Ribble 1455 returned to Freckleton on 26.11.09.
1455 is a Burlingham bodied Leyland Titan PD2/12 which was new to Ribble in July, 1956 and withdrawn
in November 1971. She entered preservation in 1996 and became part of the RVPT collection in 1999.
In 2003, 1455 passed to the Lancastrian Transport Trust but failed to enter their restoration programme.
LTT recently decided that 1455 did not fit their collection criteria and RVPT member Gerard Butler agreed
to buy her.
[
attachment=865] [
attachment=866] 1455 seen at Freckleton on 02.12.09.
The intention is that she will be re-furbished and be ready for the start of the 2010 rally season.
(This is, of course, subject to survey and a suitable work programme).
Many thanks to Geoff for updated photographs of 1455. As he says, the plan is to refurbish 1455, which hopefully will be completed by the start of the 2010 rally season. This will be quite a challenge for RVPT, as some framework will need to be replaced, new panelling attached below lower deck windows, replacement seat frames including cushions and backs installed, mechanical overhaul completed, and finally an external and internal repaint.
However I'm sure we are all looking forward to a Ribble PD2 being on the road once again representing the Trust at events.
regards
Gerard
Congratulations to Gerard on the RVPT's latest aquisition. May I comment on the wonderful 'in service' period adverts on this Ribble classic.
Phil Howard
A detailed evaluation has now been carried out on 1455 to establish the work needed to put it back on the road. The original plan following 1455's return from LTT, was to refurbish it during 2010 to "presentable" condition, such that it could replace TD 2057 as the "working" half cab in the RVPT collection. This would allow TD 2057 to be used on special occaisions in recognition of its age. Sister to 1455, 1467 would remain as the strategic Burlingham PD2 in the RVPT collection and once restored would replace 1455 as a front line vehicle. Thus 1455 would be an interim measure, and the expectation was it would run for 2-3 years until 1467 was restored.
The detailed assessment has concluded that unfortunately 1455's condition is not as good as we hoped. Framework corrosion is more extensive than originally thought, and stress panel corrosion on the nearside is advanced, and has spread to internal panels. Much of this will need replacing. Door area, runners and platform need extensive work and there is evidence of woodworm infestation in seats and wood inserts on frame which will all have to be replaced.
On the other hand, although in a stripped down state, 1467's framework and general condition is in good order. When first acquird by RVPT a good deal of work was carried out, including platform rebuild, chassis shot blast, and much of the brightwork cleaned and/or re-chromed. The stress panels are in good order. Additionlly seat frames have been powder coated, tops re-chromed, and seat cushions and backs have been re-trimmed in 1950's Ribble moquette
Given the above, the main conclusion from the evaluation exercise was that 1467 restoration should re-commence in place of refurbishing 1455. 1467 is in considerably better shape, and much of the work needed to refurbish 1455 is either not necessary or has already been done on 1467. Therefore Trust efforts and resources will be better concentrated on completing the strategic Burlingham PD2, particularly in the light of restoration work already completed on 1467. Work should start on the first stages of 1467's restoration in the next few weeks.
The return of 1455 will be invaluable in providing a pattern for 1467's restoration. It is not the intention to strip 1455 for parts; rather the plan is to carry out remedial work as opportunity arises, such that it can be passed on for ongoing preservation at the appropriate time.
Gerard Butler
30.03.10.
[
attachment=949] Nearside body panels have now been removed from 1467.
The condition of the body framing is remarkably good considering the age of the bus.
(30-03-2010 07:47 PM)geoff@meek Wrote: [ -> ]30.03.10.
Nearside body panels have now been removed from 1467.
The condition of the body framing is remarkably good considering the age of the bus.
I agree Geoff, I don't think I've seen a 50 year old body in such good nick, mine certainly isn't.
There is more of the offside stripped since your photo and it is all good news,
It does not look like the panels, apart from one over the drivers cab, have ever been off. All the screws are the same size in each bay and there are no extra holes in the woodwork. All the wood is good barring one broken piece over the wheelarch, so all in all encouraging.
(30-03-2010 07:47 PM)geoff@meek Wrote: [ -> ]30.03.10.
Nearside body panels have now been removed from 1467.
The condition of the body framing is remarkably good considering the age of the bus.
I'm very pleased to hear that 1467 is in good shape under the skin. I was her first owner in preservation, albeit for only just over a year before I sold her after I was seduced by the charms of a PD3/5, but that's another story. It's 30 years since 1467 was retired from staff transport duties at Courtaulds in Aintree, along with 1431. Due to my involvement with another bus elsewhere, my work on her at the time was limited to reinstating some missing seats, cab and other body fittings, some of which came from 1431, which was broken for spares. I can remember the day when I had to decide which bus to keep and which to break. 1467 won the day, I can't remember why specifically, but I felt she was in better shape overall. Without proper inspection facilities at Burscough it was something of a lottery, so I'm glad that I didn't pick the wrong one all those years ago and even more pleased that she will finally be back on the road !
Jonathan.
04.07.10.
Work continues on 1467 - cab area has been dismantled for refurbishment, window pans are being
removed, also for refurbishment, and the auto-lube is being removed and replaced by grease nipples,
where required.
[
attachment=1102] The fuel tank and its supporting straps have been removed,
stripped down to bare metal, chemically treated and given two coats of silver/aluminium paint.
The filler cap has been removed for separate refurbishment.
07.10.10.
Work continues on 1467.
[
attachment=1213] The two main chassis members were in need of attention to
corrosion in various places where they go over the rear axle. After completion of this, the section
of chassis was cleaned, chemically treated and silver painted.
The rest of the chassis will be silver painted in due course.
[
attachment=1214] Near-side chassis member after treatment.
[
attachment=1215] Off-side chassis member after treatment.
Other work in progress includes: re-furbishment of hubs and brake shoes; removal of upper deck floor
covering; removal of n/s between deck panels; preparing seat frames.
25.10.10.
[
attachment=1232]
A view of 1467s offside now that the window pans have been removed.
The body framing is being re-furbished where required. The pillars around the windows,
(which are in very good condition), have been treated by removing the remains of the
screws which held the window pans and body panels. All larger holes in the wooden filler
strips have been filled, the metal framing treated to minor rusting where required, then
the metal framing chemically treated and primed.
Similar work is required to the o/s upper deck wood and metal work where there is, perhaps,
a bit more rust - although this seems to be only 'surface rust'.
The near side panels and window pans have been removed:
whilst this side seems to be not quite as good as the off-side, it is still in remarkably good
condition considering the age of the vehicle.
Work continues in the treatment of the n/s framing.
The wheels have been removed and the stub axles are being refurbished.