PRESERVATION PLANS
The following notes are a brief summary of the Museum's engineering workload for the forthcoming months, as reviewed by the Committee in late November.
Six of the eight vehicles in the current Class VI fleet are scheduled to be retested, while one will revert to Class V status. BMMO D9 5399 will benefit from a thorough interior tidy-up. The Crosville Bristol L5G is due for a complete repaint over the winter, and needs refreshing inside. It is also hoped to replace its radiator badge. These two vehicles are due for retest before the open day season begins.
The Cheltenham Bristol RELL is due for its retest in May. Meanwhile Daimler Fleetline 6311 is to have its cream paintwork varnished, but will revert to Class V when its current ticket expires in May.
Both vehicles scheduled for retest during July need some heavier work doing. Birmingham Guy Arab 2976 requires its rear platform frame to be reinforced, while BMMO S16 5545 is in want of replacement cylinder heads, plus its driver's seat is being retrimmed.
The West Bromwich Daimler CVG6-30 is due for a test in August, with no special work identified at this time. The Cheltenham Bristol FSF, however, will not be retested when its current certificate expires in September.
The BMMO CM6T is the only current Class V vehicle, but will not be retested in October. Meanwhile, a number of faults that occurred during its recent activities will be rectified. Test certificates for the open-top BMMO D9 and the WMPTE BMMO S23 expired some time ago and will not be renewed for the time being. However, the BMMO D10, which be tested in October, replacing the CM6T in the Class V fleet, and ready for its 50th anniversary.
The Leyland fire engine is due for a repaint, after which it will be transferred to the Power Hall display. This is expected to involve a general reshuffle of vehicles during February.
The Red & White Guy Arab is having its platform doors reinstated, together with some rectification of bodywork blemishes. Then it will be repainted and returned to the Power Hall.
Metrobus 6835 requires repairs to the lower deck floor, general refurbishment of its interior, plus both mechanical and electrical work before it can be repainted. Ultimately, though, the aim is for it to join the Class VI fleet.
There is a list of outstanding items to complete the bodywork of the BMMO S12. Mechanically it will be made drivable, but it is unlikely to be used in service. Another Midland Red bus, the SOS 'SON' is currently having work done to complete the restoration of its front end.
Bodywork renovation continues on the Southport Leyland PD2 open topper and the Barton Leyland PD1, the latter rather hidden away in the Scania Hall. Restoration of Walsall Leyland PD2 815 progresses, utilising some parts removed from the Lytham vehicle; a new mudguard/inner wing is required. All three of these are intended to reach at least Class V, possibly Class VI standard.
However, no work other than retrimming the driver's seat is due on the Walsall Leyland Royal Tiger. Meanwhile the Stratford Blue Leyland Tiger double-decker needs generally tidying up, so that it looks cared for.
In addition there are ten vehicles owned by other groups or individuals in various stages of restoration at the Museum.
As ever, all of these plans are dependent on the Trust's resources. In some cases this means manpower, in other cases it means money, frequently it means both. Sometimes, as well, we are trying to meet target dates; for instance, it would be nice to complete the Tilling's staircase in time for Birmingham's motorbus centennial in 1912.
Nevertheless, the Trustees still need to find major funding for some projects such as the AEC Regent and BMMO S6, a task that was never going to be easy even before minor issues like the downturn in the banking system, paying for the Olympic Games, and maybe the soccer World Cup beyond that...
Andrew Gardner & Phil Ireland
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
