I didn’t spend too much time on the bus today as Alfred needed attention after failing his MOT, but I did manage to get the step frame located and the holes drilled to secure it to the other metalwork.  The two remaining holes at the left hand end of the frame (see picture) will be drilled tomorrow and all that remains for fitting up will be the holes for coach-bolting the side sheets in place for extra strength.  Next jobs will be the riser panel between the steps, holes in the back panel for the top step frame to be bolted back and finally painting all the parts ready for assembly.

Step frame temporarily bolted into the entrance bay

Primed the floor boards after they had been soaked in preservative for a couple of days then continued with fitting up the steps today, drilling mounting holes for the step support frame and getting everything lined up with the hand rails.  I drilled and countersunk some holes in the side sheets to screw them into the woodwork at the rearward end of the entrance, under the aluminium cladding.    I need to drill some more holes for the angle-iron frame and some to screw the side sheet to the forward door pillar.   Hopefully this will be completed tomorrow so step riser metal work can be manufactured and the whole lot sprayed with red oxide.

Marked holes and drilled the steel work for the entrance step bay so that it can be bolted back to the body frame.   Did a trial fit to establish the correct position for the step frame so that the grab rails will be in the right position.  It is clear that the steps need to be face with lino so some will have to be sourced.

The frame needs to sit in the bay with the top stop approximately 8″ below the top of the bay.

Removed the new floor boards and left them to soak in preservative for a bit so they can be painted when I return to work next Thursday.

I painted the steel floor plate today with grey as per the body frame on the top and silver Hammerite underneath.  As this is galvanised as well it should last the thirty years I need it to.

Ordered the cork lino for the floor today.