Richard's Tram Blog
Monday, March 12, 2012
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Notttttinggham
I had major surgery on Monday when rhe remains of my pancreas were removed.
Constructio work has started with the removal of some trees in University Boulevard. The new consortium is known as Tramlink Nottinghm and includes local bus operator trent barton. There is wealth of detailed informatin http://www.tramlinknottingham.co.uk/
I am looking forward to getting out of hospital and taking a few pictues for ths blog.
Richard
Constructio work has started with the removal of some trees in University Boulevard. The new consortium is known as Tramlink Nottinghm and includes local bus operator trent barton. There is wealth of detailed informatin http://www.tramlinknottingham.co.uk/
I am looking forward to getting out of hospital and taking a few pictues for ths blog.
Richard
Sunday, January 08, 2012
ANONYMOUS BLOG POSTS
To Anonymous and Albert Mealer
I have spent 25 minutes of my valuable time deleting your offensive and sick comments, when I could b e spending quality time with my seriously ill husband. It's a pity you don't start your own blog so you can send them to yourself! Wishing you all the best that Severe Acute Pancreatitis has to offer......................... Kath Lomas
I have spent 25 minutes of my valuable time deleting your offensive and sick comments, when I could b e spending quality time with my seriously ill husband. It's a pity you don't start your own blog so you can send them to yourself! Wishing you all the best that Severe Acute Pancreatitis has to offer......................... Kath Lomas
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO MY BLOG READERS
Happy New Year and Best Wishes for 2012.
I am still in hospital but slowly improving.
I am still in hospital but slowly improving.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Bah Humbug!
Best wishes for 2012 to all my readers.
I really do expect to be home in January and to shake the cobwebs from my camera.
Best wishes again - Ricard Lomas

I really do expect to be home in January and to shake the cobwebs from my camera.
Best wishes again - Ricard Lomas

Saturday, December 17, 2011
Nottingham - go ahead for new consortium
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Green-light-start-work-new-Nottingham-tram-lines/story-14154951-detail/story.html
I still find it difficult to imagine trent barton as a tram operator although their head office is still on the site of the Notts & Derby depot at Langley Mill.
I still find it difficult to imagine trent barton as a tram operator although their head office is still on the site of the Notts & Derby depot at Langley Mill.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Crich 1989
Dear Mr. Lomas,
although we havent met (as far as I have seen on my enclosed pictures) and I was till some weeks ago an anonymous reader of your blog, I like to send my best wishes for your recovery.I have shot this series of slides (rotting in my archive) at the end of the eighties on my short visit in Crich - some of them on my walk up from Whatstandwell station. I hope, those photos will appear cheery in your situation.best regards and good recovery
Martin Schoenherr
although we havent met (as far as I have seen on my enclosed pictures) and I was till some weeks ago an anonymous reader of your blog, I like to send my best wishes for your recovery.I have shot this series of slides (rotting in my archive) at the end of the eighties on my short visit in Crich - some of them on my walk up from Whatstandwell station. I hope, those photos will appear cheery in your situation.best regards and good recovery
Martin Schoenherr
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Kath Lomas (and other friends)
I am still in hospital. Pancriatitis is nasty disease and I have been kept alive by machines but am beginning to feel stronger.
Older TMS members will remember my wife Kath - perhaps driving 812 wearing a tin hat one Extravaganza.
I would like to publically thank her for coming to see me every day for 6 weeks and all her help and support.
I would also like thank all the friends who have sent me cards and emails
Whenever I feel strong enough I will try to update this blog more often.
Best wishes to
Richard
Older TMS members will remember my wife Kath - perhaps driving 812 wearing a tin hat one Extravaganza.
I would like to publically thank her for coming to see me every day for 6 weeks and all her help and support.
I would also like thank all the friends who have sent me cards and emails
Whenever I feel strong enough I will try to update this blog more often.
Best wishes to
Richard
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Still in hospital
I have taken two steps forward and one step backwards but am feeling better again today. Thanks for all the good wishes I have received.
I will try to update the blog from time to time until I get home when a normal service will be resumed.
I will try to update the blog from time to time until I get home when a normal service will be resumed.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Centenary car update
The total sum pledged by the end of yesterday afternoon is GBP 4985. We are very close but not close enough yet. We have 8 days left to reach the target. Please support the appeal now!
Wim Beukenkamp
Wim Beukenkamp
London (x2) and Glasgow
Geoff and Hazel Quarmby sent me these two Pictures. Thankyou.
Graham Feakins reports:
Dear Richard,
This is a link to some views of the mockup tram now arrived at Crich:
http://paulbigland.pikfu.net/set1141952/
It is a scheme that is not defunct (Mayor Boris Johnson shamefully took it off his “to do” list) but just ‘resting’.
Graham Feakins reports:
Dear Richard,
This is a link to some views of the mockup tram now arrived at Crich:
http://paulbigland.pikfu.net/set1141952/
It is a scheme that is not defunct (Mayor Boris Johnson shamefully took it off his “to do” list) but just ‘resting’.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Big Blue
| These pictures were taken towards the end of Oct. They show a mock up of the end of a Citadis tram which, I think, was intened for the now forgotten north to south London cross river tramway. |
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Message to Peter Levy
Hello Peter
Thanks for your comments.
Yes I do remember you from the early days at Crich. Please send me an email to RichardandKath@gmail.com and I will reply.
Best wishes
Richard
Thanks for your comments.
Yes I do remember you from the early days at Crich. Please send me an email to RichardandKath@gmail.com and I will reply.
Best wishes
Richard
Friday, November 18, 2011
New and old in Blackpool
The Fylde Tramways Society has a feature - the fleet in pictures
http://www.freewebs.com/fyldetramwaysociety-blackpool/thefleetinpictures.htm
Of particular interest are a picture of 001 at Cabin and of 004 being delivered
http://www.freewebs.com/fyldetramwaysociety-blackpool/001.JPG
http://www.freewebs.com/fyldetramwaysociety-blackpool/004.jpg
The most interesting of all is this picture of Cardiff 131 at Pleasure Beach
http://www.freewebs.com/fyldetramwaysociety-blackpool/Cardiff%20131.JPG
http://www.freewebs.com/fyldetramwaysociety-blackpool/thefleetinpictures.htm
Of particular interest are a picture of 001 at Cabin and of 004 being delivered
http://www.freewebs.com/fyldetramwaysociety-blackpool/001.JPG
http://www.freewebs.com/fyldetramwaysociety-blackpool/004.jpg
The most interesting of all is this picture of Cardiff 131 at Pleasure Beach
http://www.freewebs.com/fyldetramwaysociety-blackpool/Cardiff%20131.JPG
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Blackpool Centenary car
I was disappointed that a Centenary car has not been chosen for Crich. Whilst I did not particularly like them they were a response to a desperate situation when the OMO cars were worn out. The bodies were built by the local bus manufacturer East Lancashire Coachbuilders using common parts such as seats and window frames. The bogies and control systems were 'different' from other trams in the fleet.
However all is not lost. Wim Beukenkamp is trying to raise the money to save one of these trams. So far the response has been good and one may be saved in the nick of time. Wim is looking for pledges of money and I have asked him for further details so that readers of this blog can help.
Urgent Blackpool Centenary Class tram appeal
In order to preserve a fair selection of more recent Blackpool trams, last year Crich launched the Blackpool Fund. Sadly not enough money was donated to the fubnd to obtain every tram as originally planned. Reluctantly the Board of the TMS had to decline offers to preserve amongst others the last build British double deck tram 762 and the last Blackpool designed and build Centenary class tram 648. Understandable though the Board decision was, many tram enthusiasts and friends of Crich were very unhappy about this. Could Crich claim to be the National Tramway Museum and not preserve these two type of trams? Initiatives to try to reverse these decisions and create funds to support these schemes were started through internet and other social media. As a result, 762 has now been preserved at Crich after all. At present a last minute fund raising scheme has been set up through the TMS Yahoo group. The initiative is directed by Dutch TMS member Wim Beukenkamp and works as follows. Friends of Blackpool trams interested in preserving a Centenary Class tram for Crich are requested to contact Wim by email and state what amount of contribtion they are willing to pledge. Wim is collecting all the pledges and will offer them by the end of this month to the Board of the TMS. The pledges are for one purpose only, which is to preserve a Centenary class tram for Crich. If the Board declines the offer, no money will actually be donated (no win no pay). Only after the Board has formally accepted the offer Wim will contact the contribuants and ask them to make their formal donation to the TMS Blackpool Fund.The target is to raise GBP 6400 by the end of November, which equates to GBP 8000 including gift aid, and as much as possible afterwards. Time is running out because Blackpool Transport has announced that all preserved cars must leave Blackpool by the end of this month. Those not taken away can be sold for scrap. Crich can really use a Centenary class tram, because such a tram will relieve the pressure on the sometimes overworked existing fleet, on the traffic department (because it’s an OMO) and on the overloaded Workshop. Those of you interested, please contact Wim Beukenkamp: wim.beukenkamp@hetnet.nl.After only a couple of days already more than GBP 3000 has been pledged, which is encouraging. But it’s still a couple of thousand pounds short of the target. Every pound counts, every pledge is welcome. Help save a Centenary tram for Crich and the national collection. Give the Centenary Appeal its final push!
However all is not lost. Wim Beukenkamp is trying to raise the money to save one of these trams. So far the response has been good and one may be saved in the nick of time. Wim is looking for pledges of money and I have asked him for further details so that readers of this blog can help.
Urgent Blackpool Centenary Class tram appeal
In order to preserve a fair selection of more recent Blackpool trams, last year Crich launched the Blackpool Fund. Sadly not enough money was donated to the fubnd to obtain every tram as originally planned. Reluctantly the Board of the TMS had to decline offers to preserve amongst others the last build British double deck tram 762 and the last Blackpool designed and build Centenary class tram 648. Understandable though the Board decision was, many tram enthusiasts and friends of Crich were very unhappy about this. Could Crich claim to be the National Tramway Museum and not preserve these two type of trams? Initiatives to try to reverse these decisions and create funds to support these schemes were started through internet and other social media. As a result, 762 has now been preserved at Crich after all. At present a last minute fund raising scheme has been set up through the TMS Yahoo group. The initiative is directed by Dutch TMS member Wim Beukenkamp and works as follows. Friends of Blackpool trams interested in preserving a Centenary Class tram for Crich are requested to contact Wim by email and state what amount of contribtion they are willing to pledge. Wim is collecting all the pledges and will offer them by the end of this month to the Board of the TMS. The pledges are for one purpose only, which is to preserve a Centenary class tram for Crich. If the Board declines the offer, no money will actually be donated (no win no pay). Only after the Board has formally accepted the offer Wim will contact the contribuants and ask them to make their formal donation to the TMS Blackpool Fund.The target is to raise GBP 6400 by the end of November, which equates to GBP 8000 including gift aid, and as much as possible afterwards. Time is running out because Blackpool Transport has announced that all preserved cars must leave Blackpool by the end of this month. Those not taken away can be sold for scrap. Crich can really use a Centenary class tram, because such a tram will relieve the pressure on the sometimes overworked existing fleet, on the traffic department (because it’s an OMO) and on the overloaded Workshop. Those of you interested, please contact Wim Beukenkamp: wim.beukenkamp@hetnet.nl.After only a couple of days already more than GBP 3000 has been pledged, which is encouraging. But it’s still a couple of thousand pounds short of the target. Every pound counts, every pledge is welcome. Help save a Centenary tram for Crich and the national collection. Give the Centenary Appeal its final push!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Not good news
My diagnosis has been changed to Severe Acute Pancriatitis so I will be in hospital for many more days for tests and observations.
The longer term prognosis is still quite good and I expect to be able to take pictures at Crich and of the construction work in Nottingham which should start next year. I don't think I will be able to work as a tram conductor again.
At the moment I have limited access to the internet and it is too flaky to handle pictures but I can publish text.
I remain very concerned at the lack of a Treasurer at the Tramway Museum Society. Strong financial control has been the cornerstone of the Museum's success. Geoff Hyde ensured that money was spent wisely in the early days. Winstan Bond introduced more formal budgetary controls. (I overspent my Journal Editor's budget once and was quickly taken to task and never did it again.) Peter Moore continued Winstan's good work. A strong and independent Treasurer is vital to the future of the Museum.
TMS members should not stand idly by and let the present dysfunctional Board stitch something up. The Treasurer is elected by the members and not appointed by the Board. Is there anybody there?
The longer term prognosis is still quite good and I expect to be able to take pictures at Crich and of the construction work in Nottingham which should start next year. I don't think I will be able to work as a tram conductor again.
At the moment I have limited access to the internet and it is too flaky to handle pictures but I can publish text.
I remain very concerned at the lack of a Treasurer at the Tramway Museum Society. Strong financial control has been the cornerstone of the Museum's success. Geoff Hyde ensured that money was spent wisely in the early days. Winstan Bond introduced more formal budgetary controls. (I overspent my Journal Editor's budget once and was quickly taken to task and never did it again.) Peter Moore continued Winstan's good work. A strong and independent Treasurer is vital to the future of the Museum.
TMS members should not stand idly by and let the present dysfunctional Board stitch something up. The Treasurer is elected by the members and not appointed by the Board. Is there anybody there?
Monday, November 14, 2011
Still in hospital
I spent my 70th birthday in hospital and am still in hospital because of an infection which is proving very difficult to clear.
Thank you to all my readers who have continued to look at the blog for news. As soon as I am allowed home I will resume blogging.
The news from Crich is that Blackpool 762 has arrived and Cardiff 131 is on loan to Blackpool for possible use as a track cleaner during the winter. It is now stored in the new depot. How wonderful! Will it perhaps run to Fleetwood? Berlin 3006's repaint into the former DDR cream livery has started.
Best wishes to all
Richard
Thank you to all my readers who have continued to look at the blog for news. As soon as I am allowed home I will resume blogging.
The news from Crich is that Blackpool 762 has arrived and Cardiff 131 is on loan to Blackpool for possible use as a track cleaner during the winter. It is now stored in the new depot. How wonderful! Will it perhaps run to Fleetwood? Berlin 3006's repaint into the former DDR cream livery has started.
Best wishes to all
Richard
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)


















