Well, we did it! 53 was jacked up today, and though we need to make her more secure, we did what we set out to do! WE DO NEED MORE WOOD, THE EQUIVALENT OF SIX RAILWAY SLEEPERS, SO IF YOU CAN HELP , PLEASE CONTACT US!
El Presidente, John Z, Ian Buck and his wife Jane were on site today, and John Bishop took footage which we hope to put on u tube. Full marks to John the farmer, who towed 53 forward a foot, so we can now access the other cab end, onwards and upwards!! Hope your Xmas was good......

Met one of our distant members today, Mr. John Kempton of the Medway Queen group, who are in the middle of a huge project to restore a paddle steamer. John had kindly looked out some railway sleeper size wood for the big lift, so I was driven by our white van man, Tony Belcher , up to Gillingham in Kent today. Despite some snow, mission was accomplished, and John showed us their very impressive base for the restoration. Millions are involved here, and they even have apprentices, with links to the EEC, and ship projects in Belgium and France.The EEC is not all about taking, Cameron!. This will be worth a visit when restored, for this is a very beautiful ship, thank you John!
Had a small, but lively crew at the xams party last night. Good qiuz results, great filmshow, and more then enough mince pies, shame on you for missing it!

A cold but pleasant work day at 53. Malcolm C. got on with the path, John Z, carried on wood priming, Malcolm from Horsham did more rubbing down and El presidente worked on 225s roof and under 53. it was cold by 2.30! Also checked trailer fixings to make sure they will come off on the big lift day, and more wood was brought today as well. Tea was much needed......

Another work day, and a good one it was! Thanks to Alan and Malcolm's brainwave, we have covered each end with plastic, thus ensuring some weatherproofing for the ends. I attacked the roof of the Graz tram, which is still leaking in one ot two places, and John gave a coat of wood preservative to our new wood delivered by the farmer, cool! We have a good amount of wood to enclose the shed and to add some fencing, and our big lift target has been offered some railway sleepers, as well as the farmer digging out some big wood, good man!. Next work party 10th of December, and the big lift needs at least six volunteers for the Thursday after Xmas, check ya diary and see if you can help.

The Newhaven Raiway club Exhibiton gave us another £147.50, which is a very satisfactory result.We have over a£1,000 pounds in the bank, well done to all those who donated or helped.
The next work party is next Saturday, and we are planning to raise 53 the week after Xmas. If you have overdosed on Turkey, pants television, and the Mother in law, join us, we need at least six people to make sure it is done correctly, date will be announced.

Tally for the weekeknd was £161.40. A good result for the times, and a small but well known railway exhibiton. Thank you to all who manned the stand, and to the BMRC who had a well organised show.We are at the Newhaven Model Railway club show at Newlands School, Seaford next weekend, come along if you can!
Next work party, the 26th of November, see you there.

Had a very good first dat at the BMRC exhibiton yeaterday, took over a £100.Expect it to be quieter today, though I am not there so I may be wrong, but a lot of interest was shown by the public at our display, which looks great! Many thanks to the members who are manning the stall, and also to all the people who have given all sorts to the society to sell, this has helped tremendously with the funding.

Good day out at 53, bright weather and warm! Roger S. sorted out the wood next to 225, and we might have enough to raise 53.There is certainly enough wood for fencing the area, which will help.I conitnued rust proofing and put on a second coat of carriage paint on some of the steels.

The next meeting and Xmas bash is the 15th of December at the BMRC rooms, Brighton.Paid up members are welcome, or new members can join on the night! It is only a couple of weeks to the BMRC show in Patcham, Brighton, the 12th -13th of November, hope to see you there. Out at 53 today, have given John the famer a list of wood for the shed, and arequest for heavy timbers to raise up 53. Winter is coming, and 53 will need cover!

Not a great deal to report this week, but Tony Belcher delivered some new 53 T-shirts, which look great.We have 5 in large size only, and might use at shows, or sell, not sure yet.Richard Gatterell delivered some 4 x 2 on site, and John the farmer has promised to buy the wood for the shed improvements, and look out wood for the big lift.The next job is to jack up 53, get rid of the trailer wheels, and level out the cab ends.Whether we can re-use the wheels is debatable, unleess anyone readin' this wants to try.

Please see Saturday's blog, I have added an appeal for the big lift.53 needs to go up!

Another good work party today. Little by little, 53 is getting some tlc, as the photos will show. Non Pevensey Malcolm rubbed down some metal, to reveal the original paint, Guy and Roger started cleaning up the floor metals at the other end, Richard G varnished some wood, and Ian Buck did some much needed strimming! Thankyou gents, we also noticed Malcolm from Pevensey had filled in the holes in the approach path, which means easier access. The next published works party date is on a exhibition weekend, so will be resheduled, BUT before then, it is time to jack up 53.One day will be dedicated to this, does anyone have timbers/old railway sleepers to help? 53 weighs abot 3 tons at most. Please let us know, this means we can start rebuilding the cab, when 53 is raised up safely!!

Talk at Brighton Library was not as well attended as we hoped, the weather was too nice! Still raised about £20, and I hope those who attended enjoyed it.Work party next Saturday the 8th at 53, also considering an Xmas party for members, if we can find a cheap fixed menu.If interested, let us know!

The result for the weekend at Kew, was £110.36 clear profit.This excludes the £80 pounds for the hire, so a very good result for the society! I was'nt sure but I had thought we would break even,so I am very glad to be proved wrong! We made a lot of contacts for the restoration side, and are invited to Manchester to Heaton Park, there is a big group trip! Poor Ian was on his own on the Sunday, please can we avoid this in future. I have done this and it is no fun and does'nt help the selling side, so please, sign up for expos and help out.

It's Sunday morning, and we have another day at ther Festival of Trams at Kew.Ian and Malcolm are manning the stall today, El Presidente cannot.We took over a £100 yesterday, so we are in profit, will wait to hear from the boys later about todays huge profit.Met some real restorers yesterday, much useful advice was gleaned and e-mails swappeed.The Heaton Park boys in Manchester have invited us for a visit, so how about a group trip to Manchester? The LCC group were also very helpful, and are happy for us to ask, these guys spend up to £500,000 on restorations!!!

Not much to report, apart from the ton of metal shelving given by Seaford Museum, organised by Maurice Wheatley, thank you gents! All ready for the Tramway Festival this weekend, and don't forget an " Afternoon of Trams" at Brighton Library on the 1st of October at 2pm.Get there early if you want a seat!!

Another excellent work day.Our joy through work 53 scheme gets a step up with Ian Buck's health and safety overview, which means safer conditions for all, and a realistic procedure on site. Need to start weatherproofing that shed, and Allan Marriott brought the new footbell in, will have a picture shortly.

You should notice that the website is , revamped, especially the pictures.Our new webmeister Ray is making sure that the site is looking even better and shinier! Bad news from the Hastings boys last night, they have to vacate their spot at Robersbridge Station, can anyone help with storing two trams and parts?

Simon Cole sent in some sad pictures of the destruction of two trams in the early sixties, thanks to Terry Russell for supplying them.Don't forget, works party next Saturday, all welcome!

Another great work day, more bolts replaced, 2nd coat of red oxide, trailer towing hook removed, and more wood measurement, well done lads, this just gets better! We also have 53 clocks and keyrings for sale, more later.

Just back from a wedding in Birmingham, Marilyn's home town. Newsletter out shortly, work party tomorrow, and here is a pic of the metro from Brum to Wolverhampton, 12 mile tram journey!

A most excellent meeting was held on Sunday, good attendance, all posts filled, and a new constitution. Thank you to all who turned up, all members will get sent the new document, and if we are happy, it becomes law! We have some new photos for sale, thanks to Tony Belcher, of various trams at the terminus of Dyke Road, nice shots, they are selling already. As mentioned, we now have a full committee, so expect to see some very positive changes, and a slicker society, over and out!

Don't forget, meeting Sunday! Just back from washed out camping holiday in Dorset, which did not impress the missus, one bright spot, saw the Bournemouth tram in Christchurch Electrical museum, a top class restoration.

A very good work day, with El Presidente, Roger S, Richard G and John Z out to restore! New member Roger proved to be a Jedi disc cutter mastere, whilst El Presidente persisted with his red oxide feitsh, put in some new nuts( Good for a 49 year old)in the cab floor steels, and John and Richard, tackled the last windows and uprights on the cab end.You can still see the saw cuts from 1936, incredible! Well done gents, another step forward for the tram, don't forget meeting next Sunday at the BMRC rooms, London Road station, 4pm.

Don't forget, work party this Saturday from 11am. Spoke to Rowan at the Bluebell, and he has kindly agreed to help shape any wood we have, if their tools permit it! EGM on the 21st, please get there if you can!

Had a small, but fun open day, with some passing trade! The sun shone on 53 and 225, and a good time was had by all, still raised about £45, so 53 is moving forward.Good food as well, thanks to Tony Bs daughter and Tesco!. Thank you to all members who helped, it can't happen without you!

Here is a new font again, is this more legible??? Open day Sunday from 2pm, till 4.30pm, not sure about weather! Had a very nice reception at the Worthing Moldel Engineer's club last night, I think most folks stayed awake during my tram rap, and they gave us a fantastic donation of £50, thank you gents, the wood fund grows!

Saw the article in Old Glory, today, great stuff, though I say it myself, we have also received £100 from the Editor, Colin Tyson, thank you sir!

Am trying new a font today, this is courier! Let me know if it is easier to read.
Richard G and myself out at 53 today. Richard was measuring wood, and is trying to source mahogony, or similar, and I was underneath painting steels, see pictures. Don't forget, open day, Sunday week, if you need directions, let me know.Time is 2 to 4.30 in the afternoon.

I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO MAKE THE PRINT BIGGER, SO HERE IT IS ! HAD A GREAT VISIT TO VOLKS RAILWAY TODAY, THANKS TO 53 MEMBER AND VOLKS SUPREMO IAN GLEDHILL VERY INTERESTING TO SEE THE ARCH AND WORKSHOPS, SEE PHOTOS. ALSO SAW A BIT OF BRIGHTON TRAM TRACK, WOW!

Hard day's work with Malcolm, Ray and John today. I was underneath, scraping down more framing, and the rest of the crew took the front of 53s cab! Pictures will explain better, but we are down to the basic framing.The hard part will be sourcing mahogany for the replacement parts.

We are appearing in the magazine "Old Glory", on sale from the 21st of July. This is a national magazine, so good publicity! The 31st of July will be a full blown open day at 53, so if you have'nt been , come along. Please note the site is primitive, with no toilets, but we can provide tea and biscuits, you have been warned.

Had a good meeting yesterday, and made progress towards a more professional society. More will be explained in the newsletter. We are out at 53 on the11th of July, next monday, for a work party.Weekend after that is visit to Volk's Railway. Also planning ahead for the 1st of October presentation at the library in Brighton!

Don't forget meeting next week, at the Brighton Model Railway Club,i n the buildings of London Road railway Station, Ditchling Rise , Brighton at 6pm, next Sunday. it is your society, so get along!
New date for diary, October the 1st, we have an afternoon of 53 and brighton trams in the lecture Theatre of the Jubilee Library! This will be a great way to raise our profile, watch this space! Also on the 31st of July, we have open day at 53.The Hastings tramway boys are along, so if you have'nt seen 53, we will be on site in the afternoon.Contact us, if you need directions.

A good work party today. Malcolm, Richard, John and myself went to work on the underside and windows.Whilst El presidente lay underneath the tram rustproofing and scraping, the rest of the gang measured up the windows and cab end, photgraphed intensively, then took some windows out.All came out easily, even the broken ones, so 53 looks a little more desolate, but it won't be for long.We have also sold a few bits on E-bay, and have sold some fridge magnets to France!

Well, here is a non- tram picture for you! Over the weekend, I went to Saumur in France, which is the national tank museum.I am also a big tank fan, and here is a picture of me attempting to get in a French Hotchkiss tank from 1940! Less room then 53!. Don't forget, we have a work party this Saturday. The next meeting is the 3rd of July at Brighton Model Railway Club, and we are visiting Volks railway on the16th of July.You must be a paid up member for both events! We hope to have the Hastings tram boys across soon for a visit to 53, will confirm shortly.

Back from honeymoon in Oporto, in Portugal. A few pics added to show the fine tram system, I did ask for a truck, but none spare! Will add more later,but, it is time for workparties!!

Out at 53 today on my own, ground down cab support metals and tried cosmic green goo rust treatment on the metal! Seems to work, so will continue on all metals,. Nasty corrison right under the cab end, see photos.
Allan Marriott has measured the shed for weather proofing, and Richard Gatterell got us a huge wad of plastic netting.

Windy day at the Lewes Bus rally.A nice display of buses, but poor attendance, was it advertised enough? Total taken, £32.26!

I write this with a hangover from my stag event yesterday, just to report that we have had three new members this week, and a beautiful banner for future rallys, given by Tony Belcher , one of our members. It looks professional, and very eye catching, respects to Tony. Don't forget,we are at Lewes Bus rally, next Sunday, so come over to this free event!

Made very welcome today, at the Hastings Tram HQ at Robertsbridge, Sussex.Roy and the boys plied us with tea and savoury pastries, which was most generous.They have two trams, and have placed them in a shed, with some interesting original artifacts, including rails and finials.They have their own railway wagon as their world HQ, and it is on rails, so they can move!

Well, you read it here first! John and I had a good discusion, and we have come to an agreement over 53, so the legal document will be re-written! He has even kindly offered to help with materials to improve the shed, a most excellent result.Now we can really get going.....If you have not yet joined the society and are reading this, think about, it is going to happen, but your help or money will speed that process up.

Had a good day on Brighton seafront today, took £70 for the Society. I manned the stall on my own, thanks to Ian and Gordon for letting me enter the comfort break zone during the day, you need at least twoto man a stall in the future!. Next show is 22nd of May at Lewes Bus rally, work parties subject to a John chat next week!
On the way home, stopped of in Queens Park Road, near to Edward Street, and in the road works trench spotted some track supports.These were old rails, reused as regular supports along the permanent way.

Today, I have opened the tram53 e-bay site. There will be a growing collection of items for sale, in the meantime get all your all your friends and family to buy these superb items! Please let me know if they are easy to find, or I will change the listings, thank you.

A most excellent day at 53! The floor of one cab end was removed, thanks To Richard, Allan, Malcolm, Guy and special guest Roger! Saw the farmer, and will arrange a chat, much better then solicitor letter flurrys! The wood varied in condition, all to bin, but most of the bolts unscrewed, all bits carefully marked, and photographed. The steel needs a good clean and perhaps some welding to ensure strength.

Out at 53 tomorrow, the 19th, meanwhile, I have started to write a reply to the legal document, and to construct a counter propsal. I am no longer angry, just coldly determined to help 53, there are too many good things to lose on this deal, a lot of time and work has already gone into this project , and the consensus is that the society is not in the sucker league!

We are out at 53 this tuesday, the 19th of April for a works party, so feel free to join us. On a more sombre note,we will be putting our counter agreement in for the future of 53, and this might well be the last works party until agrrement is reached..... if it is..

Out at 53 in the warm sunlight today.Photograhed the underside of 53 and then cleaned out 225, and put thing' s in order, including wrestling with a flat pack! I told the missus, who berated me about NOT doing this at home! You can't win, but trams are different!

The next offical work parties will be the 18th and 19th of April, I might well be down before, so contact me if you are around! Have trawled through the document presented by John, if you want a copy let me know...I am not sure what to make of it, some good, some, er, odd!

A record day yesterday, at one point we had seven people out at 53, well done to you all, and welcome to the newies. John also appeared with the LEGAL AGREEMENT, will scrutinise this today, and check with a legal guy if need be, if anyone wants a copy let me know. A big thank you to Brian Carter yestersday, the man with two Scamells, who gave us a lot of items of great use, thank you Brian.Will include some pictures of Saturday shortly, next work days, 18th and 19th of April, come on down!

We are out at 53 this weekend, the 2nd of April, so if you can, come along! We have had more sales on the internet, and more shows are been booked for the 53 roadshow, will let you know soon as they are comfirmed! It is a bit late, but thanks to to the BRMC, for their donation to 53, and to various others, you are very kind.All of this makes the restoration possible, thank you.

Went out for a shop fest for the society today, bought chairs, desk, vice, dust masks, etc, after careful scrutiny! These will be installed in 225, so we can do the job safely and well.We still need more hands to the pumps, if any one can spare some time to pursue sponsors and grants, we need you.I don't have time and this will be the key to the job being done, so please act. We are on sight on the 2nd of April, do come along!

Here are some more shots of Sunday, I great day all round. We have had two more members join this week , and a very kind donation from a member. i also cornered Mr W~~~ last night, he has " F" class plans and says bits exist, including a door and other bits.Could be at Amberly? If you know, clue us in, oh tram fans!

A very quick one, had a good visit to the trams and the AGM, in one day! Hope you all enjoyed the trips, great weather, and a well attended AGM, more later.

Well folks,a week to go to the AGM. Not much to report, I have been busy with other things, am still waiting for the legal agreement,yawn, this is getting boring, but have to assume it will materialise this lifetime! If you are not sure about anything for next week, please e-mail me!

Out in the spring sunshine today, El Presidente, Simon Cole and Malcolm Chambers were hard at work, painting and rubbing down.Malcolm is starting to look at replacing wood and getting the rotten metal off, so major works to begin soon, subject to help and funding.Our 53rd member Phil dropped in and got his t-shirt and photo.A lot of people walking past showed interest in our efforts and tours were conducted!

Calling all members, don't forget the AGM is on the 20th of March, this month! For those who can make it, we are meeting at 53 at 4pm, and we then hope to see the works car.The meeting will start at 6pmish at the Brighton Model Railway Club, London Road Station, Brighton.

Member Malcolm Malin sent these pictures of the last Brighton tramway overhead pole at Amberley, which is quietly rusting way in the grass, a waste.
On a brighter note the AGM will be on the 20th of March, a Sunday.We will first visit 53 and 225, then back into Brighton for the works tram, and then AGM a t the BMRC, London Road Brighton.Non members are welcome to view the trams, but only paid up members to the AGM.

Wow, 54th member today, welcome to Mr M.Watts!

Or 53rd member has joined! Well done to Phil of Shoreham, who gets the t-shirt and mounted photo!

Long, but good 3 days at Model world, took £335.50 ,more then I said earlier today, my mistake, new booklet and card model sold well.These are available to members at the special rate of £2.00 for the booklet and £2.50 for the card model,let me know! Thanks to Pam, Simon, Ian, Brian, John H and John Z for helping me man the stand.

We go to Model world tomorrow night, hope to see some of you there.The new booklet on 53 and Brighton trams will be on sale for £2.50.If you can't get to Model world, you can always order from the 53 e-mail!

Long day on site.Did some more painting on 225, white area is almost primed, also did foot wells in Oxford Blue, very different!
53 got some more primer on each cab end and inside roof, some of the wood is ok, but floor on top has many rotten patches.Nice weather, also saw John the farmer, legal agreement is almost ready, so ...progress!

We have now reached membership of 48! Welcome aboard Mr. Jackson! We will have plenty to sell at Model world, with the new model and the booklet, Gordon Dinnage has done a great job on the booklet, so thanks Gordon!

I can now give you a price for the model, it is just£3. P and p would be £1.50, multiple orders all free for p and p! What are you waiting for?

Not much to report this week, preparation continues on Model World, and the display.Still trying to figure out switches for lights on 53 from old photos, and the interior area of the cabs.We need photos and plans!

You might question a model appearing on the blog, but Mr. John Howe of Kingsway Models, a fine purveyor of card kits has designed this simple yet realistic 4mm to the foot 53.Today I received two made examples in the post, and though the pictures are not the best, I am knocked out.You can pre-order yours, I will be getting a CD to the printers soon! Can't give a price just yet though. The 53 booklet is emerging, so a lot will be new at Model World!

Good day, today, Brian Cooper gave the society a very robust tool box, and when i got out to 53, Ian and Malcolm were on site! Ian and his wife connected more lights, see pics, whilst Malcolm had been rubbing down the cab wood work and assessing what needs re-placing.
I carried on with 225, the roof is now finished, and more painting has taken place, though I am not sure about Purple and Royal Blue! Also used a lot of wood hardener on both cab ends of 53, some rotten wood there, but this is not unexpected. Almost went through floor at the covered cab end, this is a damp area.Also did second coat on black metal work.

Preparations are under way for Model world, still waiting for the ownership papers, and 53 is getting a little more paint as per last month's picture.I hope to be out there next weekend,we have plenty of paint and sandpaper, so we can continue the first stage of protecting what is there and making 53 look less like a shed.225 will also be painted more, and a gloss coat can be applied to the upper body shortly.Still need one or two more Model world volunteers...

Got a £10 cheque today form one of our pensioner members, a very kind gesture.If any non members wish to receive the newsletter, please contact me, it is free.More paint and materials have been purchased for the two trams.

Out at 53 today, Ian has done more to the lights and added the shade to the top light. Cannot put into place, due to rotten wood on top deck, oh dear! Ian has also done some painting , so today I painted a bit more on 225, then on 53 inside the cab, sprayed clear varnish on both cab ends, painted all floor metal work black, and did a little painting on the outside. Please note a lot of this wood will need replacing, but I felt it was still worth painting a bit of primer on her!

What a great start to the year, my dear old dad had given 53 a £40 donation, bless him! Will be out at 53 next Tuesday I hope, you are welcome to join me!