ENGINEERING EXTRA / FLEETLINE FOCUS
BMMO D9 BHA399C has had its offside suspension unit replaced and is now facing the other way for the same to be done on the nearside. The intention is to have this bus back in use by Easter.
Many of the jobs required to bring West Bromwich 248 up to Class VI standard have been addressed by myself, Dick Lolley and Kevin Hill over the past couple of months. As reported in the last 'Omnibus', Bob Williamson is attempting to make some of the aluminium panelling look presentable
Phil Ireland
FLEETLINE FOCUS
SDA757S Leyland Fleetline / East Lancs
West Midlands PTE 6757 (James Munro)
6757 was submitted for Class V Test in late July 2007, following minor preparation work. A Class VI test had been booked in early October 2007 for 6311, however due to the on-going work with the current engine change 6757 acted as a last minute substitute.
Prior to submission minor work was required which included re-wiring a bell switch and replacing some interior transfers. A successful pass was a welcome outcome!
JOV613P Daimler Fleetline / Park Royal
West Midlands PTE 4613 (4613 Group)
4613 was submitted for a Class V Test in late July 2007, gaining a successful pass. Prior to submission minor work was required, which included work to re-fix the rear wheel arches.
After the final Museum operating day of the 2007 season, 4613 was taken off the road for re-painting. This work will be concentrated around the cream sections, as areas such as the roof have shown signs of paint flaking. Keen readers will recall that the blue panels were treated to repainting back in 2004, so this area will not be requiring any attention.
This has given the opportunity to replace all the main inter-deck panels on the nearside of the bus, which have previously had visible stretch marks, the most likely cause of this being constant advert replacement during service life. The heating air vents situated at the rear of the bus have been replaced with brand new examples, following that particular area receiving a good clean and paint. It is planned to replace all the main window rubbers following the re-paint, which should hopefully completed in time for May, a fitting way for the bus to celebrate twenty years in preservation.
KON311P Leyland Fleetline / MCW
West Midlands PTE 6311 (BaMMOT)
6311 returned to the Museum in August 2007, following a short period away in dry storage. Following the recent engine conversion, problems occurred with the fitted unit, which was transplanted from the donor DMS Fleetline. 6311 has been suffering crank case pressure, resulting in excessive amounts of oil being forced out of the oil filler and engine breather. Therefore a decision was made to overhaul an O.680 engine in the Museum stores which was sourced by Malcolm Keeley from WMPTE, when they were converting Fleetlines of this era. It is also interesting to note that according to records 6311 was one of the last Fleetlines to be converted by WMPTE.
The job of overhauling the spare unit has been taken in hand by Adrian Thomas. The overall condition of this engine was considered to be good, and after stripping the engine down, it showed signs of only minimal wear. The big end shell bearings were replaced and the engine heads were sent away for 'skimming' and pressure testing.
The heads have since been returned and are currently being refitted to the engine, the bottom half of the engine having now been reassembled.
The Leyland O.680 fitted to 6311 previously has now been removed, and it is hoped the overhauled unit should be fitted early in the New Year. It is anticipated 6311 will be back in action by May 2008.
WDA835T MCW Metrobus Mk1 / MCW
West Midlands PTE 6835 (BaMMOT)
Unfortunately due to other commitments work on 6835 has been slow since the last report. The nearside upper deck panels have now been stripped off and replacements cut. These are now being painted prior to fitting. Work is also required on the upper deck floor bearer brackets, which connect the transverse floor bearers to the body pillars. One of these pressings has been removed in order for replacements to be fabricated.
WDA956T Leyland Fleetline / MCW (WMT single deck conversion)
West Midlands Travel 1956 (James Munro)
During the Christmas period 1956 was acquired by James Munro for continued preservation of this unique vehicle. A general tidy up and preparation for an annual test are now on the agenda!
GHA415D Daimler Fleetline / Alexander
Midland Red 6015 (BaMMOT)
The self-adhesive lower deck lining panels mentioned in the last edition are a temporary measure. A pair of long melamine panels with almost the correct wood-grain pattern were acquired a while ago, but will be saved for a more thorough interior restoration later. It has been confirmed that 6015 will be restored into BMMO red rather than NBC poppy.
James Munro except GHA415D notes by Bob Williamson, Andrew Gardner & Phil Ireland
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
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