30 March 2007

Firstly thank you to those of you who took the time to write in and say you were missing the monthly updates, nice to know you are all out there! A number of people suggested making this a blog type update where people could ask questions along the way. SO, that's why you're reading this "Blog-Style" update!

But now on to bus things. Firstly the reason for the delay was that up until last week there really wasn’t much to show for a hard months labour. The reason is simple in that it’s the platform that has been worked on and this is a very complicated part of the vehicle that is compounded by a lack of drawings that are available for this area. Fortunately RT113 was borrowed and a number of the missing areas measured and checked. Nearly 40 individual parts make up the framework for the platform and each of these had to be cut and shaped before the construction could be begin, hence the delay. But then all of sudden, framework was down, floor boards were laid and now as can be seen the vertical frames are going up. With only one more, that of the one by the entrance left to add, (which is going on now) the lower deck framing will be complete. Quite a few joining pieces still need to be added, particularly on the rear but for these we have all the drawings and most bits cut so we are ready to move on. Other progress has seen the seats over the wheel arch be repaired and the actual wheel arch itself be readied to go back on. These need to go in before the floor supports can be laid and as soon as this is done and the floorboards put down it will be possible to stand inside RT8 again without putting your foot through. From there ceiling and staircase will be the next to be tackled but more on that in the next update, which will be at the end of April and I’m sure will be on time as we have many made and original parts ready to go back on at this stage.

February 2007

Firstly a happy new year to one and all reading this page, secondly a progress report. This month is quite a visual report as a lot of changes are quite easy to see. The vertical supports are largely in with the offside only needing the rear two added whilst the nearside is complete. The platform bulkhead has gone back in place and only actually required its ‘feet’ replacing as the rest was in good shape. The front wheels received their under coat and the rear wheels are due to go back on next week in preparation for the wheel arches which will follow shortly afterwards and will allow the remainder of the floor and platform area to be laid. The next update will be at the end of February and should hopefully be another fairly visual update.

December 2006

This month has seen the final work carried out on the chassis and the start of the work on the body. The chassis having been returned in anti-corrosion grey paint was painted matt black as 2RT2’s were when new (unlike later ones that were silver). The refurbished compressor went back on, the gearbox was drained, checked, tested and refilled and the front brakes were checked and replaced where necessary (and a small wasps nest removed!), the original type wheel hubs being fitted and work is currently ongoing on the rear brakes. The floor supports of the lower deck saloon were laid, all done to the exact specifications of the original drawings. The chassis itself was in great condition and is 100% original with no structural parts actually requiring replacing. The floor supports are made of 80% originals that have been cleaned and treated, although a couple were two far gone to be saved, however 90% of the wood inserts needed replacing. The next stage now will be the first six vertical framings going in which will start to take the structure to just above the lower deck window line, all these have to be built from new as the originals have rotted away to about 30% of their original size! From there some of the 1800 individual parts that are stored will start to go back on, from tiny brackets, to seat frames, around 1300 of them appear to be reusable, which will give a great percentage of originality for this classic. With Christmas coming up a chance to wish regular readers of the updates (are there any out there!!??) a Merry Christmas and due to the break in work, for most, the next update will be at the end of January.

31 October 2006

October has been a busy time in the restoration of RT8. The vehicle was removed via lowloader to be shot blasted and then treated with anti-corrosion paint. This was successfully completed and the bus returned on October 24. The engine has also been removed and is being reconditioned prior to be being installed back in the bus. Much of the steel work that is required for the framing is all now ready and can be seen in the before and after pile. The next job to be tackled is to repaint the chassis into matt black as they were when new and then start to relay the floor.

5 October 2006

The bus has now had the body removed which is all stored, as much of it is reusable as we start to put the bus back together again. The first three of the body cross members have now been rebuilt, all in seasoned Ash as they would’ve been when the bus was new and these can be seen in position but not yet fitted to the chassis. The close ups show the old and new steel support brackets which were used as patterns for the new ones to be made. The last rear cross member is next to be built as are the frameworks that run between the cross members, one of these can be seen on the worktop, (along with a happy Peter enjoying his work!) only one end of the steel actually needs to be replaced on this, the rest will be cleaned, treated and refitted to the cross members. Before any of these are fitted permanently the vehicle will be put on stands and have the wheels removed to allow it to be shot blasted and treated, first in anti corrosion paint and then repainted into matt black as they were when new. This will also allow the brakes to be completely overhauled, the wheels blasted and painted and the fitting of new tyres and the original type front AEC covers. The bus will remain on the stands as the body is rebuilt, to ensure that rigidity is maintained and that the bus is level and doesn’t shift as weight is added in different places with new framework via the suspension. The next update will be in the last week of October.

Mid-September 2006

By September the entire top deck has been removed as has most of the lower deck. On the front bulkhead as was standard on 2RT2’s blinds were used for draught proofing and these can still be seen in situ. The cab area is left in place along with the front bulkhead whilst the remainder is removed. The blinds were carefully removed and remounted on a modern bus blind and will go back into their hiding place of the last 67 years. With 7 days of these pictures taken the bus was down to its chassis and mechanical work being carried out, more of which will be in the next progress report which will go up the first week in October.

Late August 2006

RT8 moved into the restoration bay in mid August. The first job is to remove, panel by panel every piece of the vehicle. On removal they are cleaned labelled and stored, or if no longer good enough for further service are used as patterns for new build parts. The top deck, roof panels and many of the window pans are all OK to be re-used as is the wooden framework between the decks. The staircase is also removed in one piece to aid the restoration of it to be as authentic as possible.