[bluegoblin7]

Blackpool 166 was restored in 2004 and ran 2004-06(?).

BG7


*** message edited by administrator on 2 February 2008 at 21:23 GMT ***

[andrewpendleton]

I don't know if this is of interest but below is when I believe the Crich fleet last ran at the museum. Any corrections welcome!

System No Last Ran Location
.
.
.
Gateshead 5 1999 Crich
.
.
Paul

Further correction - Gateshead 5 made it out for enthusiasts day 2005.
Andrew

[Paul_Turner]

Further correction - Gateshead 5 made it out for enthusiasts day 2005.
Andrew

Hmm, certainly ran 2001-2006 too!
Thanks for the corrections so far, I have edited the list to account for these. Not sure about 510's current status, can anyone advise?

Thanks
Paul

[bluegoblin7]

Sheffield 510 is out of service, and will be for quite a while, with spring problems(?).

I will dig out an old copy of Contact/Journal that will say it better!

BG

[bluegoblin7]

Ok,

510 was withdrawn sometime prior to July 2007 due to a broken spring plank being found. It was withdrawn until it could be reparied.

A decision has now been made that due to bodywork and paintwork needing attention, it will be withdrawn completely until theres is time available for the overhaul. I would expect it to join the queue behing 49, 1282, 1297, 602 etc now! It may even, god forbid, go to the exhib hall! It's already at the back of the depot!

THanks,

BG

[Andrew 7]

That's very bad news about 510. I was hoping it might run again this year, but that suggests to me that it will indeed end up in the Exhibition Hall, and probably not run again without a full rebuild. I hope I'm wrong - but the likes of Blackpool 49, Prague 180 and Glasgow 1282 all met with a similar fate, and they all apparently need rebuilding from scratch.

The list just keeps on growing, doesn't it?!

[bluegoblin7]

Yes that's what it does sound like. The one thing I don't understand with Crich is why they keep restoring more and more trams, and then complaining of storage space, when it would be much better to keep trams running in the first place!

BG

[Andrew 7]

Yes that's what it does sound like. The one thing I don't understand with Crich is why they keep restoring more and more trams, and then complaining of storage space, when it would be much better to keep trams running in the first place!

BG

I think that perhaps the thinking here is that undertaking major work on Sheffield 510, for example, is unlikely to have any major rewards as to most people it's a regular service car, nothing to get excited about.

By contrast, when LUT 159 enters service, it will be a huge attraction - every enthusiast will want to see, photograph and ride on it, and even more casual visitors will probably be more interested in it for the first year or two. Also, I think that external funding bodies are more likely to shell out a six figure sum for a tram that has never run at Crich before, than one that ran a few years ago.

That said, I'd like to see some cars that only need minor work, be repaired and run again.

[bluegoblin7]

Yes I suppose that is the case. Luckily this year there is a new guidebook coming out, so trams such as Prague 180, Sheffield 510 etc, that are listed as Service Cars, won't be missed by the public!

I agree that 159 will be an attraction - the stairs certainly, but i still don't get how 131 would be useful - why not just fix up 330, and restore a public tramcar instead?

BG

[Christoph Heuer]

Hello,

Also, I think that external funding bodies are more likely to shell out a six figure sum for a tram that has never run at Crich before, than one that ran a few years ago.

That is exactly the point. Major tramcar restorations have been funded by more or less external bodies like the TSO or LCCTT. There does not appear to be much external funding for something like major repairs and our own money is spent elsewhere

That said, I'd like to see some cars that only need minor work, be repaired and run again.

Yes, me too. I only fear that minor work can soon become major work for which no funding is available.

Kind regards

Christoph

[Peter1297]

Hello,
As I have expressed elsewhere, the TMS lacks operational post 1932 trams (streamliners) at present which I feel needs correcting quickly.
The majority of our visitors are only interested in the type of tram, open/closed top, old/modern and where it came from (there own town preferably). Most people would not be interested in the fine detail, ie type of stairs, motors, controllers. They want to see a wide selection of trams operating.
We should therefore ensure that we keep a 1950's and a late 1930's tram operational so visitors can appriciate the improvements that were made over the 60 years of Gen1 trams.
510 must be a good candidate as it is solidly built, it just needs a repaint and a new spring plank manufacturing! (an attempt was made last Nov. to get a pattern but it was found not possible to remove it without a body lift.
1297 should also be considered, the motor could be sent for repair, afterall the bogies had some brand new bearings fitted in 2005/6 and a complete truck overhaul, not an easy job with inside bearing bogies. Has this investment now been wasted ?
Peter