12th January
There has been a lot of progress on RM1033 since she was dropped off in December. The nearside has had a complete re-panel and the offside is half way through a re-panel. The lower panels on the offside are back on but minus the beading, which has been taken off for paint stripping, whilst the upper panels are still off. This gave us a chance to see inside the 'skin' and to us, the framework looked in good shape. The following pictures
were taken during our visit, and show the work so far, nothing has been done to the front or back.
were taken during our visit, and show the work so far, nothing has been done to the front or back.
26th January
Since our last visit a couple of weeks ago, RM1033 has moved into the 'prep' area to have the final preparations made before painting. The repanel has now been completed and work has started on sanding off the many
layers of paint she has accumulated over the years.
layers of paint she has accumulated over the years.
9th February
Work is now progressing more slowly than at first as sanding off the many layers of paint on RM1033 is taking quite a bit of time. So far though, we are happy with the results and there is visible progress since our last visit. The roof has progressed, and, although not finished, it is a lot better than before. The sides of the roof have been filled to take out the little dents and work has started on sanding the back and front.
22nd February
Since our last visit, RM1033 has neared completion of the preparation and by the end of next week she should be painted in primer. The outside is nearly prepared with just a bit more sanding needed on the front and the roof. The back has been sanded as much as needed, but it only needed a quick rub-down as it was stripped to bare metal a couple of years ago to repair the dent in the back. Over the coming week, the ceilings will be prepared as we are also having these painted at the same time to have all the painting done in one go, and RM1033 will be cleaned and painted in primer.
1st March
RM1033 has started being painted in primer and this will be completed soon. The parts which had been filled have been painted in primer to check they look OK, which all of them do. The back nearside roof dome has been repaired and the crack taken out, and you can't see there was anything wrong with it. Work has started on sanding around the canopy are and this is nearly completed with a bit more sanding and then the new bonnet to fit. Work has just begun on the downstairs ceiling but as there is little change there is no photo of this.
29th March
We went to Northfleet today expecting to see RM1033 in the paint shop having either the ceilings or the outside sprayed. However, on arrival we were pleasantly surprised to find her inside the workshop already having been painted. She already looks a lot better than when we dropped her off, even though she still have no blindbox glass, cab glass or quarter drop windows in. Another big improvement is the loss of the advert frames on the
outside, and the cameras on the inside. It is now a race to get her finished ready for Cobham in 1 week.
outside, and the cameras on the inside. It is now a race to get her finished ready for Cobham in 1 week.
5th April
This should be our last visit to see RM1033 before picking her up in the next 2 weeks. The quarter drop glass of the windows has been fitted, blindbox glass has now all been put back in with the new rubber and the new wingmirrors we have aquired have also been fitted. The lights inside are also back on the ceiling but somewhere along the way there seems to be a fault in the wiring which will need to be fixed. Vinyls will be fitted next week, the upstairs emergency exit glass will be put back in and new batteries fitted before she should be ready to come back home!
12th April - Collection Day
The day had come when we were to pick RM1033 up from London Bus and Truck - 4 months and 1 day after we left her there. On arrival, she was being shunted around the yard ready for photos in the sun. The vinyls have all now been applied and what a difference it makes to the appearance. We would like to thank the team
at London Bus and Truck for the super job they have done on her.
at London Bus and Truck for the super job they have done on her.