THE SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS
MUSEUM – ABV33A (KCH 112)
DETAILS
Chassis: Leyland
Titan PD2/12, built 1956, 562584.
Body:
Double-deck, Highbridge. Metropolitan Cammell Works (Birmingham) built 1957. Orion
body. (H32/26RD)
Engine:
Leyland O.600 (9.8litres)
First
Licensed: 01/02/1957
CLICK ON PHOTOS TO SEE A LARGER VERSION
BACKGROUND HISTORY
The PD2
was the post-war design (PD) version 2 of the Leyland Titan chassis first
introduced in 1927. The PD2 was launched by Leyland in 1947.
HISTORY
OF THIS VEHICLE
This vehicle was
originally supplied in 1957 to Trent Motor Traction as KCH 112 and allocated to
the Shipley depot in Derbyshire from new and was based there for most of its
working life. In 1972 it was reallocated to Nottingham,then Hucknall for a short
time with its final days in Belper and Derby. Withdrawn in 1977.
In June 1977 it was
sold to a dealer before being sold on to North East Lancashire County Council
who utilised it as a playbus.
It appears to have
been based for a time in Bristol with a community group before going into the
ownership of the London Bus Export Company(Gwent) who
operated it as “Mr. Bus”.
The vehicle remained as a playbus until being sent to the scrap yard in August 2006.
RESTORATION
DETAILS
The intention is to restore the bus in the mid-green and cream livery of
Garelochhead Coach Services who operated 2 buses from the same batch (bought
from Trent in 1968)
An early stage - the playbus interior has been removed and paint
stripping of body panels has commenced. A set of seats have been obtained from
(ironically) a 1979 Leyland Atlantean originally with Glasgow which was being
converted into a playbus.
May 2008
Work on
stripping the paint on roof of upper deck internally. Time consuming job as
stripper drops off reducing contact time - well worth wearing a hat. 6 coats of
paint don't help. General prep ahead of planned chassis sand
blast and silvering. More parts acquired from various sources.
On schedule for 2011!!!
July 2008
Graham
has been working on stripping the paint off the upper deck ceiling, a miserable
job at the best of times and hat-wearing is mandatory. The seats which received
the unwanted attention of pigeons at the previous storage site have been
stashed away (courtesy of G McG) for future attention.
March 2009
Graham
has been busy on the top deck interior, stripping paint and removing the side
panel coverings, getting old glue over himself in the process. A set of seats
from a Stockport PD2 has been obtained for the lower deck.
June 2009
Lower deck external panels removed along with side rails. Lot of rust and stubborn rusted bolts. In process of
removing windows, emptying bus and preparing for grit-blasting chassis over the
summer. Due to fact highbridge vehicle, this has
proved difficult but fingers crossed that commercial lifts are repaired in time
for use on this activity
November 2009
All
downstairs windows and pans removed. All side panels removed from both sides up
to upper window line. Bus being emptied of all parts which
were being stored internally to allow it to be ready for its slot at grit
blasters - hopefully by year end. Further internal fittings removed / dismantled.
Various spares obtained mainly from ebay.
March 2010
Graham has been busy removing
the lower deck windows and more panels. This has revealed lots of rot in the
frame and much welding will be necessary as a result. The planned visit to the shotblaster has been delayed by the weather.
May 2010
Graham reports that Andrew
Crockett has built and fitted a new exhaust system. The planned shotblasting has been further delayed but hopefully will be
done by May so that necessary welding and bodywork can commence.
Aug 2010
Graham
reports that the chassis and body frame have now been blasted and silvered by
David Blackburn.
Dec 2010
Graham
reports that he has commenced the removal of the seat rails and has removed the
platform surface to enable welding repairs to the platform area and bearers.
Jan 2011
Best I can say is I've made it
through to inspect the bus due to the Siberian plus weather. Plans are now in
place with Andrew Crockett for platform welding and same on sections of
framing.
(Of interest: I had guy in Germany contact me via and
he has found sister KCH126 looking a bit sorry for itself beside a DIY store on
the Rhine. We thought it was safe in a museum but sadly not the case.)
All
information by Graham Ellery