Outside In

These three pictures taken on 15th January will be the last of Crich until May. I had intended to get a few shots of the Outside Works team but it had rained all morning and they had been re-deployed indoors. So here is a general view with no one in sight and then pictures of the Sweet Shop and Rita's Cafe.

Following the discussion which developed in the comments to the post about "Best in Amber Valley" Christoph Heuer has suggested to start a forum for TMS members and staff. The forum is to follow along the lines of similar forums of other preservation societies in the UK, namely the Severn Valley Railway Association (forum.svra.org.uk). Christoph has set up a forum which will initially have the address tmscrich.iphpbb.com. If you like the idea, please visit and register, use the forum and invite others who may be interested but do not know about the forum. Christoph has already started some threads to give you an idea what can happen in this forum. He would like to point out that it is a matter of "use it or lose it". This forum is a private initiative and not directly connected to or endorsed by the TMS or any of the societies' officers.

So that's all for now from me except to say that I intend to publish some transport pictures of Australia and New Zealand and perhaps even air conditioned bus shelters in Dubai provided the technology works. Please click on the link.

We have now arrived in Dubai.

Workshop

London United

A few pictures of progress on LUT 159.
1. A Lampholder Pattress - one of the many small fittings that are being made.
2. The lower saloon body with the doors closed. To the left a corner of the new workshop security screen can be seen.
3. The other end of the body with the doors open. In the foreground Denis is at work repainting one of the Museum sign boards.
4. A newly delivered casting for one of the bogie side frames (lying on its side).

Wet winter's day

1. Our Tardis is still at Crich but it is a lighter shade of blue that the BBC's.
2. The points at Cliffside. I think these are to replaced this winter.
3. The points at Wakebridge which are to be replaced with plain track as a short-term measure prior to major reconstruction in 2008/9.
4. The BCTF team continue to work on improving the Woodland Walk.

Cardiff 131 2008

My first pictures for 2008 are of the continuing work on Cardiff 131.
1. The new underframe.
2. 131 will be equipped with refurbished B510 controllers - the first of which is pictured lying on its back with the barrel behind it. In the background are B18 controllers for Jo'burg 60.
3. As a non-passenger car 131 has a simple iron step to the platform. The picture shows the old one standing in the background and a brand new one lying on the bench.

Best in Amber Valley

"Best in Amber Valley
Your votes have helped the Midland Railway - Butterley becomes Amber Valley's 'Pride of Place'. The recent survey to find the favourite local attraction has placed the Railway top of the list in Amber Valley with 46% of the votes. We also had the second highest number of votes in the whole of the East Midlands. Thank you very much for voting for us."

Congratulations to the Midland Railway Trust for this achievement. Where was the National Tramway Museum? In 6th place with 6% of the votes. Heage Windmill came second with 12%. Crich Stand came 7th with 5%. I have been aware for many years that the Midland Railway was more highly regarded locally and often wondered why. I suspect that local people find both the railway and the windmill more welcoming.

2008 is likely to be a difficult year for all Derbyshire tourist attractions with the widely predicted turn-down in the economy and credit squeeze. The NTM has the advantage of a sound short-term financial base but both paying visitors and active voluteers are declining. This trend must be arrested and I would like to see a major review of how the Tramway Museum Society ensures that both visitors and Society members are made welcome at the NTM and to ensure that next time we are up there at the top of the list alongside the Midland Railway.

More progress on 131

Horse Tram Driver's lament

More 131

1. Work is progressing on 131's underframe.
2. 131's traction motors.
3. An old paint tin found on 131. I understand that 'Williamsons' still supply paint to the Museum.
4. New boy, Neil Rowland, working on 131's truck. I suspect he is dismantling it.

Cardiff 131's New Underframe

Twen, Twen, Twenty-two

Glasgow 22 made a brief appearance today for some visiting dignitaries.
The current issue of 'Contact' makes very disturbing reading with visitor numbers and thus revenue in decline. My suggestion is that a Board Member is made responsible for 'The Visitor Experience' and nothing else. Customer Care should be second only to Safe Working. We have high standards and procedures regarding safety but I am not aware of aything formal on Customer Care. Standards vary tremendously from excellant to non-existant.
Monitoring systems followed up by actions are required to ensure that all our visitors receive acceptable standards. To concentrate minds we should reduce the admission price by £1 for every door that is closed and any visitor leaving with a genuine grievance within our control should get their money back.

A Beautiful November Day

It was a beautiful day today with the sun shining out of a clear blue sky so I went for a short walk at 1 o'clockish.
1. Some of the trees on the Woodland Walk now have red paint marks on them. I don't know why.
2. Two of the BTCV team at work.
3. The Children's Play Area had been receiving attention earlier in the day.
4. Not a tram or a volunteer in sight.

Conservation

November

1. Leaves on the line.
2. The Outside works team have been tree lopping at Wakebridge. GMJ and the flat truck are used as transport.
3. It was warm enough today for the Workshop door to be open revealing Leeds 399 and Blackpool 40.
4. I have been helping to sort out small exhibits in the Library and came across this artifact. It appears to be some form of ticket cancelling machine. Can anyone identify it?