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.
7 comments:
Hi all, does it work??
It works indeed!
It would be interesting to know, once you have completed the work on RT8, how much weight saving there would be, using all modern techniques and materials, to identical specification to the original design (size dimensions). Look forward to future reports.
Great to see the update, and wonderful to see RT8 coming back together. More power to your (collective) elbows!
wELL DONE WITH THE WORK YOU ARE DOING WITH RT8 WHEN IT IS BACK ON THE ROAD WILL YOU BE BRINGING OUT A VIDO OF IT FROM THE START OF BRINGING IT HOME TO PUTTING BACK ON THE ROAD. IF SO WILL YOU LET US KNOW WARE WE CAN GET FROM. AGAIN WELL DONE
An amazing project, is the restoration of your T type likely to be as extensive?
Hi Chaps
And thanks for the comments and for stopping by! In answer to some points, the weight is an interesting one. Its amazing how many small grooves are hollowed out of the wood as dicated by the drawings which have no purpose other than to reduce the weight, great lengths were clearly taken to lower it as far as possible but not compromise the structural integrity. Ash is quite a heavy wood, so perhaps a cheaper and lighter wood may make some savings but would also lead to a quicker detrioration. As to newer materials well I guess looking at newer buses and how they corode and how most are heavier by a long distance than older vehicles I suspect savings would probably be marginable, but as we progress it will be interesting to see if there are any areas where big savings could be made?
As to a video record, well I'm afraid its something that we haven't been doing. I guess we should've but I think its fair to say we have been surprised at the level of interest and being a bus company I guess looking at making a video is not our first thought. I do however have photos from all sorts of stages and parts so perhaps some form of book/pictorial record would be possible.
The 10T10 is another major project. I do not think however we will have to quite as far as with RT8. The reason in fact the RT beat T499 into workshop was simply that the T is in good enough condition to stand (be moved when necessary) and not fall apart. Sadly RT8 would not have survived, as it was in a far worse condition. It has also given us the chance to make and source many parts for the T which are now on the shelf ready for when she comes in, which will be as soon as the RT is out of the major restoration bay.
Cheers
Steve
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