Folks ,

From the various fone calls and e'mails I've received asking about and in some cases buying these cheap blinds it would appear I have created wide interest in such items .

As my hatred of the sheer greed within 'E---' is legendary all I strive to do is help any serious preservationist to hopefully get a bit more fun from their hobby for I care nothing about the size of cheque books ...

So what now --- A mate and I are planning to visit a ' Blinds ' makers [ NOT McKENNAS ] in February for our own reasons to get stuff made for ourselves which we started to do years ago ..

As there appears to be wide interest in such blinds I will take copies of the LL & V V blinds with me to see what can be done and at what cost . As these blinds are used in pairs for either one that will influence costs if enough people would like them made

Once I have some idea of these costs I'll lay it out on here for your thoughts ..

If anyone is seriously interested in this idea please say so .

Some more blinds will be available as I sort my stash .

We could do with Westbourne Park blinds for our ex-First London RMLs2365 & 2553 which require a full set, also RML2486 which only needs front main & canopy numbers and front intemediate as she has retained her side and rear blinds and RML2677 only requiring front and side intermediates, plus canopy number.

If it is possible for you to get these blinds for our RML fleet Alan at a cheaper price than McKennas, it would be really appreciated as Westbourne Park Routemaster blinds seem to be scarcer these days than the Dodo. Paul Jenkins would also probably be interested in acquiring them for his First London RML2740.

Hi Alan,

Thanks for the response. Yes I think asking McKennas for a quote for reproduction is ace as in fairness Tyvek is far more durable than LT produced blinds as they are now in excess of 20 years old and brittle.

So please when you have the answer can you let us all know

Cheers

Andy

Chaps ,

Thanks for the notes , I am NOT trying to take away the offer / arrangement Phil Higgs of ' LTT ' has done via McKENNAS , simply looking at other makers who are perhaps more willing to do ' one offs ' or short runs of same blinds required .IE :: 5 copies of same ' KK ' blinds , because many owners have damaged or really filthy & creased blinds within their bus sets ..

Graham ,

Your in luck as I have a FULL SET of ' Westbourne Park ' Blinds [ RM 960 worked routes 28 / 31 ] which are easily organised for copy purposes . When I get around to it I'll post the results for all to see whats available price wise ..

****

Incidentally --- the routes 28 / 31 when operated by Westbourne Park with Routemasters required an allocation of approx 40 RMs . That well known zsar and font of all world wide public transport knowledge --- Mr Peter Hendy happily replaced these buses with 61 ---- yes 61 MERCEDES minibuses and later proclaimed that the service had improved due to increased ridership on SMALLER BUSES --- how weird -- he also made no comment on the increase in congestion along parts of the routes due to the number of minibses now operating thro narrow roads thus causing the congestion ... this info is contained in an old copy of ' Buses ' magazine I've just been reading .

I have at least one 28 or 31 fare chart if you need a copy. I remember the Merc minbuses, they were all stored, undercover at Chiswick Works before delivery to Westbourne Park and every single one had body damage of some sort on it. Unbelievable but true.

The RM's on the 28 and 31 were replaced by a fleet of brand new 'Irish' RF's and before anyone shouts and hollers, at that time with LT I had the job of looking after them along with Charlie at Westbourne Park and Peter H was not on that particular scene.

Whilst I was there the only mini bus route through Camden was the C2 driven by a load of 'Kids'

Claire

RMs on the 28 & 31 were replaced by MA class Mercedes minibuses. It was these minibuses that the Wright bodied DW class Dart replaced.

Kevin