Pallot Heritage Steam Museum

The Pallot Heritage Steam Museum was founded by Lyndon Charles Pallot, (known as ‘Don'), who was born in the Parish of Trinity in Jersey and educated at the parish school. He developed an interest in mechanics from an early age and, after leaving school at the age of 14, started remaking bicycles until he became a trainee engineer at Jersey Railways where his enthusiasm for steam was born.

Central Motor Works

In the early 1930s Don opened Central Motor Works at Sion, Trinity, the agricultural works which was to become so well known throughout the Island. He was an engineer who invented several implements which were to make the life of the Jersey farmers easier.

The Pallot Elevator Digger, Last Furrow Reversible Plough, Single Furrow Reversible Plough, Tractor Mounted Côtil Winch and Tractor Mounted 2 Point Linkage Transport Box can be seen in the Museum today. His ability to improvise proved invaluable during the difficult years of the Occupation of Jersey by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Family

It was at his home at Sion that Don raised his large family of 6 sons and 5 daughters with his wife of 62 years “Dolly”. It was in Dolly's honour that the Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies traction engine was so named “Dolly May”.

The museum

Don started collecting what he could of our mechanical heritage, with his ambition being realised in 1990 with the opening of the Pallot Steam Museum. Locomotives were brought in from the Mainland, Belgium and Alderney and restored to form part of his vast and varied collection. Don died in 1996 at the age of 85.

How the museum started

The L C Pallot Trust was established with the object of promoting the permanent preservation of steam engines, farm machinery, vehicles and much more. The Trustees are Don's surviving 4 sons and 4 daughters.

Opening and extension

The Museum was opened to the public in 1990 and, in those days, it was housed in older adjacent buildings. The Engine Shed and Victorian Style Station Platform were later constructed and officially opened on Liberation Day 1996 by Senator Dick Shenton. The large extension to the Engine Shed, which was completed in 2002, provides a setting for the vast and varied array of exhibits. A Church Pipe organ and Compton Theatre organ were amongst the many exhibits moved into their much brighter and spacious location. The well attended official opening ceremony took place on Liberation Day 2002. Mr Michael Wilcock, owner of the former Jersey Motor Museum, cut the ribbon and declared the new Pallot Steam Museum open.

*Steam Locomotives
**Belgium 0-6-0T La Meuse built in 1931. On static display awaiting overhaul.
**Peckett and Sons 0-4-0ST No. 2129 "Kestrel". Operational, boiler ticket expires in 2012.
**W.G. Bagnall 0-4-0ST No. 2450 "J T Daly" built in 1931. Overhaul planned to start soon.
**Peckett and Sons 0-4-0ST No. 2085 "Foleshill" built in 1948. On static display awaiting overhaul.

Funding

The Museum premises are leased to the Trust by the family owned Property Company. The Museum's only source of income is from admission charges, sales of souvenirs, donations and profits from the two annual Steam Fayres which are held in May and the Autumn, over the years, more than £40,000 has been donated to various Charities from Steam Fayre profits. No other financial support is available. Two full time members of staff are employed and undertake a variety of jobs. Administration and supervision duties are undertaken voluntarily by the Trustees in order to keep running costs to a minimum.

Location

The Pallot Heritage Steam Museum is located in Jersey Channel Islands, in the Parish of Trinity on Rue De Bechet.

External links

* [http://www.pallotmuseum.co.uk Pallot Museum Home Page]