• 
  • 
    •  introduction
    •  horse buses & private operators 
    •  trams                                              »
      •  routes
      •  tramcars 
  • 
    •  c & d traction company history 
    •  routes
    •  people
    •  buses
    •  events & anecdotes
  • 
    •  1956 changes 
    •  fleet twilight 
  • 
    •  how to help
    •  formation and current status 
    •  2005 anniversary event
    •  activities
    •  sales
  • 
    •  post-service
    •  foct stewardship 
    •  restoration progress 
  • 
  • 
  • 

GKE 68

Restoration Progress

This page will carry just a summary of progress with a few images to show what’s happening.  For more photos see http://gke68.fotopic.net/, where a more complete photographic record will be assembled.  Latest news first.

 

March 2010
Given the condition of the body pillars no further removal of the existing structure is contemplated until separate means of support are available.  Suitable equipment is being sourced.

 

 

February 2010

Further work has now revealed some of the supporting members for the upper deck floor.  The joints to the pillars have not yet been examined in detail but the condition of the supports appears good.

 

 

January 2010

Investigation continued with the removal of some interior panels and fittings.  This was to expose at least one structural “hoop” (side pillars and upper deck floor support).  It was first necessary to remove saloon light fittings and associated cable ducts, followed by cove panels and centre ceilings.  All the screws came out, and the light fittings appeared to be in very good condition.  The cabling will be completely replaced but all the trim items removed have been individually identified for re-use.

 

 

 

December 2009
The short pillar at the rear of the battery box (at the rear of bay 2A) was found to be fully intact for most of its length, the upper end probably having been saved by not passing window corners which allow water to penetrate.

The photo shows well the use of the MCW patent pillar section and the associated timber infills to which exterior panels are attached.  Replication of this pillar section is crucial to the restoration.  Liaison continues with other restoration projects involving other Weymann bodies using the same method of construction

.

 

November 2009
The body structure was always going to be the main work area, and the first steps were taken towards establishing its condition and replacement material requirements.  A location referencing system was set up and some lower side and lower waist panels removed.

 

 

It was quickly revealed that the main body pillars had suffered severe corrosion around the window corners, in some cases to the extent of becoming discontinuous.

 

 

October 2009
A proportion of the Lottery award money was used to set up and equip the restoration base. Principal amongst the items purchased were security fencing to enclose the allocated space, and an access platform.

 

 

 

Late June 2009
Many items removed from inside bus to secure storage.  GKE’s downstairs seats, radiator and bonnet panels had all been stowed and secured in the lower saloon for the bus’s journey down from Barnsley.  They had been joined by some Bristol K5G spares donated to the project by Brian Smith.  These spares include some fundamental parts like a differential, cylinder heads and a complete radiator together with a host of miscellaneous items.

 

 

April 2009

The first practical step towards restoration is to find secure storage for the many loose items currently stored inside the bus.
This will permit a closer inspection of the body structure which in turn will allow methods of work and material requirements to be established.

Any suggestions or offers for somewhere suitable would be welcome.