For the last time in 2008 it is time to have a round-up of all the latest news to do with the trams at the Crich Tramway Village – home of the National Tramway Museum. This month we feature updates from Cardiff 131, LUT 159, Leeds 180, Sheffield Works 330, MET 331, Blackpool Electric Locomotive (717), Tower Wagon 3 and Glasgow Cable Drum Carrier.
We start off, as ever, with Cardiff 131. The restoration is now nearing completion and both lining and lettering are currently being applied. Works which remains to be completed includes some modifications to the lifeguard mechanism, the water system piping and valves, the manufacture and installation of track scrubber gear and testing of the car and equipment. The latest photos of the tram can be seen on Richard Lomas’ excellent blog here.
Work is also continuing on the other major restoration project at the Museum - LUT 159. The latest work has seen progress being made on the saloon interior mouldings and fittings with a review due to take place soon on the agreed work programme. Photos of the first appearance of 159 outside can also be found on Richard Lomas’ blog here.
MET 331 remains in the Workshop undergoing overhaul as well with the bolsters having been reassembled in the bogie frames. The compressor has been mounted on to its cradle for installation when the bogies are fitted. Problems with the wheel brake slide blocks have been rectified by the contractor who did the original work. All the electrical equipment has been overhauled whilst the track brake mounting frames have been assembled and air tanks have been refitted to the body underside.
Repair work to the accident damage on Sheffield Works 330, which will make the tram safe to use in the short term, has been completed. However, further work will be required in the future because the collision impact distorted the platform bearer locations and a rebuild of the platform will be needed to fix this.
Quotations for the recovering of all the seating on Leeds 180 are being obtained and replacement of spring interiors and stuffing materials will be considered if required. Update: The tram was moved to the Workshop for all its seats to be removed before work can commence on the recovering – photos of the tram in the Workshop and the removed seating can be found on Richard Lomas’s blog here.
The overhauled hydraulic ram from Tower Wagon 3 has been returned and has been refitted to the vehicle. No problems have been reported with its use.
Work continues on Blackpool Electric Loco 717 with the controller now being overhauled. Some rust spots on the body panels have received attention and work on the axleboxes, suspension and brake gear is continuing.
The Glasgow Welding Trailer has been stripped of the majority of the modifications which made it into a Welding Trailer and it is now to be known as the Glasgow Cable Drum Carrier. The wagon will carry tools and equipment in support of permanent way maintenance along with Cardiff 131. The welding set from the wagon is to be stored at Clay Cross.
* Progress also continues on the trackwork at Wakebridge. For full details of this work please visit Richard Lomas’s blog here where up-to-date photos are regularly added. Also visit this site for all the latest sights from the Museum site.
* This news is taken from Contact: The Newsletter of the Tramway Museum Society. The only way to receive this monthly is to become a member of the Tramway Museum Society. As well as this monthly newsletter membership carries with it the right to a free copy of the Society’s illustrated quarterly Journal, free admission and free rides on the trams when the Museum is open to the public, and a voice in running Britain’s National Tramway Museum. Full details on how to join can be found here.
Source: Contact from the Tramway Museum Society