ENGINEERING ENDEAVOURS
With the ability to move buses being severely restricted due to the work on the Shire Hall yard – the volunteers on site spent all the Christmas period wading through mud as the top surface had been removed but the concrete not laid – there was some limitation on what could be done. Nevertheless, with carefully thought beforehand as to where to locate buses, much has been achieved.
As reported last time, both the Wendaway BMMO S23 and the BMMO S15 await road test to confirm the repairs to their gearboxes have been successful. Cheltenham Bristol FSF (802MHW) has had a number of outstanding jobs attended to including trying to get interior lights working.
Other work on vehicles has often been in conjunction to their imminent display in the Power Hall.
The Wolverhampton Sunbeam trolleybus (FJW616) was prepared for painting some time ago and now waits better weather for further attention. Another Wolverhampton vehicle, SUK3, the Meadows engined Guy has been prepared for painting and meanwhile Leo Coley and Geoff Hodkinson have been giving the interior a once over to make it look presentable. For some reason, the previous owner removed the front destination equipment, though the side and rear boxes were left untouched. We have sufficient route number and destination blinds/rollers so Roland Slater will be looking into forming some replacement parts etc., which is much appreciated in view of the excellent results he achieved on re-converting the mechanism on West Bromwich 101.
Bob Williamson and Leo Coley have been working on the Tilling Stevens TTA2 26 (O9926) under the watchful eye of Pete Murphy. The two rear windows and the four nearside windows are now all glazed, which involved initial fitting with putty and final fix with beading strips screwed into the framework. All frames and panelling are now being prepared for a final topcoat before the bus is placed in the Power Hall. Leo Coley has made a significant contribution to 26 with a repair to the steering column, so it now steers properly, the forming of two supports/brackets for the offside mudguard, which was welded together by Pete Murphy, and completion of the driver’s cab floor.
The mudguard has now been bolted to the chassis and painted with red oxide and undercoat for final painting as mentioned. The nearside lifeguard rails have been primed and undercoated on the rear faces (only bare wood before!) and the offside ones will be dealt with shortly. A small amount of chassis painting also still needs to be completed.
As well as being painted externally, the Guy Otter is receiving interior refurbishment by Andrew Wiltshire.
Also, Paul Gray continues work on the Smiths battery-electric mail van, which now has a new set of rear doors among other things.
Of the vehicles not due to go into the Power Hall, Alwyne Marsden and Tom Couling continue to make progress on the Southport Leyland PD2 open topper. Dick Lolley has made much progress on completion of the interior of West Bromwich Daimler CVG6-30 248 (248 NEA) and having fitted the lino upstairs has sorted out the step edges on both the staircase and platform. Adrian Thomas has rebuilt the front brakes of Walsall Leyland PD2 815 (RDH505).
Meanwhile, Bob Williamson has also been working on BMMO D9 4871 (871KHA) – the blue and cream one. All the top deck seatframes have now been removed, primed, undercoated, topcoated and loosebolted back on the top deck. The lower deck seatframes have also been similarly treated except the topcoat will be applied later before refixing. The reason for not refitting is that the lower deck lino flooring is to be replaced as it is in poor condition (the top deck has a painted floor). All the lateral floortreads on the lower deck of 4871 have been lifted and cleaned of 47 years worth of dirt ready for relaying in due course - the floortreads, not the dirt!
Enquiries have been made for rechroming the seat top rails. A firm in Worcester is able to do these in due course, when the budget allows.
The front nearside and offside inward facing seat boxes have been cleaned internally and painted with red oxide and undercoat, although one frame panel will need to be replaced in due course. Meanwhile, Jeremy Price has carried out work on the hubs and brakes, although this work is to continue. Finally, the lower deck ceiling has been found to be in good condition – following a good clean – but some of the 'outer' curved panels (with the light fittings) will have to be replaced due to damage etc.
While the Tilling is the Museum’s oldest bus, the newest is West Midlands MCW Metrobus 6835 (WDA835T) and it too is receiving attention. It needs some of the lower deck stress panels replacing or repairing, a matter that Peter Murphy was investigating last October, although it is Dave Parry who is undertaking the current work.
Finally, John James and Malcolm Keeley are continuing the restoration of Midland Red Leyland PD2 4031 (SHA431), while Mike Jordan and Dave Brown continue to work on the BMMO S12.
Phil Ireland & Bob Williamson
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
