WYTHALL BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

Published: 03/09/2020

Over 500 visitors attended Transport Museum Wythall over the August Bank Holiday weekend. This ‘new normal’ event lost none of its character and value and delivered a great experience for families and enthusiasts alike.

Visiting buses provided variety and contrast to the museum collection, with several being utilised on the free bus service that was running throughout the day and sales stands offering the usual transport related paraphernalia were busy throughout.  A free bus service from the centre of Birmingham on both Sunday and Monday enabled regular enthusiasts to leave their cars at home or journey by train from afar.

Roger Burdett, a big supporter of Wythall, attended on both Sunday and Monday, bringing along four of his magnificent vehicles including Southdown Leyland PS1 HUF 303 and newly-restored Coventry Transport Daimler CWA6, GKV 94 on its first public outing. Both buses could be sampled on the free service from Birmingham and during the day. Joining the event was Jim Bailey, former Coventry Transport bus driver who had driven both 94 and 366 (also attending) when they were new.
With grateful thanks to National Express West Midlands, visitors were able to sample all-electric bus travel on an ADL EV500 on both Sunday and Monday.  Inaugural fleet number 001 ‘Electra’ attended on Monday and was a real winner as it silently went about its business on public runs.

Blessed with good weather, children were able to ride on the miniature railway behind steam and enjoy the freedom of the play area which gave Mums and Dads a break!
Trust Chairman Dave Taylor said: ‘It was pleasing to receive so many positive comments on the ground and across social media about the way we have organised the museum in these challenging times to ensure the safe passage of our visitors around the site. Everyone respected the signage, the café arrangements and our one-way system, which ensured a comfortable day for all. Through careful monitoring of people flow around the site since we reopened earlier in August we are now able to supply the demand from visitors by adding more capacity without compromising our standards’.
TMW will continue to open on Saturdays throughout September and October (October 4th Autumn Running day includes sales stands), with free bus rides and the miniature railway operational. The museum will also open on Wednesday October 28th for school half term. And Sunday September 27th will see the J40 Club attending with their annual pedal car rally, supported by a display from the fascinating world of stationary engines – all are welcome!

And don’t forget our famous end of season, nostalgic ‘Twilight Running Day’ on Sunday October 25th when we take the clock back and run services in the dark. The free bus service from Birmingham city centre will run on this day.
As always, please check the website for more details and to make bookings. www.wythall.org.uk