WYTHALL WORKS
Once the Museum had closed for the winter (actually until early March) the opportunity was taken to do some reorganisation of the vehicles stored at the sides of the Shire and Scania Halls. The overall aims were to make better use of the space at the side of the Scania Hall by placing some of the long term residents there, to extract the next battery electric vehicle due for restoration, and to make space round some vehicles intended only for spares enabling the required parts to be removed and then the rest disposed of.
The creation of space on the Pearl (what was Resolution and previously Britannic) side of the Shire Hall will in due course allow vehicles to be moved from the other side of the Shire Hall and, ultimately, clear that space to allow extension of the Shire Hall.
For the record, the vehicles now at the side of the Scania Hall are a Leyland National used for storage, the 1685 Group's COG lorry, the SON works 'Tug', one of the D7s converted to a towing lorry (otherwise known at the D3˝!), the purple ex-WMPTE Fleetline, Tim Clayton's AEC Merlin and an electric vehicle used as a wood store. The electric vehicle extracted so restoration work can commence is ROA127, a Morrison-Electricar originally owned by Birmingham Co-op.
As well as the vehicle moves, two Leyland engines which had been outside since the installation of the replacement engine in Fleetline 6311 were moved in to the Blueline stores where Adrian Thomas hopes to make one good one out of two. Thanks to all who achieved this major reorganisation, including Pete Murphy and his Matador, Alex Potts, Reece Kells, Kevin Hill, John Richards, Geoff Hodkinson, Paul Gray and Dave Taylor.
Other things happening round the site include the repainting of the railway bridge. Cliff Byrne is doing this sizeable job although jokes about being like the Forth Bridge and he will have to start again as soon as he has finished are not appreciated. Maurice Collignon meanwhile has finished painting all the GWR fencing, including the bit near the bridge in to GWR colours. Six new picnic tables have been delivered to replace three which had become unsafe and to increase this popular facility.
The Mess Room now has a door fitted by Kevin and Alex, but perhaps not in keeping with the 'Bodgett & Leggitt' image required on the Seventies Day. Moving inside the Leo Coley has managed to do some electronic magic and get the big ex-Bull Ring Bus Station clock to work. Leo has also cleaned and painted the clock so the next job is to mount it in the Power Hall.
Also ready for mounting is the O C Power memorial plaque presented to the Trust when Digbeth coach station closed. Pete Murphy has made and Mike Jordan painted a wooden board for the plaque to be mounted on. The café and shop were cleared of any stock that might be affected by cold and damp conditions over winter and Terri Potts cleared out redundant items which had accumulated in the café.
Phil Ireland
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
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