Merseyside 1000 making good progress

The BusWorks has several major restoration projects in progress at the moment that are amongst the most extensive for their class type - the London RTW, London Metropolitan, Leicester Dominator 100, Southend Fleetline 232, Bristol J-type BHW432 and Merseyside Leyland National 1000 all fit into this category. None of them are 'quick-wins' and often I hear criticism from enthusiasts bemoaning our progress - we can't turn these kind of restorations around like a production line!

In this post we catch up with Merseyside Leyland National 1000 which is now being extensively repanelled after framework repairs. Note in this view some new side panelling which we have had specially commissioned.

London RTW467 arrives for work

London RTW467 is currently at the BusWorks for some mechanical work and MoT submission - but also to have its seats completed retrimmed. We have taken the opportunity to take lots of detailed pictures of this vehicle to inform the detailed re-assembly of RTW335 for Ensignbus, a major restoration project started in January 2010.

Lambrini bus is in the pink

Ex-City Sightseeing, but formerly London Transport, MCW Metrobus M945 has now been launched in its all-over advertising livery for Lambrini cherry. The bus, part of Classic Bus North West's operating fleet, is to star in a TV-advert for the brand. Promotional tours using the bus are planned following the success of the Crabbies Ginger Beer bus for the same manufacturer, Halewood International.

In between these commitments, M945 will be available for hire and see use on Sea Front 12 in Lytham St.Annes next summer.

Routemasters gather at the BusWorks site

There are currently 8 Routemasters at the BusWorks site for various reasons. Amongst them are two RMLs owned by Nick Rose of Bournemouth that are undergoing probably the most thorough restorations/rebuild of the RML class - unless, of course you know different. RML2590 is being restored as near as possible to original condition, whereas RML2680 will be outwardly original but internally is being fitted out for corporate use.

The Routemasters are:

RM1152/RML2590/RML2680 - undergoing restoration at the BusWorks

RMC1459 - operated on behalf of Crabbies Ginger Beer brand

RM1568/RM1583/RML2290 & RML2734 - in ClassicBus North West operating fleet

Interestingly all the RM type vehicle are from the ***CLT registration series (although RM1568 was re-registered BNK324A after exile from London).

Routemaster RM1152 for EuroBus Expo

RM1152 is now in the workshops and has already been stripped out internally. Externally, the bus will be completely repanelled. The restoration has been commissioned jointly by its owner John Pryer and Omnibus Systems, the bus industry's leading passenger transport software supplier. Upon completion, the bus is scheduled to appear in the EuroBus Expo event at the NEC in Birmingham (2-4 Nov).

RM1152 was new to London Transport in May 1962 and survived in service in the capital until September 1986, passing to Clydeside Scottish the following year. It was sold to PVS in Barnsley upon final withdrawal in 1990 but was purchased for preservation in July 1991. Returned to LT livery, it passed to John Pryor in 1996. Mechanical problems have resulted in RM1152 being laid up since 2008 and the BusWorks has fitted a replacement B-frame, new exhaust and steering units and overhauled brakes.

Southend 232 Progress Report

Southend Fleetline 232 has been stripped right down to its basic frame for its thorough restoration to original condition. The lower deck saloon floor has been stripped out, revealing extensive corrosion around the wheelarches and platforms, which will be replaced. The 'dismantling' phase is now complete and work on the re-assembly is now able to start.

Repanelling of National 1000 starts

Following framework attention and the fitting of a new saloon floor, repanelling of Merseyside Leyland National 1000 has started. Some of the original panelling is suitable for refitting, but other panels are being sourced to replace corroded panels.