Florence Renovation

Well we started work a couple of weeks ago on the interior of Florence. The side trims were getting a little bit tatty and as she's the most popular of the buses for hire I thought she was due for a bit of TLC. The plan is to renew the side trimming panels, the back quarter roof lining material, some of the leathercloth on the roof and parcel shelves and finally replace the floor lino. Firstly we too out all the seats and stored them in Rosie. We have started at the back end and renewed the wood around the window frames. Getting new window rubbers has been a bit tricky but I was directed to a company called Baines and they had 2000 profiles to choose from so the rubber arrived today and I plan on putting the back windows in again tomorrow. Next we have replaced whatever wood framing necessary down the passenger side. The new trimming material will arrive on Thursday, it's not ideal but getting hold of appropriate green moquette has been a bit of a trial, the best suppliers so far have been AS Cummings of Gateshead. So I hope to have at least 3 panels back on by Friday. In the meantime Anthony has been repairing, repainting and generally making better the bodywork on Rosie. So far he's repainted the wheels, wheelarches and radiator. He started on the window frames today. It sounds simple but it all involves lots of gouging out, rubbing down, fiberglassing and a steady hand with the old coachpaints. So anyone looking out for her next season best tell Ant what a good job he's done.... just so he'll carry on and do another! Oh and we've nearly got the new doors on the bus shed! Will post pics soon Anthony has taken some photos so far of progress so I'll try to upload them soon.

Low wood wedding fair

Attended the wedding fair at the Low Wood Hotel today. It was a really great event and we had lots of interest in the buses and cars. Karin sang there too with her new band 'Once scene' . Looks like its going to be another busy year

A very belated Merry Christmas!

Hi Everyone, I really must apologise for not attending to the blog more often, I'm going to make it my New Years Resolution to write here more often and let everyone know whats going on. Firstly Happy Christmas and Merry New Year to you all. We had a really busy Christmas on the buses with quite a few weddings in December in all the snow which was a bit of a worry but we managed to get out for every occasion. We didn't even miss any of the timetabled routes either. We has a great staff dinner at The Hayloft in Barney, enjoyed by all and Dad didn't even make his usual long speech but limited himself to a much shorter one. Thanks to everyone who helps at Cumbria Classic Coaches, 2010 was a great year. January has been busy but I'm going to tell you all about that in the next blog. It just remains to attach our newsletter to this one. Hopefully this will work as I've only put in pictures so far....nope I'll have to put it up on the website page. all the best Ali

Bio Fuel

There's been some recent postings on the Focus Transport website about the use of bio fuel and Tony Wilson has pointed out that the entire Cumbria Classic Coaches fleet runs of bio diesel obtained from a local supplier. His posting shows some good pictures of the vehicles in action in various locations and they can be found at http://www.focustransport.org.uk/news04.aspx#lat02 He also mentions the faint odour of 'frying tonight'! David G

Video on youtube

Was just having a mess around on the internet tonight and found this great video of a job I did earlier this year, thought some of you might like a look http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Oo7YNrUmF0

COMMER RESTORATION

Well in an exciting move, after receiving an interesting introduction letter, work on the Commer restoration has finally, after 12 years been resumed.

We bought our 1949 Commer Commando first in a flush of enthusiasm when we started Cumbria Classic Coaches and although work progressed rapidly in the first 6 months, when we bought the already restored Leyland Lion the business of actually operating our classic fleet took over and the Commer was put on a back burner.

Therefore our fans will be delighted to know that Rusty Trucks aka Paul Brooks of Warcop are manufacturing a new front end and we hope to get it fitted by the end of November, hopefully also, time willing Alison will be looking at the interior this winter, (first Paul has to fill up the holes on the bulkhead and then the cat can be kept out!).

Details of Pauls work so far can be seen on http://rustytrucks.tripod.com/

On the Buses

A fortnight ago one of the passengers on the Wednesday trip to Barney, Frank Dixon from York handed me a piece of paper. He said I could put it on the blog and share it with you: The Seven C's Cumbria Classic Coaches create cleaner country conditions (less cars!) (I) Come with us and travel by bus, off to the town ho-ho. After your shopping we do the drop offs wherever you want to go. (II) Rolling along on the open road, everyone's chatting with our happy load. There's no need to speed let the fast cars lead We'll happily trundle behind. Past people, they're waving while we do the saving in Cumbria's clean open road. (III) 'Meet the Fleet' Florence and Lawrence Rosie and Peter Klipper and Harvey too There MUST be a bus (Just get onto us) to suit whatever you do! Hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did, thanks Frank.