Internal Restoration
Re-covering of the seats
As with most other Routemasters in service towards the end in London, RM1033 had been fitted with seats covered in the 'eyes down' moquette, although the London Central refurbs (of which RM1033 was one) has red formica put on the seat backs as well. In May 2012, the seats were sent away for recovering into the original LT moquette with grey material on the backs.
Update 22nd July: Most of the grey bases have now been prepared and painted and the lower deck seats re-instated. The upper deck will be completed in the coming weeks.
Update 22nd July: Most of the grey bases have now been prepared and painted and the lower deck seats re-instated. The upper deck will be completed in the coming weeks.
Restoration of downstairs flooring and seat frames
Whilst RM1033 was having the ceilings painted, we decided to remove all the seat frames with poles on to avoid ruining the paint in the future. At this point we decided to remove all of them and clean up the floor as well. The seat frames were sanded and repainted, whilst the floor was thoroughly scrubbed to remove all the dirt and chewing gum accumulated over the years and then varnished.
The pictures below show the work throughout, click them for bigger ones and descriptions.
The pictures below show the work throughout, click them for bigger ones and descriptions.
Restoration of upstairs flooring and seat frames
Whilst RM1033 was having the ceilings painted, we decided to remove all the seat frames with poles on to avoid ruining the paint in the future. At this point we decided to remove all of them and clean up the floor as
well. The seat frames were sanded and repainted, whilst the floor was thoroughly scrubbed to remove all the dirt and chewing gum accumulated over the years and then varnished.
The pictures below show the work throughout, click them for bigger ones and descriptions.
well. The seat frames were sanded and repainted, whilst the floor was thoroughly scrubbed to remove all the dirt and chewing gum accumulated over the years and then varnished.
The pictures below show the work throughout, click them for bigger ones and descriptions.
Repainting of the staircase
With only part of the staircase having been repainted before, we decided in 2010 that we would repaint all the staircase and at the same time try to move the additional strengthening brackets fitted to some treads to the inside so they wouldn't be seen. To do this, the lower part of the staircase needed to be taken out - not as simple as it sounds with lots of rusted bolts!. Once it was out, it was clear that some of the stairs required the wood to be replaced as it was rotten and wouldn't have lasted much longer. This was completed and the lower part painted off the bus, whilst the rest on the bus was prepared and painted. The staircase was then put back in using stainless bolts to hopefully make it easier to get out again in the future!.
Fitting of downstairs nearside night blind
RM1033 had always the remnants of a blind in the front nearside window downstairs, but for some reason this had been cut off and the holding strip still bolted in place above the window. After purchasing a replacement blind at the Cobham spare parts sale, we thought we would try and fit it - and soon found out why the old one had been cut off instead of removed properly! The bolts holding it in were siezed solid and snapped off, so it took a bit of time to remove them all. We then fitted the new blind and set about fixing the handrail onto which it clips...
One of the clips was completly flattened and so we decided to take the handrail home to work on and fit a replacement clip. However, on removal it was discovered the casting inside the handrail was actually broken as well and it came off in 2 pieces! Luckily we had a spare rail at home covered in the orange plastic coating, so this was cleaned up, polished and fitted instead!.
One of the clips was completly flattened and so we decided to take the handrail home to work on and fit a replacement clip. However, on removal it was discovered the casting inside the handrail was actually broken as well and it came off in 2 pieces! Luckily we had a spare rail at home covered in the orange plastic coating, so this was cleaned up, polished and fitted instead!.
Remains of the old blind after removal.
New blind and handrail fitted.
Replacement of the drivers seat
The drivers seat on RM1033 was very worn and the seat base itself very soft inside. Additionally, it was covered in the 'eyes down' moquette which didn't look right. In early 2011, we acquired another seat covered in the grey and black material used on the coach Routemasters. The seats were swapped and now looks much better!.
The old seat before removal.
New seat fitted. The cab will be painted in the future.