Whilst the event has inevitably dominated (taken over?!) life lately, other things have been taking place in this department, a smattering of which are shown here.

Below: A request from a TMS member to compare 1068 and 114’s liveries resulted in the pair being placed alongside each other today in order that the two schemes could be closely contrasted.  The Newcastle livery is thought to be based on the Glasgow scheme (indeed, 114’s order, placed with Hurst Nelson, is thought to state that livery is to be that of Glasgow) – a result of Newcastle’s first electric tramway manager being ex Glasgow.  Here they are together – similar but certainly not identical!  But really not that far apart, paint shades considered.

Below: Planet and its train were loaded onto Duncan and James Milner’s lorries today, ready for their return to Manchester this afternoon.

Below: A short-term resident is Fletcher Jennings No.2 ‘Dolgoch’s boiler – it was brought in on Duncan Milner’s trailer after being collected from the Severn Valley Railway at Bridgnorth (where a new boiler was built two years ago).  We are temporary host before it moves on to pastures new later this year and the boiler is not on public display though visible from public areas.

Below: We have been given this former Showman’s living van, ex Lincolnshire Museums.  It will probably be overhauled for use at our fairground, though such work is not scheduled for an immediate start.

Below: The B-Type bus has now had its decks separated and both sections moved to the Erecting Shop for a new roof to be fitted, the repaint to be completed and reupholstered seats reinstalled.  hopefully the move will accelerate work, the vehicle fitting shop not being an ideal location for the painting and seating work to take place!