ENGINEERING ENDEAVOURS - 2005 REVIEW
This is our annual round up and our annual apology for anything or
anyone missed out! It is also our opportunity to thank the generally
unsung who keep the exhibits exhibitable, including Mick Green, Phil
Hoole and Maurice Collignon. Thanks too to Bob Williamson for dealing
with destination blind changes and, especially, organising the
manufacture of a batch of circa 1960 style Midland Red number blinds.
Various private owner vehicles resident or semi-resident at Wythall were
successfully Class V Tested and were on the road in 2005, including
CVP207, HOV685, JOJ245, JOJ533, DAX610C, XDH516G, NOV796G,
WNG864H, JOV613P and SDA757S.
O9926 – Tilling-Stevens TTA2
Bob Williamson and Maurice Collignon have steadily progressed
preparation and painting of the body, wheels and rear axle. Peter
Murphy has manufactured the window beadings, which have then been
expertly shaped by Fred Withers – these will secure the missing window
glass. Stan Letts has noted the historic style of coats of arms and
patterned lining-out still evident on the nearside and hopes to reproduce
them. The originals will not be lost but covered over by a new panel; a
similar panel was fitted to the offside in 2005. Peter has discussed with
John Seale the shape of the missing staircase, a replica of which is
desirable as the bus is intended for display in the new hall.
HA3501 – SOS Standard
This bus, one of the Trust’s most historic exhibits, was finally transferred
after 28 years in a storage barn to the Museum in May, in time for the
Midland Red day. Several members were involved, including two not
born when the SOS entered the barn! Plywood side panels were fitted to
strengthen the body. This gives the shape of the bus but is not the
beginning of a restoration that will require massive funds. However Bob
Williamson derusted the front end of the chassis then painted it black,
and the overall effect certainly impressed visitors on Midland Red day.
CVP207 – BCT Daimler COG5 / Metro-Cammell
The rear brake cam bushes on the 1685 Group’s Grand Old Lady were
repaired by John James prior to MoT.
GHA337 – SOS SON
The need to keep the SON in one piece for the July event plus all the
subsequent changes to the site have prevented Peter Murphy from
recommencing work but he hopes for more time this year.
FFY402 – Southport Leyland PD2
The body of this open-topper continues to look more its normal self
thanks to the continuing determined efforts of Alwyne Marsden and
Peter Murphy. Work is presently concentrating on the cab.
HOV685 – BCT Leyland PD2 / Brush
The 1685 Group is now getting the lower deck seats reupholstered and
the frames have been repainted in readiness. The nearside backs were
reupholstered in 2005. The offside and cushions are planned for 2006,
along with the moquette covered side panels.
JOJ976 – BCT Guy Arab IV / Metro-Cammell
Dick Lolley prepared this bus for its successful Class VI Test.
Secondhand seat backs and cushions fitted by Malcolm Keeley and Jim
Munro improved the overall appearance of the interior. Resolution of
complaints of heavy steering caused by the radial tyres fitted in 2004
was speeded by a puncture! Cross-plys are now fitted again and the bus
is once more a most agreeable drive!
802MHW – Cheltenham Bristol Lodekka / ECW
John Townsend prepared the bus for its Class VI Test, successfully
achieved. A subsequent gearbox complaint proved to be caused by a
loose plate, easily fixed.
NHA744 – BMMO S12
Dave Brown and Mike Jordan, assisted by John Lowe, have moved their
attentions to the interior to excellent effect. The Museum as a whole is
still suffering from the lack of brown leathercloth – the S12 chaps are
having to paint surfaces that used to be covered in that material. Don’t
forget to investigate any bus restored elsewhere and newly blessed with
brown leathercloth.
SHA431 – Midland Red Leyland PD2
An event day visitor unwisely asked John James when anything was
going to happen to this 1685 Group bus. John courteously invited the
visitor inside and released the guy probably two hours later, leaving him
in no doubt that a lot can take place without being obvious! Externally,
the front and rear domes have been filled and painted up to first topcoat.
In the upper saloon, the lining panels have new leathercloth; some of the
panels themselves being renewed. The application of new leathercloth to
the window pillar cappings was completed and all refitted. Surrounding
Herzim trim is now being fitted. New floor coving was manufactured and
fitted, and the seatframes repainted. Attention under the bonnet included
overhaul of the radiator and water pump; the bus has been run
successfully to working temperature. Rewiring continues, including work
on the battery box and cables.
XHA482 – BMMO D7
This bus was moved into the engineering area for the winter, principally
to allow Jeremy Price to get to grips with its chronic braking deficiency.
The brakes are now working well and the water pump has also been
overhauled. (More details on page 3 of this edition – Editor)
871KHA – BMMO D9
Work continues steadily by Kevin Hill and Alex Potts between other jobs.
Geoff Hodkinson filled and sanded the front end; Peter Murphy created
miles of wooden floor tread for the upper saloon. Bob Williamson is now
painting these floor treads and the upper saloon floor coves.
943KHA – BMMO D10
What a delight to have the D10 back on the road, thanks to a Class V
Test. Preparation was largely carried out by Jeremy Price and included a
reconditioned power steering ram and a thorough clean of the fuel
system. The delightful job of cleaning and silvering the underside was
subbed off to Kevin Hill. New oil seals have also been fitted. One test
was abandoned due to a brake problem while the first presentation failed
with a leaking injector pipe. But all this fraught attention was worthwhile
when the D10 finally passed and was the star of Midland Red day.
KFM775 – Crosville Bristol L5G / ECW
5073HA – BMMO S15
BHA399C – BMMO D9
Successful Class VI preparations were carried out on these buses.
Thanks to Dick Lolley, Dave Parry and John Townshend for their efforts.
Of these, 5073HA had rivets replaced in the vicinity of the doorway.
6545HA – BMMO S16
The paint condition of this Class VI regular was beginning to look jaded.
It is now being rested from Class VI and received a Kevin Hill repaint in
time for the Midland Red day.
VVP911 – Bedford SB3/ Duple
This is one of the vehicles intended for the new hall. A repaint is planned
and Paul Gray has spent some time researching its ‘lost’ livery, that of
Sandwell Motor Co. An important repair required before the repaint was
the crease in the multi-shaped panel containing the offside headlamp;
this difficult job was done around the turn of the year.
248NEA – West Bromwich Daimler CVG6-30 / Metro-Cammell
Dick Lolley has continued the completion of the interior, needless to say
to a superb standard. The upper deck is now complete apart from work
on the front upper deck windows. The lower deck platform has been recovered,
missing hand and grab rails made, and a new platform light
fitted. All interior lights now work, which involved painstaking work with
the lighting circuit. A popular refurbishment is of the heaters in both
decks. The lower deck interior paintwork is being tidied and finishing-off
work includes refitting the side seats.
KHW306E – Cheltenham Bristol RELL6L / ECW
This has received a full Kevin Hill repaint in the very distinctive colours of
Cheltenham District. Fortunately Tearnes still have a stock of
Cheltenham coats of arms transfers – spare ones have been obtained
for the Cheltenham Albion and Lodekka.
NEA101F – West Bromwich Daimler Fleetline / Metro-Cammell
This is the only bus able to carry the low height cream West Brom livery
and has been returned to those colours by Kevin Hill. New window
rubbers were obtained before the windows were refitted. Every effort has
been taken to ensure accuracy. Some transfers were available but
missing ones have been signwritten while Stan Letts produced splendid
coats of arms. A team effort by Messrs Slater, Priest and Williamson
enabled the reintroduction of a complete set of West Brom destination
and number blinds. Meanwhile, inside, Peter Murphy rectified a rotten
section of floor, while Geoff Hodkinson has addressed refurbishing the
interior.
XDH56G – Walsall Daimler Weirdo
The Forth Bridge of restorations continues with Dave Taylor and John
Tow nshend latterly battling several miles of piping. Peter Murphy has
also continued to apply his welding talents. (I think we established in
‘Omnibus’ no.163 that 56 is actually a Daimler CRC6-36 – Editor)
NOV796G – BCT Daimler Fleetline / Park Royal
Members snapped up this Fleetline as a private project when it was
offered at auction. It was in excellent condition except the interior where
soft finishes had been applied. The owners were quickly able to prepare
the bus for an external repaint, which looks splendid. Hopefully there will
be an article on this bus soon.
SOE913H – WMPTE Daimler Fleetline / Park Royal
This is another private project. Although one year newer than NOV796G,
these ‘Jumbo’ Fleetlines were another kettle of fish when it came to body
structure and, unlike lucky NOV796G, this one did not have a second
owner that cherished it after sale! A lot of attention has been required but
the bus is gradually turning blue and cream. By the end of 2005 major
attention still awaited was confined to the lower nearside. Again we hope
for an article soon.
UHA956H – BMMO S23
This bus made a welcome return to the road with a Class VI Test. To
achieve this, the major works carried out since 2003, principally by
(alphabetically) Kevin Hill, Phil Ireland, Dave Parry, Alex Potts and
Jeremy Price, include extensive rewiring, front hub overhaul, total brake
refurbishment, fixing of charging faults and a tidy-up of the interior. Well
done, chaps.
AML588H – London AEC Merlin / MCW
A lot of fuss has been made about the last Routemasters and virtually
every one seems to have entered preservation – at least for the time
being. But one suspects that it is buses like Tim Clayton’s Merlin that will
create the interest in the year 2020 because many were built but few
have survived. Tim continued his efforts in 2005 and the bus is steadily
taking shape.
OWE271K – Sheffield Bristol VRT / East Lancs
Phil Ireland has rarely found time to break off from Museum activities to
further his own bus. Interior finishing and recalcitrant electrics are
notorious ways of eating up valuable time but chief on-site entertainment
for everyone except Phil has been the Saga of the Front Grille. Phil
despatched the front panel to ‘experts’. It has a very slight V shape to it
but their first effort would have done adequate service as a snowplough.
Things have not improved since then.
NOB413M – WMPTE Bristol VRT / MCW
It is hard to believe that this bus, in the care of Jim Munro, arrived at
Wythall only a little over a year ago, looking very sorry for itself. Original
seats were soon sourced and fitted after repainting the frames. Peter
Murphy sorted out stress panel and body pillar repairs. New lower
panels could then be fitted and a new bonnet was fabricated but not
before repair of the corroded heatshield and the rear corner panels. The
rear destination box was refitted along with the original style of rear
registration plate behind glass. John Townshend helped with mechanical
matters.
KON311P – WMPTE Leyland Fleetline / MCW
As described more fully in ‘Omnibus’, John Townshend and Mark Priest
have masterminded the major job of reconverting this bus from Gardner
power back to Leyland O.680. What a pleasure to hear a Leylandengined
Fleetline again, particularly as we’re an Atlantean-free zone.
WDA835T – WMPTE MCW Metrobus
A new entrant to the annual review, this partially restored Metrobus was
obtained during 2005 to replace BOK1V. The bus came with a
considerable number of spares, so thanks to Alex Potts and his Cargo
truck, and the owners of NOV796G for assisting with their transfer from
Bewdley. Jim Munro has led the sorting out of the new arrival and the
upper deck has been refitted with seats. Work around the rear
wheelarches will allow refitting of outer panels.
Malcolm Keeley, Kevin Hill, Phil Ireland & Peter Murphy
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
