31 Seater Projects - Norms Buses - Monthly activity

Norman Julian 10 Jun
: The weather has been ordinary so more shed jobs to be done.
: First the interior rear view mirror.
: I took it completely apart and polished up the chrome to a finish I'm happy with.
: It looks quite good in position It took about 5 hrs to get it good enough.
: There was lots of oxidation. The second job is to remake the outside rear view mirror frame.
: This one is too far gone, it cannot be saved.
: Years of weather has rust in some places nearly all the way through in some areas.
: The actual mirror itself will have to be replaced.
: I have 3 and not one is up to standard for a restoration job.

Greg Scott
: Looking good norm !
: I have four days off and a d size bottle 75% full with a week to use it !
: Really wanted to cut and weld the drivers side wall !
: Rains making it hard !
: But what's great with a project this size there is no end of paint stripping. !
: Panel beating !
: Polishing , sanding etc etc to go on with !
: Norman Julian
: I have an adequate size shed to do things in.
: As you would know there are heaps and heaps of things you can do at any time if other plans are ruined.
: Bret J Bistowski
: my outside mirrors are broken and junk as well.
: Norman Julian
: Better put a picture up Bret J Bistowski.
: Peter Kallenbach
: On reflection(in the mirror)it shows a bit ore to do Norman

Norman Julian 15 Jun
: Busy today.
: Made these triangulated plate holders.
: They go on the front nearside just below the front push out window.
: I made 2 sets.
: One for the AEC and the other for the Leyland.
: They wont rust hopefully like their predecessors.
: Not really sure what plate goes in these holders but some coded plate that only the dept would have understood.
: I also got a new mirror made for the frame of the outside drivers side rear view mirror.
: I will finish making the rest of the frame that holds the rear view mirror when she is ready to go up in position.

Brian Hooper
: Depot designation? We had M for willoughby. Waverly depot had the W.
: Steve Hardie
: V was Brookvale the number with was the run no ???
: Brian Hooper
: Not sure on v. But no. Was run number. I worked for sta for 3 years at willoughby.
: Steve Hardie
: My Grandfathers were at Brookvale for many years v was their letter.Albions as sure as sunrise.
: Catherine Norman
: Norm the above is incorrect these brackets hold a supplementary destination metal plate not the run plate ie the sign might have said First Set Down McMillan Street Seaforth or via Expressway

Norman Julian 15 Jun
: Norman Julian
: I guess E stands for Enfield?
: Norman Julian
: What does the number indicate?
: Frank Bugby
: Run number
: Norman Julian
: Sorry Frank but what does run number mean?
: Chris Dempsey
: 2541 was last seen at Yowah Opal fields Queensland
: Frank Bugby
: Rosterd run number
: Frank Bugby
: Each shift has a difrnt number run number
: Norman Julian
: I know I sound like a kid with a thousand questions but why are they on display at the front of the bus. To the average Joe Blow they are meaningless.
: Are they there to be seen by inspectors or other drivers?
: Frank Bugby
: Both if yo have to pick up a run you need to know its the right bus
: Frank Bugby
: Thay still us them today inside the ns wind screen
: Norman Julian
: OK.
: So the number is random.
: It just indicates to someone that that is the bus he or she needs to get on if required?
: Frank Bugby
: Its the bus you are rosterd to be on
: Norman Julian
: I think I understand now.
: When a bus first starts off it is issued with a run number as above.
: The driver then does his stint on the run number and then when the driver is finished his shift a replacement driver would watch out for that number and relieve the driver.
: In other words that bus is easier to locate with that run number on it?
: Brian Blunt
: They also helped supervisory staff to identify the buses on traffic
: Frank Bugby
: Yes
: Norman Julian
: Thanks Frank.
: Frank Bugby
: copied from city to suburb

Norman Julian
: Thanks for going to the trouble to find and put that up Frank. Most interesting.
: Norman Julian
: Just out of curiosity Frank Bugby, Greg Travers gave a brief outline in an edition of Fleetline just before and just after 2547 was decommissioned. Would there be more detailed records of buses and where they spent time in different depots etc over there lifespan.
: I would like to get a hold of 2547 and 2818 if possible.
: Chris Dempsey
: The bus museum might be your best bet Norm

: Frank Bugby
: So would I
: Brian Blunt
: Graeme Knappick would probably have histories
: Norman Julian
: Hey! Does someone want to report this bloke, reading on the job. LOL.
: Brian Blunt
: What "job"?
: He works for the railways
: Norman Julian
: Brian Blunt
: I should have said "employed by the railways" ��
: Norman Julian
: You're a bad man Brian Blunt.
: Brian Blunt
: All my friends say that. Too old to change my ways now

Chris Dempsey
: Starting eating your spinach Norm or heat them and add pressure gently
: Norman Julian
: All respect Chris but I would need a blast furnace to get these hot enough to bend. LOL.
: Norman Julian
: Come on Chris. Popeye was yesterday. LOL.
: Sam Hawkins
: Block & tackle strategically place

Norman Julian 16th Jun
: I wonder if I put the bumper back on the bus, then put a jack under the end that is bent downwards and then put pressure on it with the weight of the bus.
: Then heated that area and see if the weight of the bus while trying to raise the bus would bend it back into shape with more pressure being added when needed.

Greg Scott
: The way it's bent , yes worth a try , good idea .
: Jim Sharp
: Heat torch width across flange at 2 inch intervals to shrink back.
: Can leave to cool or use water.
: Greg Scott
: Those smaller bends norm you could g clamp some 10mm flat bar along the straight edge , heat the bent area up red hot and beat it in with lumpy hammer !
: For the twist id be thinking solid metal table heat and press !
: Norman Julian
: It will be a tough ask no matter what I do.
: These bumpers were made of left over Sydney Harbour Bridge
: Bret J Bistowski
: Jesus can do it!
: Peter Kallenbach
: A big job either way Norm ,keep up the good work
: John Lidstone
: any videos of you jumping on it.....???!
: Loving your updates of such wonderful work you do,
: Well done Norm.
: Well done indeed.

Norman Julian 17 Jun
: I spent about 1/2 hr using the wire wheel getting off as much rust and then using the sander to round off the sharp edges and weld splatter to make it a little more presentable.
: The rounding of the edges makes paint chipping a little harder.
: Then I painted the whole thing with rust converter.
: There are nooks and crannies where sanding and wire brushes can't get at.
: This guarantees maximum protection.

Norman Julian 18 Jun
: Stage 1 of getting this bar even has been successful.
: I knocked out most of the big bruises in the folds all the way round so they are just small ones now.
: Much more work to be done there and also on the face.
: I have 2 cuts on either return fold on the left of this picture to straighten this bar.
: It is now true on both sides.
: I wont be welding anything yet till I put the bar back on the bus and check for evenness.
: Just because it is accurate on the ground doesn't mean it will be the same on the bus.
: It has to sit and look right on that.
: The other thing that was done today are the 2 bar brackets.
: They came up OK.

Norman Julian 20 Jun
: Last Monday I made the decision to replace all the oval fixed windows above the standard sliding windows because frankly they are probably original and most are scratched.
: Not really fitting for this sort of restoration.
: Today I inspected the drivers front glass and the rear glass and they were ordinary as well.
: Most of the glass was toughened except for the glass in the destination and route number.
: They used ordinary glass for them.
: The drivers and the emergency exit glass at the back is toughened.
: I am thinking that the passenger glass is probably just as bad.
: I have now decided to replace all glass right through to laminated, even the jackknife doors.
: It will be expensive but I think you will agree it will be worth it.
: I put these pictures up so you can see all the glass.

Chris Dempsey
: You got look after grandma (2547) she 65 years old and new glass will make her feel forty years younger
: Norman Julian
: I have roughly worked it out that by the time she is finished 50% of her will be new.
: Andrew Blacklock
: You will need a 3rd edition Aust compliance plate as its a new AEC.
: lol
: Also you will have to wait 30 years for rego.
: 2017 AEC due for historic rego in 2047.
: lol
: Norman Julian
: It will be an AEC Regal III.5
: Andrew Blacklock
: Norman Julian prob a 2017 Volvo regal ?
: Anton Frank
: Just wondering if some of the glass could be polished if the scratches aren't too bad.
: Just a thought ��
: Norman Julian
: I was just talking to someone about that.
: I no nothing about how to do it.
: Might look into it.
: Greg Scott
: I already have nearly all my glass cut to size norm out of the toughened safety glass except for the door glass !
: It wasn't super expensive !
: I just took my samples to Liverpool glass and they cut it all for me !
: I know it's a bit far for you but keep it in mind !
: Norman Julian
: Thanks Greg but I'm getting it done locally

Carle Gregory
: nice
: Norman Julian
: This is the step the driver gets on to get into the drivers compartment.
: Chris Dempsey
: Gee Norm you good at Jig saw puzzles
: Norman Julian
: I have been pulling apart and putting back together every single nut and bolt on this bus.
: I know more about how these buses go together (without actually driving one) than anyone else alive or dead.
: The running gear is the exception.
: Greg Scott is not far behind.
: LOL.
: Norman Julian
: You can just see the step in this picture

Carle Gregory
: did you hit it with a FBH?
: Norman Julian
: That and a heat torch
: Norman Julian
: The heat torch is a bit mangled now.
: It doesn't like hitting things.
: LOL
: Stuart Brown
: Looks like the Oxy and big hammers are going to get a it of a work out at your place for a while..
: Norman Julian
: I don't have oxy.
: The propane torch and long arms coming from heaven did the job.
: Stuart Brown
: I'd be borrowing one for yesterdays dilemma - would make it much easier to achieve
: Chris Dempsey
: You need a Blacksmith forge Norman for all the straightening work
: Norman Julian
: I think I must have been a blacksmith in another life.
: I seem to have a flair for straightening or even shaping things with a hammer of all sizes.
: James Leonard Garrod
: I always wanted to be...A Lumberjack...

Norman Julian 18 Jun
: Stage 1 of getting this bar even has been successful.
: I knocked out most of the big bruises in the folds all the way round so they are just small ones now.
: Much more work to be done there and also on the face.
: I have 2 cuts on either return fold on the left of this picture to straighten this bar.
: It is now true on both sides.
: I wont be welding anything yet till I put the bar back on the bus and check for evenness.
: Just because it is accurate on the ground doesn't mean it will be the same on the bus.
: It has to sit and look right on that.
: The other thing that was done today are the 2 bar brackets.
: They came up OK.

Norman Julian 21 Jun
: Another painful but necessary job I have been putting off.
: This wind diverter (that's what I call it) needs a revamp.
: I had 2 and was given 2 more and not one of them are any good.
: A few months ago I got 2 of these semi circle things made up but there are too many ripples in the metal.
: This is because of the way it is done using a series of rollers.
: I thought about using them but because this thing is seen I decided they weren't good enough.
: An idea came about using a round piece of gal pipe from a flu kit.
: I can cut this up and have the right shape and just fold the long edges over for strength.
: This should work. Lets hope it does because there will be a lot of time invested in this.

Carle Gregory
: ah ha
: Norman Julian
: The whole thing pivots and the 2 rollers sit against the glass to avoid damage and when the window is pushed out I'm assuming it catches the breeze as you move along and divert it down towards your feet.
: [ I'm guessing here].
: The further you push the window out and move that diverter forward the higher up the air towards the drivers face it goes.
: John Lidstone
: I was wondering....!
: Bret J Bistowski
: I wonder if it also takes sun glare off your odometer, etc
: Norman Julian
: The reason for replacing it is because it rusts on the bottom where the end is folded back onto itself. If you have the window pushed forward and it rains water will come in and sit in the fold and over years it rusts.
: Greg Scott
: Funny norm it's the only part on my bus that isn't rusted !
: Lol
: Norman Julian
: You are lucky.
: it is a shit of a thing to make.
: You should examine yours really well.
: Rust sits in the folds and starts to lift them.

Norman Julian 23 Jun
: Welcome aboard Anthony Christie
: Anthony Christie
: Thank you Norman.
: I have fond memories of 2547.
: It along with 2599 was at Maitland steamfest in the early 90's if I remember, starting my interest in buses, especially those of English origin.
: Scott Wilson will know the exact year.
: Scott Wilson
: 1992.
: Norman Julian
: I know this bus back the front and inside out. Every nut and bolt but still yet to experience the drive.

Norman Julian 29 Jun
: I wasn't in the mood to do much because the weather is a little cool so I thought I would polish this aluminium hand brake face plate.
: The first stage was to sand out every dent and scratch.
: I got 99% out.
: The next stage is to go up in paper grade to get all the fine scratches out.
: After that buff the aluminium to a high polish.

Bret J Bistowski
: awesome
: Mark Spencer
: You had better explain the 2 types of rubber to the uneducated.lol
: Norman Julian
: Thanks Mark Spencer!
: I was hoping someone wouldn't ask. LOL.
: It is crucial that you get the right size in relation to the hole size and the glass size as well as to the thickness of the glass and the thickness of material it is going on.
: You also have to make sure you cut it the right length or it will come up short.
: I just made sure using an old original piece fitted perfectly and measured off that plus a few millimetres.
: I don't know whether what I'm doing is correct but it has worked out and I'm happy.
: One the things I did was I put the rubber on the frame and made sure it was tight around the edge and wasn't slack. Then I put the glass in the rubber by lifting the edge of the rubber till it went in easy enough.
: I did use WD40 to make the mini pry bar easier.
: Once you get it on then comes the tricky part.
: The locking rubber has to go in and as the name suggests it locks the whole thing together.
: It is easier on the straight run then on the rounded part.

Norman Julian The size in the middle is crucial to the glass fitting properly. The locking rubber in this picture is just under the main rubber on the vice. Norman Julian I was making sure when I put it on the aluminium frame that I kept pulling it back onto it self because when you stretch rubber it tends to want to eventually come back. I have seen a few instances in some of these windows where there is a 5mm gap in where the start of the rubber meets the end and I put it down to that.

Norms Restoration - 31 Seater Projects

1952 AEC Regal III [2547]

2017

June Body