Vaizey - No reason NRM should close!

This from ITV...

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey has today confirmed that the threat of closure hanging over Bradford' National Media Museum and York's National Railway Museum has been lifted .

"They [the Science Museum Group] asserted if there was a certain level of cuts they would have to look at closing one……..They are not going to receive those level of cuts so there is no reason why any of these museums should close," said Mr Vaizey

Very good. Carry on.

A threat to the NRM - time for an industry response?

"A nation that forgets its past has no future."

Wise words from Winston Churchill!

So what are we to make of threats to the National Railway Museum?

According to the Beeb... 

One of three museums in the north of England will close if further cuts to budgets are made, their owner has said.

The Science Museum Group (SMG) said it was in a "weak" financial position.

As well as the Science Museum in London, SMG runs the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, the National Railway Museum in York and the National Media Museum in Bradford.

Director Ian Blatchford said as well as the closure, "big cuts" may also be made to the museum in London.

He said the prospect of a further 10% cut in funding in the next round of government spending proposals meant "almost certainly" one museum would shut.

Meanwhile York's The Press is mounting a campaign to Save the NRM.

Who is leading the industry response to this threat and how can Eye readers support?

Davies departs NRM...

This from the National Railway Museum... 

National Railway Museum Director steps down

Steve Davies is to step down as Director of the National Railway Museum to pursue a new venture in the private sector. He will be leaving his post as of the end of October 2012.

Steve has been the Director of the National Railway Museum since February 2010. He has presided over some high-profile projects which include the ongoing restoration of Britain’s best known steam locomotive, Flying Scotsman, the launch of a purpose built art gallery and Railfest - the biggest ever gathering of rail record holders.

Steve said: “The National Railway Museum is a very special place in the hearts of many people in this country, with an enviable reputation internationally.  I have been proud and privileged to lead a highly motivated team over the last three years, and hope that I have played my part in further promoting the Museum’s fortunes.  I have, however, decided to accept a firm offer of employment in the private sector as Managing Director of a company in the leisure and tourism industry.  The job I am moving to will provide me with an exciting and enjoyable set of new challenges, which I look forward to immensely.  I am sure the National Railway Museum will move from strength to strength in the years ahead.

His position will be taken by an acting Director, Paul Kirkman, from 5th November 2012. Paul joins on secondment from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport.

Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum Group said: “Steve’s passion for trains and the railway industry has been evident in everything that he has done at the National Railway Museum over the past two years. We thank him for his contribution and look forward to working with his successor to ensure that the National Railway Museum maintains its position as the leading railway museum in the world”.

Paul Kirkman says: “I am delighted to have been invited by Ian Blatchford to take up this position as acting Director of the National Railway Museum. I am sure that my wide-ranging experience working with the cultural sector at DCMS and elsewhere will help in the continued success of one of Britain’s greatest museums.” 

Ends

Mallard comes second!

This from Steve...

I was doing a bit of delving for rail orientated stuff via the NMSI site and found the following on the home page.


Look closely on the left under "popular objects" to see what trumps Mallard in the popularity stakes.


Perhaps this is what is meant by the phrase "prize length"?

NRM news - Pridmore to Join A1 Trust

Eye hears that Jon Pridmore is to leave the National Railway Museum on the 11th of April 2010.

Jon will be joining the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust as their ‘Mobile Operations Manager’.

Eye wonders how you can be a MoM with a fleet of just one kettle?

Unless of course Tornado isn't the limit of the A1 Truss's operational aspirations.

Jon will be celebrating his new job over drinks in York on the preceding Thursday.

As a service to the citizens of York here is a photo of the man himself.


You may wish to lock up your daughters.

Latest OJEU reveals massive UK rail investment

Telegrammed by Leo Pink
In this week's list of Railway related invitations to tender published in the Official Journal of the European Union, only one, just one, is for a project in the UK.

Read it and weep.

UK-York: consultative engineering and construction services
Title attributed to the contract: NRM+ The Great Hall Exhibition Refurbishment. The NRM+ vision is to renew the Great Hall of the National Railway Museum and create a dynamic new visitor experience which delivers a better understanding of the significance of the railway story to the world in which we live. To help deliver phase one of this vision, the organisation has decided to engage the services of a Building Services and Structural Engineering Consultancy. These consultants will work alongside the Project Manager, architect, Exhibition Designers and NRM stakeholder teams to develop a detailed design proposal which builds on the extensive development work that NRM has commissioned to date

Eheu fugaces labuntur anni (with a bowler tip to Horace).

2010 Railway Garden Competition - Winter wonderland

Way back in July last year this entry from Sheffield station appeared in the 2009 Railway Garden Competition.


Unbelievably, despite the best efforts of the British weather, it is still there!




As it is now an established fixture perhaps EMT should donate it to the National Railway Museum?

Scott to leave NRM

This from The Press, York...

"Andrew Scott is to retire as director of the National Railway Museum (NRM) later this year."

As well as encouraging new generations to the Railway Museum, Andrew also worked with today's industry, showing the railway how to celebrate its past and feel confident about the future.

He took a huge punt on the 2004 Railfest, when the industry finally showed it could work together, and also provided a venue for the legendary NRM Annual Dinner - the social event of the railway year!

So Andrew will be a hard act to follow.

Hopefully the DCMS will select a candidate of similar stature to become the new Guardian of the Railway's Collective Consciousness.

Indeed.

As My Lord Adonis now talks of 'we' and 'us' perhaps he may wish to get involved with the selection process.

As a good educationalist he will no doubt know that without proper regard to the past there is always the danger of repeating the same mistakes...

Fiends of the NRM

Son of York and railway robber baron George Hudson would be tickled pink.

Moir Lockhead and Richard Bowker have been appointed Vice Presidents of the Friends of the National Railway Museum!

Lockhead, it will be remembered, is famous for misplacing anyone who actually knows how to run a railway.

Meanwhile, Bowker presides over a franchise that appears utterly determined to reduce NRM visitor numbers - by gating the £500k footbridge that the great man himself opened a mere five years ago!

If this is the calibre of the NRM's friends then the Eye hopes it has few enemies!

Trying Scotsman

Further to the piece earlier this week on the 'Crying Scotsman' a missive reaches The Fact Compiler from the editor of Model Rail magazine.

Ben Jones, a man knows his scale models, commends The Flying Scotsman cuckoo clock to Railway Eye readers.


As Ben sagely points out "It moves".

Not much like the real thing then.

Crying Scotsman

The Fact Compiler has received the following missive from Andy Roden, saviour of the Cornish sleeper and author of an excellent book on the 'Flying Scotsman'.

"As you’ve been covering a lot of heavy politics recently, I thought you might be interested in a wee distraction to amuse and entertain.

The link is below, but as a taster to whet your appetite…"


Andy - thank you. Our joy is full.

Hurry to buy the 'Romance of Steam Flying Scotsman Village Clock' here.

The Fact Compiler wonders who at the NRM "Officially Authorised" this magnificent illuminated geegaw?