MUNROS MACHINES
NOB413M Bristol VRT/MCW West Midlands PTE 4413
During April the water pump was overhauled and a troublesome water leak was cured at the second
attempt! This enabled 4413 to make its first appearance on the Museum service at
the start of May. (Refer to Jeremy Price's recent prediction about the year of
the water pump!).
JOV613P Daimler Fleetline/Park Royal West Midlands PTE 4613
4613 was fitted with a new set of batteries during March. Both the exterior and interior
have had a full clean, prior to the start of the rally season.
SDA757S Leyland Fleetline/East Lancs West Midlands PTE 6757
Over the winter a set of first gear piston seals was obtained, ready for fitting in March
this year. However, the diameter of the new seals appeared to be slightly
different and they would not fit. After much effort, a correct set of seals was
manufactured and fitted. The gearbox air pressure has also been adjusted,
improving the gear selection. A rubber radiator mounting has also been replaced,
and a defective emergency door buzzer has been rectified.
WDA956T Leyland Fleetline/MCW (single-deck conversion) West Midlands
Travel 1956
Since the last report on 1956, the air system has been cleaned out
and the air condenser replaced. Minor electrical work was required, including
replacement of the indicator switch. A rear tyre was replaced prior to a
successful MOT submission in March.
WDA 971T Leyland Fleetline/MCW West Midlands PTE 6971
6971 was submitted for an annual test in June, gaining a successful pass after minor work.
JOJ533 Guy Arab/Metro-Cammell Birmingham 2533 &
JOJ245 Leyland PS2/Weymann Birmingham 2245
2533 was submitted for a successful MOT in March
after minor work was carried out, this included attention to a fuel leak. 2245
was also submitted for a successful MOT in June.
NOV796G Daimler Fleetline/Park Royal Birmingham 3796
The 3796 group have been busy painting the cab and stairwell areas of the interior. However, they
have also found time to prepare and submit 3796 for an annual MOT. Work on the
interior continues, to good effect.
James Munro
WALSALL PACK
XDH 516G Daimler Fleetline / Northern Counties Walsall 116
Over winter Walsall 116 was stored undercover in Hereford, along with the Trent Leyland PD2.
Its return to the Museum was planned for 1 April, to be back in time for the
Easter openings. To avoid the M5, the journey back took in picturesque Ledbury,
Malvern and Worcester, finally skirting round Bromsgrove and Redditch back to
Wythall. The Trent PD2 is scheduled to stay at Hereford for the time being, so
its batteries were brought back for use on the Open Top D9. John Townshend also
took the opportunity to replace a broken battery terminal that had failed on
arrival at Hereford last year.
XDH56G Daimler CRC6-36 / Northern Counties Walsall 56
As previously reported, attempts to replace leaking pipes have been
ongoing for several months. The bus has been parked next to the pit area with
the front jacked up to allow easier crawling access underneath. Much of the
original pipework has almost fossilised and replacement pipes have either been
cut, bent and flared from new, or obtained from the two Fleetlines that came as
scrappers during the year. Some of the long lengths of air pipe have been
replaced with nylon, which has proved far more practical to fit. Over winter
John Townshend replaced the front nearside spring and serviced the hub, a
mammoth task.
During March/April the fuel tank was removed to replace broken
straps, silvered and refitted. On Easter Monday fuel was found to be dripping
from the tank. Later that week it was removed again and Pete Murphy expertly
welded the affected area. The following weekend it was refitted and 56 fired up
again, this time without leaks. The front offside wheel was changed at the same
time and the bus finally lowered back down to ground. There remains 72 feet of
water pipe to sort out and there are still a few strange hissing noises, so the
next stage is to get it to the point where we can get it on and off the pit
easily.
Dave Taylor
WILLIAMSONS WORKS
VVP911 Bedford SB3/Duple coach Sandwell Motor Co
All the aluminium beading has now been cleaned and finished with scotchbrite by Bob Williamson.
The bodywork has been filled and sanded by Kevin Hill and Paul Gray, then Kevin
has primed, undercoated and half-and-half coated of all three colours.
871KHA BMMO D9 Midland Red 4871
On the upper deck, all the wooden floortreads are now fitted and whole floor has been undercoated. Several floor
coves panels have been replaced by Kevin Hill, and are now primed. The nearside
panels have been undercoated; the offside ones to be done next. Owing to the
worn condition of its edge, a new floorstrip has been cut and painted and is to
be fitted where floor meets the destination box flap. Further work in the
immediate future includes refitting the seats and painting the floor with
topcoats.
Bob Williamson
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
