Latest News - July 2008

Museum News

Two 'new' vehicles (if the term can be used for vehicles of this age) have joined the Museum collection in recent months-

AGO 903 -1933 Austin 7 'Septimus' has joined the collection. He is unusual in being a male vehicle, so is exceptionally happy to have the company of so many old ladies in our Museum. The Board took a while to admit him, but any fears of the Exhibition Hall becoming overrun with tiny cars are quite unfounded; Septimus is a gentleman and can be relied on to behave like one. This fully restored and very smart little car was driven into the Museum in time for Easter Open Day, following an MOT passed with flying colours.

UH 1773 - Ford Model TT Truck During this year's Castle Rally Society Member Larry Riches made a formal presentation of a Ford Model TT Truck to the Society. This gesture was made in appreciation of the friendship and support shown to him by members of the Society since he became infected with "collecting old cars".

UH 1773 was built in Manchester (UK) in 1926 and has always seen use in the UK. Restored for the centenary celebrations of transport company A.T. Mays it attended many rallies, winning frequent trophies before being laid up for many years. Larry purchased the vehicle after A.T. Mays were bought out, but used it sparingly during his ownership as the top speed is only about 18mph! At every event it has entered it has won trophies for its original condition.

Spires and Steeples Event Leyland Tiger Lincolnshire 1411 provided transport for North Kesteven District Council's dignitaries and guests on Sunday 3 May as part of the launch of the 'Spires and Steeples' trail, a new 27 mile arts and heritage walking route running from Lincoln Cathedral to St Deny’s Church in Sleaford (it is permitted to walk it in instalments!)

The day started with a journey from Washingborough to Lincoln Cathedral. A break parked in Minster Yard attracted a lot of interest from tourists, and minor confusion to a platoon of mediaeval re-enactors. The afternoon involved a return to Washingborough and then on to Branston for further events, prior to return to Washingborough.

Steam & Oil Days For the eleventh year, we co-operated with the Museum of Lincolnshire Life for their 'Steam and Oil Days' over the May Day bank holiday weekend, when many of their steam powered static and traction engines are 'fired up'. No steam was emitted by our buses – Lincolnshire 2115 (Bristol K), 2318 (Bristol Lodekka) and Lincoln 89 (RFE 416) which operated the service, with Leyland Tiger 1411 making one journey up the hill.

Castle Rally Our annual Castle Rally took place on Sunday 8 June - a report can be seen here.

AGO 903 arrives at the museum in care of suitably attired 'delivery driver', March 2008	Leyland Tiger 1411 at Washingborough, during the 'Spires and Steeples' event, May 2008

Vehicle News

SOCIETY VEHICLES

VFF 631 - 1953 Reliant 3-wheel Van

John has now started to paint the van and it should be finished in time to go on display at RAF Waddington Airshow. Following the Waddington weekend, it has moved into the Museum building and is now on display.

TE 8318 -1929 Chevrolet Coach

New ribbed aluminium sheet has been purchased for the steps.

MFE 454J - 1970 Morris 1000 Van

A replacement heater matrix has now been fitted to the van, so if it goes out in the cold weather the driver should still be warm.

KDT 393 -1951 AEC Regent III d/d Bus

This has now been MOT tested.

KW 474 - 1927 Leyland Lion PLSC s/d Bus

Now re-sited in in the Exhibition hall. That was a bit of fun one weekend! The bus is now receiving a new set of tyres - total negotiated cost of over £1,700.

FHN 833 -1940 Bristol LSG s/d Bus

Many hours have been put in by the team over the last few months resulting in a lot of fiddly jobs being completed, including manufacture of roller blind end pieces (not the "normal type") and completion of the front blind (handles etc.) More work has been carried out on the window pans. The locking mechanisms have now been fitted to the rear boot doors (sourced at a recent rally) and the final beading has been completed on the emergency door along with the lower inside panel (not as easy as it seems!)

Most of the interior wood has been cleaned, stained and varnished so that this will be ready to fit once the glass is in - not too far away now we hope! The rear destination box has been renovated. Many smaller items have been checked over and painted - fan heater motor, fan blades, wiper motor, horn and a new brake light switch fitted. Attention has also been paid to the cab windows, with the glass being cleaned and the metal finishers removed for chroming and polishing. The 3 (out of the 4) existing opening windows have been stripped down for re-chroming and the search is on for a 4th window mechanism which is proving elusive. We have e-mailed many museums and enthusiasts to see if they can help. The new window rubber has been sourced and is at the museum.

Items in need of re-chroming - i.e. the interior heater, door handles and widow fasteners - are also being checked and marked up with many pieces being 'smartened up'. One step back in the project has been an idea to remove the radiator grill for fettling up. This did not come out easily - different fittings to the post-war ones we had previously encountered - and along the way we found a 'frost crack' in the bottom tank, above a previous repair, no doubt in 'United' days. So the radiator is now off the bus and being repaired. The water pump has also been removed for overhaul.

FW 5698 -1935 Leyland Tiger TS7 s/d Bus New batteries have been fitted but the voltage regulator has failed so this has been removed for repair.

HBE 554D - 1966 Hillman Super Minx Estate The Hillman has not run for over 5 years, but has been moved from the display area, so with a battery fitted and a few drops of fresh petrol in the carburettor it 'sprang into life'. Some bodywork will be required i.e. new sills etc plus work on the brakes to put it back on the road. Any help with this would be appreciated.

PFE 542V - 1980 Bristol VR d/d Bus This has received new windscreen wiper mechanism (thanks to Carl for supplying a nice new one) and motor, and is being prepared for MOT. A water pipe repair has been needed and associated brackets fitted.

DFE 383 - 1948 Guy Arab III d/d bus Rear hub inspection and handbrake mechanism work is being carried out prior to its MOT.

MEMBERS' VEHICLES

OLD 714 - 1954 AEC Regent 3/ RT d/d Bus Quite a large amount of the new woodwork has been cut out ready for fitting after a new 'riser' has been constructed.

OUT & ABOUT

Colchester Daimler CVD6 - OHK 432 took some Society members on a hastily organised trip to the Coors Visitor Centre (ex Bass V.C.) at Burton-upon-Trent to enjoy the last bus and coach rally there. Now in its 40th year of preservation, Colchester No. 4 engaged in two trips around the town with full loads. One Daimler enthusiast on board revelled in the unexpected ride; it was 28 years since he had travelled on a CVD6 double decker.

HPW 133 - 1949 Eastern Counties Bristol K was entered for the rally at the Nottingham Heritage Centre in Ruddington in May and also made the journey across the River Humber for the Hull - Bridlington rally in June.