ENGINEERING ENDEAVOURS
SDA757S - Leyland Fleetline -
West Midlands PTE 6757
Further to my last notes, work has continued as follows. Peter Murphy has replaced the offside chassis flitch, matching the work carried out on the nearside (see Omnibus no.153).
The lower deck floor around the wheelarches has been bolted in place and new Treadmaster glued to its face. The offside wheelarch required new panels; these are now painted and fitted. Work is now concentrated on the nearside wheelarch, which only requires the panels being bolted to the framework.
Adjustment has been carried out to the upper deck offside panels in readiness for painting. Paint-stripping has started on the front end, leaving the upper deck window pans and emergency door to be similarly attended to.
The upper deck seats have been refitted and the floor treated to a thorough clean.
There is a lot of work still to do, but I hope to have 6757 ready for painting by the end of the year.
NEA101F - Daimler Fleetline -
West Bromwich Corporation 101
Over the past few months, work has concentrated on a complete paint strip of the body in readiness for painting. Tom Couling, John Richards, Kevin Hill and myself are among the team doing the work and good progress has been made to date.
The main problem with 101 is the window rubber, which has allowed many pools of water in both decks. However, following a search through museum stocks, a similar extrusion has been found and there is possibly enough to complete the bus. One window has received new rubber as a trial and it appears to do the job. When time permits, others will receive the same treatment.
PDU135M - Daimler Fleetline -
Coventry City Transport 135
Geoff Hodkinson continues to make good progress, following attention to corroded body pillars on the lower offside and nearside of the vehicle. One body panel has been renewed, the others refitted.
All of the seat frames in both saloons have been repainted, one frame after repair work.
BOK1V - MCW Metrobus Mk1 -
West Midlands PTE 2001
More spare parts have been obtained, including wiper motors and cab fittings. Efforts to amass a full set of the original style of seat backs and cushions is slowly but steadily progressing.
James Munro
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
