Return to London part 2

So it was time to head up towards Trafalgar Square....
(Photos 1,2,3,4,8,9,11) Mark Kehoe whose copyright they are

In Whitehall RT 8 joined a bendy bus in waiting to get into the square which these days has a far different traffic layout to last time she passed through

With traditional RT lean she entered the square...

... She was then pulling up on the 15 stop at Charing X and thus re-entering service for the first time in 55 years. A few enthusiats boarded as well as at least six tourists, who were destined for St Pauls and couldn't believe their luck in getting such a vehicle as their ride. A heritage route 9 passed on its way to Kensington just as 8 set off..

Having dropped off at St Pauls and picked up yet more rather suprised 'regular' passengers 8 made he way ontowards the Tower, seen here dropping off at Cheapside. It is amazing how well such a 70 year old design does in doing the job it was built for. As was said on the day if you compared a 70 year old aircraft and the difference between a modern day jet in the time they take to do the same route the difference is astounding, but with the buses, RT8 had little problem keeping up with its modern day successors.

Having dropped off on the eastbound stop a quick run around Minories saw RT8 heading back towards the Tower entrance where one final and unique photo opportunity awaited

The barrier was raised as she approached and a guard of honour of two Yeoman Warders escorted across the cobble stones of the Tower of London to be situated between two of London's most famous landmarks, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

Witnessed by many thousands of tourists it made quite a sight and was starkly different from the skeleton I had been used to visiting in the depth of our 'barn' for the past four years...

As it was reversed into position, crowds flocked to the vehicle all keen to be photographed in front of it. For me this was a moment of almost relief, not only had the project come to a conclusion but the day of launch which took a lot of planning and that can go wrong so easily had been an enjoyable event. Now watching the smiles on everyones faces from the old to the young as they viewed the vehicle was very satisfying for all of us who had been involved.

And then just when everyone was saying, what a marvellous day it had been Tower Bridge was opened for a passing ship. A photo opportunity not planned but very welcome!

We were very kindly given access to the battlements to be able to get some birdseye views of the bus as the crowds disipated into the Friday evening and we prepared for the final stage of taking her back to Purfleet.

For us as a family it has been an adventure and source of huge pride the interest and enjoyment the return of the bus not only to the road but to the UK has brought to so many people already. So here's a snap of us, Peter left, me centre, and Ross right, enjoying the moment.

So that I guess is a fitting point to end this blog. I will put up some more detailed pictures of the interior detail and follow the last few jobs that she requires on the new new Ensign Vintage Fleet blog at http://ensignvintagebuses.blogspot.com

Look forward to seeing you all there, kind regards and very best wishes

Steve Newman and all at Ensignbus

RT8 The return to London Part 1

OK no apologies for the length of this and tomorrows post as we follow RT8's return to London on Friday. I will be putting the posts up over today and tomorrow and would like to thank all those who contributed photos including, David Thrower, Russell Young, Chris Ruff, Paul Dickson, Bob Stanger, Dean Sullivan and Mark Kehoe.
The day was beautiful weather wise as the invited guests and RT8 eyed each other up. We were lucky to have such a wide range of people who had helped or contributed to the project from the beginning, including our guests and friends Molly and Scott who travelled all the way from St Louis, USA to represent the Museum of Transportation who donated the vehicle to us and who were the custodians of it for over 40 years.

Some body who just had to be onboard was our own Peter Howes, who is the man responsible for around 95% of the work on the vehicle and who has been tasked to work on the vehicle now for the past four years.

The first stage was to run to London where we would meet the remaining guests who had chosen Central London as opposed to Purfleet to join us. The venue was Aldgate Bus Station, where with TfL permission and a bay very kindly set aside for us RT8 pulled up around 30 minutes ahead of schedule.

The old meets the new with Enviro and RT side by side. It was interesting how many of the drivers came over to have a quick look over the vehicle, fascinated by how their predecessors had driven the same routes as they do today

With everybody ticked off on the list it was at 1330 time to move on to the Embankment where a lunch aboard the permanently moored boat the Hispaniola had been arranged. Ross Newman swapped over with Leon Daniels who drove the bus out of Aldgate and onwards to lunch.

Inside a party atmosphere reigned as RT8 made its way through once familiar streets for it. This was her first time in London for some 50 years and later when she re-entered service on a regular route, the 15, it would be her first time carrying passengers in our capital since 1955.

Leon, said he didn't stop smiling all day as this picture bears testament to. Or maybe that was just because he found a parking bay right outside the restaurant...

On the Embankment empty whilst everyone had lunch, RT8 drew dozens of tourists and families at one point queing to have their picture taken in front of her. There is something very iconic about Londons older generation of buses, that crosses age, sex and nationality with just about everyone passing commenting, waving or taking a picture.

And then it was time to leave the lunch venue and head off to Charing Cross, and a short run on the 15's, which already having so many guests on didn't leave a great deal of room for 'regulars', but we had 12 seats available so the time for her to re-enter was here...

Tomorrow I will finish the update with part 2 but for those regulars amongst you, the new blog following all we do with the vintage fleet will be at this address

We made it.... just

Well I wasn't going to update until after we had finished everything, but seeing as how we scraped in time wise to getting her tested and COIF'ed in time for my wedding, and that so many people stopped and videoed it and pictured it, all day whilst carrying guests about it seems the cat is out of the bag so to speak...

So as I am dashing about a bit today but felt followers of this blog deserved to see it before other 'passers by' posted it on facebook or something, here you go... alas you will have to forgive no commentary from me and let the pictures, which are courtesy and copyright of John Lidstone do the talking...

Steve

So she returned from paint two weeks ago and all efforts have been made to try and finish her within the next two weeks. As you can see the upstairs is getting there, all the rexined panels are on and the last fittings and cappings are going on, before the ceiling beading goes back and can then be painted.

A closer view of the front shows some of the 2RT differences such as the mouldings that hold the T shape pieces are covered in rexine, whereas on the later versions, both the sleeve and these cappings were all chromed.

Downstairs is not as advanced as up, and the light for the photo was also far worse, so apologies but I think the general gist can be seen as rexined panels go back and it starts to take the look of an RT.

Now I couldn't decide what to do about showing the exterior as it has been painted and is now being signwritten with adverts, (it looks great I have to say) but seeing as some of you were keen to see it painted and others wanted to wait until the finished item, and seeing as there was debate about what livery it would be wearing, I decided to include some shots of it on the day we collected her, so painted yes, complete no.... here you go




And there is the famous rear view with rear roof box...

.. And one last one to tease you all a bit with... So its all hands on deck to finish her now. On or around July 30 if all has gone to plan there should be an update here showing you the finished item...

Steve

Well a slight delay but hopefully worth it.... The reason for the delay was that the engine went in and out 8 times eventually, to solve various leaks, (oil, water and air) and all the other various issues associated with getting a 70 year old bus back on the road after such a long absence.

But today she enjoyed the sunshine, blinked a few times having come out of her long term bay and went for a drive to the paint shop. I'm pleased to report the 30 minute trip went perfectly and she didn't miss a beat.

So with mechanicals now done, electrics in and the exterior complete, we are down to paint and interior as well as of course the small matter of MOT and COIF, but the journey is nearly complete....


Which brings me on nicley to this blog and its conclusion.

The question is how much do I show now of RT8 before its official unveling... The plan is that it will debut 99% finished at my wedding on July 17, before having a full public unveiling on July 30. So do I show it painted or do I in the next update stick to just interior shots and be a terrible tease? I haven't decided as yet... but what I will say is that I will do an update on July 1/2 and then most definitely another one immediately after the public debut on July 30. I will then change the course of the blog over to a general museum one that I will update monthly still and show both large projects and more minor work, and all the stuff that goes on behind the scenes to keep the fleet running as a number of you have expressed an interest in this.

Cheers for now
Steve

So, all in all a bit disapointing in terms of visual progress due to the delays in the mechanical side that led to RT8 being in the main workshop for three weeks. First the air tank blew out, then all the pipes went the same way, the water pump went U/S, the fuel tank decided to start leaking, the engine decided it wanted to join in sympathy and offered us an oil leak, and after we finally got most of those cured and gave her a good run, the fly wheel has now got a leak! Sadly this will result in the bus returning to the workshop this month and having the engine removed for this to be resolved. On the bright side the gears and brakes all ran really well and the vehicle was driving as other wide you would hope, so in short we have a fly wheel oil leak to resolve and an air system unloader valve..... for now.

But that has not stopped work continuing and whilst the engineering was being tackled body work continued with the bonnet, wing, rear mud guard etc all being prepared to go back on. The faulty fuel tank now rectified has gone back on which allows the rest of the nearside to be panelled up. As can be seen the last of the lower framework has gone in place as have the brackets that hold the life guard rail. Now they are on the rear mudguard can be fitted and then the last remaining panels, which are the current bits being worked on.

A close up of the fuel tank, which interestingly is cylindrical on 2RT2's and not on the post war versions. The 'life guard/dog rail' brackets can be seen in place which are situated a little higher than original but still within the legal limits for COIF, this is a result of seeing the damage modern day speed bumps can do to them and regularly do, not something that was ever taken into account by the 1930's designers.

And the offside has now been pretty much completed, with the last of the beadings going on. The air system inspection panel is currently off as this needs further work, but other than that it only requires garage codes, the half round advertising 'runner' and the panel around the cab to be screwed into place, which for the moment will not be done to make access to the electrics easier. So if mechanicals and exterior can be finished by next month then the summer completion date is still on, lets hope for a smoother month than this has been.

Some one more clever did manage to upload it running!!

March 5

Well a few more pictures this month as lots has been happening. The first part of the month saw most of the offside panelling fitted, the fuel tank cleaned out and refitted, the fuel system drained and cleaned and the air system blown through, diif and gearbox oil were alos changed. Then on March 1 RT8 moved from its long term restoration bay to the main workshops for its engine refit....

Monday and Tuesday were spent getting the engine in, whilst by Wednesday the radiator was being fitted, therefore giving the RT its 'face' back.

Whilst up in the air having pipes and systems connected the progress to the offside can be seen. The 'flared' rear wheel arch with mud guard that has a 'tail' are very distinct 2RT features.
After a failure on Thursday morning to get her running a second attempt was made Thursday afternoon after changing the fuel pump.

On Thursday afternoon we had success in firing her up and she ran sweetly, not stalling on tick over and producing very little smoke. We did video this but alas it appears the blog won't accept the footage so I will try and get someone more clever than me to upload it to the main site. Once the run up was complete, she went back up in the air so that the fuel system could be checked as the supply from the lift pump was slow and the air system was not building as it should.

By Friday morning the fuel system had been sorted and the bus would happily start 'on the button' and tick over at a steady pace. The throttle was checked as was the stop to make sure all was in order, after minor adjustments all was well and attention turned to the air system.

The nearside still requires its lower panels but these were needed to be off to access the small fuel filter that resides just behind the front wheel.

The air system proved more troublesome and as today slipped by it looked unlikely that she would be returned to the restoration bay under her own power. One air pipe blew under the pressure, this was quickly replaced, and on the next run up the air pressure got to the magic 120psi, only to fall back quickly as soon as the vehicle went to tickover.

Another attempt was made which successfully rectified a leak only for a valve to then stay stuck open and thus let the air escape again. So it would appear we failed to drive RT8 out due to one sticking valve but this is now off and being fixed and after Monday morning services for the fleet, attention will once again turn to getting RT8 going. As soon as she does she will go on the brake rollers for a test to see how good they are at the first time of asking and how much we need to do to adjust them to get them up to MOT standard.

So an interesting month, which has seen her move from static project to almost running unit. The priority will be to get all the mechanicals finished next week so that she can return to her bay. At that point the remaining panels, wings and bonnet can be fitted which will just about complete the exterior. With mechanical and exterior done the attention will turn to exterior painting and interior fitting out, so who knows what you will find here next month.....

February 8

A really good month for progress! Firstly the cab area has been completed as can be seen. The front mud guards have been repaired and fitted, the foot hold and electric booster panel all repaired and fitted and the inspection panel and all its holding fittings is also now back on. The lower deck panelling is all now being fitted and is the current job.

RT8 is also now off its long term axle stands. The rear brakes have been relined, completely overhauled and put back together, allowing the wheels to be fitted and the vehicle to stand up on her own 'feet' again.

Also completed was the lower deck flooring, the wheelarches have been fitted and indeed the bench seats are now in place as well.

As mentioned before the lower deck offside panels are the current project but before these can be done, the brackets that hold the 'life guard' to prevent people or animals going under the bus need to be fitted. Alas RT8's were beyond repair so all new ones are being produced, such as this one now fitted at the rear.

And lastly the plans for the next month... Firstly the aforementioned brackets will be fitted, the remaining panels, mudguards and then life rails, will see the outside of the vehicle completed, with the exception of the engine bay area, bonnet and front NS mudguard. Of course there is no pointing in fitting those until the engine is in. So on completion of the bodywork attention will once again switch to the mechanical side, with first the wiring loom going in and then the engine and radiator. As can be seen the fully reconditioned engine awaits ots top cover of black paint that will be done this week in preparation for its fairly imminent refitting. Whether that happens before the next update is unclear, so best you pop back and see in roughly 4 weeks! Until then cheers for now!