Engineering Endeavours
BRISTOLS
DAX610C
Bristol MW
Red & White U765
U765 returned from winter storage at the end of March and was immediately checked over for a Class VI Test. Kevin Hill and Alex Potts carried out minor work, before it was submitted for a test, which it passed successfully - alongside 6311 - on 5 April 2003.
James Munro
Midland Red
SHA431
Leyland Titan PD2/20
Midland Red 4031
Reference has been made briefly to the interior work on the 1685 Group’s Midland Red LD8 class Leyland. The Group has now sourced a full set of Leyland official views (actually of 4017). The interior views have finally settled whether they had shaded or unshaded transfers, as the former were on the point of being phased out. We now know they were shaded, confirming exhaustive information on transfers and lettering kindly supplied by Bill French, but arranged in a manner that was surely unique to these buses. Good to have the answer, now the Group has to obtain them!
The principal work, however, has been to the area behind the rear axle, which was extensively rotted. Pete Murphy has been busy replacing the rot with new, chunky bits of metal including, very importantly, the riser into the lower saloon. One sentence summarising a huge amount of superb work that, hopefully, can be documented more fully one day! Despite the importance of this, the greatest visual impression is the complete new wooden platform. After years of avoiding holes and placing one’s foot delicately on the few remaining sound timbers, it is a luxury to feel and look at something solid. The photos confirm that the interior and platform floors were slatted wood and the assumption is that they were painted rather than varnished, unless someone knows better?
Other external work has been the replacement of panels between the upper and lower deck windows. Most recently, window pans removed and refurbished some time ago are being reacquainted with the glazing, now mounted in new rubber. Internally, upstairs, much is complete with most bells and lights connected to the new wiring. Much of what isn’t there is ready for refitting, including the massive job by John James of recovering the window cappings. His latest exploit has been the complete refurbishment of the emergency window. The interior lining panel for the front dome, which had clearly seen much action against oak trees and the like during service with Midland Red and Foster Brothers, has had the benefit of John Arnold’s rolling skills.
871KHA
BMMO D9
West Midlands PTE 4871
4871 was moved into the Shire Hall last year following refitment of the fuel pump. The radiator has now been refitted by Tom Couling, thus enabling the cooling system to be reconnected.
UHA956E
BMMO S23
Midland Red 5956
Work towards a Class VI Test continues. This is now concentrated on the nearside front hub, following refitment of the saloon interior.
NOE544R
Leyland National MkI
Midland Red 544
This vehicle has been receiving heavy treatment to the bodywork, this mainly being carried out by Kevin Hill. The offside front wheelarch stress panel has been replaced and a new outer panel has been fitted. All the exterior window pans have been removed to enable the frame to be treated and painted as necessary. At the time of writing 544 is currently in undercoat, prior to the top coating into Midland Red West livery.
Tim Moss is currently making good progress on the interior. At present, this is being concentrated around the front dashboard.
It is hoped that the vehicle will be externally complete in the immediate future. Watch this space!
HHA126L
Leyland National MkI
Midland Red “Severnlink” 126
During the winter this vehicle was acquired by Andy Walcott and is stored in undercover accommodation away from the Museum. The vehicle had previously been restored into Midland Red National Bus livery with “Severnlink” MAP branding. Work is currently in place to submit the vehicle for testing so that it may be used this season.
Malcolm Keeley (4031) & James Munro
Tow Trucks
GHA333
SOS SON (short wheelbase)
Carlyle Works “tug”
After refitting the engine to this vehicle. Alex Potts has made progress with refabricating the cab structure. The structure is now nearing completion, and has received a coat of paint recently.
SBF233
Leyland PD2
Harper Bros/Midland Red recovery truck
A recent addition to the Museum’s collection is Kevin Hill’s Leyland PD2 recovery vehicle. Kevin has carried out a lot of work to this vehicle before bringing it to Wythall. A majority of the work has involved repanelling the body, which now sports a fresh coat of yellow paint. The fuel system has been cleaned out, and various electrical jobs carried out as necessary.
CKO988
Leyland TD4
Maidstone & District recovery truck
Peter Murphy has continued to work on this vehicle alongside other ongoing projects. The most noticeable progress has been the body rested back onto the chassis.
James Munro
Birmingham City
JOJ707
Daimler CVD6
Birmingham City Transport 2707
Colin Hawkett’s Daimler was subject to a repaint at the end of last season, giving the vehicle an impressive appearance. The driver’s cab has also been painted, and various other jobs have been carried out. Colin has recently submitted the vehicle for testing.
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
