Outside & Inside

1. A film crew at work making a DVD about a Government initiative called 'Pathways to Work' which is sponsored by Job Centre Plus and the NHS.
2. Maintenance on point work prior to the beginning of the daily operating season next week.
3. The star of the DVD sitting on Blackpool 167.
4. Meanwhile in the workshop the first of the quarterlight windows has been fitted to LUT 159. Sources are being sought for matching blue glass - perhaps as locally as Ambergate.
Today I was introduced to two new employees, coach builder Richard Stead (son of Neil), and fitter Gemma Bond (no relation to Winstan). I look forward to meeting the new coach painter next week.

Blackpool 40

Blackpool 40 and Leeds 180 were in service today and as can be seen the weather had improved.
I was at Crich today for two reasons - firstly to attend a theory session as the first step in my tram driver training and secondly to take part in interviews for an Assistant Journal Editor.
I thought the driving theory was very professional and I am now aware of some bad habits that I must loose. I will now study the handbook carefully before the next step which is practical training on a hand brake car next week.

April Journal

The printers assure me that the April Journal has been delivered to Crich so it should be posted out early next week. Here is a sample page which I have converted from PDF to JPEG format.
The picture shows Cardiff 131 in 1963.

Decorating

The catering areas were being redecorated today but the staff were hiding behind ladders - perhaps to avoided being photographed.

Welcome Host

Today I attended a 'Welcome Host' training course. I really really enjoyed it and would encourage all fellow tram conductors to attend. I would make it mandatory for inspectors. There are a lot of small things that we could all do to improve the visitor experience at The Tramway Museum. Having done this we could then lobby for the big improvements in a 'grown up' manner.
1. Tutor, Tina Heathcote.
2. Alison, Angela, Tom, John, Christian, Jill and Tina (arms folded = grumpy).
3. Same group (arms outstreached = happy).
I had hoped to attend a tram driving theory course tomorrow. What has happened to this? No one will tell me. No one replies to my e-mails. Does the Museum want my services as a volunteer? Should I bother?

Nothing much

1. A workshop view of Gateshead 5. This was never one of my favourites as I found it difficult to stop.
2. An outdoor scene. I'm not sure what they were doing. I'll find out in time for the July Journal.
The April Journal has been passed for press and will be printed later this week and delivered to Crich by Friday 23rd for dispatch w/c 25th.
I plan to attend a 'customer care' course at Crich this Friday 16th which I am looking forward to.
Less certain is my application to join the tram driving school.

More trees (and sunshine)

 

More rain

As forecast it rained today. Leeds 180 and Glasgow 1297 were in service.