SCANNING PROGRESS
It is just over two years since we acquired our scanner with grant aid from the MLA, and it seems appropriate to give a progress report. During the last couple of years we have scanned a total of 11,367 drawings. Mostly these are from the extensive archive accumulated over the years, mainly from Midland Red, and Metro-Cammell. Whilst this may seem an impressive figure, it probably accounts for only around a quarter of the collection. In addition to the Museum's existing archive, we are receiving drawings from individual members, who are keen to see the drawings of which they have so carefully been custodians over the years in safe hands for the future. Anyone out there got a stash of Brush drawings?
Simultaneously with the scanning, Andrew Turner and Nigel Hall are cataloguing the collection, so that with Dave Taylor's computer magic, it is now possible - with part of the collection at least - to find a particular drawing listed on the computer, and then access it on the computer screen. At present we are only able to print out in either A3 or A4 size, but it is our aim eventually to acquire a large format printer.
Many of the drawings are of poor quality, and prior to being scanned need to be reassembled (like doing a big jigsaw). However, once committed to digital form, they can be digitally enhanced - another slow and painstaking procedure - to produce an acceptable image.
One of the drawings is of the Museum's Cheltenham Albion. (Is this the only double deck Albion in England?) Interestingly, the original order was for Mumford Motor bodies, part of the Red & White empire, as was Cheltenham & District.
Right now to 11,368!
John Rollings
Mumford Engineering, a Plymouth based body builder needed new accommodation after the war and Red & White offered them facilities at Lydney Industrial Estate. As part of the deal, Red & White acquired an interest in the company, which resulted in the formation of Lydney Coachworks. Presumably Lydney was intended to build the bodies for the Cheltenham Albions, but the work was subcontracted to Metro-Cammell.
There is at least one other Albion double-decker in England, though it was originally a single-decker! TWY8 is an Albion Valiant CX39N of 1949, originally with a Burlingham body, but fitted with a Roe lowbridge body in 1957. It was operated by South Yorkshire Transport, Pontefract, and is now kept at Dewsbury Bus Museum. Editor
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