Steve Lea

Steve Lea, Maintenance Engineer, of the Christchurch tramway in New Zealand visited the Museum yesterday.
He is seen here talking to Derek Redmond on Southampton 45.
Steve, Derek and driver John Marsh.
I first met Steve in Christchurch in February 2008.

The service trams yesterday were Chesterfield 7 and Southampton 45. London Transport 1622 made a couple of trips at lunch time in between driver training duties but the big surprise was the appearance of Cardiff 131 for a couple of trips in the afternoon. 

Old friends

There is a siding at the far side of the exhibition hall.
The flat wagon originally came from Leeds and was in constant use until quite recently. Over the years it has been heavily rebuilt.
Between the blue sheet and the Portakabin is the red tip truck that was used when the depot floors were concreted.
Finally the crane which I think came from Sheffield was absolutely vital in the early days. Again it has been heavily reconstructed.

Manchester

I was in Manchester on Saturday.

The roadway at the entrance to Piccadilly bus station is already breaking up after only about a year's use.

Geoffrey Claydon

Last Saturday there was a party at the Museum to celebrate Geoffrey's 80th birthday. I first met him at Crich in the summer of 1959 when I was 17 and he would have been 28. I have always looked up to and admired Geoffrey and, in particular, I am grateful for the help and advice he gave me when I first became Journal editor in 1972. Had he not played such a prominent role in last year's witch hunt, I would have been proud to accept my invitation.

Kerstin & Christoph

Christoph & Kerstin were over from Germany last week. During that time they renewed their driving and conducting licences at Crich.

It is a long time since Kath and I worked together on the trams. I remember that the last tram we worked on was Glasgow 812 and it was in June 1994.

Blackpool 166 and Leeds 345

As part of an ongoing review of motor bearing problems, 166 has been taken to the workshop for inspection.
Leeds 345 is in the workshop to start an agreed work program including non destructive testing of the axles.

Please Help

Please tell your friends and acquaintances that I have been banned from the Library at Crich for life at the the behest of the Curator, Glynn Wilton. Following an appeal Glynn's actions were unanimously endorsed by the Board of Management. I am however still allowed to be a tram conductor and participate in other activities at the Museum.

I have asked for this to be published in 'Contact' along with the reasons, but like most things at Crich, this request has disappeared into a memory hole.

I think that Alan Kirkman has raised a valid question but I can't answer it. The original letter dated 23rd March 2009 simply said that my work in the Library will no longer be required.

I have interpreted this as a ban on my working in the Library in any capacity. I have not tried to gain access to the Library since the ban was confirmed by the Board and I have avoided contact with those Board and staff members directly involved. I have tried to maintain a working relationship with other Board and staff members and with volunteers.

I initiated the Sheffield 264 Project which has been supported by the Board but all meetings took place outside the Library. I hope we can now complete this project this autumn and I would love to be involved in similar projects in the future.

Following various comments, all I am asking is that the fact that I have been banned along with the reasons is published and then we will all know. I don't know why I was banned and I will coninue to fight the ban until it is explained in simple language and with examples of my unacceptable behavior.

Kostj's travels

Yesterday I met Kostj from Kiev and showed him round Nottingham.
He was impressed by the tramway but it was very difficult to explain the deregulated bus services with two different companies competing for passengers on the same route.

We then drove to Meadowhall and Kostj will be exploring Supertram today and I hope to meet him again in Blackpool next week. PS I explained that in Sheffield a day ticket sold by tram conductors is also valid on Stagecoach buses but not First buses. Crazy country!

Milling

The Museum has recently acquired this Bridgeport milling machine c1970.


Work continues on Leeds 399. The truck has been re-assembled and oil-soaked cotton waste wadding is being poked into the motor bearings. The quarterlight windows are receiving a coat of varnish.

September Tuesday

Yesterday Met 331 and Glasgow 812 were out.


The conductor is collecting the single line staff. I don't like conducting on 331 because there is very little time to collect fares or talk to passengers.
The Bradford taxi shelter could do with a little TLC. Any volunteers?

Glasgow 812 was the other service tram and most of the day was fine.

Howth 10 at Fleetwood in 1985

This picture shows Howth looking magnificent 25 years ago. It had a number of modifications to enable it to run in Blackpool. All I am suggesting is that these are reversed now that it is permanently on display as a static exhibit because in another 25 years everyone will have forgotten what these were and I doubt if detailed records were kept.
The reversable wooden side destination board was also still in place when this picture was taken. I wonder where they are now?

Next installment

Part 4 of my illustrated history of the NTM covering the years 1970 to 1972 was published yesterday. http://www.focustransport.org.uk/tramcrich4.aspx

This picture shows Kath turning Sheffield 264's trolley at Wakebridge in 1971.

I will be starting work on the next installment today and would welcome offers of more pictures. For example Part 4 would have benefitted from a picture of Oporto 9 before it was repainted. We are now moving to the Job Creation era when most of the restoration and construction work was done on weekdays and I have no photos. Similarly I didn't attend the Royal Visits and have no pictures.

Secondly if you spot a mistake or think I may have got something wrong please tell me because I may well be able to publish a revised and updated version in the future.

Thanks in anticipation.

I agree with adj it is Rupert.

Crich and Christchurch

Blackpool 40 was the last tram on Friday.

Chris Irwin has sent me the good news that trams are running again in Chch. (see previous post for details)

Ron Howes

Ron Howes retired as a tram conductor yesterday. Ron is a Londoner and London Transport 1622 had been fitted with destination displays for his local route.

After his last journey Ron posed for photographs. From left Steve Whitley, Ron Howes, Duncan McEwan, Ian Rigg.

Oporto 273 and Blackpool 167 out of Blackpool celebrations?

Tramways Monthly has reported that following an incident 273 will not participate in any of the Blackpool 125 events.
http://www.tramways-monthly.com/latest-news/290-oporto-273-out-of-blackpool-celebrations

However there is no reference to this on the official web sites.

I have also received this report:
"167 ran a hot box whilst on tour and was towed to Thornton Gate sidings. Presumably that's another one off the run."

exhibition 7th September 2010 (2)