THE
SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM - WORKSHOP UPDATE
VORSPRUNG DURCH TECHNIK -
AS THEY CURSE AT LATHALMOND
ANDY WALKER provides an update
on workshop developments
 During the middle of 1999, the management
committee decided to expand the workshop facilities by
creating a second workshop in building 99 next to the
existing workshop. This was in response to growing
demand, highlighted by vehicles being worked on in
various other buildings on the site.
At about the same time we were notified
that there would be an auction at Centrex in Livingston,
at the former MOTEC site that had closed earlier in the
year. The significance of this lay in the fact that large
quantities of all sorts of good quality equipment would
be available, and consequently some of the committee
attended and spent £5,000 of the museum’s money
– thanks folks! A large quantity of benches, tools
and sundry equipment was bought, filling a three-axle
platform truck to double-decker height.
Left: Workshop Annex 09/02/03 (Jim
Crichton)
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| In order to create the
second workshop, a number of improvements to the building
had to be undertaken. The door height was increased
(after waiting for the nesting swifts to leave), more
power points were fitted and the untreated concrete floor
given two coats of paint. It is essentially for
straightforward body work, minor mechanical repairs and
various minor works. We have not duplicated the extensive
facility of the existing workshop, but have effectively
created heavy and light workshops. With all this done,
the first few vehicles are in and busy being worked on.
Right: Workshop
Annex, March 2000 (Jim Crichton)
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The main workshop has
benefited from improvements. It now has pillar drills and
grinders at each end and, of course, the expanded range
of general and specialist tools from Centrex, and a new
MIG welder was purchased. Vastly enhanced lighting has
been installed and four new fire exits fitted.
Left: Workshop Annex 09/02/03
(Jim Crichton) |
In addition to all this, the old forklift truck
was condemned and replaced with a newer more practical model, and
the old HA van replaced with a C-reg Escort van. The museum has
also recently bought woodworking machinery, saws and equipment
from an Edinburgh technical college. The aim is to create a
complete coachbuilding shop, possibly in shed 99.
We are now embarking: on the creation if the
long awaited paint shop in Shed 92 and hope to have this
completed as soon as possible.
Overall, this represents a substantial
enhancement to the previously existing facilities. Although this
level of change is unusual, it clearly demonstrates the
management’s commitment to the members at the sharp-end of
why we are here. As the jargon goes: ‘our policy is one of
continuous improvement’.
On a personal level, I am obviously delighted
– not from the egocentric view, but that I see rewards in
vehicles progressing in so many different ways and with members
happy in their working environment. It is very seldom now that I
am asked for something and not able to provide it.
