Santa returned to Surrey in the 16th Annual “Surrey Santa Parade of Lights” in Cloverdale. Our 1982 GM ‘Fishbowl’ T6H5307N made its last public appearance before we begin its conversion to our 2nd mobile museum. That explains the lack of seats! One person that had a seat was driver Trevor Batstone! So too did assistants Jen Norton and Ewen Streit.

(Room for lots inside! 4107 in the staging area. Photos by Ewen Streit)

Recently, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim expressed a keen interest in a Grant Money-Meter farebox. So Matthew and Sue Walker restored one of our surplus machines. On Tuesday December 4th, Matthew and Lawrence Walker presented it to the Mayor at a small ceremony at Vancouver Transit Centre. In the photo above, Matthew explains how to remove the safe. Ken Sim has said that any “fares” collected in the the farebox from visitors to the Mayor’s office will be donated to TMS. (Photo: Lawrence Walker)

At the presentation, Bryan Larrabee (TMS President), Mayor Ken Sim, and TMS Members, Matthew Walker, Lawrence Walker and Rhonda Larrabee.

UPDATE –WE HAVE SET THE DATE Sunday December 10!

Just when we don’t know — watch our social feeds for details. To prepare, TMS volunteers, including Aden Wong and Kyle Little prepare some treasures for sale.

TMS members continue to prepare for Christmas. Our Lights Tour is sold out, though we have a wait-list. Email tours@transitmuseumsociety.org if you wish to be placed on it.

GM #4107 will attend two events on behalf of TransLink – a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the head office on December 1st between 6 and 7pm, and the Surrey Santa Parade on December 3rd. The parade will take place in Cloverdale at the Fairgrounds at 3pm. Ewen Streit & Antony Sherest decorate 4107 while Matthew Walker attends to the interior lights.

Our volunteers continue readying NFI Low-Floor for service. In addtion to the the public lights tours, it will operate several private charters. Jason Sharpe & Richard Dyer replace the wipers and give it a wash.

Before the Christmas season, our shop crew is working on replacing 9753’s coolant hoses.

First step is to drain and store almost 48 litres of expensive coolant!

Then one by one the hoses are replaced with new ones assembled by Sean Keating. You can see the corrosion of the sheathing blocking the flow of coolant in the hose.

Jason Sharpe, Milan Streit and Richard Dyer then have the task of threading the new hoses through the nooks and crannies of the Series 50 engine.

Richard Dyer shows us one of the the new hose installations. Then once all have been replaced, the vehicle road tested, it’s time for the Christmas Lights Tours!