WYTHALL WORKS
At this time of year much of our effort goes in to routine work and in particular keeping the Museum running and presentable.
When the Bristol LG5 repaint was complete some of the correct style transfers were not available. For the purposes of its Class VI Test, which it passed in April, temporary lettering was affixed in the windows. During May the correct vinyls became available, supplied by Tearnes, and were quickly applied by Kevin, thereby finishing work on the exterior. Subsequently, some work has been done to tidy the interior of the bus. Eddie Bond has replaced some of the interior trim on the front bulkhead and then painted this and some other parts where interior paint was flaking. The seats have also received attention with some being replaced by better quality donated ones and the rubber fixings underneath replaced where necessary.
Another Bristol, the Cheltenham RE, had a series of minor faults dealt with by a number of people before being presented for test in May. This it passed.
Two vehicles in the paint shop are the Red & White Guy and the Leyland fire engine. By mid-June work on the R&W was nearing completion and it should have returned to the Power Hall by the Father's Day event. Like the R&W, the fire engine is having a number of things attended to before being painted. Mick Green has made an excellent job of cleaning the chrome and brasswork. Eddie has run though a list of missing screws and other bits and pieces and Tony has fitted some beading, which is shown on original photographs, but which has disappeared over the years.
Bob Williamson has done further work on the Fleetline chassis to make it more presentable.
Much of the other work recently has been the routine keeping the place tidy and it was good to have a visitor remark how clean we keep the Museum as they were leaving after a non-event day visit. Thanks to all those who do this work. Special mention must be made of the admission hut which Steve Bennett cleaned so thoroughly that staff at the next event day hardly dared enter for fear of getting the floor dirty! Tom Couling, assisted by Daniel, has made a start on putting another coat of paint on the exterior of the EV Hall; the frosts of last winter having damaged the excellent work done by Cliff and Leo last year.
Phil Ireland
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
