Firstly, the long awaited scaffolding arrived and RT8 was entombed in it. At the moment the level is around the roof so we can refit the roof panels back, whilst working safely. This will also allow us to be able to seal it all properly, so that god forbid should it ever rain won't have drips coming in.
A slightly unusual view of an RT from the back lookiing forwards gives a good idea of the job to be done. At this stage the panels are just lying in place and have not been fiited whilst everything is measured up to make sure the beadings will all fit and join everything together.
And the same view but looking from the front back...
And as I mentioned before, the time has been used preparing the items due to go back in. The top deck windows and pans can be seen here in a before and after stage. The before is with the 'pink' paint thats still left, whilst the grey panels are the completed item. All the winding gear is taken apart, overhauled, greased and replaced where necessary leaving them winding as smooth as when they were built. Once the roof is fitted the standing level of the scaffolding will be lowered to allow the windows to go back in. The plus of making the bus enclosed again will be as the weather turns colder it is easy to keep the interior of the bus warm so work can continue.Next updates should hopefully be a little more photogenic!
3 comments:
Just discovered this blog!
The 2RT2 (thus RT8) is one of only a handful iconic buses.
Brilliant commentary and pics (despite your reservations).
PLEASE keep up your outstanding work to preserve our heritage - very much look forward to seeing her back on the road.
I shall be back!
Famous RT bus
Hi, please ignore previous comment! The system seemed to be fighting me and I wanted to check I'd cracked it.
I'm a long time reader and just felt I had to pass on some encouragement. I think you guys are doing a fantastic job and it's great to see some real skills being employed to resurrect this vehicle. There's no doubting it was on the very brink of extinction before you took the plunge to give it a second chance. I hope everyone understands the huge cost involved in a project of this nature. The restoration of a commercial vehicle is not something to undertake lightly. The labour costs alone would be enough to frighten the life out of most people.
So why bother? It's only another old bus. The thing is these vehicles served London through it's darkest hour. Carrying people to work and home again during the blitz and then during the dangerous period of the V1 & V2 rocket attacks. Under extremely difficult circumstances and with minimal maintenance these early buses soldiered on and gave sterling service to Londoners and the war effort as a whole.
So, good on you for saving one for posterity and giving it a chance to enjoy a retirement pottering around the city it served so well.
Danny Robins.
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