London MD60 returns from shotblasting - at last!

Few of the once 164 strong batch of Scania Metropolitans survive - largely because they rotted away whilst in service! MD60 was new in 1976 but by 1982 it was in store and withdrawn and sold during 1983. Luckily it was acquired for preservation but the vehicle was still in 'as withdrawn' condition when it arrived at the BusWorks in November 2008.

The engine and gearbox was removed in 2009 and the lower deck interior stripped before the bus was sent away for shotblasting and chassis attention. Unfortunately, this has been a prolonged process but MD60 returned to the BusWorks today. Although much of the chassis is now in 'as new' condition, the hard work really begins now. The all-steel framework, poorly treated against corrosion when built, is in very poor condition which was the reason these buses had such a short operational life in London.

WYPTE 8534 Leopard roars again

Ex-West Yorkshire PTE 8534's restoration at the BusWorks is almost complete. Now back in original livery style, 8534 was one of 35 Plaxton 'Derwent' bodied Leopards delivered in three batches 8501-8513, 8514-8525 and 8526-8535. They were commonly associated with the Todmorden and Halifax areas of the "Metro" operations.

8534's restoration has included a complete lower repanel, new polished mouldings, rebuilt rear end, new Treadmaster flooring and completely retrimmed interior seating. An MoT awaits and application of WYPTE "Metro" fleetname.

Classic livery for Open Top VRT

Ex-Ribble VRT 1995 (OCK995K) has been repainted in Classic Bus North West fleet livery of the Southdown inspired apple green and cream livery. This vehicle is on long-term loan to the trading company from the LTT and recently 1995 passed through the BusWorks for rear panelling and upper deck floor repairs. It was decided to repaint 1995 in advance of the 2010 summer season, its first since 2007 when reverse Ribble livery was applied.

Nearly there - Southdown 248

The complete restoration of Southdown TD5 No.248 is almost complete. The interior and glazing is all refitted with re-trimmed seating and the bus is being submitted for a "Certificate of Initial Fitness" (CoIF) so that it can be used on psv work in the future. New destination blinds are being manufactured by McKenna Brothers in Manchester whilst a period advert is being prepared for the offside. Following its CoIF, Southdown fleetnames will be applied and then 248 will rejoin Eric Stobart's fine collection of former Southdown buses.

RMC1459 becomes Crabbies Ginger Beer bus

The BusWorks in Blackpool has been commissioned by drinks manufacturer Halewood International to convert Routemaster coach RMC1459 into a corporate hospitality and promotional vehicle.

RMC1459 has been selected because of its high speed rear axle and back doors for security when parked. As part of the work the interior will be stripped out but the seat frames/cushions and other fittings will be stored for conversion/restoration back to a genuine RMC at the end of the contract. Initially the bus will be promoting Crabbies Ginger Beer for a 2010 marketing campaign.

The BusWorks will garage/maintenance/operate the vehicle which will attend shows/functions for drink tasting as well as being a mobile promotional bus in its own right.