Dundee Museum of Transport gallery: Events 2010

 

Click on a thumbnail picture to see the full-size image. Use the controls at the bottom of the image to control the automatic slideshow.

 

22nd October - 10th November 2010: Dundee Museum of Transport's FIRST exhibition

 

For the first time since we were formed in February 2010 Dundee Museum of Transport mounted an exhibition at Dundee's Central Library in the Wellgate Centre. This was our chance to share with you some aspects of Dundee's fascinating transport history such as Scotland's first passenger rail service, memories of Dundee's old buses and trams and see one of Scotland's first ambulances. Plus did a Dundee man beat the Wright brothers to the first powered flight? There were nearly 19000 additional visitors to the Library during the time our exhibition took place.

 

Dundee's Lord Provost John Letford (centre) officially opens Dundee Museum of Transport's first exhibition with Terry Small (left) and Chairman Jimmy McDonell looking on. Everyone then gets ready for an official photograph for the local press. Pictured from left are Joe FitzPatrick MSP, John Letford, Terry Small and Jimmy McDonell. The plaque officially unveiled by Lord Provost John Letford. The exhibition was so successful that the closing date was moved to 10th November 2010. Terry Small, Joe Fitzpatrick, Jimmy McDonell and John Letford look at a series of photographs charting Dundee's Buses throughout the 20th Century. Two destination blinds taken from Dundee buses alongside a Dundee conductor's uniform, ticket machine and money bag. The Ashford Litter was also on display at Dundee's Central Library along with many display cases full will transport-related memorabilia. Lots of tram and bus memorabilia was on display along with a very large Dundee Corporation crest which was used on the city's illuminated Christmas bus. On the library wall is the large Dundee Corporation crest with photographs of the Christmas bus. It is believed the crest was manufactured at Dundee's Robb Caledon shipyard. Dundee Museum of Transport was delighted to receive so many interesting items for various clubs and individuals. In fact more donations were received as the exhibition took place. This section was dedicated to local worthy James "Napper" Thomson, bus operator and owner of his Lochee emporium shop. The Local Memories Board at Dundee's Central Library in the Wellgate Centre also featured transport-related cuttings and photographs. Along with some transport cases were a series of handpainted scale models depicting buses from many eras that operated throughout the city and beyond. Opposite the area with display cases and the Ashford Litter were more display boards. Seen here are a series of photographs of the destruction of Dundee's trams. This section of the display boards featured information on Dundee's early vehicle registrations including the Lord Provost's car TS1. More photographs taken from the library archives and from local publisher D C Thomson with various street scenes and early modes of transport. Were the Wright Brothers really the first to take to the sky or did the first powered flight actually take place at Errol near Dundee? This section featured photographs, plans and background information on the Terra Nova. Built in Dundee it was launched in 1884 and sunk off Greenland in 1943. To help promoted the exhibition a restored Tayside Volvo Ailsa bus was parked in Dundee's High Street where hardy souls in the pouring rain were handed Museum information leaflets.

 

Saturday 4th September 2010: Re-opening of Lochee High Street

 

We were approached by Dundee City Council to see if we could possibly put on a display of interesting vehicles, so we set about contacting members and friends to bring some vehicles along for the big day. We ended up with 15 classic vehicles following the pipe band parading down the High Street.

 

Ready for the off. Restored Ford Duple Dominant TSL94S (left) alongside Airport Travel Dundee's new coach. With pipers leading the parade the official opening of Lochee's High Street gets underway. Following the pipers is Airport Travel Dundee which provides the official team bus for Lochee United FC. Although restored into 'Tayside' livery, added vinyls bring back memories of James "Napper" Thomson's buses. Following the two buses it's the turn of two motorcycles to lead the parade of the other vehicles. White Triumph NPN237M goes topless down the rejuvenated Lochee High Street. Not to be out-done gleaming red BMW H10WER also bares all in the parade of vehicles. It must be some time since a 1942 Ferret Scout car was in Lochee high Street. Sadly there's no option to remove the roof from dual-coloured Triumph estate MDV262F. Despite its registration, Triumph saloon MDF128F is made of metal and not wood. Restored Rover P4 UCS994 leads Leyland Constructor Q131SES in Dundee Corporation livery. Austin truck RSU808 from F Walker Slaters is hotly pursued by monster truck F974LKN.

 

Saturday 7th August 2010: Baxter Park Gala Day

 

This was our first big event in Dundee and we were made very welcome by the Friends of Baxter Park who had organised the gala day. Thanks to the Cat Protection League we also had our own Cake and Candy stall to raise some much needed funds. The day was voted a huge success with a lot of interest shown in not only our exhibits but also our campaign to establish a Museum of Transport in the former Maryfield Tram Shed.

 

On display in Dundee for the first time our Horse-drawn Ambulance complete with information sheets. Dundee's Lord Provost John Letford climbs aboard the Horse-drawn Ambulance but bemoans the absence of a horse. Another first for Dundee, our Ashford Litter was also on display at Baxter Park with information sheets. Dundee's Lord Provost John Letford shows great interest in our Ashford Litter but bemoans the absence of a patient. A general view of some of the attractions in Baxter Park for their Gala Day. The Dundee Museum of Transport stall did a roaring trade in cake and candy to help raise funds for our campaign. One of the vintage vehicles on display was this fantastic Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II. Also on display was Taybus Chairman Barry Taylor's beautifully restored Rover P4 which was advertised as being for sale. A Fleur-de Lis van kindly provided by Museum committee member Brian Ower from Autorent.

 

Sunday 11 July 2010: Glamis Extravaganza

 

With a couple of buses from Taybus currently off the road, Jimmy McDonell and Terry Small from Dundee Museum of Transport took the opportunity to show two recent acquisitions to the general public for the first time - the Horse-drawn Ambulance and Ashton Litter. The Ambulance even caught the attention of TayAM presenter Bill Torrance who interviews Jimmy and Terry about the plans to establish the new Museum in Dundee.

 

Bill Torrance on the ambulance gets ready to interview Museum Chairman Jimmy McDonell. Jimmy comes back to check with Bill how many request there have been for his autograph. Is it Bill or the Ambulance that's attracting so much attention from the Extravaganza visitors?

 

When Dundee United won the Scottish Cup 2010

 

At Hampden Park on 15 May 2010 Dundee United won the Scottish Cup after a 16 year wait. The same open-topped bus that brought them through the city in 1994 was once again pressed into service on Sunday 16 May 2010. The bus is now part of the Taybus Vintage Vehicle Society collection.

 

Working hard to get the (very) long banner wrapped around the front and sides of the bus outside the premises of Airport Travel Dundee in Morgan Street. Taybus committee members Willie Bowes (left) and Barry Taylor help get the banner fixed to the nearside of the Society's open-top bus. How do you stop a banner blowing about as you make your way to Tannadice? Masking tape - and lots of it! Jimmy McDonell (right), Museum chairman, lends a helping hand. Taybus committee member Willie Bowes is certainly dressed for the occasion in his Tayside Public Transport drivers uniform. A young Dundee United supporter, also dressed for the occasion, books a prime seat downstairs so he's sheltered from the wind. The bus is finally ready and waiting at Tannadice Park. Taybus chairman Barry Taylor rests after winning the battle to fix the banner to the bus. The bus leaves Dundee's Hilton Hotel with the team, officials and not forgetting the Scottish Cup on its way to a Civic Reception in the City Square. Approaching the City Square, the crowds line Dundee's High Street as the team proudly show the Scottish Cup. Finally it's back to Dundee United's ground Tannadice Park with crowds once again waiting inside to welcome back the triumphant team.

 

Sunday 4th April 2010: Easter Fun Day at Camperdown Park

 

Getting everything ready to welcome fun day visitors to our very first Dundee Museum of Transport event. Despite the variable weather our bus and banner generated a lot of interest. The open-topped bus is the only one of its kind as the conversion was done"in-house" at the Maryfield depot. Every signature helps! Probably the youngest member of the Taybus Vintage Vehicle Society adds his name to the Dundee Museum of Transport petition. Have you signed yet? Our vintage bus was not only in front of the iconic Camperdown House but right beside the Radio Tay roadshow stage. The Radio Tay "Cash for Kids" mascot Courage The Cat along with his helpers pose in front of our vintage bus. Despite the weather the open-topped bus made a detour to the top of the Dundee Law on its way back home from Camperdown.