Local support helps bring Heaton Park Tramway one step closer to re-opening
VolkerRail and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have helped Heaton Park Tramway take a step closer to reopening, after volunteering to renewing a section of rail on its network.
The Heaton Park Tramway is a heritage tramway that operates within Heaton Park, a large municipal park in city of Manchester.
After a failure in its electrical substation early in 2024, the tramway was closed, and following an ORR inspection earlier in the year, six rail sections - two of which ran across a road crossing - also required renewal.
To support the reopening of this historic line, VolkerRail volunteered to replace the rails, donated by TfGM, along with any degraded sleepers. VolkerRail also resurfaced the road crossing, with support from its supply chain.
Joshua Haworth, Manchester Transport Museum Society Secretary, said: "These works represent a significant contribution to reopen the tramway, and we can't thank VolkerRail and their partners, TfGM and Manchester City Council enough for enabling this investment in our infrastructure to take place. We can't wait to bring Manchester's transport history back to life once all phases of the works on the tramway are complete."
Jamie Kelly, VolkerRail programme manager, said: “Thank to to everyone who took part in this restoration, which wouldn’t have been possible without the expertise of our team and support from TfGM and our wider supply chain.
“It is great that we are able to give something back to the community and in such a positive way. We aim to continue to assist with track support for this excellent facility, which adds so much to the park and maintains the traditions of tramway heritage.”
David Budd, TfGM’s head of projects group, TfGM, said: “The heritage tramway at Heaton Park is a great attraction and we are delighted to be part of a joint effort to help get it back up and running. This was a real team effort and I would like to thank everyone for their support of such a wonderful initiative, and one which showcases tramway heritage in a way that can be admired and enjoyed by all.”
The next phase of restoration will see Heaton Park replace its current substation, before a final inspection to confirm the tramway can reopen to the public.
Heaton Park Tramway
Heaton Park Tramway is operated by the Manchester Transport Museum Society - a charity that preserve documents and artefacts relating to public transport in the Manchester region - and Manchester City Council.
In 1980, the society reopened the former tramway and reinstated Manchester’s single deck California car 765; rescued from the moors above Huddersfield and fully restored.
The tramway is operated entirely by volunteers and following three extensions, is now just over half a mile long.
