RM2

Restoration of an RM2 underway at Acton depot

Update - April 2011

The two front panels for fitting below the cab have been made and, after a slight adjustment, will be fixed to the bodywork. The quality is excellent and bodes well for the look of the remaining panels to be made. Detailing of the radiator badge has been worked out and will be cast in aluminium shortly.

The Friends are helping to fund the front-end rebuild of RM2 and its repainting into Country Bus green livery.

A complex job

The RM2 restoration has been and continues to be a real challenge. Like other restoration work, the desired end result can be achieved only by meticulous attention to detail and by not compromising on quality or accuracy. Recent progress with a new contractor has been good:

• Many of the parameters that determine the shape of the original prototype panels have now been established through in-house work
• The front cab ventilators have turned out to be a special size: production spares cannot be used but additional components are being fabricated
• The head and side lamp panels have been made, together with the bulk of the framing for the nearside wing that is essential to determine the support points for the radiator grille and bonnet

Work is progressing. We will get it done; but we will get it right!