Crich versus mould

For many years, there have been concerns regarding the ability of the main depots at Crich Tramway Village to protect their valuable contents. Condensation has been an issue in the past and, with increasingly mild and wet winters, the depots are providing ideal conditions for the growth of mould – something which is severely affecting the priceless vintage trams. The Tramway Museum Society are finally seeking to resolve this serious problem with plans to upgrade the depots, and funding for this is now being sought.

It is acknowledged that the museum would benefit from additional depot space at Crich, ideally enough to house the entire vehicle collection on site, relieving the need to house certain cars at Clay Cross. However, for the time being, the huge cost of constructing new depots is likely to make this goal out of reach and so a proposal has been made to rebuild and improve the existing running sheds. It is hoped to provide the main depots – which date back to the 1960s – with a new, fully insulated roof, insulated doors, partition walling and extra wall insulation. At the same time, the museum’s responsibilities as an educational charity would also be recognised; it is hoped to provide improved interpretation panels, and to install greatly improved lighting to create a much improved display to visitors.

The cost of this ambitious project is expected to be around £400,000. The TMS are hopeful to obtain grant funding which will cover almost half of that amount, but even then a figure of approximately £200,000 will need to be raised to carry out the work. The Society is therefore appealing to its members and other supporters for donations – however big or small – to make this happen. Your trams need you!

There can be no doubting the severity of the present situation. Mould has become a serious problem affecting several trams, including some which have only benefited from major renovation in the last few years. To spend vast sums of money restoring trams only to then place them in such an environment is not really acceptable practice and so improving the depots should really be considered a higher priority than restoring more trams, even though it is admittedly less exciting! As an example, Sheffield 74 has not operated this year due to unsightly mould growth on its top deck ceiling, which will need to be replaced completely. The recently restored upholstery on Sheffield 510 and the brand new curtains on London United Tramways 159 have also suffered and required regular cleaning. To help protect its extravagent interior, LUT 159 has been moved to the Exhibition Hall for temporary storage over winter but obviously it is not possible to house all the trams inside it making the need for depot improvements very real.

The sum of money needed to undertake this important work is obviously huge, but hopefully the appeal for funds will attract support as the improvements to the depots are vital if the museum is to continue to preserve and conserve its priceless collection of historic trams.

* Anyone wishing to donate can contact Andrew Watkins, Financial Controller at andrew.watkins@tramway.co.uk who will be able to supply more information on how to contribute to the project.

Sheffield 74 is seen on the depot fan on 5th November, when it was opened up for inspection to highlight the affects of mould on this tram. Behind, LUT 159 is seen being moved on the traverser to spend its winter hibernation in the relatively warm and dry conditions in the Exhibition Hall. (Photo by Andrew Waddington)