Journal, 131 and 14

1. Copies of the October 2007 Journal waiting to be taken to Crich post office. I hope they are delivered before the threatened postal strike.
2. Cardiff 131's roof has been stripped down to the bare wooden framework.
3. Advantage was taken of the tramcar movements on Enthusiast's Day to remove the junk from inside Grimsby & Immingham 14.

Enthusiast's Day

I was delighted to receive this picture from Gareth Prior showing LCC 106, Leeds 180 and Sheffield 264. I worked on 264 for many years and would love to see it in service again.
A full set is available on Gareth's site at http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/gallery94-1.html.

Driving Test (and Help Wanted)

Today I screwed up my driving test with no one to blame other than myself. However a big thank you to all those who wished me well and offered me encouragement.
1. Southampton 45 at Town End.
2. B&F 2 entering the interlaced track.
3. MET 331 leaving the interlaced track.
A good selection of trams for the visitors.
The Journal is scheduled to be delivered to Crich next weekend when neither Keith Chadbourne nor I will be around. We therefore plan to 'stuff' the envelopes on Tuesday 2nd Oct and to post them that afternoon. Anyone who can help our small team putting Journals in envelopes on the morning of Tuesday 2nd of Oct will be very welcome.

UDE (and Enthusiast's Day)

Today's 'Ultimate Driving Experience' gave me the opportunity to photograph Liverpool 869 and Glasgow 1297 together.
Next Saturday is 'Enthusiast's Day' when there should be lots of opportunities for photographs. However I am being taken to Madrid for a few days and will miss it so why not e-mail a picture for me to publish on my return on Sunday?

682

Today the Museum's longest serving driver, Mike Crabtree (staff number 4) worked with the most recently qualified conductor, Colin Boothroyd (staff number 686). Mike qualified in June 1964 and Colin last Saturday (Sept 15th).

Cardiff 131

Three pictures of Cardiff 131, all taken today.
1. 131 standing outside track one of the Workshop at about 9:45 - before decapitation.
2. At about 12:30 131 is being returned to the Workshop track three.
3. 131's roof on track one inside the Workshop.

Blackpool 167 and Leeds 399

Scotland & Wales

1. Former Western SMT bus parked at Town End.
2. Work has started on Cardiff 131.

Liverpool 50 years

Today it is exactly 50 years since Liverpool tramways closed. What a tragedy! 49 years later the Government refused to sanction new trams for Liverpool.
1. Liverpool 869 in the Depot being prepared for service.
2. 869 departing from Town End in service.
3. 869's crew - Keith Twist and Derek Lambelle about to go for lunch. Today's other service tram was surprise, surprise Blackpool & Fleetwood 2. I was conductor and Andrew Willis, driver.
4. 869 patiently waiting for the single line staff after Andrew and I had been gossiping to customers and 'rack 2' was running late.

Vintage Vespa

1. Look carefully and you will see a Vintage Vespa to the right of Leeds 345.
2. Leeds 399 was the other service car - all roads lead to Leeds.
3. Liverpool 869 on test.

Blackpool & Liverpool

1. The workshop showing Blackpool 40 and in the background Cardiff 131.
2. Liverpool 869 being moved from the workshop to the depot under its own power.

2 workshop & 2 tram service pictures

1. Is this some form of cage for stressed out Journal editors?
2. John Shawcross and Peter Bird.
3 & 4. Southampton 45 and Glasgow 22 at about 4:00pm.

Oh what a Beautiful Day!

Today was the first day back at school for local children.
1. Sheffield 74 soon to depart from Town End.
2. Southampton 45 passing Craft Cottage.
3. Cardiff 131 in the workshop.

Cardiff 131

The 4:00 pm departure from Town End to Glory Mine was delayed by the arrival of Cardiff 131. By 5:00 pm it had been unloaded and was being pushed slowly towards the workshop and by 6:00 pm these pictures were published on the internet. Contrast this with 1959 when 131 arrived a day early and no one knew until the next morning.

Friday was an all too familiar grey day with Leeds 345, Glasgow 812 and Sheffield 74 in service.

Men at Work

1. Richard Stead selecting some wooden trim.
2. Geoff Lomas sweeping Paisley 68 at the end of service.
Not a bad day with some sunshine. Trams in service Paisley 68, Leeds 345 and Southampton 45.