Aside from all the vehicle news, all of here at Southern Counties Omnibus Collection would like to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The main news this month is the collection of 40306 (N306XRP) Bernard's minibus. The axle change has been completed and we are just left with a few minor jobs to sort out for an MOT. Although all of our buses a currently resting, work continues apace. Q255GRW has had a tyre change and will also be on the road for next year. DMS550 is getting redder and redder with every week as Paul continues to paint her. Also, the smallest member of the collection, the Metrocab taxi is having extensive work on her for her MOT. Paul and Jake have been busy replacing the kingpins, bushes and ball joints and to date just have the exhaust and rear brakes left. The kingpins alone having taken 3 days solid work. Following news that the MOT test no longer lift the front wheels to check the kingpins, this has given us hope that Bristol LH 3131 may well pass the test with out packing them out. Although only listed as an advisory on the previous test, we wanted to sort it out, however, talking to the testing station, it would seem that she is likely to pass as she is which sounds very promising.
Aside from all the vehicle news, all of here at Southern Counties Omnibus Collection would like to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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Today, Claire, Paul, Nick and Jake descended on the yard to tidy up 3131 and finally sort out 5137's throttle valve which Paul rebuilt. This was refitted but unfortunately didn't work. Paul later discovered he'd put a spring in the wrong way around, a very easy mistake to make. He removed 7681's throttle valve too as she can be very much 'all or nothing' and he will give this a service too and hopefully make her a bit smoother. The oil leak on 7681 is back despite last week it seemed to have sorted itself out - typical of 7681 with a mind of her own so it seems! Also she decided to throw a wobbly today as Nick took her around the yard and after a few circuits promptly lost all her gears! This niggly electrical problem has reared it's head before and although the rain had been kept out of the electrical panel under the drivers cab window, the day was rather foggy and damp which had probably penetrated where the rain couldn't. 7681 was pushed back to her parking space where Paul, Nick and Jake commenced a run through of issues that could be causing it checking fuses, connections and junction boxes. Paul took apart a rather suspect looking terminal block and cleaned it out whilst Jake checked fuses and put Vasaline (good stuff for electrics) on all their blades and low and behold the gears returned. Coupled to the oil leak, 7681 will be having some major work done over the next six months to get her on the road. Store shed 5807 had her gearbox oil topped up and was started up and run around the yard by Nick as can be seen on our YouTube page. The rear engine panel was left open to aid engine ventilation - not that it was exceptionally hot today but with 7681 playing up, we didn't want another dead bus in the yard. Jake also discovered 5807's radiator fins are painted shut which, coupled to the missing rear engine vents, could explain why she gets hot and bothered. The radiator fins are closed in the winter to keep the engine temperature up but have to be propped open in the summer - normally with a bit of old broom handle!
1145 and 3131 attended the New Romney bus rally on Sunday. This was a great day out with bus rides and train rides galore. This marks 3131's last rally with the collection as her tax runs out at the end of this month and Bernard has reluctantly decided to sell her to allow us to concentrate on our buses. Other news is 1145 collided with a bollard on the way back from Herne Bay whilst taking evasive action to avoid a on-coming car. Nick and Peter repaired the nearside damage in time for New Romney although the middle door step still needs a bit more work, she's looking tidy.
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Current NewsHere you will find out the latest news about our buses and future events we hope to attend. In addition we will add any interesting bus and coach related news we come across.
SOUTHERN COUNTIES OMNIBUS.A collection of retired buses living in southeast England owned by a group of friends. Archives
May 2022
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