If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Wirral Transport Museum & Tramway

Discussion in 'Everything Else Heritage' started by Thompson1706, Dec 11, 2009.

  1. Thompson1706

    Thompson1706 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2007
    Messages:
    2,438
    Likes Received:
    1,844
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Rhiwabon
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    It has been announced that Merseytravel are to take over the Transport Museum, tramway & Pacific Road Theatre from Wirral Borough Council. This does show that Merseytravel can fund projects. 'Royal Iris' next !

    Bob.
     
  2. Ploughman

    Ploughman Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2008
    Messages:
    5,806
    Likes Received:
    2,649
    Occupation:
    Ex a lot of things.
    Location:
    Near where the 3 Ridings meet
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
  3. Thompson1706

    Thompson1706 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2007
    Messages:
    2,438
    Likes Received:
    1,844
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Rhiwabon
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Yes, that's the one.

    Bob.
     
  4. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2006
    Messages:
    8,239
    Likes Received:
    5,250
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Freelance photo - journalist
    Location:
    Southport
    Hold your horses - it's not a done deal !!

    I quote from the Press Release :

    Wirral Council's Director of Law, HR and Asset Management has been authorised to negotiate and conclude legal documentation to allow Merseyravel to take over Pacific Road Arts Centre and Wirral Transport Museum and Tramway ( my italics ! )

    Whilst Merseytravel were the winning bidder in the tender process there's a lot be done before Merseytravel can take over. For example - IIRC - the current tramway operator has to employ Blackpool Corporation staff to train new drivers because at the time that legislation was enacted only Blackpool Corporation operated a tramway ( other tramways such as Manchester, Norttingham and Sheffielkd are legally defined as light railways thus come under different legislation ) and therefore all tramway responsibilities were ceded to Blackpool.

    Granted the news is progress and should protect an interesting operation - and I suspect that the rationale is tied up with Merseytravel's desire to run a tram network on the Liverpool side of the river !
     
  5. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2006
    Messages:
    16,510
    Likes Received:
    7,753
    Location:
    1012 / 60158
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Does that mean that the lower section of the Birkenhead tunnel will finally get used for its intended purpose??!!
     
  6. 46118

    46118 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2005
    Messages:
    4,043
    Likes Received:
    212
    Just out of curiosity, what has happened to the ex-Hong Kong trams? They dont appear listed as part of the fleet now.

    Thanks
     
  7. Thompson1706

    Thompson1706 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2007
    Messages:
    2,438
    Likes Received:
    1,844
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Rhiwabon
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Depends who you know !

    Bob.
     
  8. Goldie

    Goldie New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2011
    Messages:
    86
    Likes Received:
    179
    Renewed my acquaintance with the tramway over the weekend. If you haven't been, the tramway and museum are well worth a visit. Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society have worked wonders, putting together a lovely collection of perfectly restored trams and buses from the North West which look right at home on Birkenhead's streets (with Lisbon 730 bringing a bit of Portuguese exoticism). Woodside Ferry Terminal has a very good food hall in it now, and if the weather's good you can eat and drink on an outdoor terrace overlooking the Liverpool skyline (and u-boat U-534, which lives next door). Throw in the ferry and the Mersey Railway, and you have a very rich transport focussed day out with great public transport to get you there and home again, or good hotels if you'd like to make a weekend of it.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Honourable mention too to the Museum of Liverpool's extremely evocative Liverpool Overhead Railway exhibit. It's not obvious from my photos, but you can sit inside car No.3, and the museum sometimes has volunteers to tell visitors about the history of the Railway. Ted, who was handling the talks today, remembered riding on the railway and did a great job of bringing those memories to life:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    burnham-t, mdewell, weltrol and 3 others like this.

Share This Page