The Three Counties Bus And Commercial Vehicle Museum

Well another Christmas is over, and straight away we are back with the traditional New Year visit to Winchester, on an exceedingly mild day. Another good turnout of vehicles for this event, and several 3CB members enjoyed the day.

At our December meeting, we tried something a little different by having a talk on beekeeping, and an opportunity to buy some local honey. I may say it was very good, (the talk and the honey) and I have only had positive feedback on the evening. Prior to the talk, Our Chairman Malcolm Skevington presented Mr. Phil Chapman with a cheque for £61 as the latest lottery winner.
Congratulation Phil, drinks on you.

On completion of the first year of our lottery (see article below) we will publish a list of all winners in the last year.

Don't forget to send any articles or scraps of local transport interest coming in for future newsletters.

Roy Warren (Editor)

The current lottery has been running for nearly a year now and finishes in March. We intend continuing with the lottery starting again in April. Numbers for the new lottery in April will be available at March 26th Meeting.

Joe Rebecca (Lottery Manager)

A brief look at the status of various vehicles owned by Three Counties Members, also the museum vehicle and friends. This occasional article will provide an update on progress and the restoration/operational status of our fleet.... So, prepare to begin our tour of the vehicles, have your spotting books ready..

UXD129G - Bristol RELL6L (ex Luton Corporation 129)
Currently stored awaiting restoration on the body structure to begin, the vehicle is mechanically operational and can move under its own power within the storage area. Hopefully next in line for loving care and attention.
Note: As it is the 40th Anniversary of the end of Luton Corporation on 4th January 2010 this would be an ideal target to aim for.

KBD712D - Bristol Lodekka FS6G (ex United Counties 712)
712 has recently acquired a new MOT and is currently undergoing investigative work on the rear brakes and hubs to locate a part of a wheel stud which may be trapped within one of the brake drums. Also a brake cross shaft lever which has been slightly out of alignment for the past 20 years has been removed for attention. Once this work has been completed and a rear tyre has been replaced, 712 will be operational (hopefully throughout 2007).

DEK3D - Leyland PD2/37 (ex Wigan 140)
This vehicle is operational and should be out and about through 2007.

FXT122 - Leyland Cub Rear (ex London Transport CR16)
Now nearing completion, and hopefully will be on the road in 2007. This vehicle has been the subject of a major reconstruction over the past 7 years and Malcolm's work has featured in the enthusiast magazines. Currently the speedometer and generator drive is being refurbished and should be ready for fitting to the vehicle in the spring of 2007.

VYO767 - Bristol MW6G (ex Tilling)
A long term resident of the garage, at present the vehicle is engineless and the body partially stripped for frame replacement. The structure is mainly sound and an engine is available for the vehicle, although it also needs a rebuild before it can be used.

OWC182D - Bristol MW6G (ex Eastern National 352)
This vehicle is fully operational and ready for the road Look out for it in 2007. Recent work includes reverting the windscreen wiper operation back to the original independent system. The combined operation meant that it was almost impossible to 'park' the wipers at a convenient position on the screen and the action of the wipers in use was very distracting. The only remaining action is to re-instate the water pipe work and commission the interior heating system.

CBD919T - Bristol VRTSL6G (ex United Counties 919)
A recent arrival at the central works, the vehicle is substantially complete but in need of some TLC. Particular area's of work include fixing a number of air leaks and repairing damaged wiring. Work proceeds as we write this. Much of the other work is cosmetic and cleaning up.

C24NVV - Ford Transit (ex Luton & District 24)
Currently in long term storage and acting as a store vehicle for other vehicle parts.Although operational, the Transit has a very bad area of corrosion around the rear chassis and front scuttle which need major attention prior to use. It is intended to restore this vehicle to the 'Hoppanstopper' livery, complete with bouncing bunny logo on the sides of the body. If anyone knows of the whereabouts of the rabbit costume that was used at promotional events, we would like to get hold of it for display with the vehicle.

BJU13T - Bedford YRQ Coach
Currently taxed, tested and operational. This coach has been extensively cleaned and tidied up during 2006 and now looks very smart. Note: the non-standard jumbo rear view mirrors are a later fitment, although not terribly aerodynamic.

573UVX - Bristol MW5G (ex Eastern National xxx)
Recently acquired and the subject of much recent work, this fine vehicle is now operational and restoration work proceeds to improve the overall condition.

JWU307 - Bedford OB
The OB is currently away from the garage having structural work done on the wood framing, we look forward to seeing the vehicle back with us and we can proceed with electrical work prior to MOT.

BPL469T - Leyland National B Series
This vehicle is operational, although currently lacks an MOT. Some problems do exist with the vehicle, namely the air suspension levelling valves are troublesome and there is a fault in the fuel system at the injection pump which requires attention. Believed to be soon leaving the garage for a new home, we wish it well with its new owners.

At the Clophill Outstation:

LYR915 - London Transport RT3496
Now in the tender care of Philip Dale and already fully restored, the vehicle still resides in our local area and is operational, another one to keep an eye out for during 2007.

MXX434 - London Transport RF457
This vehicle is currently operational and should be seen out and about in the local area throughout 2007.

SOA674S - Midland Red 674
Not seen out for some time but the vehicle is complete and ready to run when MOT'd.

At the Wingfield Outstation (aka Malcolm's Garden):

GPD313N - Bristol LHS6L (ex London Country BN45)
Our Museum bus, this vehicle has undergone extensive work to restore into a bus again, much has been done to tidy up the structure and electrical systems. Although expensive, a new offside windscreen has been fitted and apart from wipers and some internal fitting out, the vehicle is almost ready for the road. So look out for our display vehicle in 2007.

BXD628 - Leyland Cub (ex London Transport C4)
Another long term project. This vehicle requires extensive renovation. Very much a back-burner project, the C will be some time before it is ready to display.

At other strategic points in the 3 Counties Area:

MXX317 - Guy Special (ex London Transport GS17)
Courtesy of Peter Gomm, this vehicle will add to our growing fleet of ambassador to the museum.

MXX332 - Guy Special (ex London Transport GS32)
Another operational vehicle under the auspices of John Clarke but undergoing some restoration work following some recent malicious damage, this vehicle should be repaired in good time for the 2007 season. As you can see we will have plenty of vehicles available to fly the flag for Three Counties during the coming season. That's all for this time, we will return to these and other vehicles on another tour of the 'works'. Thanks for visiting!

Nigel Adams