THE SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM - BXA 464 B

 

Text Box:   
April 2011, Approaching Kirkby Stephen Station (J Crichton)







DETAILS

Chassis: Bristol Lodekka FS6G, built 1964, No. 214188

Body: Double Deck, Eastern Coachworks H33/27RD, No. 14389

Engine: Gardner 6LX 6-cyI diesel, 10.4 litre

First Licensed: 1/6/64, BXA 464 B, Fleet No. FRD 199

 

(CLICK PHOTOS FOR LARGER IMAGES)

(WANTED, ANY PHOTOS OF THE BUS IN SERVICE!)

 

 

 

 

BACKGROUND HISTORY

The F Series Bristol Lodekka appeared in production form in 1959 to replace the L series, which was first introduced in 1949. The F series appeared in short (FS) and long (FL) versions and continued in production until 1968. Engine options were available with Bristol, Gardner or Leyland engines. Therefore this FS6G is an F series, short, with a 6 cylinder Gardner engine.

HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE

FRD 199 was numerically the last of a batch of 34 FSs to enter service with W. Alexander & Sons (Fife) Ltd from 1963-64. It initially entered service at Cowdenbeath for operation on local service in that town. Thereafter it was transferred to Kirkcaldy where it remained till the end of its service days. FRD 199 was one of only four surviving rear entrance double deck buses in Fife when it was offered for sale in late 1980.

 

BXA464B_1965_XX_WebLeft: Dunfermline St Margaret's Bus Station in the Spring of 1965 on service 306 to Leven

(Would whoever gave this photo to Eddie Taylor at the Open Weekend please send his name - we would like to credit him)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BXA464B_19700606_  IMcG_WebLeft: The setting is the bottom of Charlotte St, Kirkcaldy at its junction with the Esplanade directly opposite the old Esplanade Bus Station.  The building behind the front of the bus is the old Trocadero Cafe, a well known local landmark for Kirkcaldy travellers. (Eddie Taylor)

Photo: 06/06/1970 (Iain MacGregor)

 

 

 

 

 

BXA464B_ET099001_WEBFRD 199 was purchased by a preservation group in West Scotland but in 1983 was purchased by Stagecoach of Perth. At some point with Stagecoach, its Gardner 6LW engine was replaced with a Gardner 6LX producing a considerable turn of speed. In November 1989 the vehicle was transferred to Magicbus operations in Glasgow. The present owners purchased it in November 1990.

Left: Inverness, September 1990, a few weeks before purchase for preservation. (Eddie Taylor)

 

 

 

 

 

RESTORATION DETAILS

BXA464B Whitburn ET WebAs with all bus restoration, the problem of storage was first priority. The vehicle was initially stored at a farm near Coalsnaughton by Alloa, where no work was carried out due to the limitations of space. In July 1991 it was transferred to Rennies of Dunfermline for temporary storage, where some minor electrical work was carried out. From September 1991 to May 1992 it was stored at the Fife Scottish depot in Dunfermline (returning home?) prior to transfer to the previous site of the SVBM at Whitburn. Once at Whitburn, the majority of work carried out concerned the bodywork

Left: Whitburn, 1992?, alongside a similar vehicle of 1957 vintage. (Eddie Taylor)

 

 

 

 

 

BXA464B_ET199501_WebIt was driven to Lathalmond in 1995 when the museum transferred to the new site and immediately claimed a place in the workshop so that work started at Whitburn could continue

Right: Just after the move to Lathalmond in 1995 (Eddie Taylor)

 

 

 

 

 

 

BXA464B0499_WebIt was a long slog at Lathalmond. Several deficiencies were attended to, including brakes, suspension and battery box. But the vast majority of time was spent completely removing all body paint down to bare metal and fitting a few new panels. Owing to the active partners being involved in all and sundry other projects and activities at the museum, this was only finished in December 2000. However, no sooner was it done than filler was applied and sanded down and the undercoat was applied - then filled, sanded and painted again in various places – ready to be repainted to its original Fife livery of Ayres Red and cream, with full lining out in black and white.

Left: Lathalmond, April 1999 (Jim Crichton)

 

 

 

 

 

BXA464B200104_WebBy 2001 the bus was back in original livery - complete with hand-painted period adverts. The bus was put through a Class 5 MOT in July, but unfortunately failed on two points - a fuel tank leak and excessive play in the steering drag link. These faults were rectified and the bus was re-tested successfully on 6th August.

Left: Lathalmond, April 2001 (Jim Crichton)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box:  Moving into place for her inaugural service trip to Dunfermline on the Saturday of the 2001 Open Weekend.

Photo: Jim Crichton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BXA464B20010818_MC01_WebLittle did we know that within half an hour a broken front off-side leaf spring - possibly broken on the trip - would cause a steering fault that resulted in a collision with a barrier on approach to Dunfermline Bus Station.

Left: Back in Lathalmond (Mike Chapman)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box:  We didn’t really need any incentive to get the damage fixed, but we got some in the shape of an invitation to show her at ‘Corgi Classics Scotmodel 2001’ in the SECC, Glasgow. The spring was removed, sent for repair (new leaf) and refitted. The fibreglass nearside wing and front panel were filled, sanded and repainted. The offside metal wing was removed and a new one made and fitted by Tam Loggie and Matt, and painted. We were back in business – and had also repaired a gearbox leak that we originally intended dealing with in 2002 – with ten days to spare - ready to roll.

Left: Lathalmond, October 2001 (Jim Crichton)

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box:  Returned to pristine condition.

Left: SECC Glasgow, November 2001 (Mike Chapman)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUBSEQUENT WORK (from J Pettie’s Restoration Update)

Text Box:  
No3 Piston Damage, July 2009
(Mike Chapman

Following several years of sterling service, 199 went back into the workshop in May 2009 for the cause of its considerable oil consumption to be investigated. Jim Methven and Mike Chapman, two of the co-owners, opened up the Gardner engine - with the unit still in the bus to try and save effort. With the heads off and the pistons out the reason for the oil loss became apparent. The piston rings on cylinders 3 and 4 had broken up causing some damage to each of these pistons and their cylinder liners. The possibility of a cheap repair faded fast and an engine which seemed to run so well needed some replacement components. Work so far had taken about 50 hours and there was still a long way to go.

Worse was to come as Jim and Mike found after further investigation that a new cylinder block would be needed. They managed to get a used one, after a lot of engine stripping, which was good enough to hone and use for the rebuild. While the engine is an LX it was a good time to consider using LXB/C pistons which are greener and give a cleaner start up from cold. They got hold of six and built them into the engine with new piston rings. While off, the cylinder heads were stripped, cleaned and reassembled with new valve guides. One of the old guides was 5 thou oversize and this delayed the refitting slightly. They turned to David Roberts at Gardner Enthusiasts Ltd. and sourced the unusual part with ease. Dave Roberts has been very helpful and indeed has supplied a piston, guides, sprayer castle nuts, gaskets, filters and Gardner enamel for the job, sent by post at an economic price.

By March 2010, Jim and Mike had worked more than 150 hours and the rebuild was nearing its conclusion. The bus heating pipes were re-routed, as it was found that the previous set up had cut into the inlet manifold, and the fuel system was connected up. The oil sprayers were in and piped to the pump and the compressor and drive belts were back on. The radiator, breather and inlet ducting were fitted, followed by the cover panels. Jim and Mike acknowledge that the overhaul would not have been possible without Rab Patterson's guidance and specialist tools.

Text Box:  
Broken Piston Rings, July 2009
(Mike Chapman)
The lower saloon heater box was removed, cleaned out and refitted as it had been blowing cold. The timing chain was adjusted, new fan belts were fitted and the engine stop cable was converted from "Push to Stop" to "Pull to Stop".

The first attempt at start up was unsuccessful until it was discovered that the new stop cable was holding the "conker" open. Once this was properly adjusted the engine fired up no problem and ran quite sweetly - a bit smoky at first but that soon cleared. However, joy was short-lived as cooling water appeared in large amounts on the workshop floor. Various hose clips were tightened up and the water leaks disappeared. 199 was then taken for a run around the site during which a. minor fuel leak and a couple of minor oil leaks were spotted and rectified

While the front was off, the electrics for the headlights were tidied up and a fog light was fitted in the vacant hole and wired in to the spare switch in the cab panel. Insulation defects on the starter and solenoid cables were rectified using heat shrink sleeving and all panels, bonnet and radiator cowling were refitted. A new battery set was required as the current pair had given up. Some paint rectification and a repair to the nearside front wing were carried out and the brakes attended to. The job was finished – well done Jim and Mike!

Following a pre-MoT check, a few minor advisories were carried out and a test arranged - happily, 199 passed first time. A couple of weeks later, the overhaul was proved successful on a round day trip of approximately 250 miles, to attend the Kirkby Stephen Saturday Running Day in Cumbria, during which 199 did several service runs and took part in the extremely challenging Road Run.

 

 

 


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