Twilight running day attendees up on last year
Transport Museum Wythall’s final running day of 2020 drew nearly 300 attendees, up on the 235 of 2019’s edition.
Once again Roger Burdett supported the twilight event with his Coventry Daimler GKV 94 but stealing the show was Steve Morris with his SMT Leyland TD5, built on a 1938 Leyland chassis.
Other welcome visitors included two Bristol VRs (GRF 709V from PMT and RAH 260W from Eastern Counties), ex Midland Red Leyland National NOE 602R, Midland Red Leyland Leopard JHA 227L, the 1991 Leyland Atlantean conversion, single deck RAW 808M from Hulleys of Baslow (ex-South Notts) and Bedford YMT/Plaxton Supreme IV JDO 241W from Fowlers.
Along with the Coventry Daimler and TD5, these vehicles joined several of Wythall’s own on the free bus service during the day. The majority of these half-hourly runs required the addition of two service extras due to demand coupled with the need for social distancing.
A highlight of mid-afternoon was the arrival of not one but three Volvo Ailsas.
Dave Taylor, TMW’s Chairman, said: “Covid-19 has brought the heritage sector to its knees so I am particularly proud of the hard work and determined attitude of our all-volunteer team here at Wythall. Reopening in August has been hugely beneficial in helping to secure our future but has also raised the morale of the whole team. It has also provided a much needed escape for our visitors, the vast majority, families eager to find an interesting and safe day out within the confines of the Covid-19 rulebook.”
- Twilight marked the end of the 2020 season for the museum but it already has plans for 2021 using the same successful formula as this year.