Kenny Mac and myself went on a scouting mission up to Portlethan last night (16th Nov) to see how this collection (we had been told a "small" collection) worked.
Wow .. These were pristine vehicles in the very best of surroundings. Pampered springs to mind and believe me the vehicles deserve it.
They have all been restored to top condition and the way they are being looked after they will remain in this condition for a long time to come.
The spread that had been laid on for us visitors was truly fantastic. Tea, coffee, juice, beer, you name it. Crisps, sandwiches, and the best, fresh from the barbie lumps of beautiful roast beef on a roll I have had in a long time.
This is a class club and a class collection. We will remember this visit for a long time to come.
A number of contributors very generously gave us permission to display their photographs in our recent exhibition and it's only right we acknowledge them here.
Many thanks then to:
George Bett, Dick Gilbert, John Law, Andrew Macintosh, Donald MacRae, Paul S A Redmond, Nettletea, North East Bus Photos, Derek Simpson, Donald Stirling, Taybus Vintage Vehicle Society (John Fraser, John Mackie and Jim Patrickson), Tayport Dave, D. C. Thomson (Barbara Briggs and Derek McKimmie), Keith Till and Michael & Peter Waller.
We are delighted with the number of people who have taken the time to contact us after viewing our first ever exhibition in Dundee's Central Library within the Wellgate Centre.
Not only have we had a number of people wanting to help us in our quest to open a permanent Museum of Transport but we have also had a number of important items offered for future display.
Due to the popularity of the exhibition it won't now be ending until Wednesday 10th November 2010. Full details of the extended opening times are available by clicking here (external link).
We would like to build on the success of this exhibition by mounting an even bigger one next year and hopefully have it open for much longer as well. If you know of a possible location we could use, ideally with enough space for some of our vintage vehicles, please get in touch either by leaving a comment below or through our contact page.
When we were compiling the near 100 photographs for Dundee's City Buses in the 20th Century we were extremely lucky to have the support of many people who generously gave us permission to use their images.
This allowed us to cover most of the important developments ranging from Scotland's first trolley bus service in 1912 through to Scotland's first low floor double deck bus in 1998.
However one memorable photograph still managed to elude us. Taken to mark the start of the Tayway service towards the end of 1980 a Northern Scottish coach, a Tayside Ailsa bus and a British Railways diesel train were lined-up to mark the launch of this new joint service.
To date the only copy of the photograph we have is from the front of the inaugural timetable which isn't of a good enough quality for us to use.
If you have a copy of the original photograph taken for this event, or know where we could get a copy, please get in touch through our contact us page or leave a comment under this post.
After months of planning Dundee Museum of Transport's first exhibition in the Wellgate's Central Library opened on Friday 22 October and runs until Saturday 6 November 2010.
Dundee's Lord Provost John Letford opened the exhibition by unveiling a special visitors book and said that the plans for a Transport Museum have the full support of Dundee City Council. Pictured below with Mr. Letford are Terry Small (left) and Jimmy McDonell (right).
In addition a restored Tayside Regional Council bus was on display in the City Square to publicise the exhibition and to hand out copies of the Museum's promotional leaflet to those hardy shoppers braving the heavy rain.
Many of the early visitors commented on how well the exhibition has been put together and wished the project well. Over the course of the next few weeks some of the items on display will be changed as the limited space meant that it wasn't possible to include everything at the same time. So a repeat visit will certainly be worthwhile.
Ten days ago we posted a picture of four buses parked in Maryfield Depot, the proposed home for Dundee Museum of Transport, and asked for the common link between all four.
From the front are Daimler CVG6 number 184 ETS964 (new 1955), AEC Regent III number 137 CYJ252 (new 1953), Daimler CVD6 number 127 AYJ379 (new 1951) and Ailsa 300 WTS272T (new 1979, converted 1983).
The link is that all four buses have been saved for preservation. Taybus Vintage Vehicle Society care for 184 (front) and 300 (rear), Dundee City Council care for 127 (third from front) and 137 is privately owned.
On Saturday 9 October 2010 Dundee's edition of The Courier newspaper publicised the Transport Museum's search for what happened to the Corporation Transport Department clock fixed to the side of the Caird Hall.
We have checked with Dundee City Council's Museum and Art Galleries division and they have no record of it having been transferred to their care. Could it really just have been disposed of when it was taken down?
The earliest dated picture we have of the clock in place is from September 1951:
This photograph is most likely from 1974 or 1975 and by this time the clock has been removed:
In fact the marks left by the clock are still visible today.
If you can help us in our search for the clock and its history please leave us a comment below or get in touch through our contact page.
Over the past few months I've been trawling through literally hundreds of photographs of Dundee's city buses from 1912 to 1998 for our forthcoming exhibition.
It has been great seeing so many views from the past and hopefully you'll enjoy seeing a small selection of them in the Central Library from 22 October - 6 November 2010.
However one picture in particular got me thinking. There used to be a magnificent clock mounted on the side of the Caird Hall at the Crichton Street/Shore Terrace junction. But where is it now?
I'm guessing it may have been taken down when Tayside House was built, but was it simply disposed of or has it been put into safe storage?
If the clock still exists how about putting it back in the same place when Tayside House is demolished and the area opened up again?
If the clock had indeed been lost, then maybe a replica could still be created and put back in place?
Click on the 'comments' link below if you know anything about what happened to the clock and if you would like to see it restored to its rightful place.
Last Sunday we posted a picture of 8 Daimler buses outside the Maryfield Dock Street depot and asked which one had been saved for preservation. Well, the answer was number 161 PYJ461L as highlighted below.
Now, here's another great line-up but this time inside Maryfield. What do the four buses have in common?
22nd October - 6th November 2010
For the first time since we were formed in February 2010 Dundee Museum of Transport is mounting an exhibition at Dundee's Central Library in the Wellgate Centre.
This is our chance to share with you some aspects of Dundee's fascinating transport history. Read about Scotland's first passenger rail service. Did a Dundee man beat the Wright brothers to the first powered flight? See one of Scotland's first ambulances. Come and rekindle your memories of Dundee's old buses and trams. Plus we want to hear about your memories about Dundee transport from the past.
The exhibition runs from Friday 22nd October 2010 until Saturday 6 November 2010 and full opening times and location details are available by clicking here (external link).
PS Which Daimler from the above line-up at Maryfield Dock Street has been saved for preservation?
Saturday 4th of September was the official re-opening of Lochee's rejuvenated High Street. The Dundee Museum of Transport were approached by Dundee City Council, at short notice to see if we could possibly put on a display of interesting vehicles. We said we would do our best. So we set about contacting members and friends to see who was available to bring some of our vehicles along to set off the big day. We ended up with 15 classic vehicles ( including possibly a bus from the legendary Napper Tamsins) following the pipe band parading down the High St. The crowds that had came to see the celebration seemed to enjoy our vehicles very much. It has to be said it must be some time since a 1942 Ferret Scout car was in Lochee high St I think we should be very proud to have been able to pull this one out of the bag with about a weeks notice to organise it all.
Dundee Museum of Transport ran a competition when they were showing their vehicles at the Friends of Baxter Park fun day. It must have been a difficult one because from all the many entrants only one person got all the answers correct. Museum supporter Dean Hutton of Fintry is the mastermind who managed to follow all the clues online and give the right answers. The prize was a £20 voucher of the winner's choice, and Dean elected to take the cash. Dean is seen here receiving his prize from Jimmy and Terry before inspecting the Rolls Royce, vintage Rover and the latest project - a Leyland Titan bus currently undergoing restoration. Well done Dean!
Work moves on apace with Mike's bus. Today we started two young lads from Claverhouse group stripping the old paint off and they are doing a fine job of it. Mike and Andrew have been working with them and the project is moving ahead at full speed. Jim Crowe's bus is almost finished as well and should be back on the road looking good as new very soon.
DMofT attended Baxter Park on Saturday for our first major event, the Friends of Baxter Park Fun Day. We brought the horse drawn ambulance and Ashford Litter as well as Barry's vintage Rover, a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II and a Fleur-de Lis van (think Corporal Jones' van from Dad's Army painted bright yellow, kindly provided by committee member Brian Orr from Autorent). This created a striking display and attracted many admirers (although Karen and Lindsay swear it was their buns that drew the crowds !!). The Cake and Candy Stall raised a substantial amount of money, thanks to the generous Dundee public, all of which will help swell our coffers.
The Lord Provost, John Letford showed great interest in both the vehicle display and also the idea of a Transport Museum in Dundee and showed his support by taking a seat on the ambulance for photographs and also by signing our support sheet. A further 160 people also showed their support for the general idea of the Transport Museum and Jimmy and Terry were interviewed by Scott Sommerville from the Dundee Channel.
We were also approached by Councillor Lynn who was extremely supportive, and the Evening Telegraph photographer took several pics; that'll be the Tele sales up on Monday then !!
We were all amazed by the support and interest shown by the Dundee public and we even managed to attract some new volunteers. Mike was caught by the Lampie Wardens digging up a park lamp-post to add to his collection.. but they made him put it back cos the local doags complained about the reduction in toilet facilities.
Many thanks to the Cats Protection League for the loan of their excellent gazebo, to all those who baked tirelessly to keep the stall supplied and our helpers on the day - Jennie, Karen, Lindsay, Brida, Fran, Bunty, Alison, Jasmine, Chloe, David - we couldn't have done it without you !! Special thanks must go to our newly formed P.R. Team - Peter and Jennie who worked wonders with the crowds encouraging interest and support from both young and old alike.
View some photos from the event on our Event photos 2010 page.
Glamis Extravaganza 2010 went very well today.
Barry Taylor, Chair of Taybus and his wife Sheila were attendance displaying their Rover in it's usual sparkling condition - Barry and Sheila looked no' bad as well!
Jimmy and Terry towed up the Museum's Horse Drawn Ambulance with the Ashford Litter and it was well admired. People were so interested in the history of our two exhibits and totally amazed at the fact they have survived so long in the condition they are in. Also showing an interest was Radio Tay Am presenter Bill Torrance who happily climbed aboard the ambulance driving seat and conducted an interview all about the ambulance and museum. Jimmy and Terry will be signing Autographs and sending out photos on request (for a small fee, of course!)
We were told lots of interesting stories today with many great anecdotes from the past. We also spoke to many people today who all want our Museum to go ahead and wish us the best for the future with our project. Speaking to so many enthusiastic people so keen to see us up and running only makes us more determined to succeed with the project.
Roll on the next event.
New and updated images have now been added to our website.
In our Exhibits section the Horse-drawn ambulance and Ashford Litter collection features new exterior and interior pictures along with some more of the Ashford Litter.
In our Events photos 2010 section images of the actual Scottish Cup parade from Dundee's Hilton Hotel to City Square and Tannadice have also been added.
The Ashford Litter was invented by Sir John Furley and Paul Headley. It was a covered stretcher on wheels and this allowed the ill patient inside some degree of privacy whilst they were being taken to hospital.
The stamp celebrating the centenary of the St Johns Ambulance gives some idea of the litters age.
The inventor was one of the founders of the St Johns Ambulance brigade in 1887 and became President of the Red Cross Society in 1863.
This historic item I am sure will look great when we display it at the museum. There can't be many left in the world.
On Wednesday 9th of June 2010 an intrepid team set off from Bonny Dundee heading to The Granite city to Reclaim a relic of Dundee's past for our Museum. Or was that an Insipid team?
Anyway we got there and trailered back a horse drawn Ambulance dating from the 1880s. It is in not too bad condition considering it had been left out in the elements for the past two years with only a torn tarp for protection.
We have spoken today to the Conservators at Dundee Museum and they will come to offer us advice on it's Restoration.
More images can be viewed in our Exhibits Gallery.
On 2 June 2010 Dundee Museum of Transport was registered as a charity in Scotland number SC041529. Full details of this registration can be found on the OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator) website.
This very important development now allows us to move forward on many more fronts, including extensive fundraising activities.
The Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland changed the status of the former Maryfield Tram Depot to "at risk" in March 2010.
The reasons given for this escalation were:
"The rear section of the South (Walrond Street) elevation has been removed (due to fire damage). There are a considerable number of plants growing in the mortar cracks on this elevation. Shards of brick are scattered along the foot of the Walrond Street elevation. The gutters on the north elevation require clearing. Moved to At Risk."
This news is very concerning and make our attempts to preserve this important listed building all the more urgent.
In April 2010 National Express Dundee very generously agreed to donate Daimler CVG6 ETS 964 (fleet number 184) to the Taybus Vintage Vehicle Society. ETS 964 bus entered service with Dundee Corporation on 27 November 1955 and was withdrawn in September 1977.
On Sunday 30 May 2010 the bus was brought back from the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum at Lathalmond to the Taybus premises for work to commence on getting the bus back on the road as soon as possible.
To see more photographs please visit our Restorations Gallery.
Great news. Dundee Museum of Transport has been awarded a grant of £2000 from the Innovation and Development fund for use toward a feasibility study. The letter states that demand for funding was very high in this round but the panel recognised the merit of our application. Pretty good as this was our very first application for funding of any kind. Bodes well for the future.
More news on other developments soon.
Dundee Museum of Transport do a Time TeamOn 29th July 1943 Hurricane Fighter V7725 took off from Tealing air base. The pilot at the controls was 21 year old Sgt Roland Carpenter from Birmingham a trainee at Tealing. During the flight something went wrong (It is thought he blacked out) and the Aircraft dived nose first into the ground at Caird park Killing Sgt Carpenter. Following in the footsteps of Time Team who recovered a Spitfire in France, would it not be a great project to do the same for this Pilot and plane perhaps even solving the mystery of why the plane crashed? We would be able to put on a Display of the Artefacts we recovered and tell Sgt Carpenters story so ensuring that his name will never be forgotten. I wonder if anyone has any thoughts.
A selection of pictures taken during the preparation of TVVS's open-top bus for the cup-winner's parade have now been added to the Event photos 2010 page.
If you have any pictures of the bus from the parade that we can add to the gallery please contact us.
On Sunday 22 May 1994, the day after winning the Scottish Cup, thousands of Dundee United supporters lined the streets to welcome the winning team back home. As is traditional the team travelled in an open-top bus which was part of the Tayside Public Transport fleet. Ailsa bus 300 (WTS272T) was modified by the company in their Maryfield depot in 1983 and is believed to be unique. Like all of Tayside's coaches this bus was given a name, in this case "Broughty Castle".
The open-top bus was commonly seen on the City Tour route before leaving the city in 2002 and finishing up with Full Circle tours in Oxford - still named "Broughty Castle".
The bus was again withdrawn from service and in 2005 it was acquired by the Taybus Vintage Vehicle Society. Weather permitting the same bus that welcomed the victorious team back home in 1994 will once again bring the Scottish Cup winners back through the city on 16 May 2010.
The info here was originally posted by Brian, Doon the Toon, in the 3Js (DC Thomson's chat board) and the Dundee Forum. Some of the info comes from the video "Dundee Trams", released in 1996, the anniversary of the ending of Dundee's trams. From the 3JsWhen the use of trams was finally discontinued in 1956, the oldest one still working dated back to 1900, although rebuilt on more than one occasion. The two remaining routes, Lochee/City Centre and Ninewells/Maryfield, closed on Saturday, 20th October, 1956. The last SCHEDULED tram (car No. 45) left NINEWELLS for Maryfield on that day. 6 cars left MARYFIELD to head for the Lochee Depot at 12.31am on Sunday, 21st October. Car 25 was the last to leave Reform Street at 12.50am. It took over an hour for the journey from Maryfield to the Lochee Depot, due to thousands of spectators lining the route. It had been decreed by the Council that there would be nothing special to mark the occasion - no closing ceremony, no official "last tram", no souvenir tickets, etc. In the early hours of Thursday, 25th October, the last seven cars at LOCHEE Depot, left to travel to Maryfield Depot. The last of this convoy, Car No 21, gave late night dancers heading home, a free lift. This was the last car that carried (unofficial) passengers. All 31 remaining cars of the Dundee fleet were transported on the back of lorries from Maryfield to a field at Marchbanks, where they were burnt. None of them was preserved. BUT - one of Dundee's trams, the original Steam Tram Trailer No. 21, dating from around 1893-4, has undergone restoration and is one of the most historically significant vehicles at the National Tramway Museum at Crich in Derbyshire. From Dundee ForumOn the subject of Dundee transport, you may find the this link of interest.
Here's a quote and a photo from that site
Dundee steam tram trailer No. 21
The Dundee & District Tramway Company ran horse and steam trams in Dundee, Scotland. No.21 was a trailer built by GF Milnes in 1894. It was a typical steam tram trailer of the period, being a top covered double deck bogie car. Dundee Corporation took over in 1899 and electrified the system. No.21 was sold off and became a fisherman's hut at Crombie reservoir For a full history of the tramways of Dundee, I recommend Tramways of the Tay Valley by Alan W. Brotchie.
In 1969, the body of 21 was moved to Marton Moss near Blackpool, where restoration commenced. Two spare Milnes plate frame bogies were obtained from the Douglas cable car project and reguaged.
Marton Moss July 27th 1979
There are more photos and details of the restoration work at that site. That tram trailer is now fully restored and can be seen at the National Tramway Museum at Crich, Derbyshire. Here's a photo of what it looks like now, taken from the Museum's website page
Update 22-10-2012: Many thanks to Brian, Doon the Toon, who gave us an updated link for Dundee Steam Trailer No. 21 from the internet archive.
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