Vehicle Archives - Page 6 of 8

Great Train Robbery Exhibit Update

Aberdeenshire, Featured, History No Responses »

Aug 152014

The Land Rover and Diorama are moving on at the end of August. With thanks to Martyn Smith, Marketing & Events Organiser, Grampian transport Museum.

Time is running out for members of the public to catch a glimpse of history at the Grampian Transport Museum.

As part of this year’s Great Train Robbery exhibit, a Series 1 Land Rover and Austin Loadstar truck – two of the actual vehicles used in the raid – have been reunited for what is believed to be the first time since the night of the robbery.

The first serious exhibit of its kind, The Great Train Robbery provides an accurate and balanced insight into the events which took place in the early hours of 8th August 1963.

Still billed as the ‘Crime of the Century’ the temporary exhibition, produced by the British Postal Museum and Archive, is further complimented with evidence from Scotland Yard and private collectors.

To help set the scene an absolutely accurate Son et Lumiere model, showing the Bridego Railway Bridge in Ledburn, arrived at the museum in June having been kindly loaned by the Luton Model Railway Club. However at the end of this month both the scale model and Land Rover will be returning to their respective owners.

Mike Ward, museum curator, explains what having the diorama means for museum visitors:

“The robbery took place in the days before rolling news channels and social media meaning there weren’t any pictures taken at the time of the raid. However the Luton Model Railway Club has done a fantastic job of recreating such a detailed scene from the Police photography taken in hours after the event. Our Great Train Robbery exhibition is a fair and accurate account of the raid and its effects on all those involved. We’ve been very fortunate to have such a powerful and topical exhibition this season.”

The Austin Loadstar truck, along with the British Postal Museum & Archive exhibits, will remain at the museum until the end of the 2014 season.

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AllFord Heading For Alford

Aberdeenshire, Information No Responses »

Aug 142014

A brand new event celebrating Ford through the ages will be taking place at the Grampian Transport Museum later this month. With thanks to Martyn Smith, Marketing and Events Organiser, Grampian Transport Museum.

AllFord at Alford is the museum’s first ever gathering of everything Ford, from 1908 to the present day and will be held on Sunday 31st August.
With over 100 vehicles already confirmed, fans of the iconic Blue Oval can expect an eclectic mix of vehicles including Model T’s, Model A’s, Cortina’s, Zephyrs plus a replica of the Gran Torino from the iconic TV show Starsky and Hutch.

Ford Powered vehicles will also be represented, with a 1991 Jago Jeep and a Ford Powered Robin Hood Lotus 7 Kit Car also in attendance.

A fun addition to AllFord is the ‘Show and Shine’ competition plus a special award for ‘The Choice of the People’, where members of the public will be able to vote for the vehicle they deem the most popular at the event.

Mike Ward (pictured), museum curator, is looking forward to the first AllFord event.

“The idea of having an event called AllFord in Alford has been talked about for a number of years now. Since the museum opened 31 years ago there has been a continuous storyline about Henry Ford and the enormous contribution he made to the motoring industry and this has always been a key part of our exhibition.

“When it was launched back in 1908 the Model T made motoring for the masses a reality and there isn’t anywhere more fitting than an award winning museum in Alford for an event called AllFord to take place!”

GTM Seeks Funds For New Visitor Reception Area

Aberdeenshire, Information No Responses »

Jul 312014

With thanks to Martyn Smith.

Grampian Transport Museum needs a helping hand. The award winning museum has followed an annually updated development programme for the past three decades in order to remain topical, relevant and popular. Recently it has been agreed that the whole visitor reception experience needs a radical rethink.

Like a good hotel GTM needs an area where visitors can arrive, take stock, get their bearings and be introduced to the experience to follow.

To answer this need a new reception extension has been designed that can accommodate an introduction to the seasonal exhibitions mounted at GTM and also the various activities possible at the museum. For example for the first time the museum’s work with schools, heritage skills and the GTM Young Engineers Club will be showcased.

Customer comfort will be upgraded to exceed expectations with a new superloo and coffee and magazine area in a light airy modern structure fronted by a portico carried on salvaged cast iron piers.

The GTM is a self financing educational charity. In revenue terms it is self sustaining at little or no cost to the public purse but when capital projects are to be funded outside help is needed. A fundraising campaign was launched at the museum on 26th June to raise the £320,000 needed to build the new facility. Last Friday, the museum passed the £100,000 mark; the six figure barrier is broken.

However if the museum is to build the facility this Winter as planned the total sum needs to be secured in the next eight weeks. Planning permission has been secured well in advance to ensure that this is possible.

To date funds have come from a number of supportive companies and individuals. The first to commit was BP who are supportive of the museum’s educational programmes.

The GTM is already a highly rated local facility but anyone wishing to help it to take a big step forwards should contact the Curator, Mike Ward on curator@gtm.org.uk or by ‘phoning 019755 62292. Mike will be happy to explain the proposals in detail and also the attractive reciprocations offered to supporters.

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Sentinel Returns To North East Roads

Aberdeen City, Featured, History No Responses »

Jul 312014

Grampian Transport Museum’s Marketing & Events Organiser, Martyn Smith brings news of upcoming events over the next

The oldest surviving complete and original Sentinel Steam Waggon will once again take to the roads this Sunday to commemorate the outbreak of the First World War.

Built at Polmadie in Glasgow in 1914, the Sentinel will be in attendance at a number of events around Alford, as the community reflects on the outbreak of the war.

A special service will be held at Howe Trinity Church in Alford at 9.30am after which the waggon will make its way to commemorative events, starting at the Alford War memorial at 10.50am, before moving on to Tullynessle & Forbes War memorial at 11.30am and Keig War memorial at 12noon.

A team of volunteers at the popular Alford visitor attraction have been putting the finishing touches to the waggon, to ensure it is ready to take part in such an important engagement. The Sentinel was brand new and a state of the art road haulage vehicle when the First World War broke out. It was actually working through the entire period and forms a great living link with the past.

Interestingly, the wartime austerity measures meant that trips and excursions for children were discontinued. However, the museum’s Sentinel in the hands of Sandy Runcie of Inverurie, a local carrier, began to offer trips to school groups to local picnic spots, like Bennachie, in order to boost morale and lighten the mood.

Speaking of the Sentinel as it approaches its 100th birthday, curator Mike Ward explains:

“The Grampian Transport Museum has numerous photos of the occasions, and in the centenary year intend to recreate some of the outings. The traditions continue as the Sentinel frequently offers rides both at the museum and at local events – it is an extremely sociable Sentinel!

“In fact, we will be marking the Sentinels actual birthday on the 13th August by providing rides around our circuit at our Family Fun Day event”

The summer fun continues in Alford when an interesting array of American cars will take to the circuit at the Grampian Transport Museum on Thursday 7th August for the next ‘rides’ event – American Car Rides.

The day will be a celebration of American motoring with vehicles already confirmed including a 1995 Pontiac Trans AM, a pair of American engined AC Cobras, a 1993 Dodge Ram Charger truck plus a stunning replica of the iconic A-Team van, kindly provided by Celebrity Car Hire of Aberdeen.

This unique event is an ‘added value’ extra and is available to museum visitors as part of the standard admission, which is £9.50 for adults, £7.50 for concessions and two children are admitted FREE with every adult ticket.

Following the American Car Rides event is the annual Lotus Day, which takes place on Sunday 10th August. This gives museum visitors the chance to climb aboard a number of Lotus examples as they take to the museum’s circuit.

A family fun day follows on Wednesday 13th, featuring Balloon Maker, Face Painting, Puppet Show and rides around the circuit on the museum’s fantastic Sentinel Steam Waggon. Again, these events are included in the museum’s standard admission.

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Fast Car Rides at Grampian Transport Museum

Aberdeenshire, Events, Information No Responses »

Jul 182014

The summer holiday fun continues at the Grampian Transport Museum on Wednesday 23rd July with the next rides session – Fast Car Rides. With thanks to Martyn Smith.

A selection of supercars and high-performance cars will once again take to the circuit to offer museum visitors a shot in the passenger seat for a couple of laps.
Some of the vehicles already confirmed to take part include a Ferrari 430 F1, Toniq R900, Aston Martin DB7 and a beautiful Morgan Plus 4.

This unique event is an ‘added value’ extra and is available to visitors over the age of 8, as part of the standard admission – £9.50 for adults, £7.50 for concessions and two children are admitted FREE with every adult ticket.

Following on from the Fast Car Rides session there will be an American Car Rides session on Thursday 7th August and a Family Fun Day on Wednesday 13th August from 1pm – 4.30pm. This will include arts & crafts, balloon maker, puppet show, vehicle rides and face painting.

Transport Museum To Host Classic And Vintage Gathering

Aberdeenshire, History No Responses »

Jul 162014

With thanks to Martyn Smith.

A wide selection of cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles will descend on the village of Alford for the annual Classic and Vintage Gathering, this Sunday at the Grampian Transport Museum, from 1pm until 4pm

Visitors will be able to view displays of pre-1990 vehicles, including cars from the likes of Austin, Ferrari, Triumph and MG, as well as a selection of vintage buses and other commercial vehicles.

Anyone interested in entering a pre-1990 vehicle can do so on the day, simply by turning up between 11.30 and 12.45. For just £15 the driver and one guest will get entry to the event, complimentary access to the museum, and light refreshments.

Visitor admission to the event is included in the standard museum admission fee. Adult admission is £9.50, concessions are £7.50 and two children are admitted free with every adult.

Further information on the museum and all its outdoor events is available online at www.gtm.org.uk

Brand New Bus Means More Future Choices

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Jun 272014

Aberdeen Based Charity Future Choices had the best news lately. Apache Oil have donated a brand new bus. With thanks to David Forbes.

The bus donation came after the Disabled Charity was featured in a BBC2 Documentary last year called “Auction Hero”, in which Presenter/Auctioneer Andrew Lamberty went all across Europe to buy and sell antiques, then donated the profits to the Charity.

The self funding charity is run by volunteers and helps provide social inclusion and recreational activities at Inchgarth Community Centre in Garthdee.

Representatives from Apache Oil saw the Documentary and were extremely impressed by the groups work and dedication within the community and wanted to help their cause. The new brand new 17 seater bus, equipped for disabled access, has now given Future Choices a better chance of helping more disabled people, most of whom are stuck in their homes, limiting scope for social contact.

David Forbes, Chairman of Future Choices described the news as:

“The turning point to the Charity, knowing Apache Oil has helped give us the tools to carry on with our hard work, it just means everything. So many people, especially those who just want out and have fun with friends, can now do that. Future Choices is there to help put those smiles and laughter back on the faces”

The Charity is always looking for Volunteers to help out at their group gatherings on Tuesdays from 11-2 at Inchgarth Community Centre.

If you want to become a volunteer or simply want to join the charity to meet new people, then contact David on 07821700046 or email info@future-choices.org.uk or visit their website at www.future-choices.org.uk

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Father’s Day Supercar Rides At The GTM

Articles, Featured, History No Responses »

Jun 062014

With thanks to Martyn Smith.

Grampian Transport Museum will be the venue for a special treat for Dads on Father’s Day, Sunday 15th June.

Some of the world’s fastest and most exotic cars will take to the museums purpose-built road circuit, each with a passenger seat waiting to be taken. Just £10 will buy one of our Fathers Day Supercar Rides tickets, giving several laps around the track as a front seat passenger.

An eclectic mix of cars including Ferrari, Lamborghini, TVR, Luego, and Porsche will give Dad a day to remember.

Rides are limited to dads only – who must be over the age of 18 – but the event is a great day out for all the family. Tickets for the rides sessions are £10 if pre-booked or £15 on the day, subject to availability.

Later in the summer children will be able to enjoy a ride around the circuit as part of the ‘Big Stuff’ session, which takes place on Thursday 10th July – or the ‘Fast Car Rides’ session which takes place on Wednesday 23rd July.

The Grampian Transport Museum features a number of exciting and exclusive exhibitions for 2014 including The Great Train Robbery exhibit and multi-million pound HGV simulator. Also, the unique Junior Driving School will be open for younger visitors to enjoy.

Transport Museum: Clubs Spectacular – 11 May 2014

Aberdeenshire, Events, Featured, History No Responses »

May 012014

The ‘Desert Rats’ will provide a living history display.

The award-winning Grampian Transport Museum hosts its first Clubs Spectacular on Sunday 11th May. With thanks to Martyn Smith.

More than 24 clubs and groups will be showcasing their vehicles on the museums outdoor circuit, giving museum visitors and car enthusiasts alike the opportunity to find out more about the wide range of car clubs in the area and their activities.

The lunchtime gathering will showcase a selection of vehicles, including Alvis, Ferrari and Jaguar to every day cars, represented by clubs such as the Fiesta Owners and the Aberdeen Mini Owners.

The Mazda MX5 Owners Club, with over 20 examples present at the event, will be celebrating the clubs 20th birthday and also marking 25 years since the model made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show.

Vintage vehicles will also be in attendance, with a pair of locally owned Stanley Steamers dating from 1910 and 1918, representing the Steam Car Club of Great Britain.

Along with the vehicle displays, the ‘Desert Rats’ will be providing an informative and interesting living history display throughout the afternoon.

Museum Curator, Mike Ward, is looking forward to the launch of the new event:

“We hope the event will act as a point of focus for the vintage and classic vehicle enthusiasts in the North-East Scotland and as a season opener for classic car events in our area. It promises to be a significant gathering of the best of our areas preserved road vehicles.”

Museum visitors will be able to browse the many cars and clubs on display with admission to the event included in the standard museum admission price.

Clubs Spectacular A New Date In Alford Diary

Aberdeenshire, History, Information No Responses »

Apr 252014

Grampian Transport Museum revving up for new clubs event. With thanks to Martyn Smith, Marketing & Events Organiser.

The award-winning Grampian Transport Museum will be hosting its inaugural Clubs Spectacular on Sunday 11th of May.

With the potential to be the largest vehicle clubs gathering held at the museum to date, the event promises
to be a fantastic showcase for local clubs.

After discussions with a number of clubs, an initial press launch for the initiative was held in October 2013.

With over 100 drivers and their vehicles in attendance, this helped to sow the seeds for a much larger gathering where museum visitors will be able to find out more about the clubs in the local community and beyond.

The museum was recently voted ‘Visitor Attraction of the Year’ at the Aberdeen City & Shire Tourism Awards, which were held at the Ardoe House Hotel in Aberdeen on Friday 28th of March. The win came just two days ahead of the start of the museum’s 31st season.

Car, motorbike and commerical clubs from all over Scotland will gather on the museum grounds for a lunchtime gathering. Museum visitors are welcome from 12pm until 2:30pm, when vehicles will begin departing the grounds.

Vehicles confirmed for display include models from Ferrari, TVR, MG, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Jaguar, plus many more!

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