The Shed Wymondham has just completed the restoration of a large model tram. Its owners, Barbara Hendon and her brother Brian Rogerson, entrusted the project to two of our members Pat Callow and Ian McDonald who are experienced model makers.
The Tram itself was built from scratch by Walter Rogerson, Barbara’s father, when aged 15 years old. It is a scale model of a real Manchester tram, and the workmanship for a 15-year-old is amazing.
Unfortunately, it was damaged in transport some years ago and needed some extensive repairs to bring it back to its former glory. Approximately 300 work hours have been spent, and now it’s time to hand it back to Barbara and Brian.
Pat Callow commented, “Although the project to restore Walter’s tram has taken a long while, being involved in bringing it back to its former glory has been very satisfying. It is difficult to imagine a 15-year-old schoolboy creating such a wonderfully accurate model, over 80 years ago.”
Ian McDonald commented “Restoring the tram has been an informative journey on how a young lad, with limited resources and tools, could have produced a model true to scale and character, of a form of transport now only found in a few Cities and Museums. The restoration has been challenging, and it's very satisfying to now see the final result of 2 1/2 years of hard work and research.”
Barbara and Brian commented, “We are both very proud of our dad who was able to craft such an accurate and authentic model at the tender age of 15. With the skills of Pat and Ian, we have our tram back and are very grateful for their hard work. The tram will be making its way to Heaton Park Tramway Museum and put on display for visitors to enjoy”.
Barbara and Brian were also presented with a book/photo album with pictures of the renovation from start to finish.
The Shed Wymondham is a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy making and mending. The difference from a garden shed is that their activities are often solitary in nature while The Shed is the opposite. It’s about social connections and friendship building, sharing skills and knowledge, and of course a lot of laughter. Visit theshedwymondham.org.uk for more information.
