FLEETLINE FOCUS
WDA 956T - Leyland Fleetline/MCW-WMT Single Deck Conversion -
West Midlands Travel 1956 (James Munro)
1956 received a considerable amount of mechanical attention during the early part of 2008. Most of the work was centred round overhauling the front hubs, but other work such as a full engine service and a number of small body jobs were undertaken also.
A successful Class V pass enabled the bus to attend the Llandudno Rally, which took place over the early May Bank Holiday weekend, where it joined Bristol MW DAX610C and Daimler JOJ707 on the Town Shuttle Service.
Following getting on top of the mechanical side of the vehicle, the nearside panelling has been removed. The underside of the body was in exceptional condition, just requiring a clean-up and paint. New panels have now been made and fitted. A number of other panel changes are required, which will hopefully take place during January. A small roll of the blue interior seating trim has been acquired, together with some new seats. A full interior restoration should take place during the early part of the year, and it is hoped the bus will be fully restored to original converted condition by Easter 2009!
JOV 613P - Daimler Fleetline/Park Royal -
WMPTE 4613 (4613 Group)
4613 is the longest serving West Midlands PTE Fleetline in preservation, having been saved by Roger Hodson back in 1988, some twenty one years ago! The bus still under the care of Roger and the 4613 Group, was treated to a repaint in May 2008, the WMPTE regency cream receiving attention, as the blue was previously repainted in 2004. Prior to the repaint the all the window rubbers were replaced, with new rubber section. Minor mechanical work was required during the summer to enable a successful Class V pass. The bus has been used on numerous occasions during the 2008 season, the most recent being the Yardley Wood Garage open day at the end of November, where it joined Leyland PS2 2245 and Leyland PD2 1685.
KON 311P - Daimler Fleetline/MCW -
WMPTE 6311 (BaMMOT)
The on-going Leyland engine saga appears to be nearing its final chapter! Keen 'Omnibus' readers will remember the Leyland engine fitted to 6311 back in 2005, was removed from the DMS Fleetline acquired by the Museum to provide the valuable fittings required for the Leyland engine conversion. However, problems with the Leyland unit began to develop, with excessive crank case pressure evident, especially by the amount of oil being forced out!
With this in mind, even keener 'Omnibus' readers will remember Malcolm Keeley arranging for the Trust to obtain a Leyland 0680 engine from WMPTE, in the late 1980s.
Member Adrian Thomas set about stripping down the spare unit in order for it to be inspected. After stripping the engine apart all appeared to be in good order, a set of shell bearings were acquired and fitted, and all the main gaskets replaced.
Therefore the original WMPTE unit was fitted to 6311 just before Easter 2008. Initial road test appeared encouraging and the bus was submitted for a Class VI Test in May, gaining a successful pass. Since then, 6311 has been in action during the season and more recently attended Showbus at Duxford, together with WMPTE Bristol VRT 4413 and Walsall Fleetline 116.
Winter work has now commenced, focusing on repainting the cab and surrounding areas this task is being undertaken by Tom Couling. It is also planned to replace the water pump and attend to a number of small water leaks. The bus will then be treated to a full repaint and re- window rubber in time for the Wumpty Forty event in October 2009. A small number of body panels will be replaced also.
WDA 835T - MCW Metrobus Mk1 -
WMPTE 6835 (BaMMOT)
Progress is being made with 6835, all the mid section body panels have been made and are now painted into a first top coat of WMPTE cream. Although the bus itself has not progressed much due to other commitments, it is hoped the bus will be in a presentable state for Wumpty Forty in October 2009.
SDA 757S - Leyland Fleetline/East Lancs -
WMPTE 6757(James Munro)
6757 was in action at the start of the year, performing on the Museum's Private Hire Fleet. Minor mechanical attention, which included a rather seized shackle pin, was carried out prior to submission for testing in September 2008, gaining a successful pass.
NOB 413M - Bristol VRT/MCW -
WMPTE 4413 (Kevin Hill)
4413 now under the care of Kevin Hill has also been in action this year. One of the most significant events being the application of a period advert to the offside inter-deck, for the Wolverhampton 'Mander Centre', which was expertly sign written.
Kevin has also spent time refitting the original style rear number plate display and overhauling the Autofare Mk1 ticket equipment back to working order.
During the return journey from Showbus 4413 suffered a transmission failure on the M6 just prior to Corley services. Due to the nature of the fault the bus was towed back to Wythall, where it received attention from Dave Parry. The angle drive, which forms the link between the gearbox and rear axle, was found to be at fault, this being a known problem with the VRT type. Following several weeks out of action, 4413 returned to the road in late October.
James Munro
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
