Norms Restoration - 31 Seater Projects

Project 1939 Leyland TD5 [1635]

2018

January - Other Leyland TD 5

Chris Dempsey 4th Jan
1635 Sister 1634 rebodied for St Ives Bus Services Leyland TD5 m/o-4473 last seen at Shoal Bay August 1969.
Picture from the Norman Chambers collection
Scott Wilson
One of these St.Ives rebodies is at Lightning Ridge.
Norman Julian
You would never know.
Steve Hardie
Arthur H Gillott also had a couple of AECs as well used to go past the depot somes as a kid
David Oaten
What does this posting have to do with the restoration of 1635?
Jesus Christ!
Scott Wilson
Another ex St.Ives bus at Grawin in '04.
Norman Julian 5th Jan
Just wanted to talk about the towing company that moved the TD5 from Wellington to Mullion Creek.
The guy was very professional and caring of the vehicle.
I warned him of the oil cooler which protrudes down under and behind the radiator but the way his lifter wooks there is no problem at all.
No chains used but a large arm that works by hydraulics in and out and up and down and supports the axle from one side to the other.
The size of this truck is quite astounding.
It would be about the same length as a Leopard and it has plenty of power.
I was behind it all the way and there are a few decent hills on the way but it was me that was slowing up climbing the hills not him.
The Leyland is no light weight either.
With a constant speed of around 80 kph we arrived to my place safe and sound.
There is a member of this group who has used him before and says the same thing that if you ever want to use a carrier from around this area that he is very good.
When you purchase good money for a classic like this you don't mind spending a little more to get it to your home safely.
He also has a low loader for a single deck.
Brian Blunt
These Jerr Dan tow trucks are awesome machines.
There is a guy on YouTube Ron Pratt who has a 4 axle Peterbilt with rotating job.
What he does with this truck is mind blowing
Norman Julian
Hello Gregor Neil Robertson.
Thought you might have been blown off the map.
Gregor Neil Robertson
Still anchored firmly to my castle grounds!
We have a flat in a restored castle - first records 12th Century.
Most substantial building in 1700s.
Saltoun Hall owned for about 300 years by the Fletcher family who have now moved into a very grand stables...S
John Swadling
Dont feel alone Norm and YES Peter is a Legend with his tow truck
Craig Parkinson
No chains....... Very professional.
So what's to stop the vehicle bouncing and jumping out of the lifting points that the Axel sits in?
Got a mate with the same underlift set up and no way do we tow without chaining it down!
Norman Julian 7th Jan

Norman Julian
Some of these seat frames are different from others so I will have to get an expert on this era to see what can be used and not.
Norman Julian 7th Jan

Norman Julian
There is a spare set of axles and a spare diff centre.
Norman Julian
There is also a spare starter and a steering arm which looks like it suits an AEC.
Norman Julian 7th Jan

Norman Julian
This drive shaft also looks like an AEC.
Norman Julian 7th Jan
After having the Titan for a month now I had a small amount of time this morning before it got too hot to clean out some of the rubbish that's not bus related and to organise better and see some more of the spares that came with it.



Chris Dempsey
You nearly have enough parts to restore another TD5 Norm
Norman Julian 7th Jan
Norman Julian
The tyres on the Titan are over 100mm in dia.
smaller then the single deckers
Urs Mueller
sorry, don't wanna be smart but 100 mm it just about 4 inches .do you mean 1000 mm.
what size you got on?
Norman Julian
The tyres on the titan are 100mm smaller then the frog.
Urs Mueller
now i can see it ,better wear my glasses in the future.
Urs Mueller
Julian Norman is it true that some singledeckers had a fast diff in it because they where driving out of town ?
Norman Julian
Which era of buses are you talking about?
Urs Mueller
About just after the war.because single decker have been used between towns.
well thats what a person older then me told me.
Norman Julian
Could well have been Urs!
In saying that The buses being built for around Sydney etc would have had the same sort of diff.
If though there were specific buses being made for the country they may have very well had the higher speed diffs in them.
I'm not sure.
Norman Julian 7th Jan

Norman Julian
These seat cushions and seat backs look like they could be off anything. Have to find the right era.
David Wilson
these had full leather upholstery until the late 40s- early 50s when vinyl was introduced.
I have a couple of genuine leather seat backs which are fairly dark brown in colour .
The vinyl colours varied over the years but a deep chocolate brown with the same pattern as tonneau covers was in use til around 1962
Norman Julian 7th Jan

Norman Julian
Look! They thought of everything a baby carrier. LOL
Norman Julian 7th Jan
I found some more treasures.
Can anyone tell me whether this mirror is period or not.
I'm saying no.
The one that is on the bus is flat and a different size.



David Wilson
not for the TD-5
Norman Julian
Thought so!
Looked too modern.
Thanks David.
Norman Julian 9th Jan
Brief history on TD5 1635.
The Chassis was imported from the UK and was built as a Double Decker in 1939.
It first went into service from 29/9/39 by the Dept of Government Transport and built by Waddingtons at Granville.
It served at Manly dept. 10/39; Burwood dept. 10/47; Kingsgrove dept. 1948; North Sydney dept. 12/49 and Willoughby dept. 6/58.
She was decommissioned 24/12/60. She had 5 overhauls. 12/44, 5/46, 12/47, 12/49 and 20/5/53.
She served the people of Sydney for 21 years.
From there she went into private hands by a gentleman called Len Jansen from Narromine.
He owned it up till July 2007 when Alistair Graham purchased it from him.
I purchased her from Alistair on 7/12/17.
James Leonard Garrod
After decomm in 1960 was it ever used by a private bus company that you know of?
Norman Julian
One of the very few buses that didn't go into a private company's hands
Norman Julian 27th Jan
Short view of Leyland TD5 1635

Video Overview of the Leyland DT5
Peter Velthuis
Bet you can't wait to get started on this one Norm.
It's actually not in bad shape.
Norman Julian
We will see Pete! The same thing was said about the AEC frog.
Norman Julian
If anyone is curious about TD5.
It doesn't stand for Turbo Diesel 5 cylinder.
It actually stands for Titan Double Decker 5th Generation.
Greg Gibson
This looks pretty clean.
Norman Julian
Yeah for nearly 80 she's not bad.
Catherine Norman
Its so original Norm I would repair what is needed and largely leave it in tact I don't think there would be a more original pre war TD5 anywhere.
Rebuilding from the frame up would lose that originality.
Even the inside paint looks wonderful.
Externally repanel and rust repair the frame where required and give it a full repaint and it will look incredible. Thats just my thoughts anyway.
Its certainly a really good base for a restoration
Norman Julian
I can hear ya Cath. Things have to come off though to inspect the frame. The back emergency door has to be rebuilt for sure.
A great deal of thought will be put into everything before I make any decision.
Catherine Norman
Thanks Norm looking forward to seeing it on the road again that drivers cabin is so beautiful and ornamental its a credit to Alistair how well he kept it
Graeme Knappick
I must post my interior shots that I took of it at Narromine back on 22/7/96.
Last updated
January 2018
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