Extravaganza 1

I squeezed a visit to the Museum this afternoon between other commitments arriving at about 1:00 pm and leaving just before 4:00 pm.
I saw the following trams in service: Blackpool 2 & 40, Glasgow 22, Jo'burg 60, Leeds 345, Liverpool 869, Paisley 68 and Sheffield 74. Berlin 3006 was on its way from the depot to Town End when I left so it is likely to have operated a service journey.
1. I went in through the public entrance.
2. Swing boats.
3. Machinery.
4. I walked to Wakbridge where Paisley 68 was waiting.

Crich Stand 1900

Here is a picture of Crich Stand in 1900. It was taken in Wetherspoons in Alfreton today.
At the request of the Board of Management of the Tramway Museum Society, I have made it clear that this a is a personal blog and in no way an 'Official Site'. In return I now ask that the aforesaid Board stop telling me what I can and cannot publish on my own personal Blog Site.
They well know that if I make a mistake or go over the top in my comments, I will make changes very quickly, provided I receive a polite request and a credible reason.
If you don't like this blog or my attitude to the challenges facing the National Tramway Museum don't read this blog.

Almex Model A

Wot no Sausages ! !

1. No sausage cobs here but they are on the menu.
2. You've guessed it - no Sausage Cobs upstairs despite the menu.
3. Here we are £13.30 the poorer eating an indoor takeaway.

Grandsons - continued

1. Here we are in the craft workshop which we think is really for younger children.
2. If you look carefully at this picture you can just see the man who does the wood carvings.
3. Grandad says that this a new bridge.
4. We didn't ride on this tram which is for learners today but there was room on the one behind.

Grandsons - by Kieran & Josh Lomas

1. Here we are at Glory Mine at the front of a Blackpool double decker.
2. Then we went for a ride on an open sided single decker. Here is the driver using an old fashioned phone.
3. The conductor explained that the tram was built in 1898 etc.
4. We stopped to chat with John and Peter. John could remember our dad when he was younger than us. Peter thought Kieran's haircut look like the roots of a spring onion.

Two London Trams and three service trams

1. MET 331's bogies. Note how much smaller the motors are than Cardiff 131's.
2. MET 331 and LUT 159.
3. Blackpool 40 in service.
4. Leeds 399 and Glasgow 812 in service (although I didn't see 812 in action today).
Tomorrow I am bringing my grandsons to the Museum so I hope the weather is better and that they can have a ride on an open car.

Southampton 45

Unusually for this August, fine weather was forecast for the whole day. The service trams were Glasgow 812 (qv), Southampton 45 and Blackpool 2. With over 800 customers through the gate, they were kept busy until 4:00 pm.
1. Keith Twist bringing 45 out of the depot.
2. Blackpool 2 with Berlin 3006 in the background.
3. It was not until after 4:00 pm that it was quiet enough for me to snatch a photograph of 45 at Wakebridge.
4. Safely back in the depot.

Glasgow 812 & Katowice

I was the conductor on Glasgow 812 today.
1. Lennox McEwan at the controls (a Scottish diver in a Glasgow uniform).
2. Ths gentleman was amazed when I said I had visited his home town of Katowice and ridden on tram route 38 in Bytom.
3. He delayed the last tram at 5:00 by having the slowest credit card imaginable.
4. Ready for bed.





5-8. Katowice in Feb 2006.

New Bridge

A slightly better day with more sunshine than showers. The three double deckers in service (Blackpool 40, Glasgow 22 and Leeds 180) were running nearly full but not leaving queues.
1. Customers having packed lunches in the band stand area. Perhaps we should improve the self catering facilities with picnic shelters and maybe and indoor BYO area.
2. The new wooden bridge on the Woodland Walk was brought into use today.
3. BTCV volunteers working at Wakebridge with Leeds 180 in the background.
4. Glasgow 22.

131 Detail

1. More rails have been added to the north end platform - some new and some refurbished.
2. The horizontal rail at the south end is badly distorted and will require careful bending.
3. New headlamp assemblies.
4. Retired tram conductor, Tony Wilkes, busy painting small componants.