It was sad to realise that many of the foundation members of the BTPS
have passed on. I spoke briefly with Mrs Foo, widow of Melton Foo, on
Saturday night and of course Richard Gilbert took a major role in the
weekend's activities. I think Richard and I might have been the only
foundation members present from the opiginal committee but I stand
corrected on that one. Of course, many people have been with the musem
almost since the start, in 1971; a magnificent commitment to tramway
preservation.
Paul in Melbourne

--- InTramsDownUnder@..., "Roderick Smith"
<rodsmith@w...> wrote:
> It felt like half of TDU was in Ballarat today, plus non-TDU tram

> enthusiasts (including some from interstate), and a lot of Ballarat

> residents (including several older ones who remembered the tramway

era). I
> spoke to one lady who had attended Urquart St primary school. The

annual
> school picnic was by tram to View Point, then lake ferry to the gardens:

> sticky bun, sandwiches & lollies for the kids, and the usual races and

> novelty events.

>

> I didn't arrive until around 13.30, but in quick succession rode

Bendigo 17,
> the horse tram, and Ballarat ESCo livery 26 & 28.

>

> This was the horse tram's fourth outing: once for the completion of its

> restoration, once as a trial before attending Moomba, once in a Moomba

> parade, and today. I sampled both upstairs and the saloon.

> The weather was kind enough to make riding in the Bendigo open tram a

> pleasant experience (I even had my jumper off).

>

> It was great to catch up with so many tramway friends, including

many who
> have been with BTPS/BTM since the start. I was able to buy my copy

of the
> book at the depot, while the author was present.

>

> Regards,

> Roderick B Smith

> Rail News Victoria Editor

> rodsmith@w...