Around Chiswick Works
Around the back of Chiswick Works on 12 June 1981, RM 1 has finally been moved out of `the dip` where it had been for nearly two years and preparations have begun to rescue this very important vehicle. From conversations that I had with Colin Curtis, LT`s most senior engineer, it appears that it wasn`t easy to set things in motion regarding the refurbishment of RM 1.
The objective was to get it under cover (for the first time in years) at Aldenham Works so that it could be an apprentice project to restore the bus - taking as long as needed for that would keep the bus warm and dry which would stall the noticeable deterioration that had set in from years of outside storage. Resistance that came initially from Aldenham regarding the unsuitability of using a non-standard bus was quickly countered by the undesirability of using a standard complete RM that could be out on the road earning its keep (RM withdrawals were still a long way off at this time). And with normal overhauls being done to a tight time schedule not suited to the downtime that was beneficial to apprentice`s learning new skills and putting them into practice, it was eventually decided that RM 1 could find a useful role at Aldenham. So after months of deliberation, RM 1 would have its future assured for the first time in years.
Around Chiswick Works
Around the back of Chiswick Works on 12 June 1981, RM 1 has finally been moved out of `the dip` where it had been for nearly two years and preparations have begun to rescue this very important vehicle. From conversations that I had with Colin Curtis, LT`s most senior engineer, it appears that it wasn`t easy to set things in motion regarding the refurbishment of RM 1.
The objective was to get it under cover (for the first time in years) at Aldenham Works so that it could be an apprentice project to restore the bus - taking as long as needed for that would keep the bus warm and dry which would stall the noticeable deterioration that had set in from years of outside storage. Resistance that came initially from Aldenham regarding the unsuitability of using a non-standard bus was quickly countered by the undesirability of using a standard complete RM that could be out on the road earning its keep (RM withdrawals were still a long way off at this time). And with normal overhauls being done to a tight time schedule not suited to the downtime that was beneficial to apprentice`s learning new skills and putting them into practice, it was eventually decided that RM 1 could find a useful role at Aldenham. So after months of deliberation, RM 1 would have its future assured for the first time in years.