UCOC Lodekka 651 retrimmed

Not previously reported on this blog is the retrimming of the interior seating on UCOC Lodekka 651. The seats supplied with the vehicle prior to restoration were very badly worn, the foam cushions were life expired and many of the plywood bases were rotten - after suffering water ingress when the bus was vandalised some years ago.

The BusWorks has replaced 80% of the plywood backs & bases, replaced all foam cushions, retrimmed in traditional moquette and replaced the rexine backs. The result certainly recreates the period feel of the 1960s when these Lodekkas were new.

CBNW Metrorider

Former Blackpool Transport Optare Metrorider 502 is the most recent addition to the ClassicBus North West operating fleet. Given the number of ex-London Routemasters in the CBNW private hire fleet, LT red has been adopted as the standard fleet livery and 502 has been treated to this, even down to the indian red wheel centres. 502 is now available for private hire work.

Leicester 100 ready for next stage of restoration

Leicester Dominator 100, now externally repanelled and refitted with exterior mouldings, is now ready for the next phase of its restoration to original condition. The first phase has already revealed that sealing the panel joints prevents water ingress - when 100 arrived with us, it suffered from chronic water ingress because of no seals between panel joints. This was apparently typical of East Lancs output of this era.

The next stage is to restore the original interior lighting and replace the window rubbers. 100 will then start approaching repaint stage.

CJH119V ready for export

Bristol VRT reg CJH119V has been prepared for export to Budapest to join the three ex-Lothian Olympians acquired from Ensignbus in June. The BusWorks has inserted an offside doorway for european use and CJH will soon be delivered to Hungary.

Return to the BusWorks

The BusWorks is scheduled to reopen after a summer recess during the w/c 12 September. Problems with staff shortages, following a recruitment drive for a short-term contract at Optare in Blackburn, coupled with funds owed to the BusWorks by some clients resulted in the summer recess. However, the BusWorks will be resuming work under new management and looks forward to adding to the 150+ projects it has handled since 2007.