WINTER WORKS
As I write this, snow is lying on the ground so it is an appropriate time to review what those hardy souls who come to the museum throughout the winter have been up to. In fact, one aspect of life has been made a little more comfortable; for the first time in the museum’s history there is running hot water for hand washing! As foreshadowed in the last article on site developments, the gents toilets have been upgraded with the water heater, frost prevention and new strip lighting. There is even a mirror! Just when we thought we had finished someone sat on a loo seat (isn’t that what they are for?) and broke it.
The site has seen considerable movement of vehicles from the sides and back of the Shire Hall (i.e. the original, lower hall for those who did not know it has a name!). The primary intention is to clear the space at the back of the building to allow a concrete base to be laid onto which a prefabricated ‘Blue-line’ building will be erected. This will then allow the spares stored in several places round the site to be consolidated in one place and in better order. Having got virtually every vehicle out from all three sides, those intended for spares and electric vehicles further down the restoration programme have been returned to the Britannic side of the Shire Hall but in a much more orderly fashion than before. Movement of some of the vehicles was not easy as they had been stationery for years. Much credit is due to the team who did the work consisting of Kevin Hill, Alex Potts and Pete Murphy, assisted by James Munro and others from time to time. The clearance of the vehicles has also allowed encroaching vegetation to be trimmed back, thus regaining parts of the site we had lost and finding spare engines in the undergrowth. Mick Doolan, Matt Fell and Alex Potts have done much of this work with Kevin and Pete setting fire to the branches cut off.
The wet winter has meant it was good to get this vehicle movement done before some areas turned to quagmire. Although some buses currently in the public display area will be returned to the caravan club side of the Shire Hall before the open season, there will be some exceptions. In particular, SUK 3, the Wolverhampton Meadows engined Guy Arab will remain on public display. As well as bringing it out from obscurity, the team mentioned above have got it going, replaced panels removed years ago and returned it to a presentable state although major restoration work is of course required.
A problem in the Shire Hall is dust. Whilst some of this is due to people working (!) it also comes from the concrete floor. This has been a particular concern to Dave Parry working on the Q and for Mike Jordan who has been assisting Dave by painting the chassis. To try to reduce the problem, the floor under the Q and the gangway nearby was cleared and the whole area treated to a coat of floor paint over the Christmas period. This seems to have been effective so further areas are to be treated in the coming months.
Most of the other effort over the winter has been devoted to vehicles. Two are currently in grey primer having been prepared and awaiting painting when the weather is suitable for applying top coats. The Harper’s PD2 is currently inside and Geoff Hodkinson is dealing with the flaking paintwork in the upper deck. Another vehicle normally kept outside but currently inside is the Midland Red Leyland National. With much steel used in its construction it was felt that work now would prevent deterioration needing major work in the future. All the windows have been removed to allow the rust to be treated and only two side frames and the rear one have needed replacement, justifying the decision to deal with them now. New member Tim has been refurbishing the interior.
Good news for those who were sorry to see the S16 laid up is that the engine has been rebuilt and refitted to the bus by Chris Hatton and Kevin. A road test has indicated all is in order and the bus should be back in our Class VI fleet by the end of February. Also due back in the Class VI fleet is the Trent PD2 following its repaint and some mechanical work, which is now nearing completion.
What else would a visitor to our site now notice? Well, my Sheffield VR’s platform rebuild is nearing completion, although the doors still need attention before being reinstated; Dave Taylor’s Walsall 56 has more new panels; Dick and Fred’s Leyland PS2 is rapidly coming together with work concentrated on the interior at present. Work on the offside of the Southport open top is well under way by Alwyne and Pete, and Tom Couling has given assistance both on this project and on the SOS ‘Q’. Noticeable progress has also been made on 1685 Group’s Midland Red LD8 with upper deck panels reinstated and the platform well on the way to being rebuilt. Also, I shouldn’t forget the progress on the milk float with Paul, John Richards and Tony beavering away.
Finally, none of the above would be possible without Fred’s pots of excellent tea – even if he says so himself. And after years of moaning about how the teapot leaks, Roger Hodson has provided one that doesn’t leak!
Phil Ireland
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
