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Electric Railway Museum to Close.

Discussion in 'Diesel & Electric Traction' started by D6332found, Jul 10, 2017.

  1. michaelh

    michaelh Part of the furniture

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    Well that doesn't do much for the credibility of said embryonic scheme - unless they're trying to establish some sort of link to Trawsfynydd Nuclear Power Station
     
  2. michaelh

    michaelh Part of the furniture

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    That online petition appears to have gathered 100 clicks from keyboard warriors (from anywhere in the world) - set that against JLR promising that several hundred new skilled jobs will be created in the city - which do you think will have most resonance with Coventry City Council?
     
  3. David likes trains

    David likes trains Member

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    I went to a public exhibition of JLR's expansion plans this evening. What they showed does not actually cover the majority of the land that the museum currently occupies - see poor quality phone pic below, ERM ringed in red. Not to say these are the final plans, nor that the council decided they wanted this land for future development.

    I have lived in Coventry for the past 5 years but never been inside the museum, probably because I haven't looked to see when they were open. I could make it to the 8th October open day, though being honest I'm equally tempted to head up the motorway to attend the GCR Gala instead as I'm far more passionate and interested in steam. Not to say I think the collection there isn't worthy of preservation, and it's sad that they are being forced out.
     

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  4. SERA01UK

    SERA01UK New Member

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    Thank you to all who have signed the petition so far, we are getting close to the 1000 signature mark and if you have not yet signed and feel that both Coventry City Council and the Developers (Roxhill) should be doing more to ease the situation of this voluntary funded museum having to relocate at its own expense then please sign the petition.

    https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petiti...?source=facebook-share-button&time=1502840097

    Now would also be a good time to remind you that the Electric Railway Museum is open on both Saturday and Sunday September 9/10th as part of the national Heritage Open Days weekend. Admission is free as always and there will be a heritage bus link between the city centre and our site. We are open 10:30 - 16:30 both days.
     
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  5. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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  6. SERA01UK

    SERA01UK New Member

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  7. PolSteam

    PolSteam Member

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    Such a pity if anything gets scrapped. I was trying to visit this place during the school hols, but my poor health stopped me. If Shillingstone had not got problems with Trustees, who don't know the difference between a GWR GPV and a Minx, they could offer space for a unit, loco or some wagons. They own an and 08 [08995] and have two Yugo 92's which could pull EMU stock.
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2017
  8. Tim Light

    Tim Light Well-Known Member

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    We called in at the ERM today after visiting Statfold Barn. I came away with very mixed feelings.

    On the positive side, I was impressed with the enthusiasm and optimism of the volunteers, who quite clearly love their exhibits and enjoy telling visitors about them.

    I was also surprised at some of their exhibits, especially the LMS Merseyside unit (503) and Liverpool Overhead carriage, both which I was unaware of. The 503 in particular deserves to be saved.

    Overall, though, the museum (I regret to say) is a limited attraction for the general public. Most of the stock is crammed, Barry-style, into sidings, making photography difficult. Very little of the stock is in a fit state to be photographed anyway, being mostly in various shades of undercoat or very faded paintwork, or in some cases covered in sheeting. And they seem to be losing the battle against rust.

    All exhibits are static with the exception of a miniature line operated, appropriately, by an electric loco which was, ironically, steam outline. To the general public, the display must seem like a collection of derelict carriages. They are unlikely to discern much difference between a 501 and a 4-SUB. It's hard to imagine anyone other than a hard core EMU enthusiast making a return visit.

    The café was nice and clean and the staff were friendly. The toilets are nowhere near good enough for a family attraction.

    My heart goes out to these guys ... they love their EMUs and have done well to save such a good collection, but enthusiasm isn't enough. They need money ... lots of it ... just to keep the stock presentable, and they need a way of bringing EMUs to life in a way that engages the public. As it is, there is a danger that much of their collection will be lost when the site is forced to close.

    P1010499.JPG
     
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  9. PolSteam

    PolSteam Member

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    Is the place still open for the moment?
     
  10. Tim Light

    Tim Light Well-Known Member

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    It's open tomorrow (10th September) and 8th October (last ever open day).
     
  11. zep108

    zep108 Member

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    hello
    my sentiments exactly i visited on saturday i have been meaning to visit for years i cant help thinking that all the southern stock would be better off some where in the south where it could be better related to and have more people that could help restore them !!
     
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  12. SERA01UK

    SERA01UK New Member

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    Over a thousand visitors this weekend, many thanks to those who turned out to be part of the Heritage Open Weekend event.

    We have one final open day on Sunday October 8th and then it's time to move on.

    Nothing is getting scrapped if we can get them to their new homes, and yes we have found new homes for everything that matters on site.

    The closure of the ERM is regrettable but given the Council's inability to support the museum over the years that has prevented it from developing into the facility it aspired to be. Going from one short term five year lease to another meant there was never any eligibility to seek grants and other funding for covered working or museum space and five years is not a long enough tenure for any serious investment; no museum can live out of a suitcase.

    The relocation of these projects will inject new impetus and enthusiasm that the previously insecure tenure hampered.

    The ERM, despite the lack of support it received from the local council over the years, has laid a marker down and proved that even a basic facility dedicated to the history of electric traction can serve as a worthwhile and enjoyable visitor attraction. Imagine what could be achieved where the local authority was encouraging and engaging with the museum.
     
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  13. PolSteam

    PolSteam Member

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    You say you have "found new homes for everything that matters on site." So what else is is still homeless?
     
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  14. Tim Light

    Tim Light Well-Known Member

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    That's good news. Where will the Class 503 move to?
     
  15. toplight

    toplight Well-Known Member

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    I hope they can relocate somewhere else more secure, but it wont be cheap to move anything. As the council are effectively making them homeless, will they help to contribute towards relocation as it won't be cheap to move everything. ?
     
  16. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    If the Council are just not renewing the lease, then they are not precipitating anything that should not have been foreseeable?
     
  17. PolSteam

    PolSteam Member

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    Might be true, but that's a bit hard.

    Now, if only I'd had Crystal Balls..................................
     
  18. SERA01UK

    SERA01UK New Member

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    The steam crane, which is a kit of parts and we can't contact the owner at the moment along with the remains of the steel bodied C&SLR carriage that is not and never was a viable restoration project, the latter item is anyone's for the taking - would make a great piece of garden furniture....
     
  19. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    ...you'd have to sit down carefully?

    TAXI!
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2017
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  20. PolSteam

    PolSteam Member

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    Built by G.F. Milnes & Co. / Brush Engineering
    Build Date 1903/1907

    Two bodies of carriages built for the City and South London Railway (C&SLR) are present at Baginton. The oldest is a timber body on a steel underframe and dates from 1903 the other is from 1907 and unlike earlier builds, was all steel construction. This makes it the oldest surviving steel frame carriage in the UK. The C&SLR was the first deep-level underground “tube” railway in London, and the first major railway to use electric power for traction. The sets of 3 carriages were pulled by an electric locomotive along the tunnels. The line still exists as is known today as the City Branch of London Underground’s Northern Line. After use on the C&SLR both bodies were sold for re-use as a summer house in a garden in Hertfordshire. Having arrived at Coventry in such a poor state in 2000 it was decided that the best plan for the steel car body is one of conservation, with the metal work being treated to prevent any further decay, and painting so that as much of the original remains. This work is on-going at the time of writing. The timber bodied car has seen no work since arrival and has been stored under heavy tarpaulin. These are unique items and the last example of these types of C&SLR Trailer Cars to survive.

    And these can't find a new home?
     

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