THE SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM - WORKSHOP NEWS
After many years of compiling Workshop
News, Pete Westwater has decided to call it a day and take a well-earned rest.
Many thanks for all your efforts, Pete. We will of course be continuing to
receive updates on shed 47 railway progress from him.
Since the last issue much progress has been
made on workshop residents both long and short stay. I propose however to
restrict commentary to matters of newsworthy interest; this will not include
vehicles in for routine maintenance or pre-MOT checks, for example. I will try
to get round everybody before each issue goes to press but if I miss somebody
please let me know. Remember - if all you've done is remove a wheel nut and
polish it I don't intend to publish!
Links: Main Workshop Workshop Annex
ABV33A (KCH112), 1957 Leyland Titan PD2/12/MCW,
Trent 1012
(Photo:
Jim Crichton, Aug 2007)
Dec 2007
A newcomer to the workshop, the lower deck roof panels have been exposed to reveal holes in the roof created when the vehicle was a playbus. Some rear external panels have been removed exposing rot in the framework which will also require attention.
ACB904, 1947 Guy Arab Mk III 6LW Recovery Wagon, Blackburn
Corporation 76
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May
2007)
Dec 2007
Roland and lan Parry have now removed and replaced the rear springs and stripped down the rear brakes. The rear part of the chassis has been silvered ready for the floor and rear wheel arches to be reinstated.
BDJ67, 1950 AEC Regent
3RT, St Helens D67
(Photo:
Jim Crichton, May 2007)
Dec 2007
Jim Methven advises that work on this bus proceeds with a headlamp conversion fitted which now gives a road legal double dip/beam. The air discharge valve has been repaired and appears now to work satisfactorily. The clutch pedal valve was leaking and a stripdown has removed offending crusty deposits inside it, the bus now holding air for hours rather than minutes. The steel window pans were corroding and to stop further decay were rubbed down and primed, Peter Mitchell kindly applying the final paint coating. The bus certainly looks a lot smarter as a result. Next step is a brake test followed by an MOT if the readings come up correctly.
July 2007
More items from the defect list have been rectified and Jim Methven has reached the 'Electrical Items' heading on the 'to do' sheet. A lot of the wiring problems were easy to repair, however it was discovered that the bus headlamps were not fitted with a focussed high and dip beam system. As with many older buses and LT vehicles it has a single n/s lamp for low beam use and high beam brings the o/s lamp on through plain glass. This system is no longer accepted for current road use and moreover the lamps are not a matching pair; consequently a correct set of RT headlights are being urgently sought. Unfortunately this holdup is likely to prevent the bus being MOTd in time for the Open Weekend.
May 2007
Since entering the workshop in April Jim, supported by Bob Paterson, has been
making his way through the tasks listed in Roland's inspection. The bus is in
fairly good condition (i.e. not doomed!). The first major task is to renew all
of the wheel bearing seals which have failed or are about to do so. New seals
are difficult to come by but have been sourced and ordered up. Additional
repairs are likely to take a month or so yet to complete, after which it can be
submitted for MOT.
BMS 222, 1952 Leyland
Royal Tiger PSU1, W Alexander PC1 (See Bus Profile)
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May 2007)
Unspecified repairs
CHG541, 1954 Leyland
PS2/14, Burnley Colne & Nelson 41
(Photo: Jim Crichton, Aug 2007)
May 2007
After
replacement of the failed cylinder gasket the bus refused to start and Arthur
Davies now awaits a set of reconditioned injectors before proceeding further
CUH856 1947 Leyland Tiger
PS 1/ECW Western Welsh 856
(Photo:
Jim Crichton, May 2007)
June 2007
A set of window pans has been sourced but Tarn is looking for a set of original sliding window units which were peculiar to early postwar ECW bodies.
CUH859,
1947 Leyland Tiger PS1, Western Welsh 859 (Sorry, no info or photo)
DMS325C, 1965 Leyland Leopard PSU3/3R, W Alexander (Midland)
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May
2007)
Unspecified
repairs
EDS50A 1960 AEC Routemaster/Stagecoach (A1) (Sorry, no photo yet)
Dec 2007
Roland relined the rear brakes and fitted new seals in September and this bus is also ready for next year. This particular bus has been used on a Perth Vintage tour this summer and has been a regular at other times on Guide Sunday operations.
FAS982 (J 1359), 1958 Albion Victor FT39KAN, Jersey
Motor Transport 5 (See Bus Profile)
(Photo:
Jim Crichton, May 2007)
Ongoing restoration
FEF462,
1957 Bedford SB1/Plaxton, Paterson, Dufftown (Sorry, no photo yet)
Dec 2007
One of three coaches preserved by the son of the former operator, FEF has been in the paintshop for a repaint. The only preparatory work required other than rubbing down has been to remove the entrance door and re-skin its exterior panel.
FGS 59D, 1953 Bedford SB,
McLennan, Spittalfield
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May
2007)
Ongoing
Restoration
FWG846, 1955 Bristol LS6G,
Alexander Ell (See Bus
Profile)
(Photo:
Jim Crichton, May 2007)
May 2007
Jim Methven advises me that after delivery of an extra large alloy sheet he and
Mike Chapman carefully marked and cut alloy shapes to complete the lower
sections of the rear wheel arches. This was an interesting job which sharpened
up their use of the guillotine, the metal folder and the rolling machine to
fabricate the sections. After a lot of repositioning and final trimming they
were fitted on with countless rivets and bolts.
The axle is now back in position and they used new UNC studs to fix it to the springs. Mike has been lifting the old floor over the front axle which is the next area for re-instatement.
GLS 265S, 1978 Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4R, W Alexander
(Midland) MPE265
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May
2007)
Dec 2007
Work has centred on the wheels and hubs which have all been shotblasted. A faulty brake drum has been replaced as have the hub oil seals.
M6384, all-Leyland PD2/10,
Central SMT L484
(Photo: Jim
Crichton, May 2007)
Dec 2007
Tarn and his team constructed a special jig for the top deck structure and a complete new floor has been installed. All interior panels have been renewed and the external ones refurbished, the roof sticks having been found to be in good condition. Paul has fabricated new window pans for both decks; the top deck ones have been fitted and the interior window trim round the pans has been dressed up. New roof vents have been made from scratch and during October the completed top deck was lowered back on to the lower deck structure, thanks to the assistance of Jan Littwin and his 'Iron Fairy'.
All pillar inserts (for fixing the outer panels to) have been made in hardwood, the hard-wood waist rail and cant rail inserts also and the nearside ones are now on. Paul is presently fabricating a complete new staircase.
One curious fact is that despite Central 'deckers having traditionally been fitted with side destination screens above the entrance Tarn reports that there is no evidence of L484 ever having had this feature. Was this the case with the rest of this particular batch of PD2/10s - can anyone shed light on the matter?
June 2007
Attention has centred on the cab which is currently being assembled. The o/s front wing is also being worked on.
May 2007
The engine and gearbox, fuel tank and brake parts were removed earlier in the
year and Tarn Loggie rapidly reduced the rusty body to a skeleton. The top deck
has been removed and the chassis shotblasted and silvered. The brakes have been
re-assembled and the lower deck body frame rebuilt.
GM9281, 1958 Bristol
Lodekka LD6G, Central SMT B87
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May 2007)
Unspecified repairs
HGM335E, Bristol FLF6GLX,
Stagecoach
(Photo:
Jim Crichton, May 2007)
Dec 2007
The rebuilt engine and gearbox have been successfully tested and the bus MoT'd in readiness for a return to revenue-earning service.
May 2007
The defective engine was removed by Roland's team and transported to the
Winkleigh outstation of Chepstow Classic Buses, where it was overhauled. The
gearbox has been repaired by replacement of an input shaft bearing. Both units
are now back in the bus and it is running under its own power.
JTU588T, 1978 Leyland
National, Crosville SNG588
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May
2007)
Dec
2007
Gordon McGregor has been concentrating on the cab interior, replacing pipework and overhauling the demister. After some attention to the engine and electrics this bus should be ready for MOT in 2008.
May 2007
Gordon McGregor has been busy cleaning the seat backs and cushions on his
vehicle. Indeed, having really got the bit between the teeth he has also been
tackling cleaning the seats in the Museum's Seddon DSD936V and also John
Carson's Leopard Y-type ex-Central SMT T64. What dedication!
JVB908,
1952 Leyland Royal Tiger PSU1/13 Mann Egerton 'half-deck' (Sorry, no photo yet)
June 2007
Tarn Loggie advises that new frames have now been made for both sides. The insides require to be sheeted in plywood and trimmed before refitting. The nearside frame was offered up to the side of the bus and it fits perfectly!
May 2007
The nearside plywood frame has been removed and a copy is being made in
aluminium which will make it considerably stronger. The Mann Egerton coach body
is assembled in an amazing way with the seats requiring to be installed first.
KGM664F,
Leyland Leopard PSU3/3R, Central T64
May 2007
Also after a long period in store, this bus has been prepared for the road with
a new battery box, new stub pin and repairs to the cab.
NFS176Y, 1982 Leyland Leopard PSU3G/4R, W Alexander (Fife)
FPE176
(Photo:
Jim Crichton, May 2007)
Ongoing restoration
NSJ502 (SRS117),
1963 AEC Reliance, Alexander (Northern) NAC205
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May
2007)
May 2007
Rod Wallace advises that the damaged engine has been removed and a replacement
engine from another ex-Northern Reliance is about to be installed in its place.
It is hoped to have the bus MOTd in time for the Open Weekend, this work being
masterminded by Bob Paterson.
OFS 798, 1957 Leyland Titan PD2/20, Edinburgh Corporation
798
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May 2007)
Ongoing restoration
OWS 620, 1957
Bristol Lodekka LD6G, Scottish Omnibuses AA620
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May 2007)
Ongoing restoration
RU8678, 1929 Leyland PLSC3, Hants & Dorset 268 (See Bus Profile)
(Photo:
Jim Crichton, May 2007)
Dec
2007
The Scoulars are certainly powering ahead with work on this one. The brakes have been refurbished using the supply of new band steel and new rear wheel arches have been fitted using the old ones as patterns. The wooden framing has been attended to as necessary, and the missing framing around the cab area has also been completed. Finally the nearside has been repanelled below the windows and a start is being made on the offside. Meanwhile some debate is ongoing regarding the correct pattern of head and side lights and these are currently being sourced.
June 2007
Douglas and Ross Scoular continue to make good progress on the body, and a quantity of strip steel band has just arrived which is enough to make new brake linkages for this, P573 and H110. Hopefully a more detailed report will appear in the next issue.
May 2007
The
Scoulars continue to make good progress on the new body. An article detailing
the recovery of the replacement body from deepest Southampton appears elsewhere
in this issue.
SMS 120P, 1977 Daimler
Fleetline CRG6LXB, W Alexander (Midland) MRF120 (See Bus Profile)
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May
2007)
Dec
2007
The Booths have now finished all the exterior paneling and were fitting a new front panel below the windscreen. The front platform floor has also been repaired. This bus is also expected to be ready for MOT in 2008 - what confidence!
S03740 1929 Leyland Tiger
TS2/Alexander P63
(Photo: Stuart McRae, Whitburn, pre-1995)
Dec 2007
After fitting a reconditioned water pump and some minor mechanical attention, Roland obtained an MoT in September and P63 will take to the road in 2008 for the first time in ten years.
SS7501, 1950 Bedford
OB/Duple, Cleghorn, Haddington (See
Bus Profile)
(Photo:
Jim Crichton, May 2007)
May 2007
Since Pete's last report Edward advises that the front brakes have been
stripped down, the seals replaced, and reinstalled on the bus. The cylinder
head has been overhauled and replaced, and the steering box has been removed
and is awaiting new parts.
SSX 602V, 1979 Seddon
Pennine Mk VII, Scottish Omnibuses S602
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May 2007)
Unspecified repairs
VMP8G, 1968 Albion Viking
VK43AL,
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May 2007)
May 2007
Douglas Forbes informs me that Peter the painter has done some finishing work on
the gold leaf lettering, and is also dealing with legal lettering. Another
specimen of window rubber has been supplied, and this time, successfully fitted
by Tam Loggie; following this, an order has been placed for all the window
rubber required, and fitting is anticipated shortly. Work has progressed on
refitting trim, adapting the front panel to fit snugly, and a range of other
jobs. Once the windows are in, the priority will be to check what mechanical
work remains to be done, hopefully to fit a 6th speed/overdrive to the gearbox
(courtesy of John Rentoul's expertise), and get the bus MOTd.
WG8107, 1939 Leyland Tiger
TS8 Tow Wagon, W Alexander 205
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May
2007)
Dec
2007
David Heathcote continues to make progress, having been concentrating on replacing the wiring in the cab.
June 2007
David continues to make good progress, having now completed rewiring to the rear lights and towing connection.
May 2007
David has had the rear brake shoes relined with woven linings (at an exorbitant
cost, he tells me). The wheels have now all been shot blasted, primed and
fitted with new tyres and tubes, ready for putting back on.
WG 8790, 1939
Leyland Tiger TS8sp, W Alexander P573 (See
Bus Profile)
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May 2007)
Ongoing
restoration
WG9180,
Leyland Titan TD7, W Alexander R266
May 2007
At long last the engine is finally running to Arthur Davis's satisfaction, with
the timing now spot-on. However persistent brake problems have delayed an MOT
pass and at the time of writing Roland awaited new pipe work for the front
brake vacuum chambers. The somewhat inappropriate offside advert for
Schweppsssssss...... has been replaced by the original Horrocks, copied from a
photograph of R266 in service.
WRP767J, Bristol VRT/ECW
(Photo:
Jim Crichton, May 2007)
With the arrival of the Treadmaster and the cream window rubber earlier in the summer the rebuilding has recommenced with the top deck. The seat frames have been prepared for reinstatement and the laborious task of stripping and freeing off the hopper windows has thankfully been completed.
May 2007
The panel work below the lower deck windows has all been replaced and the
damaged front pillars repaired. During April the bus entered the paint shop and
now sports a coat of National Bus leaf green. New cream window rubber has
arrived and the windows will go back in shortly
WS4522,
1935 Leyland Tiger TS7/Cowieson SMT H110 (Sorry, no photo yet)
June 2007
A correct pattern set of front wings which were sourced some time ago have been fettled by welder Paul and are ready for fitting. The cab area is nearing completion and the cab door and emergency door will be fitted shortly.
YSD350L, Leyland Leopard
PSU3, Western SMT L2390 'shorty'
(Photo: Jim Crichton, May
2007)
May 2007
After a long spell hibernating in shed 16 this shortened Leopard is being
fettled and smartened up for a return to Kilmarnock.
Links: Main Workshop Workshop Annex