The interior after it was swept.

The interior after it was swept.

The underneath is being cleared of wood.

The underneath is being cleared of wood.

Sample left of interior wood moulding.

Sample left of interior wood moulding.

Aera of the sliding door.main support is grooved!

Aera of the sliding door.main support is grooved!

New tools!

New tools!

Cab end B steels before treatment.

Cab end B steels before treatment.

A brum tram, also 3ft 6inch.

A brum tram, also 3ft 6inch.

And you thought Brighton had tight curves?

And you thought Brighton had tight curves?

Writing/numbers on the brake cylinder.

Writing/numbers on the brake cylinder.

The brake cylinder.

The brake cylinder.

53 in the sunshine.

53 in the sunshine.

The wood mountain destroyed!

The wood mountain destroyed!

A great display!

A great display!

You will buy!

You will buy!

Modelworld itself.

Modelworld itself.

The 53 team in action!

The 53 team in action!

53 items for sale!

53 items for sale!

Two lost locos in the Palau jungle.

Two lost locos in the Palau jungle.

battery way on the Rock, with more tram rails.

battery way on the Rock, with more tram rails.

Tram rails on Corregidor.

Tram rails on Corregidor.

Where I am going.

Where I am going.

The netting at the back.

The netting at the back.

Better.

Better.

The devil may care workers, feast in the tram of ice!

The devil may care workers, feast in the tram of ice!

Ice inside 225, proving the cold weather!

Ice inside 225, proving the cold weather!

How the pyramids were built, 53 style.

How the pyramids were built, 53 style.

Keeping fit, the 53 way.

Keeping fit, the 53 way.

53 might be better of then this, hope it gets restored.

53 might be better of then this, hope it gets restored.

Old buses!

Old buses!

Sleepers, do not disturb.

Sleepers, do not disturb.

Another shed view!

Another shed view!

Allan on the roof with the mesh!

Allan on the roof with the mesh!

A new view of 53 from the other shed roof!

A new view of 53 from the other shed roof!

Beautiful concrete sleepers!

Beautiful concrete sleepers!

A beautiful day for sleepers.

A beautiful day for sleepers.

What is this device in 225?

What is this device in 225?

Detail of the wood framing by the saloon door.

Detail of the wood framing by the saloon door.

You can now get round the back of 53.

You can now get round the back of 53.

The downs from 225.

The downs from 225.

Are these wheels lower?!

Are these wheels lower?!

Ken next to 53.

Ken next to 53.

the rear wheels off the ground!

the rear wheels off the ground!

The wood in place.

The wood in place.

The front wheels off the ground.

The front wheels off the ground.

The lift gang, where were the rest of you?

The lift gang, where were the rest of you?

The party crowd high on mince pies.

The party crowd  high on mince pies.

It's not santa, its El presidente!

It's not santa, its El presidente!

John Kempton braves the cold in the dockyard.

John Kempton braves the cold in the dockyard.

Our white van man, Tony, by a wrapped 53!

Our white van man, Tony, by a wrapped 53!

Parts of the Medway Queen.

Parts of the Medway Queen.

Gillingham wood.

Gillingham wood.

More wood for the lift.

More wood for the lift.

El Presidente and the roof of perpetual leaks!

El Presidente and the roof of perpetual leaks!

Malcolm's rubbing down reveals sound wood.

Malcolm's rubbing down reveals sound wood.

More metal restoration under the other cab end.

More metal restoration under the other cab end.

John loves red wood primer!

John loves red wood primer!

Big wood for the lift.

Big wood for the lift.

Both ends of 53 are now covered.

Both ends of 53 are now covered.

53 awaits our attention.

53 awaits our attention.

The foot bell painted by Allan Marriott.

The foot bell painted by Allan Marriott.

The top deck, haven't been here for a while!

The top deck, haven't been here for a while!

The jack collection.

The jack collection.

Are ye men or gods? Or just anoraks?

Are ye men or gods? Or just anoraks?

An existing brighton tram shelter.

An existing brighton tram shelter.

This shows a resistor box and controller, similar to 53s layout.

This shows a resistor box and controller, similar to 53s layout.

53 in June 1987, spot the difference!

53 in June 1987, spot the difference!

The rust treatment edges along 53.

The rust treatment edges along 53.

Roger's sorted wood.

Roger's sorted wood.

Richard's wood!

Richard's wood!

The orignal deep burgundy and a little cream revealed.

The orignal deep burgundy and a little cream revealed.

If you can find them, and they like your tram, the A team..

If you can find them, and they like your tram, the A team..

All black steels!

All black steels!

Some original paint revealed.

Some original paint revealed.

Pevensey Malcolm's new path.

Pevensey Malcolm's new path.

The controls of the showboat, note tea facility!

The controls of the showboat, note tea facility!

Our works officer rode this beauty on Friday!

Our works officer rode this beauty on Friday!

One of the high quality layouts at kew.

One of the high quality layouts at kew.

Kew is an old pumping station, here is an example of the machinery.

Kew is an old pumping station, here is an example of the machinery.

Magnus Volks original model of the Daddy Longlegs, made by the man himself!

Magnus Volks original model of the Daddy Longlegs, made by the man himself!

Why it's Ian Gledhill, Volks supremo, Ian Buck and Tony Marsh at the 53 stand.

Why it's Ian Gledhill, Volks supremo, Ian Buck and Tony Marsh at the 53 stand.

Our new foot bell next to the original 53 bell holder.

Our new foot bell next to the original 53 bell holder.

These guys deserve money, or at least beer!

These guys deserve money, or at least beer!

Carriage paint finish on the frames.

Carriage paint finish on the frames.

The frame of the broken up tram.

The frame of the broken up tram.

How 53 will look again, a 1939 shot of an F class.

How 53 will look again,  a 1939 shot of an F class.

A Brighton tram being broken up in the early sixties.

A Brighton tram being broken up in the early sixties.

Two new key rings for sale.

Two new key rings for sale.

The prototype of the 53 clock, let your favourite tram tell you the time!

The prototype of the 53 clock, let your favourite tram tell you the time!

2nd coat of red oxide.

2nd coat of red oxide.

Slog squad on the case.

Slog squad on the case.

The last bolt in at the front cab end!

The last bolt in at the front cab end!

Bell device from inside cab.

Bell device from inside cab.

The metro at Wolverhampton.

The metro at Wolverhampton.

Oh, I am a tram driver! Sad middle aged boy!

Oh, I am a tram driver! Sad middle aged boy!

Top deck of Bournemouth tram.

Top deck of Bournemouth tram.

Similar colours to 53.

Similar colours to 53.

Another day of tram therapy.

Another day of tram therapy.

These windows once opened!

These windows once opened!

More red oxide, and the new nuts in place.Notice El Presidente's legs!

More red oxide, and the new nuts in place.Notice El Presidente's legs!

The dynamic duo tackle the last remaining windows, kerpow, zonk!

The dynamic duo tackle the last remaining windows, kerpow, zonk!

Roger gets serious with the grinder!

Roger gets serious with the grinder!

How repairs should be done, the Bluebell!

How repairs should be done, the Bluebell!

Tram shelter spotted in Stanmer park, in the museum grounds.

Tram shelter spotted in Stanmer park, in the museum grounds.

The chefs prepare the A La Tesco menu!

The chefs prepare the A La Tesco menu!

The banner on 225

The banner on 225

The open day at 53.

The open day at 53.

Picture of the under floor gong.

Picture of the under floor gong.

Odd little device that holds up the wood lengths at the cab front.

Odd little device that holds up the wood lengths at the cab front.

Why we need mahogany!

Why we need mahogany!

More painted steels underneath.

More painted steels underneath.

First coat of red oxide.

First coat of red oxide.

ORIGINAL BTON TRAM TRACK, NOTE SLOTS FOR TIES.

ORIGINAL BTON TRAM TRACK, NOTE SLOTS FOR TIES.

IAN ENJOYS THE GREAT BRITISH SUMMER!

IAN ENJOYS THE GREAT BRITISH SUMMER!

THE MAGNUS VOLK ARCH OFFICE

THE MAGNUS VOLK  ARCH OFFICE

THREE MEMBERS ENJOY THE VOLKS EXPERIENCE!

THREE MEMBERS ENJOY THE VOLKS EXPERIENCE!

There is work to do here!

There is work to do here!

The naked framing of the front cab!

The naked framing of the front cab!

El Presidente shows off his dirty state.

El Presidente shows off his dirty state.

The front is off!

The front is off!

53 with less glass. Notice all the glass is marked for reference. .

53 with less glass. Notice all the glass is marked for reference. .

El presidente underneath 53, with the green goo.

El presidente underneath 53, with the green goo.

Malcolm starts to unscrew the windows.

Malcolm starts to unscrew the windows.

John and Richard work on the cab windows.

John and Richard work on the cab windows.

El presidetnte attempts to increase the attacking value of the society!

El presidetnte attempts to increase the attacking value of the society!

Inside the Oporto tram, with the missus acting as glamorous tram buff!

Inside the Oporto tram, with the missus acting as glamorous tram buff!

El Presidente next to an Oporto tram.

El Presidente next to an Oporto tram.

We need this truck!

We need this truck!

Richard Gs, huge wad of, er plastic stuff!

Richard Gs, huge wad of, er plastic stuff!

Serious corriosion, this needs welding.

Serious corriosion, this needs welding.

Ready to de- rust.

Ready to de- rust.

Green rust goo!

Green rust goo!

Nice display of buses at Lewes.

Nice display of buses at Lewes.

The first rally, with the new banner.

The first rally, with the new banner.

The offical banner.

The offical banner.

Original fretwork in the Hastings trams.

Original fretwork in the Hastings trams.

Hastings Tramway poster from the 20s, beautiful illustration

Hastings Tramway poster from the 20s, beautiful illustration

53 and Hastings group shot.

53 and Hastings group shot.

Hastings Tram HQ!

Hastings Tram HQ!

Inside a Hastings tram.

Inside a Hastings tram.

Another picture of rail supports in Queens Park Road.

Another picture of rail supports in Queens Park Road.

Tram rails in Queens park Road, reused as track supports.

Tram rails in Queens park Road, reused as track supports.

The stall at the May day rally!

The stall at the May day rally!

Most of the cab floor gone, the rest can only be removed when the top floor is supported.

Most of the cab floor gone, the rest can only be removed when the top floor is supported.

Was this the reset button mounting for the tram guard?

Was this the reset button mounting for the tram guard?

One o'clock tea, why the UK was created by God!

One o'clock tea, why the UK was created by God!

More under the floor, air pipes for the brakes.

More under the floor, air pipes for the brakes.

El presidente and Allan get serious with 53s floor!i

El presidente and Allan get serious with 53s floor!i

Was this a fixing point for the truck?

Was this a fixing point for the truck?

A general view.

A general view.

Was this the foot bell mechanics?

Was this the foot bell mechanics?

Master brake cylinder of 53.

Master brake cylinder of 53.

The president's desk.

The president's desk.

225 ready for business.

225 ready for business.

Is this 225 in happier days?

Is this 225 in happier days?

Here is a Graz tram in the 60s.

Here is a Graz tram in the 60s.

Inside the works car.

Inside the works car.

It all seemed to go back in time to Nuremberg, Who is this weirdo?

It all seemed to go back in time to Nuremberg, Who is this weirdo?

membership stuggle to keep awake, as El presidente exhorts the society to a five year plan.

membership stuggle to keep awake, as El presidente exhorts the society to a five year plan.

Works car 1 in the second half of our galalxy spanning visit!

Works car 1 in the second half of our galalxy spanning visit!

More milling!

More milling!

53 in the spring sunlight.

53 in the spring sunlight.

Members mill around 53.

Members mill around 53.

53rd member Phil waits for his t-shirt and picture!

53rd member Phil waits for his t-shirt and picture!

A cup of tea inside 53, essential for the British worker!

A cup of tea inside 53, essential for the British worker!

Malcolm shows his Picasso side.

Malcolm shows his Picasso side.

Simon Cole takes a break from rubbing down

Simon Cole takes a break from rubbing down

Another view of the wiring pole, this deserves better...

Another view of the wiring pole, this deserves better...

The last Bton tram pole rusts at Amberley, what a waste.

The last Bton tram pole rusts at Amberley, what a waste.

Simon Coles tram added to our display as it did a circular!!

Simon Coles tram added to our display as it did a circular!!

Your friendly 53 society mamgaement pose at Model world,just another 53 day.

Your friendly 53 society mamgaement pose at Model world,just another 53 day.

The 53 stand at bton Modelworld, with John Hayward and Ian Buck.

The 53 stand at bton Modelworld, with John Hayward and Ian Buck.

Still some leaks in 225, @~!!*

Still some leaks in 225, @~!!*

staircase area gets second coat

staircase area gets second coat

The other end gets some paint.

The other end gets some paint.

225 has a second primer coat

225 has a second primer coat

53 with paint front and rear!

53 with paint front and rear!

More paint on 53

More paint on 53

Two 53 models, is this possible!?

Two 53 models, is this possible!?

The card model

The card model

Another view of the prototype, should be on sale at Model World next month!

Another view of the prototype, should be on sale at Model World next month!

Thanks to Kingsway Models, the prototype 53 card model!

Thanks to Kingsway Models, the prototype 53 card model!

225 gets more primer1

225 gets more primer1

The other cab end, a lot of rotten wood here.

The other cab end, a lot of rotten wood here.

225 is becoming a workshop/office!

225 is becoming a workshop/office!

Blue and purple, this could be a case for the taste police, the paint was free though!

Blue and purple, this could be a case for the taste police, the paint was free though!

225 from 53

225 from 53

Outside wood treated with hardener.

Outside wood treated with hardener.

More lights!

More lights!

the decay at the covered end.

the decay at the covered end.

53 interior with some new lights

53 interior with some new lights

All white now, well almost!

All white now, well almost!

A little step forward.....

A little step forward.....

More paint on the cab roof, with Ian's restored rear lamp on!

More paint on the cab roof, with Ian's restored rear lamp on!

Richard G, aka, billy the cat checks 53s upper deck!

Richard G, aka, billy the cat checks 53s upper deck!

let there be light, thanks to Ian Buck!

let there be light, thanks to Ian Buck!

Ian's lights for 53

Ian's lights  for 53

El predidente works on the Graz tram roof on a cold November day!

El predidente works on the Graz tram roof on a cold November day!

the works car at the old steine

the works car at the old steine

53 from the top of the Gratz tram, 1st september 2010

53 from the top of the Gratz tram, 1st september 2010

no.1 in her former glory, thanks to James for the pic!

no.1 in her former glory, thanks to James for the pic!

no 1 door and handles

no 1 door and handles

A better view of the works car

A better view of the works car

the works car in it's rustic setting

the works car in it's rustic setting

close up of the works car

close up of the works car

World exclusive, a second Bton tram exists! The former works car became a garden shed for the trolley bus manager, in a garden he designed!

the Gratz tram is also used as a display site

the Gratz tram is also used as a display site

Malcolm demonstrates his painting skills on the gratz tram!

Malcolm demonstrates his painting skills on the gratz tram!

Told you it is big!

Told you it is big!

Huge corporation map of the trams, at lewes Road depot, age unknown.

Huge corporation map of the trams, at lewes Road depot, age unknown.

El Presidente catches the pm Gratz tram, whilst deftly nibbiling a banana!

El Presidente catches the pm Gratz tram, whilst deftly nibbiling a banana!

Gratz tram and 53, look carefully!

Gratz tram and 53, look carefully!

Unloading the Gratz tram

Unloading the Gratz tram

inside our new club house, and I am serious!

inside our new club house, and I am serious!

Our new club house!!

Our new club house!!

53 being de-tramed, 1939.

53 being de-tramed, 1939.

pre-war transport history coming back to life

pre-war transport history coming back to life

underneath is not too bad,

underneath is not too bad,

air brake handle

air brake handle

I'm a tram driver!

I'm a tram driver!

the inside looking a bit cleaner.

the inside looking a bit cleaner.

first work party on 53 22nd of May!

first work party on 53 22nd of May!

if only bton Buses could match these fares!

if only bton Buses could match these fares!

Clark's bread and walks!!

Clark's bread and walks!!

side view of the model

side view of the model

model of F class tram

model of F class tram

says more about you then money! Or did!

says more about you then money! Or did!

another beautiful badge!

another beautiful badge!

tokens

tokens

parcels service advert

parcels service advert

cap badges

cap badges

A pass!

A pass!

certificate for passing the motorman test

certificate for passing the motorman test

badge from a brighton Tram, showing it built by the Corporation!

badge from a brighton Tram, showing it built by the Corporation!

the trams did have a parcels service.

the trams did have a parcels service.

button

button

the tramway band

the tramway band

cap badge of t'corporation

cap badge of t'corporation

more of Lewes road tram lines

Tram lines in lewes road depot, where 53 was built.

Tram lines in lewes road depot, where 53 was built.

tram 53 interior

tram 53 interior

Saturday 25 May 2013

25th of May photos.

25th of May.

Thank goodness at least one person joined me today, I would have felt very unmotivated. Malcolm Chambers turned up and together we removed a side panel of the metal skin, though it was Malcolm mostly doing this by drilling the screws out. I continued priming and de-rusting the cross members and bolts and managed to replace one of the rear bolts for the platform steels, it was a nice day out there. We need to get the new end of the building up shortly, so we need a special workday with anyone who has some building skills to do this, the date will be announced shortly, please can you help?

Sunday 19 May 2013

19th 0f May

Please note, work party next Saturday, if you can please get out there, we need to get the extension sorted. I have been in contact with the Charities commission and finally have a management name to speak to. It seems they might have lost the application that Ray sent in, not just the amended constitution, I won't type the words I would dearly like to use, but ... all this in addition to not ringing me back FOUR times. let us hope that finally the monolith moves.I have given the lights a quick clean and spray as well as all chrome work, WD 40 and polish reveals some good chrome work still in place! Roger and Sheila Sharman are busy on a display at Volks railway, more useful publicity for us and thank you to Volks for the space.

Sunday 12 May 2013

12th of May.

If you don't know already, we have a Facebook page, https://facebook.com/Brightontram53society, please visit and say like! A few more details about the fittings. At the H.C.V.S rally last week a gentlemen came up to the stand and said" I have some F class tram bits, would you like them?" After looking like a stunned merecat, El Presidente said yes, big please and took contact details. We all stood there afterwards and wondered that such things could happen.The gent concerned was Brian Johnson and is a long time bus and public transport fan, who is actively involved in Amberley as well as a lot of groups.A pair of Brighton "F" class trams stood at Fittleworth, West Sussex in the early 60s, numbers 63 and 54 and though they couldn't save them , they drew plans and stripped the fittings. Brian has waited almost fifty years, but when he saw we had signed up and were progressing, he felt the time had come to pass these very important fittings on.... thank you from us all Sir.

Saturday 11 May 2013

11th of May, where the new items go and work from today.

11th of May

El Presidente stumbled out of bed after another gig and got to 53 about 11.30.He removed the last floor brace, cleaned up and rust treated the metal and gave it a first coat of primer.The other struts got their second coat and some of the bolts got cleaned up. Bad news was that as I tried to get a screw out of one of the step plates it broke into 3, but i think this is repairable. it was the one that came with 53 and closer inspection revealed a rusty fracture line. These were recycled and this could date back much earlier then 1936! I also did some comparison shots with the new items to give you an idea of where they go.I am now cream crackered and a bath awaits......

Thursday 9 May 2013

May 16th, fittings.

May 16th.

The following pictures give a bit more detail of the bounty for 53. As well as the step, the door hangers and the second metal step plate, you will see door fittings, curtain hooks, curtain rings and the upper window handles. The wooden parts are bell covers that went on the pillars between each window and note we have enough lights to do the lower saloon. The parts came from trams 63 and 54, more later on the story...

May the 9th, the new pen! Also a few bits of tram, more later.....

Wednesday 8 May 2013

May the 8th.

Great news, we have the second batch of the new pens in dark blue!!! Yes, you can now have a two pen set with the words tram 53 on, wild eh? Members £1.50, non members £2.00 per pen, will put up photos soon. On a more mundane level, if anyone is interested, we now own a complete set of lower saloon lights, curtain hooks, a platform step, door lock and latch, saloon door hangers, some original seat fabric, another door step with BTC on and some interior wood work , as well as two full sets of door handles, quarter light wood supports , and bell mountings for the lower saloon. Might put some pics up, if anyone wants, let me know, yawn.Oh, there might be a slim chance of a saloon door, but .....

Monday 6 May 2013

Notice for this Sunday's work party.

Please note, i cannot make this Sunday, so I will be out at 53 on Saturday for a few hours, you are welcome to join me if that is easier, otherwise best of luck for Sunday!

Sunday 5 May 2013

H. C.V S rally, 5th of May.

5th of May, HCVS rally, Brighton.

The early morning sun caught El Presidente stumbling from his bed after a fun gig in Rotherfield. I met up with Gordon Dinnage to set up shop on Brighton seafront for the H.C.V.S rally. John Hayward, Malcolm Chambers and Ian and Margaret Fairhead were also in attendance.After watching a white van been towed off the site we set up the stand, which gradually collected money through out the day. A fantastic procession of commercial vehicles appeared and we saw some superb examples of vehicle preservation.We raised the grand sum of £92.50, an excellent result and we have an offer of some "F" class tram spares, more on that soon. If you haven't joined and are reading this, join now,things are happening....