We have now set up an email address for any Ulsterbus 2599 Group-related enquiries. While this is ideal for group shareholders to use when contacting numerous organisations during the restoration process, it is also available to anyone who wishes to make enquiries about the bus, and longer term will be used to inform interested parties about future rallies/events etc. once the bus is roadworthy. The address is:
ulsterbus2599group@hotmail.com
In addition to this, we have also set up a PayPal account for anyone wishing to make a donation into the project. All you need to do is click on the link below, and follow the instructions on screen (similar to the one shown in the photo), its really that simple. Any donations will be gratefully received, and will be most useful in the group's ultimate aim of getting the penultimate Bristol RE built back on the road and doing what she was designed to do, carry passengers, once again.
https://www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=eK2gcks9FC6oQ1GsKTJx3YB2L-e0DNlObELBKaOMqqUlr4T-E6XCHQUo-KG&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d5402c249c5a2cfd4a145d37ec05e9a5e
We are now well into July, and due to various family/work/holiday commitments, much of what has been happening within the group has been behind the scenes, with discussions taking place about the direction the project should move in next, more new contacts to aid in the restoration process being sourced and fundraising efforts being kick-started.
Up at the farm, Paul and Peter spent a Sunday afternoon continuing where I had left off on preparing the rear wheels for repainting, stripping down many years of Ulsterbus blue and applying grey primer. A quick test on one of the wheels using some blue paint donated to the group earlier in the restoration process revealed that the blue was the incorrect shade, being the later lighter shade of 'Ulsterbus Mk2' blue used in the early 1990's, rather than the darker shade used when the bus was new.
Behind the scenes, negotiations were in place with a company called Comet Dezigns of Clifton (Notts) to have some polo shirts made up for the group in a bid to try and raise awareness of 2599 as we travel around the country. Nicola and her team could not have been more helpful, with many emails and phone calls to discuss our requirements, and even a sample design created for us - the end results are fantastic! More information about Comet can be found here: www.cometdezign.co.uk
Turning our attention back to 2599 herself, Paul and one of his colleagues Nik, a mechanic, paid a visit to the farm to have a look at the damaged latch on the rear emergency door. Eventually the latch was removed, and plans are now being drawn up for the replacement latch and door handle sent by Robert Nogues of the Ards Bus Preservation Group to be fitted at a later date.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the final preparations were being made by myself and Paul to attend the 5th Alton Bristol RE and VR Running Day and Alton Bus Rally over the coming weekend.But more on that one later...
As we celebrate six months of being involved with Ulsterbus 2599, Paul Waplington's 1983 Alexander-bodied Bristol RE, we have all been reflecting on what a fun-filled and emotional journey it has been so far. Its had ups and downs, stressful moments, and there have been times many where we have all wondered what we had taken on. But we have also shared many laughs, created many memories and made some fantastic new friends along the way, as we make small steps ever closer to bringing 2599 upto a roadworthy standard to one day do what she was designed to do - carry passengers once again. Anyway, I digress...
In our previous blog posts, you will remember we were going through a major dilemma about the brake anchor pins, with leads drawing to a dead end and the possibility of having to have new pins manufactured from scratch looking like an increasing reality. However, thanks to the efforts of Carl Ireland, we have the required pins for both front and rear brakes, plus a set of brake springs. Again, we cannot thank you enough for your efforts!
We have also had a brand new throttle support plate manufactured from scratch, as Gary Crosby's efforts revealed that the original support plate was not supporting very much at all, being badly corroded! This has now been collected, and all that remains is to drill the holes for the bolts and to refit it to the bus, a task that will probably take place during our next working party (watch this space).
In other news, we have also managed to source a complete set of front brake shoes which will be of great use to the group once work starts on the front brakes. In the meantime, it is our aim to complete the necessary work on the rear brakes, fit the throttle support plate, and hopefully look at forming a timeline to begin some of the other tasks awaiting completion, including looking into sorting out the problems with the emergency exit. Paul has also been out and about negotiating with BOC gas about hiring a supply of Oxygen Astelene and a blowtorch which will assist us with some of the work that needs doing.
Meanwhile, talks are underway about our next fact finding/fundraising trips over the next month or so. Calum is hoping to be running a stall at the Ruddington open day on Sunday 20 July in a bid to raise funds towards 2599's restoration, while Paul and myself are looking into the possibility of a visit to the annual Alton running day and bus rally over the weekend of 19/20 July in a bid to meet more Bristol RE owners and generate even more interest in the bus.
