Passengers boarding the first public train from the 2009 platform.
The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester (which now likes to be known as 'MOSI') recently introduced a new platform for passengers boarding and alighting from the steam train which runs most weekends and some weekdays.
When I first became a member of the Friends organisation, back in 1988, the platform was near the main museum entrance, outside the Power Hall. A few years later, the running line was truncated and a new platform was constructed near the spiral stairs leading to the lower yard. We used this new platform until recently when another platform was completed. The latest platform is more or less in the position of the first platform (although it's now designed to serve the line nearest the Power Hall, rather than, as originally, the next road).
Looking towards Liverpool from the 2009 platform.
The line nearest the Power Hall has always had an inspection pit which has been refurbished. Since the pit is now on the running line, guard rails have been fitted. A small compressor house has been built just beyond the buffer stop and an air main feeds two charging points to allow the air receivers on 'Planet' to be recharged (the 'Planet' replica does not follow the prototype in having only a tender handbrake - the replica has a British Rail 2-pipe air brake system with 3 disc brakes on the engine and tender!). A modern ticket machine housed in a small wooden 'chalet' at the entrance to the platform allows passengers to purchase tickets for the ride before boarding the train.
On Saturday 27th June 2009, the new platform was brought into full service without ceremony and I was rostered as driver on that day, using the 'Planet' replica.
In August, the Museum is hosting a Transport Festival, starting on Saturday 8th August 2009. This festival concludes with the Great Garratt Gathering on 14-15-16th August. It's anticipated that the new passenger arrangements will be comprehensively tested during the Transport Festival.
Postscript: The Transport Festival is described here.
