Emergency exit - rebuilt

As reported in the last posting, the Emergency Exit framing was partly rotten and this has now been rebuilt by our specialist joinery contractors. It has now been returned to us and will allow the relevant parts to be refurbished and refitted.

Emergency - Exit!

Another example of one of the many restoration jobs that ends up being a time-consuming task. The Emergency exit framework was rebuilt last year before the rear dome was refitted but now it is time to tackle to exit door itself. The timber is partly rotten, a steel section is severely corroded and the whole door has had to be stripped for rebuilding. With the exception of the glazing, some of the component parts are visible in the picture below.

More pieces of the RTW jigsaw

Over the last month, more pieces of the RTW jigsaw have been progressed in preparation for a reassembly onslaught once some other significant BusWorks' projects are completed (including conversion of some Big Bus Olympian buses for export and a double deck Limo bus).

We have commissioned some cant-rail 'drip' moulding that was once such a feature of bus bodywork in the 40s/50s in particular at a cost of £2,758 - but as usual with these things, the minimum order is enough to do about 10 buses!

Other work has included the preparation of parts that we want to get sprayed in LT red before re-assembly, allowing some of those 'difficult' to get to areas to be treated with paint. This includes the engine bonnet and front panelling, some between deck corner panels, the cab door & battery box panel

Sorry for the delay....

One of the unfortunate problems with blogs - is that you are expected to keep them updated. I offer both the blog readers and RTW335's owners sincere apologies for the failing to do this over the summer & autumn months. I am sure many will be well aware that the BusWorks was affected by the effects of both the recession beginning to bite - and staff shortages resulting from previous recruits returning to Optare.

Anyway, back to RTW335. Following the resumption of work early in October, we are focussing on the reassembly of the upper deck interior. The restored aluminium window cappings are now being refitted and the new ceiling panels are back in - following a coat of Chiswick Cream - and likewise the aluminium cove panels with light fittings. Readers will recall that this follows the complete renewal of the roof timbers and aluminium panelling. The slatted timbers for the centre gangway are prepared, but await fitting - and the cork flooring for the areas underneath the seat frames are on hand.

Are biggest head scratching for the exterior - which impacts on the top deck - is the rubber gasket required for the new RT window pans. This is ongoing because neither the traditional RT rubber appears not to fit. We need to resolve this before finalising the fabrication of the non-standard front & rear window pans. Watch this space!

Finally, several specialist panels - carefully rescued when the bus was stripped down to its main frame - have been dipped to remove paint and will soon go away for respraying in two-pack London red prior to refitting.

Picture: Dave our coachpainter prepares the front interior roof dome for painting after returning from being dipped to remove previous layers of paint.

Please state your destination!

We've had a good month on RTW335 during May, with many tasks that have been in preparation suddenly coming together and resulting in some good visual progress. For starters, the new roof panels are now refitted and the repaired rear roof dome, looking as good as new. The new stair treads are now in place on the rear platform after a complete rebuild. Visually though, the face of RTW335 looks a bit more complete by the refitting of the destination panel - restoring a part of the characteristic RTW frontal appearance. Next job - the cab framing!

Platform comes together

Firstly, apologies to readers for the lack of posts. This is partly because your writer has been splinning too many plates - and partly going through a phase of laborious but not very interesting work on RTW335. Anyway, this week some of those efforts have resulted in something worth photographing!

After rebuilding all the platform steelwork - that was heavily corroded - and the platform riser, a newly fabricated platform bulkhead has been fitted (no small job in itself) and work is now progressing on reboarding the platform. This view captures coachbuilder Jim Howard finishing off the perimeter timberwork around the platform framing.

Window pans arrive

The arrival of the first batch of specially fabricated steel window pans has allowed a big step forward in the restoration project. Four new units have been fitted to the lower deck, thanks to Rob Duker who had the units commissioned.

Other progress on the specialist timberwork continues, with the offside headlamp surround (illustrated) being one example of the joiner's work. Further joinery work has been completed at the rear end and both the rear wheelarches.