Tram & LRT Gallery http://windytram.fotopic.net/ 11 rows en-gb 60 Heaton Park Tramway - "Leeds Day" http://windytram.fotopic.net/c1779157.html After the soaking I had the previous day at Fleetwood, it was nice to be able to set off to the Heaton Park Tramway's "Leeds Day" Event in Manchester with clear skies and even a hint of sunshine. This was a good omen for what would prove to be a very enjoyable event and day out. The event was to commemorate 50 years since the closure of the Leeds Tramway and its replacement by buses, and featured the operation of all four trams in the Heaton Park fleet, including 'Leeds 6' and the Manchester Eades Reversible Horse Tram L53. At noon a Tram and Bus Parade was held from Middleton Road to the depot, and this also featured a pair of former Leeds buses from the keighley Bus Museum. This was followed at 1230 by a Dedication Service to Alex Brown, one of the major figures in saving the Leeds 6 car in 1959, and who had sadly passed away in recent months. His brother had come along for the day to present cheques to the society and to the Leeds LRTA group, and also to take a turn at driving the tram. A plaque was also presented and this was follwed by a trip on Leeds 6 with family and friends of Alex on board, and his brother at the controls. Next up it was the turn of the horse tram, with Shire Horses Jake and Bob drawing L53 and passengers along the tramway, a truly lovely sight, and it would have been worth the visit alone just to have seen these impressive horses in action. All in all a very well organised and enjoyable event, and the MTMS and all its volunteers should be well proud of their efforts, it was just a pity that due to the Fleetwood Farewell and Remembrance Sunday there was probably not as many visitors present as such an event deserved. My thanks to all at the MTMS for putting on the event, I had a very good day and thoroughly enjoyed seeing and photographing all the trams on display there. Sunday 8 November 2009: After the soaking I had the previous day at Fleetwood, it was nice to be able to set off to the Heaton Park Tramway's "Leeds Day" Event in Manchester with clear skies and even a hint of sunshine. This was a good omen for what would prove to be a very enjoyable event and day out. The event was to commemorate 50 years since the closure of the Leeds Tramway and its replacement by buses, and featured the operation of all four trams in the Heaton Park fleet, including 'Leeds 6' and the Manchester Eades Reversible Horse Tram L53. At noon a Tram and Bus Parade was held from Middleton Road to the depot, and this also featured a pair of former Leeds buses from the keighley Bus Museum. This was followed at 1230 by a Dedication Service to Alex Brown, one of the major figures in saving the Leeds 6 car in 1959, and who had sadly passed away in recent months. His brother had come along for the day to present cheques to the society and to the Leeds LRTA group, and also to take a turn at driving the tram. A plaque was also presented and this was follwed by a trip on Leeds 6 with family and friends of Alex on board, and his brother at the controls. Next up it was the turn of the horse tram, with Shire Horses Jake and Bob drawing L53 and passengers along the tramway, a truly lovely sight, and it would have been worth the visit alone just to have seen these impressive horses in action. All in all a very well organised and enjoyable event, and the MTMS and all its volunteers should be well proud of their efforts, it was just a pity that due to the Fleetwood Farewell and Remembrance Sunday there was probably not as many visitors present as such an event deserved. My thanks to all at the MTMS for putting on the event, I had a very good day and thoroughly enjoyed seeing and photographing all the trams on display there.

Alex Brown's brother (far right) presents the cheques Quick - someone get a bucket!

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]]> Sun Nov 8 2009 Fleetwood Farewell - Soggy Saturday http://windytram.fotopic.net/c1778788.html On Saturday 7th of November 2009 it was off to Fleetwood for the 'Fleetwood Farewell' weekend, which would see Blackpool's famous heritage trams running for the last time ever on the stretch of track between Cleveleys and Fleetwood Ferry Port. Though Sunday the 8th was the actual final day, it wasn't possible for us to travel then, so we headed over on the Saturday to get some shots of the trams, and in particular, one of the special tours organised by the Fylde Tramway Society, and featuring a number of their rarely seen heritage trams. This was great, unfortunately the person in charge of organising the weather that day must have been out of sorts, as not only was it wet and gloomy for much for the earlier part of the day, but almost as soon as the tour arrived at around 2.30pm, the heavens really opened, and we were forced to take our pictures in what amounted to Monsoon like conditions. Thanks to the appalling weather, any plans we had for any 'after dark' shots were quickly abandoned, and we departed feeling very wet and miserable around 4.30pm. I was still trying to dry my bag, clothes and equipment out by the next morning, when I had another visit planned, this time to Heaton Park. Thankfully the visitors to Fleetwood on Sunday the 8th had a much better day weatherwise, and it was just our bad luck that we had to pick the 'Soggy Saturday' for our visit, though some of my shots were 'atmospheric' to say the least, so maybe I shouldn't complain about it!:-) Saturday 7 November 2009: On Saturday 7th of November 2009 it was off to Fleetwood for the 'Fleetwood Farewell' weekend, which would see Blackpool's famous heritage trams running for the last time ever on the stretch of track between Cleveleys and Fleetwood Ferry Port. Though Sunday the 8th was the actual final day, it wasn't possible for us to travel then, so we headed over on the Saturday to get some shots of the trams, and in particular, one of the special tours organised by the Fylde Tramway Society, and featuring a number of their rarely seen heritage trams. This was great, unfortunately the person in charge of organising the weather that day must have been out of sorts, as not only was it wet and gloomy for much for the earlier part of the day, but almost as soon as the tour arrived at around 2.30pm, the heavens really opened, and we were forced to take our pictures in what amounted to Monsoon like conditions. Thanks to the appalling weather, any plans we had for any 'after dark' shots were quickly abandoned, and we departed feeling very wet and miserable around 4.30pm. I was still trying to dry my bag, clothes and equipment out by the next morning, when I had another visit planned, this time to Heaton Park. Thankfully the visitors to Fleetwood on Sunday the 8th had a much better day weatherwise, and it was just our bad luck that we had to pick the 'Soggy Saturday' for our visit, though some of my shots were 'atmospheric' to say the least, so maybe I shouldn't complain about it!:-)

How to get yourself run over, just dash out in the road and start taking pictures without bothering to look first. Lucky the car driver was very patient, and didn't even blow his horn at the berk! Wet, wet, wet, it was coming down in buckets! The tour trams at Fleetwood, waiting for the bus to pass by.

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]]> Sat Nov 7 2009 Blackpool Trams and Starr Gate http://windytram.fotopic.net/c1767562.html On Saturday 10th of October 2009 I made my first visit to Blackpool in two years, and it was interesting to note the changes to the Blackpool Tram system since then. This collection shows a number of images, not only of Blackpool's famous heritage trams, but also of the work now taking place on the recently closed Starr Gate section. Starr Gate showed the biggest change, and though a number of the poles were still standing, all of the catenary has now been removed, along with much of the trackbed, and work is now well underway in levelling the site in preparation for the construction of the new depot for Blackpool's new supertrams when they arrive there. I thought it would be nice to record as much of this old setup as possible before it is all removed forever. Later it was off 'up north' to the Talbot Road/Tower area to photograph some trams, and here we got far more than we'd bargained for. Due to an incident on a double-decker bus, unfortunately on one of the few sections of road which is shared with the trams, the police arrived on scene, and rather than removing the bus to a more convenient location, it was left in situ, and the trams litterally piled up behind it, with a long line of them stretching down from the North Pier past the Tower. First time I've ever seen a 'tram jam', bad for the poor passengers (and this was all shortly before the illuminations were due to be switched on for the evening), but good for any passing photographers!:-) Always a treat to see the Blackpool trams, it just won't be the same when super-duper hi-tech supertrams are running along the promenade. Saturday 10 October 2009: On Saturday 10th of October 2009 I made my first visit to Blackpool in two years, and it was interesting to note the changes to the Blackpool Tram system since then. This collection shows a number of images, not only of Blackpool's famous heritage trams, but also of the work now taking place on the recently closed Starr Gate section. Starr Gate showed the biggest change, and though a number of the poles were still standing, all of the catenary has now been removed, along with much of the trackbed, and work is now well underway in levelling the site in preparation for the construction of the new depot for Blackpool's new supertrams when they arrive there. I thought it would be nice to record as much of this old setup as possible before it is all removed forever. Later it was off 'up north' to the Talbot Road/Tower area to photograph some trams, and here we got far more than we'd bargained for. Due to an incident on a double-decker bus, unfortunately on one of the few sections of road which is shared with the trams, the police arrived on scene, and rather than removing the bus to a more convenient location, it was left in situ, and the trams litterally piled up behind it, with a long line of them stretching down from the North Pier past the Tower. First time I've ever seen a 'tram jam', bad for the poor passengers (and this was all shortly before the illuminations were due to be switched on for the evening), but good for any passing photographers!:-) Always a treat to see the Blackpool trams, it just won't be the same when super-duper hi-tech supertrams are running along the promenade.

Pontins Tram - pity the camp has just been closed down Former Starr Gate Terminus from the sand dunes Starr Gate, the poles are still there another view of the curve around the crazy golf course the tracks have all been ripped out beyond the old crossing The old trackbed has been filled in here rock crusher on the site of the new depot looking south from Starr gate looking north from Starr Gate round the curve to the north of the new depot site I'm not sure if this is as far as they're removing the trackbed, or just the limit for now the cause of the 'tram jam' an incident on this bus The 'Tram Jam', trams backed up from the North Pier to the Tower

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]]> Sat Oct 10 2009 Heaton Park Tramway, Manchester http://windytram.fotopic.net/c1753061.html This was my first visit to the Heaton Park Tramway and Museum since 1993. I had planned a visit whilst at the park in 2007 for the Trans-Lancs Bus Rally, but due to the horrendous weather that day I was not able to make it over to that side of the park. Anyway, it was a long overdue, and greatly enjoyed visit, and I'm sure it definitely won't leave it that long before I visit again. Inside the museum was a display of model tramways, and out running that day were three of the park's trams, and it was nice to take a ride on them as well as take pictures of them. If you are in the area I would definitely recomend a visit, and you can find more details from the collection link at the bottom of the page. Sunday 6 September 2009: This was my first visit to the Heaton Park Tramway and Museum since 1993. I had planned a visit whilst at the park in 2007 for the Trans-Lancs Bus Rally, but due to the horrendous weather that day I was not able to make it over to that side of the park. Anyway, it was a long overdue, and greatly enjoyed visit, and I'm sure it definitely won't leave it that long before I visit again. Inside the museum was a display of model tramways, and out running that day were three of the park's trams, and it was nice to take a ride on them as well as take pictures of them. If you are in the area I would definitely recomend a visit, and you can find more details from the collection link at the bottom of the page.

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]]> Sun Sep 6 2009 Metrolink Trams 2008 http://windytram.fotopic.net/c1498553.html It's been quite a few years since I last found myself with almost a whole day free in the centre of Manchester, and I thought it would be nice to spend some time photographing the trams there, just as I often did back in 1992/93 when the service first began. Central Manchester has certainly changed, and dare I say it, become a bit too yuppified for my tastes, but at least the Sun was shining for a change, and I was able to photograph a number of the LRVs from some of my old favourite spots. Hopefully I will get the chance to make a few more visits this year, and add a few more shots to this gallery. To see my old 35mm scans from the early days of the system check the index page for the older galleries. Monday 14 April 2008: It's been quite a few years since I last found myself with almost a whole day free in the centre of Manchester, and I thought it would be nice to spend some time photographing the trams there, just as I often did back in 1992/93 when the service first began. Central Manchester has certainly changed, and dare I say it, become a bit too yuppified for my tastes, but at least the Sun was shining for a change, and I was able to photograph a number of the LRVs from some of my old favourite spots. Hopefully I will get the chance to make a few more visits this year, and add a few more shots to this gallery. To see my old 35mm scans from the early days of the system check the index page for the older galleries.

Tram No.1011 Tram No.2006 Tram No.1018 Tram No.1009 Tram No.2006 Tram No.2003 Tram No.1014 Tram No.1023 Tram No.2004 Tram No.1011 Tram No.1018 Tram No.1004 Tram No.2003 Tram No.1002 Tram No.1010

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]]> Mon Apr 14 2008 Blackpool Trams 28th of October 2007 http://windytram.fotopic.net/c1399002.html For the third weekend in succession, the Sun shone and the sky was blue over Blackpool, and this gave me a chance to photograph some of the Blackpool trams in the southern half of the Fylde Coast this time. The tramway will soon be closed for the winter whilst essential maintenance works take place, so this was the last opportunity of the year for me to take pictures of Blackpool's wonderful trams. Sunday 28 October 2007: For the third weekend in succession, the Sun shone and the sky was blue over Blackpool, and this gave me a chance to photograph some of the Blackpool trams in the southern half of the Fylde Coast this time. The tramway will soon be closed for the winter whilst essential maintenance works take place, so this was the last opportunity of the year for me to take pictures of Blackpool's wonderful trams.

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]]> Sun Oct 28 2007 Blackpool Trams 21st October 2007 http://windytram.fotopic.net/c1394873.html It was back to the Fylde Coast again on the 21st of October, and the weather was fine, Sunny and pleasant once more. The shots in this gallery were taken at locations between Fleetwood and Gyn Square, many of which will be undergoing a few changes during the winter months, when the tramway will close to allow many of the passing loops and points to be removed. Sunday 21 October 2007: It was back to the Fylde Coast again on the 21st of October, and the weather was fine, Sunny and pleasant once more. The shots in this gallery were taken at locations between Fleetwood and Gyn Square, many of which will be undergoing a few changes during the winter months, when the tramway will close to allow many of the passing loops and points to be removed.

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]]> Sun Oct 21 2007 Blackpool Trams 14th October 2007 http://windytram.fotopic.net/c1390239.html After all the miserable weather of the Summer, October has been quite pleasant, and during this trip to Fleetwood and Blackpool the Sun actually shone, and it was very warm and pleasant. This gave me the opportunity to get some shots of the famous Blackpool Tramway at various points along the route, mostly between Fleetwood Ferry terminal and Blackpool Tower. I also managed to take quite a few shots of some of the local buses and ships as well, and these will be available in my other Bus and Maritime Galleries. Sunday 14 October 2007: After all the miserable weather of the Summer, October has been quite pleasant, and during this trip to Fleetwood and Blackpool the Sun actually shone, and it was very warm and pleasant. This gave me the opportunity to get some shots of the famous Blackpool Tramway at various points along the route, mostly between Fleetwood Ferry terminal and Blackpool Tower. I also managed to take quite a few shots of some of the local buses and ships as well, and these will be available in my other Bus and Maritime Galleries.

Fleetwood Town Centre Fleetwood Ferry Terminal Another of Blackpool's vintage trams One of Blackpool's vintage trams at work Lovely weather for a trip in a 'boat' tram! near to Gyn Square Bispham

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]]> Sun Oct 14 2007 Tyne & Wear Metro 1992 http://windytram.fotopic.net/c1358901.html All of these shots were taken on a visit to the area back in 1992. I recall that it rained almost all of the time I was there, but since I am also an aviation and maritime enthusiast, I was able to divide my time between the airport and the River Tyne, which with a day saver ticket, were all within comfortable range of the Metro system. I must repeat the exercise again one of these days! Wednesday 29 August 2007: All of these shots were taken on a visit to the area back in 1992. I recall that it rained almost all of the time I was there, but since I am also an aviation and maritime enthusiast, I was able to divide my time between the airport and the River Tyne, which with a day saver ticket, were all within comfortable range of the Metro system. I must repeat the exercise again one of these days!

taken from the window of a train on another Tyne bridge Newcastle Airport Newcastle Airport Callerton Parkway Felling Station (thanks for the correction Shaun).

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]]> Wed Aug 29 2007 Sheffield Supertram - the early years! http://windytram.fotopic.net/c1358891.html These shots were taken on the opening week of the service, when the trams were just running between the city centre and the Meadowhall Shopping Centre. From what I can recall the trams were all very crowded, and I think I must have walked most of the route taking these shots. The quality is variable, as the original shots were all on slide film, and the scanning process didn't really do them justice. They are worth including though, since they show the original grey livery - they were all run by the council in those days, and hadn't been re-branded with the Stagecoach markings. The River Don looks very peaceful on some of these shots, a marked contrast to the scenes that were shown on TV of parts of the area being flooded during the heavy rains of Summer 2007! Wednesday 29 August 2007: These shots were taken on the opening week of the service, when the trams were just running between the city centre and the Meadowhall Shopping Centre. From what I can recall the trams were all very crowded, and I think I must have walked most of the route taking these shots. The quality is variable, as the original shots were all on slide film, and the scanning process didn't really do them justice. They are worth including though, since they show the original grey livery - they were all run by the council in those days, and hadn't been re-branded with the Stagecoach markings. The River Don looks very peaceful on some of these shots, a marked contrast to the scenes that were shown on TV of parts of the area being flooded during the heavy rains of Summer 2007!

under the M1 at Meadowhall again you can see the M1 passing overhead at this point over a very peaceful looking River Don this was the new tram depot this area was flooded during 2007 Meadowhall Station

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]]> Wed Aug 29 2007 Manchester Metrolink 1992/93 http://windytram.fotopic.net/c1358887.html Most of these images were taken either during the street testing of the then new Metrolink Tram system, or shortly after it had entered into full service. The shots showing the LRVs with "Sorry not in service" running boards were mostly from the testing phase in 1992. I'm about as big a fan of Royalty as Oliver Cromwell, but when the Queen passes by on the 'Official Opening' tram that you are trying to photograph (1010), then you'd be a fool to miss the opportunity. The shot below looks like it was composed and that I was waiting to take it, but the fact is I was just waiting outside Victoria Station trying to get a shot of the tram as it came down Balloon Street, and after I'd taken my shot I just lifted the camera and pressed the button as the tram passed by me, no focusing or anything else, it was just pure luck that it came out okay and with the right people in the scene!:-) Wednesday 29 August 2007: Most of these images were taken either during the street testing of the then new Metrolink Tram system, or shortly after it had entered into full service. The shots showing the LRVs with "Sorry not in service" running boards were mostly from the testing phase in 1992. I'm about as big a fan of Royalty as Oliver Cromwell, but when the Queen passes by on the 'Official Opening' tram that you are trying to photograph (1010), then you'd be a fool to miss the opportunity. The shot below looks like it was composed and that I was waiting to take it, but the fact is I was just waiting outside Victoria Station trying to get a shot of the tram as it came down Balloon Street, and after I'd taken my shot I just lifted the camera and pressed the button as the tram passed by me, no focusing or anything else, it was just pure luck that it came out okay and with the right people in the scene!:-)

approaching Piccadilly Plaza 'changing ends' in the Piccadilly Undercroft Altrincham Station on the opening day of service departing from Victoria Station through the newly created opening the Piccadilly Undercroft Altrincham Station again this sign was on the embankment behind the Depot Piccadilly Station passing G-Mex the Metrolink Depot on a cold December day another view of the Depot passing G-Mex, with the Midland Hotel in the background the 'Royal' Opening, the Queen was on this tram departing from Piccadilly for some on-street running Moseley Street The Queen rides 1010 to Bury after the official opening Piccadilly Gardens the Belgian made bridge near G-Mex the testing phase, the trams crossed the main road (LOndon Road I think) at this point this was a new experience for many members of the public at that time approaching Piccadilly Gardens through the box junction (cars frequently blocked the route in those days) coming down the hill towards Piccadilly Station

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