ENGINEERING ENDEAVOURS
Walsall Leyland Royal Tiger 808 has had further attention paid to its seats. Although not really the correct specification, the seats recently fitted are at least bus type rather than the coach style previously fitted. Leo Colley did work to get the spacing correct and to level the seats so that, at least from outside, the bus looks as though it could be ready for service.
After its mishap in early May when the windscreen shattered, the BMMO S15 has received attention. Despite an extensive search of the site no spare S15 windscreen could be found although S14 and S16 windscreens were located. Consequently a hardboard pattern had to be made and a new piece of glass obtained from PSV Glass. This was subsequently fitted by Leo Colley and Phil Ireland with assistance from Dave Parry in time for the bus to return to service for the J-Days Operating Days.
Two buses have passed their Class VI tests in recent weeks, the Wendaway BMMO S23 and Birmingham Guy 2976. Neither needed much remedial work prior to the test but both caused a last minute panic related to tyres. Although it had been hoped to recut the tread on three tyres, this proved to not be an option on two of the tyres. Resolving this issue in the two days before the test required three visits to Lodge Tyres in Central Birmingham - and much cursing of split ring wheels by the Lodge tyre fitters - before acceptable tyres were on both buses.
The next bus for testing is West Bromwich Daimler CVG6-30 248. It has to go through a full Certificate of Initial Fitness examination as it was withdrawn too early for its last Certificate of Fitness gained in service to count. Dave Parry, with assistance from various other members, has now completed the long list of things to be attended to. The bus was recently taken to Allelys to check the brakes on their rolling road and made a diversion on the way back to the Beoley public weighbridge as weights are required for the test. It was then taken for its COIF in late June and although the examiner found a few things not quite to his liking these are not difficult to rectify, and it is anticipated that 248 will have joined the Museum's Class VI fleet in time for the late July event day.
A bus which has not had work reported in "Omnibus" for a long time is the Barton Leyland PD1. Having finished work on the Guy Otter, Andrew Wiltshire has now started work on the Barton. The initial job has been to deal with perished rubber on the drop down windows, which means removing large numbers of screws to get at it. It is hoped that more progress can be made on this bus and that other people will be getting involved.
Phil Ireland
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
