while Heaton Park 7 was parked on the depot aproach.
623 was then pulled from service due t a Controller fault but within the hour it was back in service, posing out of the park gates.
623 then ran into the dark before the event was over, and all the trams parked up in there usual places, inside and outside the depot.

 

[Cliveblackpool]

Great pictures & video. Many thanks. They will be very popular in their new home.
I for one will miss the variety and interest with the old trams in Blackpool.
Blackpool's loss, Heaton park's gain!

They are now busy testing & training drivers in the new LRV's on the Prom.
The look so ordinary and a common sight in many European cities... Nottingham, Nantes etc etc.

 

[Crimson_Quiff]

Blackpool's loss, Heaton park's gain!

Couldn't agree more.