Highroad for Oz

Albert is back on the Road again - Sept 2011

Yes, it has been a very challenging year with as many ups and downs as a ride through the Turkish mountains, but No 2004 is now back on the road!

The first stage was to restore the chassis, engine and driveline, then the lower deck floor was removed together with propeller shafts, 2-speed transfer gearbox, dual fuel and water tanks, and all underfloor wiring and various other accessories which the passengers never see.

The chassis and associated structures were cleaned, treated, painted and re-assembled; main body bearers reconditioned and re-trussed to the outer frame and side panels, and the lower deck windows re-sealed.

The 6 cylinder Albion engine, which amazingly turned in situ after many years of neglect, was removed together with the main 4-speed gearbox and received a full bench overhaul. Repair was necessary to a split in the engine block (caused by ice during the intermediate years), otherwise it remained in remarkably good condition.

The rear axle, after years of grinding up and down Turkish mountains, and not forgetting the Kabul Gorge and Khyber Pass, was opened up, micro-checked, and found to be in amazingly good conditioned. It has now been caringly cleaned, re-oiled and re-sealed ready for more stirling work.

With the engine now reassembled and installed in the bus with gearbox and prop shafts connected ALBERT once again starts "on the button" and moves independently again - for the first time in 30 years. A great joy!

The lower deck saloon floor is renewed and a Chart Room is to be fitted for maps, navigation and techno stuff, but undecided is whether the champion of the World's Longest Bus Route should really bend to sat-nav gear.

Restoration stage two, the upper deck, included new flooring, insulation and panelling and construction of a new lowered roof! Internal re-furbishment will include two-tier sleeping bunks and a forward observation lounge.

Resplendent soon with new green and cream livery and a distinctive red roof with all images and decor replicated, ALBERT's big bold name will once again rise again between the flags of Scotland and Australia.

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