We are hitting the ceiling with RTW335!

Yes, we really are hitting the ceiling with RTW335 this week. New ceiling panels, already covered with primer and a first coat of gloss have been fitted. Also fitted following paint stripping are the aluminium coving panels, refitted now that rewiring of the upper deck saloon ceiling has been completed.

Machined timber, based on the originals used as templates, is now on hand and will allow further re-assembly of the upper deck over the next few weeks.

Factory finish for aluminium pressed panels

Another batch of aluminium pressed panels has returned from a commercial metal paint stripper after dipping in a bath that removes all paint but leaves the metal with its as-new factory finish. Included in this latest batch are the destination screen panels and the characteristic RT-style panel below the driver's windscreen (illustrated). Just another piece of the RTW jigsaw!

Upper Deck floor goes down

Forgive me for the lack of posting in recent weeks. This has not been because no work has been taking place (far from it!!) but because the work has no visual output to communicate on this blog. The effort has been on the thankless tasks of cleaning up and repairing specific areas of framework and also some rewiring tasks - none of which make for exciting photographs!

Anyway, the photogenic tasks return with this view of the new upper deck floorboards fitted and ready for fine tweaking and then securing down. Another milestone achived!

A strange view of the cab!

As part of the rebuilding of the front end and upper deck floor, the cab ceiling panel has been removed giving this unique view of the cab from the upper deck. The ceiling panel was in poor condition and like the rest of the interior it had been painted with household emulsion paint which was badly flaking - it was decided to be faster to replace than prepare the old panels.

Rebuilding of upper deck front commences

In addition to the tasks in hand on the upper deck such as rewiring and re-flooring, this week's focus has seen the destination equipment stripped out for overhaul and a start made on replacing corroded framework around the front end. This includes the horizontal steel sections below the upper deck front windows which have been fabricated from scratch - the area was so corroded there wasn't anything to make a pattern to!

Let there be light!

The removal of the ceiling cove panels gives full access to the lamp units and wiring and the opportunity is being taken both to replace any dodgy bayonet fittings and rewire RTW335 where necessary. This view shows the work in progress with all bulbs illuminated.

Other progress has concentrated on the lower deck offside where the horizontal stress panels have now been replaced. We are also fabricating the steelwork to replace badly corroded sections at the front of the bus and around the destination box.

8th January - New Year Progress

The UK is experiencing the coldest spell of winter weather since 1963 - 47 years ago and a year when RTW335 was still in service on the streets of London!

Despite the cold weather our two guys dedicated to the restoration of the RTW continue to make good progress. This week the brackets securing the upper deck structure onto the lower deck have been cleaned up and painted if they are in good condition - or new ones made to replace those that were corroded. The upper deck floor panels have been lifted to reveal the lower deck roof structure which is in good condition, but needs a coat of protective paint before it gets hidden again. The nearside panelling has also now been stripped to the basic frame.

The floor will be replaced as part of the next phase of work and this represents a milestone in the project with the upper deck moving from dismantling to re-assembly stage - not bad progress after just 5 weeks in the workshop!