A load of old fossils! Well that is one way to describe the Rocks By Rail Museum volunteers but it actually relates to a unique collection of fossils from the Barrington Cement Quarry that the Museum has been lucky enough to obtain.
John Drayton MBE who worked at the quarry for 45 years starting as a joiner and ending up as General Manager had collected the fossils as he walked around the site. Having used them as part of his talks to groups to raise money for charities he has now decided they need a new home at the Museum and given the connection between the Barrington Quarry and the Museum that makes perfect sense. Thanks John! That is him on the left talking to the Curator, David.
The handing over was done this past Sunday as the Museum had an open day and as part of that there were variou items on display including this diorama that had been presented John by David some years ago.
Also, a wonderful set of information boards about the history of the Barrington Quarry.
Which included this fantastic picture of the Museum's loco Mr. D, named after John Drayton, being loaded onto a low loader at the Barrington Quarry ready to be transported to the Museum.
Talking of Mr. D, he was in operation with three of the wagons from the Barrington Quarry and John and several of his former colleagues reacquainted themselves by having a drive.
Continuing with the Barrington theme, things are moving on with the steam loco named Barrington who was replaced by Mr. D! Owner Paul, is giving a cosmetic restoration to it and having taken the non-original coal bunker off it and replacing it with new metal to the original configuration, is now in the midst of painting it.
That yellow smoke box door will stay yellow as that was its original colour!
Meanwhile, visitors were also enjoying brake van rides.
The volunteers were enjoying some refreshments and a catch up!
For me, it was mainly a day of shunting but working with some great colleagues, it is always a pleasure to do even if they call me an old fossil!
No comments:
Post a Comment