Great Western Coffee Shop

Had a go on the Parry People Mover (Class 139) from Stourbridge Junction 31/3.

Very interesting vehicle like a sort of enlarge minibus on rails. Trundles up and down in 3 minutes once every 10 minutes.

Petrol engine with flywheel. Acceleration quite good caught one our party out who fell off his seat. Train crew amused that we'd come from Maidenhead  Seemed quite well used particular as the Midland Metro service is every 10 minutes into Brum.

Also had a run on the trams from Wolverhampton changed at Smethwick Galton Bridge. If you ever go there go to platform 4 to see Telford's bridge. Wolverhampton Station still open.
 
Trams interesting was surprised to find a ticket collector on them. Ride quite smooth acceleration good seats hard, Apparently you can use your bus pass on them although we'd purchased the Day Rover.   

Only passes issued to residents of the West Midlands are valid on the trams.  Manchester and Nottingham have a similar restriction on local residents using the trams with bus passes.

Ticket collectors/sellers(?) on board as no ticket machines on platforms...likely vandalism?, so passes from ticket shops or day tickets from the sellers

As does Blackpool, to the chagrin of the residents of Wyre Borough (Thornton Gate to Fleetwood).

That changed a year ago. From 1st April 2016 residents of the Wyre Council area, with Lancashire County Council issued ENCTS passes, are able to travel free on Blackpool Transport trams between 0930 and 2300 Monday-Friday and all day at weekends.*

*Except on trams after 1800 (6pm) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings during the illuminations period, and every night during the October half-term period.

So if my Mum wanted to go to work at Ma Kelly's in Talbot Road leaving Cleveleys before 9.30, she would still have to pay! Even though much of her council tax goes to Lancashire County Council who put a lot of money into the tramway. It seems somehow unfair.

(OK, she's 86, currently in a nursing home, and unlikely to work again, but it's the principle. Not just that I am using her pass and the high heels kill.)

But the same applies to Blackpool residents. If your Mum lived in Squires Gate and wanted to get to Ma Kelly's before 0930... Hang on they don't open until 1pm. Is your mum/you cabaret artiste, front of house or cleaner?  :P ;) ;D

I've said too much - sorry Mum! Back to the Dance of the Seven Army Blankets.

Savouring the roar of the greasepaint and the smell of the crowd.

A thread started with a novelty hit record reference, via Stourbridge, Wolverhampton, Blackpool,  Ma FT,N, Neddie Seagoon...

 ;D

Well spotted, BNM. From the episode "Dishonoured", IIRC. Contains the immortal lines:
Peter Sellers "Ten miles he swam, the last three were agony"
Neddy Seagoon "Yes, they were overland!"

Why? Is he swimming, heees falllen in the water !

"As I swam ashore, I dried myself to save time."

"Can you swim in army boots?
   No, there's not enough room!"

"Turn the knob on your side ...

Bluebottle: "I don't remember where it wented. Do you remember, Eccles?"
Eccles: "Oh yah, I remember Eccles."

Christmas Eve, and still no offers of pantomime.