Now I wonder just how many of you know what goes into a safety inspection, and how many different boxes there are to tick. Well there's this many......zoom in to see clearly.
The Inspection sheet prior to start |
So the E300 was placed over the pits ready for inspection.
All set and ready to go |
The engine compartment of the E300 |
Naturally a lot of emphasis goes on the steering and its components. Checks are made for excess play and anything else that could affect it. Brake shoes can be observed and felt for wear, whilst keeping alert to any leaks or frayed cables etc. the next pic is a little blurred but I'm putting it up anyway as you just don't get a view like this everyday.
Front offside wheel |
I'm sure you don't need me to tell you what everything is! |
Now here is a surprise for you all - contrary to popular belief buses DO have shock absorbers!!!
There you go! One fairly new shock absorber |
Next was the brakes, and in the absence of a rolling road we had to use a real one. So a trip to a quiet nearby road, with Dave's brake meter. A full force stop which shifted my internal organs, and a handbrake stop. Both were way above the required standard so back to the depot we went, but not before a quich photo was taken on a road you'll never see a bus in service!
The E300 on a quiet road near South Cove |
And that was just about it. Colin drove me home and the fact I have written these posts without referring to any notes or manuals proves what an engrossing and educational day it was. There are plans for me to return to observe a service and then hopefully an MOT. Dave is an example to everyone. His mantra is why shouldn't this sort of thing be reported and shown off as they have absolutely nothing to hide, and as everyone has to play by the same rules what is so secretive about it? Dave, I just don't know, but there is a culture of defensiveness when it comes to maintenance among the big boys that hopefully will gradually be eroded away thanks to companies such as BorderBus. I said in my post when I first met everyone in October (see here) that the atmosphere around the company was unique to anything I had ever known. That atmosphere remains and I would happily spend the Summer in a deck chair at BorderBus's depot just soaking up the sun and the calm, relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Once again my thanks go to Dave and Colin for opening their inner sanctum to me, and I'm looking forward to the next installment already!
I don't think there is a lot of defensiveness in big bus companies about routine maintenance, however it is much harder to allow visitors full access to engineering facilities like this for H&S reasons (there have been a number of incidents over recent years of serious injuries to visitors in engineering facilities where visitor supervision was less continuous or careful). It is easier for a smaller operator like BorderBus to provide the necessary supervision during a normal work cycle to give a trusted visitor like yourself access that could not be replicated at a busier site & there are often less time pressures at smaller companies with a higher spare ratio meaning more time can be spent showing the visitor what is done & explaining it which would naturally take them longer than it would normally do without someone shadowing them. Engineering workshops are hazardous places for those unfamiliar, most drivers & non-engineering staff are not allowed to enter the 'pit' area either for safety reasons so finding someone willing to accommodate a visitor in such a way is very unusual and is a relationship to be treasured as it is unlikely to be replicated at many companies.
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