Machines and tickets

29th of August

Met David Grimstone at Conway Street bus depot today. David is one of our members who works on the buses and he had a ticket machine, old boxes and tram coins! He had helped clear out a retiring bus man's house and came up with this lot,see pictures.The ticket machine is a Bell Punch Solomatic,from 1966 and was used on the first one man buses.He also has stacks of the tramway post office tokens, which are been sold on E-bay for silly money! There are also accident forms for buses and trolley buses, will report back, once I have delved more, thanks David.

25th of August

25th of August

Only one of the the work party to turn up, I guess the early rain put others off, but weather was ok on site. I can't say that this makes you feel that you are part of something. Drew up some more plans of the lower saloon interior, then painted 225 on the outside and tried a new rustproofing technique on the steels underneath 53. New member Darren popped in for a quick visit and we discussed what to do and where to put the truck.

Stanmer Park

21st August

I am putting up some pictures of Stanmer park, re a possible running site for 53. I drove the route which goes from the park entrance to the manor house and wondered if it would make a good 53 route.It goes somewhere to somewhere, and is very close to Falmer Stadium and rail station, but would the people of Stanmer want it? Food for thought, also work party this Saturday, last for August, I hope not the last for a while.

18th of August.

Found camera in back of car, so I have now published picture of our oldest member Maurice Wheatley in front of 53.It was a pleasure to see Maurice out there, and I am still stunned over his generous donation. I am sad to report that the agreement with the farmer has hit a change of heart.We agreed that last year 53 will never be worth much in a financial sense, but is priceless as a piece of history. I won't go into details, but this agreement seems to have been forgotten and at the moment it is all in the balance. I am satisfied that we have presented a fair agreement and if greed does enter the equation then I know the society will have to walk, period. Don't lose hope, but dear reader be aware that members will not do this at any price, because I know I won't. It will be a great pity if greed or just plain avarice stops a project that can happen. I know that 53 will not have another chance like this, so many good things have happened or appeared, so let us hope that the gods of tram beneficence will continue this run, and we can get on with this most worthy restoration.

Maurice in front of 53.

16th of August.

Our oldest member Maurice Wheatley came out for the first time to visit 53 today. Maurice either rode either 53 or 52 when they were running in 1938/9! It brought back a lot of memories for him and it was a pleasure to show him 53. he has also given a £100 to the truck fund, a very big gesture for a pensioner, thank you sir.I have left my camera out there, so I cannot give you any pictures today, sorry! If anyone is passing.....

12th of August

12th of August

I am pleased to announce that the second trailer section is no more! Thanks to Malcolm Chambers, new member Darren Franklin with his snazzy socket sets and myself, we finally cleared the carriage from under 53, so it is now an empty space.This has been haunting me for a while, so despite feeling totally knackered, I am happy. It took a lot of brute force between us. John is ruminating the agreement, and I expect to hear from him this side of the 21st century, it is about time he got into gear and the agreement was closed. You might detect a little sarcasm in my jottings,but no, I am not angry about this delay, merely ready to invade Poland and cause WW3, a small anger management conflict!.

9th of August

9th of August.

Out at 53 today, mostly work on 225. See picture for brighter looking tram! Also measured saloon roof of 53 for cad plan as mentioned before. Next work party this SUNDAY, at 11am!

The Agreement.

I have finally posted the agreement to John the farmer! Our charity status should be sorted soon, and Tony Belcher has generously given us more 53 pens, yours for £1.50!

Tinkers Park

Tinkers Park

Did both days at Tinkers park, not terribly busy, made about £40 a day. Did give out a lot of leaflets, so hopefully a few new members, and we did make some useful contacts for 53 for future work. I did think at times about what I could be doing, but I guess the Olympics didn't help, heathen sports, &**$%% etc!

2nd August Pics.

2nd August

Back from a short break to the in laws in Birmingham and then to Welshpool in Wales. Pictures attached of both, nice narrow gauge railway in Wales, and Brum tram is same gauge as ours. Truck transport is next on the agenda, and don't forget, we are at Tinkers Park this weekend for the rail fest, see you there!