Getting to know Glasgow 488

Dateline: 8th August 2013

Revisiting the temporary storage place for Glasgow 488 at Minffordd yard, dismantling and observation began, preparing 488's assemblies to be shifted to Boston Lodge works.

If you wish to view a series of "under the seats" and "under deck" pictures taken at the time of various miscellaneous details as our work progressed, then click on the picture montage below or use the index in the adjacent panel to jump to any particular picture.

Although many aspects of what we were working on felt very tired and old, the main feeling was one of being on a substantial vehicle that had stood the test of time. The many months ahead will be interesting ones, as we find out what can be salvaged, and what may have to simply be replaced comes into 488's equation.

The general feeling will be to preserve as much as possible, and many of the components are certainly showing a substantial amount of re-usability. Unfortunately the glass roofed, unheated museum space that 488 had been in has left the paintwork totally unusable, so a repaint seems essential. What's left of the paint can be seen in several of the accompanying pictures.

The Boston Lodge crew have been at work since its arrival in their workshops, exploring the real state of the car's woodwork. Several areas show signs of simple rot due to age, and possibly signs of dampness which probably happened during the temperature extremes while at Paris.

Meanwhile, I'm clearing space in my workshops preparing to receive the compressor and controllers.

Even though things in the lower saloon seem very 'aged', there is still a great sense of strength in the car and that it was certainly 'fit for purpose' in its service life.

I'm looking forward to finding out just how much of the original tramwork can be sensibly included in the final 488 project.




Ray Maidstone
488 Technical Consultant

This collection of 53 pictures supplied by Ray have been sorted and indexed for your pleasure!
To view them all, just click on the montage image above or use the index in the adjacent panel.
Please email Ray Maidstone for permission to use any of these pictures elsewhere.