Museum chat '24. . .

Christmas Cracker ends our 2024 season

The Museum's 2024 season ended with the ever popular Christmas Cracker event on December 8. Father Christmas was present assisted by his elves. Bus rides were available and some hardy souls braved the open topper on a damp and chilly day. We now look forward to 2025 after our winter recess.

Regent Running Day

Shown above are two of the AEC Regents which took part in the very well attended, by both the public and visiting buses, Regent Running Day at the Museum on November 3. Our thanks are, as ever, extended to all those whose hard work and enthusiasm made it such a success. For more pictures see Galleries - Regent Day 2024

Return to familiar haunts

Once a common sight in East Anglia 70000 Britannia approaches Needham Market station on the return leg of an excursion from Windsor to Norwich. Delivered new from Crewe works in January 1951 the locomotive was active in East Anglia for the next decade and was finally withdrawn from BR service in June 1966.

Crowds enjoy the fine weather for the 52nd Ipswich to Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Run

Just a small section of the vehicles and visitors in Christchurch Park, Ipswich for the start of the 52nd Ipswich to Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Run on Sunday, May 5.

Historic Fire Appliance returns to Ipswich

A 1912 Shand-Mason steam pump appliance has returned to Ipswich. The pump was bought by Needham Market Town Council in 1911 for around £400 and delivered to them in 1912. Weighing two tons it served for nearly thirty years. It is believed to be the last steam pump used in the United Kingdom when it attended a fire in Little Finborough on July 30th 1940.

After regular service the pump was retained by the National Fire Service College at Saltdean, Brighton during World War Two and displayed there until 1948. During the 1950s ownership was transferred to Ipswich Museum and in the early 1960s it was loaned to Colchester Road Fire Station where a purpose-built display window allowed it to be seen.

Museum Chairman Mark Smith explained “The fire pump had to be towed. Photographs show it being hauled by horses initially, and later by a model T Ford, as well as a lorry owned by Quintons. Records suggest it could be steamed to working pressure in nine minutes – important if your thatched roof was on fire!”

When Colchester Road fire station closed, the pump was loaned by Ipswich Museum to what is now the Food Museum in Stowmarket in 2011. As the Food Museum is currently redeveloping its site, the opportunity has been taken to transfer the loan of the pump to the Ipswich Transport Museum. It was delivered by Manchetts on 2nd April 2024. The loan and transfer of the fire-pump was facilitated by staff at Ipswich Museum and the Food Museum, in co-operation with the Ipswich Transport Museum, and with the agreement of Ipswich Borough Council.

The steam fire-pump being handed over at the Museum with Mark Smith (ITM), Lisa Harris (Food Museum) and Anna Mercer (Colchester and Ipswich Museums).

“This is the third Needham Market fire appliance we have on display – we also own the 1939 Dennis ‘Light Four’ and 1987 Bedford TK appliances” Mr. Smith added. The trio demonstrate the transition from horse to petrol and diesel propulsion. The museum would love to hear any stories or memories relating to these exhibits.

The pump will be displayed at Ipswich Transport Museum and available for public inspection during the 2024 season.

All will be revealed . . .

The above pictures show GB Railfreight's 66307 at its naming ceremony on platform one at Ipswich Station on Friday, January 12. As well as the invited guests a large contingent of railway enthusiasts and Town fans were present to add to the occasion.