Preparing for our customers

A lot of hard work is transforming Wakebridge from a construction site to a visitor attraction. The work was sufficiently advanced for passengers to alight from the trams last weekend but there is still much to do.

1. The new ashphelt is smooth enough to kneel on.

2. This former railway wagon will be removed shortly.

3. Leeds 399 being moved to the workshop for servicing.
4. Green tram and green doors.

Workshop

1. On Monday London United 159 was brought out for a while during a workshop reshuffle.

2 & 3. The absence of 159 enabled me to get these shots of Leeds 180, Leeds 345 and Glasgow 812.

4. Cardiff 131 is now back in the wash bay.

Overhead

This afternoon I had a chat with Neil Daft who described the recent work on the overhead line at Wakebridge.

1. The wire over the south curve has been raised and moved to the left so that it now over the centre of the track. Basically this was achieved by lengthening the span on the right and shortening and adjusting those on the left.
Step two was to check the height and alignment at the north end and to remove the siding wire. The remaining pictures show work in progress on step three to remove the frog.
2. It is not often that you can look down on the tower wagon crew.
3. John Markham at work.
4. This picture shows the work in hand. The frog has to be removed and the wire repositioned to the left where a new fitting can be seen on the span wire over the centre of the tower platform rail.

I missed the 9:15

Cardiff 131 made its first test run to Glory Mine this morning and I missed it. However here is a picture taken on a mobile phone at 9:25:36 and transferred via bluetooth to a memory stick.
The other pictures were taken at about 10:00 am.

Rail Greasers

The first rail greasers or flange lubricators at Crich were fitted to BS 8C rail at Cliffside in 1975. They are now being modified to fit the new 35G or Ri60 rails.
There is an article in the October 1975 Journal describing them by Richard Hartwell which makes interesting reading today.

Crich in 1959

When asked if I had any pictures of Crich in 1959 I could only find two and this one taken on 17th Janaury 1960. I don't know who took it and we think that I am the fouth person from the left.
Have you any pictures of Crich in 1959? If so would you be prepared to lend them to the Society for use in the forthcoming 50 Years at Crich celebrations.

Doors

New doors are being fitted to the Workshop.

Trams

1. Berlin 3006's lift had a safety check yesterday.

2. MET 331 has moved out of the workshop revealing Cardiff 131.
3. Sheffield 74 and J'burg 60 are being prepared for service.

4. Chesterfield 7 and Leeds 180's stripped down truck.

Wakebridge update

For the record the first passenger tram to pass through 'New Wakebridge' was London Transport 1622 on 21st February carrying members of The Board. Public service commenced the following Saturday although passengers are not yet allowed to alight. As will be seen from the pictures work has continued on landscaping and tree lopping.

1. Looking soutwards towards Wakebrige. The magnificent views of the Derbyshire countryside have been reinstated.
2. Wakebridge looking south. Paths and borders are being created and new top soil.
3. From the lookout looking northwards.

4. Looking southwards from the very end of the concreted area.

Edinburgh

Glasgow

Buildings & Trams

Not much to report today. I have moved the Leeds 180 pictures to the Historical Archive.

(Thanks for reporting the missing pictures - I don't know what happened whilst I was in Scotland. I have simply reloaded them.)

1. Work continues on the Eagle Press. New red coloured laths have been installed and the tiles were being fitted before the rain started.

2. A start has been made on fitting new workshop doors.

3 & 4. J'burg 60 and C'field 7 are being prepared for service.