ENGINEERING ENDEAVOURS
Many people will have noticed that our red BMMO D9, BHA399C, has not been used in service since August 2006. This has been because its last Class VI Test identified suspension problems that would have to be rectified before its next test. With the D9 being both popular and needed to move the increasing number of passengers we carry it has been decided to do the necessary rectification work and bring it back into the museum's service fleet. Dave Parry is doing the work and, at the time of writing, the bus is over the pit with its offside rear suspension in bits. It will then be turned round and the same job done on the nearside.
Another vehicle it is hoped to bring into the Class VI fleet during 2008 is West Bromwich 248. This was extracted from the back of the Shire Hall during November and given a good wash. Since then it has been over the pit and had a thorough inspection to identify the work required. Although this produced a long list there is nothing too alarming and the plan is to work through these over winter.
Another bus to see work recently has been the Midland Red Leopard Leopard coach, SHA645G. Some time ago a set of the correct seats for this bus was acquired and at that stage just piled on top of the wrong style seats currently fitted. The incorrect seats have now been unbolted and removed ready for the correct seats to be fitted. This will restore the seating capacity to its original 36.
Walsall Leyland Royal Tiger 808 has been removed from the Power Hall to be prepared for repainting. Now the messy preparation part of the job has been done it has been reinstated in the Power Hall for painting - with suitable protective covering on the floor. 808 was another bus with incorrect seats. The totally wrong coach style seats have been removed and disposed of and the bus now has a set of bus seats fitted to make it look more complete.
Another of the Power Hall exhibits to receive work is the Douglas Corporation Guy Otter. Andrew Wiltshire is making excellent progress with the refurbishment of the interior.
Meanwhile, other vehicle restoration work at the Museum includes the following.
- James Munro and Kevin Hill have been working on the interdeck of the Metrobus.
- Alwyne Marsden, Tom Couling and Pete Murphy are making good progress on the Southport open top, the bus being turned round to allow work on the offside and staircase area.
- Mike Jordan is getting on well with the interior of the S12 with lino floor covering starting to be fitted.
- The other closed top D9 (4871) continues to have its rear suspension and platform riser rebuilt, a far more extensive job than that required on 5399.
- Dave Taylor's Walsall Daimler Fleetline 116 is having engine problems rectified and also a start has been made on paint stripping ready for a repaint in 2008.
- Adrian Thomas has nearly finished the overhaul of the Leyland O.680 engine to go in to 6311, while James Munro and Kevin Hill are preparing the power unit currently in the bus ready for removal.
- The Midland Red Leyland PD2 (LD8) was having its upper deck lino re-laid in mid-December.
Phil Ireland
ENGINEERING EXTRA...
248NEA Daimler CVG6-30 / Metro-Cammell
West Bromwich 248 (BaMMOT)
Work continues to bring this one back into use. This includes the cleaning of the aluminium checkerplate on the rear platform wall, staircase risers etc. The dirt is ingrained and each section has to be done four times with special mild acid fluid.
GHA415D Daimler Fleetline / Alexander
Midland Red 6015 (BaMMOT)
A start has been made on improving the appearance with initially tidying the lower deck of seats etc. On the lower deck one interior panel has been sanded and painted whilst the two aluminium panels either side have been sanded to clean off areas of hardened brown glue residue. All three will be covered in self-adhesive material to match the rest of the interior. Sanding and painting of the front dashboard area and painting of the fuel tank will commence shortly.
871KHA BMMO D9 / BMMO
West Midlands PTE 4871 (BaMMOT)
Work continues on the replacement rear chassis beam by Jeremy Price. Meanwhile, all lower deck aluminium floortreads have been removed and cleaned ready for relaying in due course. Also removed is a large part of the lino flooring together with a section of rotten wooden flooring by the rear 'long' seats.
Bob Williamson
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
