go to page 2 5/6/99
RM 291 The headlights mysteriously stopped working a couple of weeks ago. After fiddling around with the wiring, and without apparently doing anything, they suddenly came on again. Well you can't fix it if it ain't broke. I just hope they stay working during its MOT on Tuesday.
RMC 1469 re-instated the ceiling beading which had previously been removed to facilitate the fitting of the partitions. Started to remove the glue from the upper deck floor and coving panels. This is going to take a long time.
29/5/99
The remainder of RMC 1469's fittings from its training days were removed. Both
decks are now bare shells and ready for re-instatement of the seats. The bus's 240v
mains electricity system was tested and it still works ok. The flourescent
lighting will be very usefull during restoration so I'll delay its removal for as
long as possible.
I passed Leatherhead garage on the way to 'work', or rather, the site of
Leatherhead garage as it has been razed to the ground within a month of closure.
Someone seems to be in a hurry to build on the site. At least it gives the
photograph of RM 291's refuelling trip there a
little historical interest!
28/5/99
A visit was made to the former Cardiff Rd. depot of Reading Mainline where I was
able to obtain all of the minor interior body items missing from RMC 1469 that are
common with standard RMs. The three ex-Strathtay Routemasters that were acquired
for spares yeilded all of the parts that I needed. These included beading, seat brackets and handrails. I was just in time as these buses were to be towed to PVS (breakers) within days. They were among the last 6 buses remaining in the yard, the other 3 being Reading nos 1 5 & 15.
I was told that Routemaster operation in Reading would end within a year. A
number of the buses are already for sale and are apparently in good condition so if you are interested in acquiring one for preservation phone Jeff Stoute on 0966 290939 (SERIOUS ENQUIRIES ONLY!)
22-23/5/99
Restoration of RMC 1469 commences!
Both interior partitions and most of the tables were removed over the weekend.
The partitions were substantialy constructed from box section steel with plywood
cladding and were dismantled with some difficulty.
Luckily they were fitted with minimum modification to the sides of the bus and
reinstatement of beading with hide the little damage that they caused.
I peeled back the brown carpet on the upper deck to reveal the original
'Treadmaster' floor covering. It appears to be in good condition so will be
retained. Unfortunately the lower deck Treadmaster has been completely removed. I
have now decided to replace the seating as soon as possible just to get RMC 1469
looking like a proper bus once more. A more thorough restoration will start after
the 1999 show season.
upper deck interior of RMC 1469 as acquired
19/5/99
At last RM 291's lower deck seats have been refitted.
Its restoration is now largely complete except for a bit of tidying around the
platform area, cleaning and painting the battery compartment, fitting the new diff, repainting the cab......
16/5/99
Classic Automotion Another day off from restoration as I took Memory Lane's
RT 1790 to this excellent event. I'd never driven an RT before but I found the
experience enjoyable if rather noisy, compared to an RM.
15/5/99 Today I was supposed to fit RM 291's lower saloon seat frames but I ended up playing with my new toy instead.
I took RMC 1469 to Cobham to show it off and pick up a set of seat frames for it.
One again the bus has a full compliment of seats, Its just a pity that they are all
stacked at the back of the upper deck!
14/5/99 New vehicle! RMC 1469 is the latest
addition to the fleet.
1/5/99 RM 291 The lower deck seat frames have returned from the sandblasters and are now painted and ready for fitting.
Lower deck interior of RM 291 mid-restoration
SMS 369 The compressor cylinder head has been changed in a attempt to speed up charging of the air tanks. Sadly the new head didn't make any difference.
