Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[CaptainMorgan]

I get to drive a few older machines:


RM1062 - re-engined in the early '90's with a Scania 6-Cyl engine. It's known as the beast due to both the performance and the noise!


RF202 - AEC Regal IV, now 60 years old. AEC AV590 engine, 4-speed pre-select gearbox and no power steering. Great fun to drive though, once you're rolling the lack of power steering ceases to be a problem.

[Seth]

I take it that you're working for Western Greyhound? Mark Howarth?

[CaptainMorgan]

That be who I work for 

We've also got another 3 RM's (an RML, RMA and open-top RM), as well as a pair of Bristol VR's and a Leyland Leopard.

[Plomien]

At the turn of the 1960s, declining passenger numbers essentially forced bus operators to seek major operational economies, and rapid introduction of 'one-man operation' was the order of the day.
Our neighbouring Swansea-based South Wales Transport Co set about converting many routes from crew-operated double-deck operation to single-deck OMO.

Always ardent AEC operators, the company introduced a substantial number of these 36ft AEC Reliances, which boasted an attractive cherry/primrose livery with copious amounts of Herzim polished aluminium mouldings thrown-in for good measure. Being 6MU2R models, they had the lively 8.2-litre AH505 engine driving through 4-speed semi-automatic gearboxes.
The Marshall 51-seat bodies featured forced-air ventilation and extra-width entrances for ease of passenger flow:



Brunswick-based 972 is seen above at the Pentrepoeth Road stance on Morriston Cross when only a few days old, in the charge of my old friend/colleague Eric "Paddy" Somers on the busy cross-city 90 service, which was an early convert to OMO.
Although this big-hearted native of the Emerald Isle didn't suffer fools gladly, he was a brilliant jovial character who could really handle a 36-footer confidently and safely. His passengers loved him too!

A truly evocative shot that perfectly captures the mood of British life during my early years in the bus industry - with not a chav in sight!

(BTW; this location is just around the corner from our Plomien's gaffe!) 

Yup my kids go to school just around the corner from there! Nice to see some old photos of the area

[PAULCDX]

Oh how I love driving big buses working working for National Express WM, ( formally Travel WM )

I get to drive single and double decks newest being 61 plate Volvo B7's and our oldest are Optare XL's S reg........

Can't beat the workhorse formally known as the Metrobus MK2, fantastic bus and was always warm in the cab 

[dad1uk]

Oh how I love driving big buses working working for National Express WM, ( formally Travel WM )

I get to drive single and double decks newest being 61 plate Volvo B7's and our oldest are Optare XL's S reg........

Can't beat the workhorse formally known as the Metrobus MK2, fantastic bus and was always warm in the cab 

The old Volvo's are far more comfortable than the Scanias. I did a 5 hour stint on the Scania and was so pleased to get off. Give me a 1400 fleet number Volvo any day! How do the new Volvos compare Paul? I don't think we are getting any of them..... we are having some Scanias which are coming from Travel Dundee (Perry Barr only seems to get cast offs lol) The only new buses we have are the 61 plate Enviro 400's which are on the whole pretty poor for the route they are on.

[aaronjb]

I happened up on this link and thought some of you might appreciate it:

http://www.skylineaviation.co.uk/buses/busnews3.html

[Dishevelled Den]

I happened up on this link and thought some of you might appreciate it:

http://www.skylineaviation.co.uk/buses/busnews3.html

That's just the thing to take Al's interest - well done Aa, he will be so pleased.

Still 669 replies and 45 pages shy of that Bus thread

[Seth]

Someone on here had a hankering for Ford's Thames Trader range.

In bus/coach form, the Trader was generally known as the '570E' and here's a nicely restored example:


At the Kington Vintage Show a few Summers ago, this one has a Duple 'Yeoman' body.
IIRC it was new to the Birmingham-based Den Caney concern.

[jonnycool]

Now that's a bus with a bit of character - look at that shape! They don't make 'em like they used to 

[Seth]

Variations on a theme:


When mounted on the rival Bedford SB chassis, Duple incorporated some minor detail variations and badged it 'Super Vega'

[PhilRich]

Just browsing 'tinternet, as you do  and found this site. I've just wasted enjoyed another two hours of my life looking through it and there's still loads to check out when swmbo puts her face straight!


http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=kingfisher%20vehicle%20transport%20in%20hartlepool&source=web&cd=22&ved=0CIABEBYwATgU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.old-bus-photos.co.uk%2F%3Fp%3D2014&ei=4aAFUO24E6Kl0QXThuHxBw&usg=AFQjCNGStxdLmG57rRHMJlSQ5zOmcyxDnA

[Dishevelled Den]

Go on ya boy ye - I knew we'd get this back again.

[jonnycool]

It's at times like these that you need a certain Welshman with an unrivalled knowledge of buses to make an appearance... surprised Seth hasn't commented on this yet 

[The Red Baron]

It's at times like these that you need a certain Welshman with an unrivalled knowledge of buses to make an appearance... surprised Seth hasn't commented on this yet 

give him time, he`s just appeared on-line.