Wirral Transport Museum
Encyclopedia
Wirral Transport Museum is a museum
situated 1 mile from the Mersey Ferry
service at Woodside
, Birkenhead
, England
.
A vintage tram
service links the museum and the ferry at certain times. Admission into the museum is free with a broad selection of vintage and classic vehicles, including trams, buses, cars, bikes, and a fire engine. It also includes views of ongoing projects in the museum's workshops, a 26 feet long model railway layout and a reconstructed 1930s garage scene.
In 2009, as part of its Strategic Asset Review, owners Wirral Borough Council
plan to dispose of the museum, transferring it to a Community Development Trust. It recommended that "... the specialist role of the Transport Museum be protected as far as possible."
The tramway commenced service in April 1995 with the Hong Kong
built 1948 style units. Operated under contract by Blackpool Tramways for Wirral Borough Council, who took overall control in 2005. The museum volunteers and its staff look forward to developing the museum further from 2010, when it is expected a new more forward looking owner will take over.
Tramcar 69, which bears the name of 'George Francis Train & Phileas Fogg', received a new 'Prenton style' livery
in 2005. Tramcar 70, named 'Thomas Brassey' after the well known 19th century railroad builder, has been painted in a fictional 'Birkenhead Blue' livery (which was only ever carried by the town's bus fleet after 1934).
1981 Bristol / ECW VR Crosville DVG 487 is also resident at the museum (2010)
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
situated 1 mile from the Mersey Ferry
Mersey Ferry
The Mersey Ferry is a ferry service operating on the River Mersey in north west England, between Liverpool and the Wirral Peninsula. Ferries have been used on this route since at least the 12th century, and continue to be popular for both local people and visitors.The current fleet consists of...
service at Woodside
Woodside, Merseyside
Woodside is a small riverside locality in Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula, England, situated almost opposite Liverpool Pier Head across the River Mersey.-History:...
, Birkenhead
Birkenhead
Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
A vintage tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
service links the museum and the ferry at certain times. Admission into the museum is free with a broad selection of vintage and classic vehicles, including trams, buses, cars, bikes, and a fire engine. It also includes views of ongoing projects in the museum's workshops, a 26 feet long model railway layout and a reconstructed 1930s garage scene.
In 2009, as part of its Strategic Asset Review, owners Wirral Borough Council
Metropolitan Borough of Wirral
The Metropolitan Borough of Wirral is a metropolitan borough of Merseyside, in North West England. It has a population of 311,200, and encompasses of the northern part of the Wirral Peninsula. Major settlements include Birkenhead, Wallasey, Bebington, Heswall, Hoylake and West Kirby. The city of...
plan to dispose of the museum, transferring it to a Community Development Trust. It recommended that "... the specialist role of the Transport Museum be protected as far as possible."
Trams
The tramway collection was set up in collaboration with volunteers from Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society.The tramway commenced service in April 1995 with the Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
built 1948 style units. Operated under contract by Blackpool Tramways for Wirral Borough Council, who took overall control in 2005. The museum volunteers and its staff look forward to developing the museum further from 2010, when it is expected a new more forward looking owner will take over.
Tramcar 69, which bears the name of 'George Francis Train & Phileas Fogg', received a new 'Prenton style' livery
Livery
A livery is a uniform, insignia or symbol adorning, in a non-military context, a person, an object or a vehicle that denotes a relationship between the wearer of the livery and an individual or corporate body. Often, elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or corporate body feature in...
in 2005. Tramcar 70, named 'Thomas Brassey' after the well known 19th century railroad builder, has been painted in a fictional 'Birkenhead Blue' livery (which was only ever carried by the town's bus fleet after 1934).
Birkenhead Corporation
- BG 8557, a 1943 Guy Arab (324) rebodied in 1953 (242). Now restored with help from Paul Anderson / Home front funding, 1BG Project
- BG 9225, a 1946 Leyland PD1/1a (105). Restored with support of OvaltineOvaltineOvaltine is a brand of milk flavoring product made with malt extract , sugar , cocoa, and whey...
and match funding, 1BG Project.
- RCM 493, a 1964 Leyland Leopard L1 (93). Restored by Wirral Museum / Hamilton Quarter funding.
- GCM 152E, a 1967 Leyland PD2/37 (152). Restored with Hamilton Quarter funding, Wirral Museums / 201 & 1BG Project.
Wallasey Corporation
- 1951 Leyland PD2/1 AHF 850 (54). Preserver Cedric Greenwood (1973). Funding purchased New Wallasey, 1BG Project.
- 1954 Leyland PD2/10 CHF 656 (106). Preserver Mayers. Restoration funding from New Wallasey, Wirral Museums 201 project.
Crosville Motor Services
- 1960 Bristol / ECW FLG (319 PFM) Preserved by 1BG / N Moore / Wirral Museums (2007)
1981 Bristol / ECW VR Crosville DVG 487 is also resident at the museum (2010)
Operational fleet
- London Routemaster 101 CLT (RM 1101). Purchased in 1994 via A1A Travel and restored with Hamilton Quarter funding. Withdrawn in April 2009, and is now to be found operating back on London streets with Ghosttours.com. RM1101 has reverted to its KFF 367 registration.
- London Transport Daimler Fleetline (DMS 1692). Purchased by Wirral Local Education Authority in 1998, it was previously used as a mobile classroom. Withdrawn in April 2009. Now to be found operatiing as a mobile church/youth club at Ellesmere Port Cheshire.
- Chester City 75 Open Top ex 54 Daimler Fleetline OFM 957 K. Sold to North West Museum of Transport in January 2009.
- Leyland Olympian F 362 WSC Alexander 81 seat bodywork. Operational since March 2009, the vehicle was re-registered as 101 CLT on 25 April 2009. Number previously donated back to RM 1101.This vehicle replaces the Millennium bus(DMS)and will continue to be available for school and community group transport, the Millennium Project start in the year 2000 and is overseen by the Millennium Bus Committee.
- Operator Licence held National / Standard (2) Transport Manager: Robert Tennant.
Other waiting projects
- Crosville MS18 1949 Bedford Beagle. Converted Mobile Office a 1BG Project funding needed.
- Liverpool A344 1949 AEC Regent. Preservers Bill Barlow / David Forrest. Transferred to Wirral Transport Museum in 2006.