ENGINEERING ENDEAVOURS
0 9926 - Tilling Stevens TTA2
(Birmingham 26)
Work on the offside has continued through the spate of bad weather with primer and undercoat now applied to the window frames. Plywood sheet has been cut to size for the lower panelling, which is in poor condition, and a coat of primer applied. It is intended to undercoat and fix during the next few weeks. The entire bottom edge of the panelled area has had to be built up with filler as little was left of the original edge for the beading to be affixed!
SDA757S - Leyland Fleetline / East Lancs (West Midlands PTE 6757)
6757 successfully passed a Class V Test in mid-August 2004 following a thorough a mechanical overhaul. The entire braking system was subjected to a full overhaul, due to most of the component parts seizing completely! This made the task of stripping down the wheel hubs extremely difficult.
Both kingpins were renewed, and all the steering ball joints have since been renewed. The front braking system was cleaned up and lubricated as necessary. The rear braking shoes were relined, all component parts overhauled and lubricated as required. All hub seals were replaced prior to refitting. With this work completed it brought the end to three years of hard work in restoring 6757 in y ownership. Following the successful Class V Test, 6757 returned to the road for the first time since 1998.
Thanks are expressed to Dave Parry and John Townend for their efforts in relation to most of the mechanical work.
JOV613P - Daimler Fleetline / Park Royal
(West Midlands PTE 4613)
Keen 'Omnibus' readers will note that 4613's last reported repaint was in June 1989, when Roger Hodson dispatched 4613 to Tyburn Road Works for a part panel and repaint. The efforts of Tyburn Road staff had stood the test of time; however during the early part of 2004 the blue paintwork looked somewhat 'aged'. In July 2004 it was decided to return 4613 back to its 1989 glory.
This involved removal of a number of lower body panels for stress panel repair or replacement as necessary. A lower pillar section was replaced next to the front offside wheelarch, below the cab area. Some of the lower body panels were replaced and the destination blind glass was remasked. The opportunity was seized to refit the 1970s style "Pay as you enter" slots, together with the signs, thus providing a contrast to 6311.
A full engine service and steam clean also took place. Following this the underside was sprayed with a fresh coat of silver paint.
A full interior clean was undertaken, with some of the interior paintwork refurbished.
In early August 2004, 4613 passed into Kevin Hill's paint shop, where the lower panels were treated to a fresh coat of WMPTE 'Oxford' blue, and the transfers were subsequently applied. The road wheels received a thorough clean and a coat of fresh black paint, along with the wheel trims.
Following mechanical checks, 4613 was submitted for an annual test in mid-August 2004, gaining a successful pass.
KON311P - Leyland Fleetline / MCW
(West Midlands PTE 6311)
6311 has represented the Museum on several occasions during the 2004 season, the last of which was on the August Bank Holiday, when used on the car park shuttle. During August operations an oil leak from the rocker cover area was identified. This has since been rectified. Further work in relation to other oil leaks is due to take place this year in order for a return to the road in 2006.
NOB413M - Bristol VRT / MCW
(West Midlands PTE 4413)
After the 2004 season concluded a further WMPTE vehicle arrived on site in the form of 4413. This is the oldest surviving Bristol VRT of a batch ordered new by WMPTE in the early 1970s. The batch consisted of 200 vehicles, identical in appearance.
4413 entered service in 1974 running from Wolverhampton's Bilston Street Garage, later becoming part of Cleveland Road in 1978.
In 1982, 4413 was withdrawn from service and passed into the hands of the National Bus Company, repainted into poppy red and operating for National Welsh. In the late 1980s, 4413 passed into the hands of other operators before being acquired for preservation in 1992 by the West Midlands Bus Preservation Society. Due to other ongoing projects, WMBPS kindly offered the bus to the 1790 Preservation Group at a reasonable price in October 2004.
In view of a number of problems, 4413 was towed from dry storage at the WMBPS base in Bewdley to Wythall. A full set of original seating trim is being sourced and should hopefully arrive at Wythall soon.
All the lower panels have been removed and Pete Murphy has carried out the necessary stress panel and body pillar repairs. The lower panels have now been replaced, using new aluminium, in readiness for a repaint. The rear destination box has been refitted, along with the original style number plate arrangement, positioned behind glass. The upper deck interior melamine trim around the emergency exit has been replaced and the exit window has been refitted.
The accelerator master and slave cylinders have been overhauled and all the pipework has undergone replacement. With this work carried out, the bus is able to drive around the site under its own power.
Further work to the body is now required around the rear bonnet area before a repaint can be carried out.
Watch this space!
BOK1V - MCW Metrobus Mk1
(West Midlands PTE 2001)
During the winter months a full assessment of the rear end has taken place. Considerable work is required to restore the originally specified rear downstairs window. Most of the body panels are now in stock to undertake this task, and it is hoped work will commence towards the end of 2005.
WDA971T - Leyland Fleetline / MCW
(West Midlands PTE 6971)
WDA 971T was delivered new to WMPTE as 6971, allocated to Harnell Lane Garage, Coventry. It remained working in Coventry until 1986, but on deregulation was placed into a newly created reserve fleet at Walsall Garage. However this was short lived; after a few weeks it was transferred to Yardley Wood Garage to replace ageing Fleetlines of earlier eras. 6971 was now bearing the WM Travel livery of light blue and cream with the appropriate WM Travel fleetnames. It remained at Yardley Wood until 1989, and then transferred to Acocks Green, when it was repainted into the grey and blue WMT livery. Operational until 1993 it was then placed in store at Selly Oak Garage. It was subsequently used by other operators in the North of England, on hire from WMT, before passing to Matthew's Travel in 1994 for use on schools. Following withdrawal from Matthew's, it passed to ACE Transport of Leicester for schools use.
In August 2003, James Munro and Kevin Hill purchased 6971 for spares. However, due to the overall condition it was deemed suitable for restoration. Replacement of the upper deck ceiling and original red seating trim was carried out and an MOT obtained in October 2003. 6971 was then sold to Andy Walcott for continued restoration in March 2004.
Since then the lower nearside panels have been replaced and in July 2004 Kevin Hill repainted it into the post-1986 WM Travel livery. 6971 received an overhaul of the fuel system at the end of 2004. This required removal and replacement of the fuel tank, which in recent months had become self-draining! All fuel filters were replaced and minor electrical repairs were also undertaken. An overhaul of the steering and braking systems is required before an annual test.
NOE544R - Leyland National Mk1
(Midland Red West 544)
544's interior was fully restored prior to the Midland Red event in October 2004. Geoff Hodkinson undertook most of this work in the preceding months.
A minor electrical fault in the battery circuit was rectified during October, which enabled the bus to drive around without the assistance of a battery trolley!
OTA632G - Bristol RELH / ECW
(Royal Blue)
OTA632G returned from offsite dry storage in February 2005 and immediately received an external wash. Further cleaning work will now be concentrated on the interior trim, whilst a sticking air valve is also on the list!
NEA101F - Daimler Fleetline / MCW
(West Bromwich 101)
101 is currently in the workshop undergoing preparation for a repaint into West Bromwich low-height livery. All bodyside windows have been removed, as all the rubbers need replacement.
Most of the lower deck seat frames have been removed, along with the nearside lower deck floor, which has a rotten section after years of water ingress. Preparation of the bodywork continues...
Tilling report - Bob Williamson,
Other reports - James Munro
Editor's note:- We have explained to James that it is OK for him to mention buses with the engine at the front, or under the floor!
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