PROGRESS with GS55

2021 is upon us. Work at the depot has been moving apace on a number of vehicles, Especially GS55.

A little reflection: as a restorer of vintage buses since 1977 I'm often asked how long does it take to restore a vehicle, As you can imagine it depends on a number of factors such as condition, restoration budget, parts availability and time to name but a few.

This question is incomplete because it is just one element in the mix towards operational running.

Another factor is about maintaining standards ... apart from the servicing issues. Items such as the correct route blind displays, fare charts and running numbers are important to enhance the overall experience of an event. Some of these items are original having been collected by owners over 60 years so our Green Rovers days will be the best experience we can give.

Some more reflections from the fleet:

GS 55 was sold by London Country in 1972 and used by Trancity coaches of Chislehurst. First as school transport then as a store. Parked in Chislehurst station yard, opposite the London side platform it could not be seen from the railway. It could be seen from the main Chislehurst- Bromley Road however... if you knew what you were looking for. This is how I remember it with the rear of the bus facing the road. I can also remember the vehicles on route 227 which ran close by operated with crew RFs until January 1971.

The bus was painted all over light blue being the colour of Transcity at the time, As I remember, the paintwork was dull, due to lack of TLC. I will post photos of it at Chislehurst soon. If any of you by chance have photos of it please let me know.

Current progress.

Same place, front inner wing restoration. The picture below shows the level of corrosion caused by 60 years of road salt and constant battering by road-stones.

GS55 Welywn Garden City Station c. October 1968. GS 55 and 13 were the last two at HG ( Hertford) and withdrawn from service in that month. Photographer unknown - so copy right reserved.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------