Geoff’s Pages Heritage open day 2010 - where shall we go? (Shall we go?) Nothing caught my attention amongst the local options - then a slightly wider scan listed the “Aston Manor Transport Museum”. “Manor” might perhaps suggest something out in the sticks - concentrate on the “Aston” bit. Yes, practically in the shadow of the Birmingham football ground... This little museum is housed most appropriately in a former tram depot - the rails (3’ 6” gauge) are still there between the setts in the depot floor. It hosts a variety of commercial vehicles, mostly of the  public transport variety. The oldest vehicle  in the museum’s possession is a Birmingham tram body dating from 1906; the oldest motor vehicle is a 1928 Dennis van, followed by an attractive AEC Regal coach of 1931 vintage. At the other end 12 September 2010 of the scale are vehicles which still appear to be “modern”, although their Daimler Fleetline is now nearly 40 years old. The vehicles are not all static exhibits - on this occasion two buses were offering rides. We hopped onto no. 3002 (left) - a Birmingham City Transport Daimler built in 1954 - and enjoyed a five mile trundle around northern Birmingham - out to Six Ways Erdington and back. Also taking its turn on these trips was Midland Red 5479 (above). Both were everyday sights in my student days - and being everyday sights, didn’t seem worth taking much notice of. The museum itself is well laid out, with plenty of small exhibits, a well-stocked shop and a cafe - what more could one ask? Well worth a visit. Link: Aston Manor Transport Museum Click the thumbnails for a larger picture and caption; use the slideshow and back / forward controls to navigate Old Birmingham Buses... Update: Sadly, the museum closed on Sunday 31st October 2011. The preservation group hopes to be able to rehouse the collection some time in 2012. Check out the group’s website (above) for further information