Aston Manor

Road Transport Museum

208-216 Witton Lane, Birmingham, B6 6QE

4/5/08    Progress is going well no our Metrobus 2970, all damaged aluminium panels have been replaced, and fibreglass panels repaired where needed. Front fog lights have been refitted as original, and the greater task of returning the "Marshalled" back end to original has begun by having a correct type panel custom made. Work has also started on our Metrorider 685. Damaged front panels have been removed, which has enabled us to start to clean the structure around the front end. Another project under way is D9 5370, which is now in our paint shop area, where the front brakes have been stripped, and the fuel pump and cylinder heads are next to be removed.

5/2/08    We have seen some progress recently, particularly on our Metrobus 2970. Work was completed on the engine, and the vehicle made ready to move to Walsall for body repairs to take place. Our only way to legally move the vehicle was take it for MOT on the way to Walsall garage. The test was a success, and also the trip saw no problems from our recently refitted engine. Travel West Midlands have now begun work on the body in preparation for a repaint in the near future. We also see D9 5370 over our pit, so we can assess the work needed to return her to the road, with first inspections looking promising.

7/11/07 A lot has been happening since my last update. The most exciting news is that 3002 has now passed its MOT, and is on the road again, and has carried passengers for the first time in about 35 years. We also see the return of 7000, both to the road and to Witton, after a long period of storage at Cleveland Road Garage. Another return to Witton is our Metrorider 685, but this is still only a static exhibit for the time being.

18/11/06 It has been a long tie since our last update, and we have seen several changes at the Museum. As our homepage picture shows, we have reorganised our main display area, giving a better view of our vehicles, and making it easier to get our increasing number of roadworthy vehicles out to use. Our Coventry Daimler 334 as gone away from the Museum to undergo restoration work, and we hope to see the vehicle fit for use in 2007. Our Metrobus 2970 now has the engine refitted after replacing the head gaskets. Our Routemaster has also had the head gaskets replaced as one of them started blowing. We are now the proud owners of Midland Red S17 5479. It has come to us in very good condition, and has already been used on our free bus service, and proved very popular with passengers and drivers alike. Another acquisition on display is LJW336, a 1953 Guy Arab LUF, originally used as the Guy demonstrator. We have reached something of a milestone for us, in the fact that we have eight roadworthy vehicles, all available for our free bus service if needed.

8/5/06    We have seen a few more changes in the Museum in the past few weeks, firstly the Albion Lorry has left us for the Rally season. We also see 3002 on the pit so the degree of work can be assessed to get the vehicle back on the road. Other progress includes restoration work on our Metrobus, the A40 Ice-cream van, and the Bank bus. Minor repair work has also been carried out on our Routemaster.

17/2/06    There have been a few changes within the Museum since our last update. Firstly, following the sad news of Mac Cooper, his Bournemouth Leyland Tiger Cub has been sold and is no longer in the Museum. Two other vehicles are visiting at the moment, Midland Red C1 Coach 3301, and Harper Brothers Guy 1294RE, both of which have been here before. Other progress includes the removal of the engine from our Metrobus 2970. After we bought the vehicle we learned that the cylinder head gaskets were leaking. Unfortunately the only way to change these involves removing the engine, which is the stage we are currently at. Further progress has taken place on the Bank Bus, with more panelling having been refitted. We may see progress on our A40 Ice Cream Van, as a replacement engine has arrived, and is being checked over before fitting.

11/11/05    I start this update with sad news, Mac Cooper, Chairman of Aston Manor Museum for many years passed away on October 30th. Although his ill health meant he was unable to attend the Museum in recent months, I think there is no doubt we would not have the Museum without his commitment and passion for the place to succeed. For more details click here. Work has been continuing on Museum vehicles both at Witton and elsewhere. Our D9 open topper has progressed, the engine has now been removed to allow us to attend to a rather large crack in the side of the block, and check the rest of the engine. Back at Witton, our Metrobus has had all upper deck seats removed before cleaning the floor, and repainting seat frames before refitting. As we are aware the head gaskets are leaking, work has begun to remove the engine, a much easier way of changing head gaskets because of lack of space whilst in the vehicle. Another job has been replacing the starter motor on our PD3 open topper.

30/8/05    Although progress appears to have slowed down recently, some projects are progressing. The S21 5870 has had the front brake callipers removed and are awaiting overhaul. Work on our Metrobus 2970 has included removing the advert strips, and beginning repairs on the bodywork. Although not a Museum owned vehicle, 2548 is also progressing well, with all the offside now painted up to undercoat, and inside a rewiring job is underway. Finally another vehicle to receive attention is the Fordson 7V, which we started last week, for the first time in a few years. More news is that our Bristol VR 4714 has been to both Fleetwood and Bristol in the past few weeks, both days being a grand success. 

8/8/05    Although there have been no recent updates, work at Aston Manor has been progressing. Our Metrobus is now over the pit for closer inspection prior to MOT. The S21 is positioned in the workshop area ready for brake overhaul. Also in the workshop area is the Bank Bus, for body repair to continue. We reached a milestone recently when our Stratford Blue Leopard passed its MOT, bringing the number of operational vehicles to five. This may not seem much of a milestone, but to see what is really involved, come and see what goes on at the Thursday Evening working nights.

16/5/05    Our temporary visitor Midland Red C1 3301 has now left the Museum following a couple of jobs which needed the use of the pit. Further progress saw the S21 5870 running for the first time for many years. Although only running from a temporary fuel can in the bus, it is good to see the vehicle running and now over the pit to assess the work needed to return to the road. Finally we will see the arrival this week of a new vehicle to our collection. Although still a relatively modern vehicle, this example does have an unusual place in local transport history. For more details, watch this space.

22/4/05    A few changes have occurred since our last update. The AEC Mandator on display over Winter has now left for the rally season. Another short term visitor which has arrived to make use of our pit is Midland Red C1 3301. It will be with us until the middle of May, so please come and see it while you can. Our Stratford Blue Leopard has been checked prior to MOT, and is currently in the display area awaiting tyres. Replacing it in the workshop area is Midland Red S21 5870. We plan to get the engine running for the first time in many years to make it easier to move.

20/3/05    Our temporary visitor, Harper Brothers Guy 1294RE has now left the Museum in time for the start of the Rally season. Progress has continued with our Routemaster, which now has a working charging system, after a change of alternator and some rewiring. Also the front brakes are back together on our Stratford Blue Leopard.

8/3/05    More moving today, 4041 has returned to the Museum and is ready to operate the free bus service on Sunday. As our Bristol VR has now passed its MOT it too will be working on the bus service. Another move is our Routemaster is now over the pit to enable us to sort out a charging problem and a minor gearbox fault, in time to be on the road again for the next open day. Progress on the Stratford Blue Leopard is ongoing, does anybody have any front brake cam bushes, ours are worn out.

23/2/04    The open topper has now been MOTd and is back in the display area. Our Bristol VR is going for MOT this Saturday, which leaves the pit unoccupied. Because of this we are having a short term visitor to the Museum to make use of the pit. This vehicle is Harper Brothers Guy 1294RE. It is already featured on this website as part of the Ron Lucas collection. Now on the road and attending rallies, it is coming to be checked over on the pit. It will only be visiting for a couple of weeks so don't miss the chance to see it. To make space, our Fleetline 4041 will be away from the Museum for a short time.

3/2/04    Thursday evening was spent moving vehicles around. The open topper is now over the pit to enable a pre MOT inspection to be done. Also in the workshop area is the SON to enable work to begin on the engine problem. The C5 will be taken away for restoration on Saturday morning.

27/1/05    Work has progressed on our Bristol VR, and after replacing the big end bearings the engine is now running again. Whilst doing this we established the engine has never been rebuilt, as the bearings we removed were the original fitted by Gardner during manufacture. The water leak and accelerator problem have also been rectified so it is hoped we will MOT the vehicle soon. Next Thursday sees a move around with the Bristol moving off the pit to allow the open topper to go on for a pre MOT inspection. We will also be swapping the SON and the C5 around as the C5 is leaving the Museum to go for restoration. We also welcome another vehicle to our display.

6/1/05    Work has now begun on the Bank Bus, starting with sorting through the back of the vehicle to find the parts to reassemble the cab area. We have noticed the engine on our Bristol VR has sounded a little noisier in recent months, so as a precaution we have dropped the sump and are checking the condition of the bearings. It is planned for this vehicle to attend the Bristol rally this year.

17/12/04    We are very pleased to announce our new arrival to Aston Manor. With the imminent departure of the Midland Red C5 from the workshop area, we have replaced it with another locally built vehicle. This is a Midland Red built SOS SON, with a Willowbrook body. It dates from 1939 and was new to Trent, whose colours it still carries. It is a very fine example of a quite a rare vehicle, and is a tribute to Trent who restored it. It currently has an engine problem, but work will begin in the new year to rectify this, and return the vehicle to roadworthy condition. Wouldn't it be great to see it operating on our running days.

17/11/04    Work is underway on our Stratford Blue Leyland Leopard, but the target of an MOT before the Midland Red Centenary celebration is looking unlikely because of the extra work found whilst relining the rear brakes. The AEC Mandator has returned as a winter exhibit and is well worth a look, as is the Midland Red C5 in the workshop area. This will be leaving the Museum in the near future to be restored to its former glory by its new owner. Watch this space to see what its replacement will be.

12/9/04    Our Fleetline 4041 has been busy again, this time with a visit to London. This was the second assignment of filming for a forthcoming BBC program called The Rotters Club. As before the vehicle performed with no problems, and represented the Museum very well. Other movements within the Museum have seen our Stratford Blue Leyland Leopard move into the workshop area enabling us to complete a few jobs before MOT testing in time to attend the Midland Red Centenary celebration at the Black Country Museum in November (see our links page for further details)

12/8/04    At 4.00 am 4041 has finally returned to Witton. The journey and filming was a success. The only problem was a starter motor fault, which was overcome with ingenuity on behalf of the drivers.

6/8/04    Following a hectic evening of last minute repairs yesterday, our Fleetline 4041 travelled to Heysham this morning, with no problems , in time to catch the ferry to the Isle of Man. This oversea trip is because the vehicle is being used for filming over there, in a scene recreating an early 1970s Birmingham school bus journey. More details and photos will follow.

31/7/04    Hot on the heels of our Routemaster success we find ourselves with a deadline to meet in getting 4041 on the road (more details later). Last Thursday we fitted new batteries to the vehicle, and moved it onto the pit for a quick check over. No obvious problems were found, and this Saturday morning the vehicle successfully passed its MOT after 11 years off the road. A problem with the accelerator means we have some work to do, but hopefully our deadline should still be achieved. As a clue, keep your eyes open if you are in the Isle of Man!

24/7/04    Our target is achieved with RM506 attending the RM50 rally at Finsbury Park celebrating 50 years of the Routemaster.

10/7/04    Progress on on our Routemaster RM506 has passed a critical stage. Saturday morning it was taken for MOT testing. This is the first time in at least 16 years that the vehicle has been driven on the road. There were no dramas and the vehicles behaves very well. The icing on the cake was passing the MOT. This is the first vehicle to be returned to roadworthy condition from such a derelict state by staff at Witton, and is now a credit to all involved.

3/7/04    Our Routemaster is progressing well, with the MOT planned for the near future. Come and visit us on our open day on 11/7/04 and see for yourself how the vehicle has been transformed.

23/5/04    3301 will be leaving Witton before the forthcoming open day, and will be attending a rally in Edinburgh over the Bank holiday. Taking its place will be a Midland Red BMMO vehicle which has not been seen in public before. Although still undergoing restoration why not visit us and see this rare and classic vehicle for yourself. Other changes include moving Bournemouth 266, Leyland Tiger Cub into the display area.

1/4/04    Today saw more vehicle moves in the Museum. Our open topper is now parked in the display line up, which has made space for a very welcome short term visitor, 3301, a 1948 Midland Red BMMO C1 coach. It will only be with us for a few weeks, so take the opportunity to see it while it is here.

27/3/04    Further cleaning work has been done around the Museum, including moving the A40 Ice Cream Van to a position next to the pit, which will eventually give us space for another larger vehicle in the main display area. Our Transit was started and driven around the car park on Thursday, just to keep it in running order. We are expecting another exhibit to arrive this coming week, for a short period just to have work done in the workshop area. More details to follow.

11/3/04    Following the successful removal of the tram body from the Museum, more vehicle movements have taken place. Our Routemaster is now back on the pit to allow more work underneath in preparation for MOT. Kiery, the open topper has passed its MOT this week, and is ready for the bus service on Sunday, weather permitting. Work is beginning on the Lister floor sweeper, with a view to getting it running, and restoring it.

4/3/04    In preparation for the moving of our Bournemouth Tram body to its new owners, there was frantic activity at the Museum last night, on a scale not seen for some time. Half of the workshop area had to be cleared to enable a lorry with a 50ton Hiab crane enough space to lift the tram. 2222 was towed temporarily and parked over the pit. Bournemouth Tiger Cub RRU903 was moved out of the paint shop, and into the workshop area on public view for the first time since repainting. This left space in the paint shop for Bristol FLF 507OHU. BCT Guy 2548 also ran for the first time in several months.

4/12/03    A new exhibit arrives at Witton.  Our latest exhibit is hibernating at Witton over the Winter, it is a 1970 AEC Mandator tractor unit, fitted with a V8 diesel engine. It is well worth visiting to see the stunning condition of this vehicle, which is a great credit to the restoration skills of it's owner, Neil James, of Stourbridge.

6/9/03    Our Routemaster RM506 has been driven in the Museum for the first time. We have had it many years, and a great deal of work has been done to improve it's appearance. Now the time has come to prepare for MOT, and so it has been driven onto the pit . Replacing it in the workshop area is our Morris Dictator.

29/8/03    A new exhibit has arrived at Witton. It is a Guy Wolf Ambulance, DDA70. It was built in 1936, and spent most of its working life as the Guy Motors ambulance at the Park Lane factory. It is presently in the custody of the Guy Owners Club, who have agreed to display it at Witton. A more detailed article will follow.

20/6/03    The Museum, and indeed the wider preservation movement suffered a sad loss on Wednesday, with the passing away of Ron Lucas. Ron had long been a museum member, and was instrumental in the recent changes and improvements in the workshop area in Witton. Outside the Museum, Ron played a major role in the Guy Owners Club, and was responsible for restoring and rallying several of his own vehicles, all Guys, which are a regular sight around the local shows. His experience, knowledge and above all his sense of humour will be greatly missed. As a tribute, we have an article about his vehicles in the feature section..

18/6/03    A new arrival at the Museum. A ford D series, once a tractor unit, now converted to tow vehicles. It was once used by West Midlands Travel, at their apprentice training centre, at Moseley Road Garage. It was then used at Birmingham Central Garage, to tow vehicles within the garage and yard. Now out of use it has been purchased by the Museum for towing vehicles around the building. (click here for picture)