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[Seth]

Those?

Nope!

[Seth]

that had the IBT livery on it before crapcoach .the bus is to new for them

They were new to Stagecoach - introduced to replace the entire Glyn Williams (of Crosskeys) fleet, and effectively converted the 151 route to Newport to 100% Versa operation.

Islwyn favoured MAN integrals ... before Stagecoach swallowed-up that operation too.
Trust me Rolf!

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Those?

Thanks Tunnie, but no they were round, yes, but with a shield/piece of cowling that came down about a third way down over the opening were the heat came out from a wire mesh grill.  That is from childhood memory anyway!

[Lizzie_Zoom]

that had the IBT livery on it before crapcoach .the bus is to new for them

They were new to Stagecoach - introduced to replace the entire Glyn Williams (of Crosskeys) fleet, and effectively converted the 151 route to Newport to 100% Versa operation.

Islwyn favoured MAN integrals ... before Stagecoach swallowed-up that operation too.
Trust me Rolf!

They do look sexy with that rounded hump over the front section

[Seth]

The previous provider also used same make, but older version. Have to say the older ones were far more comfy, more leg room too.

An Optare Solo like this one tunnie?:


Receiving attention in between journeys at Seth's premises in Summer 2009.

[tunnie]

Yup 

Thats the exact type, think they had a minor refurb before they came to Sky, very comfy and great legroom if sitting over rear axel.

Found out today their new contract is for 5 years, with the new supplier. So no wonder they bought brand spankers 

[Seth]

Yup 

Thats the exact type, think they had a minor refurb before they came to Sky, very comfy and great legroom if sitting over rear axel.

Found out today their new contract is for 5 years, with the new supplier. So no wonder they bought brand spankers 

As confirmed by these little chaps:


Optare's official seat testers!

[tunnie]

 

Yes always sat at the back on left looking at that photo, best leg room next to fire exit door.

[tunnie]

You might like this, its big relief to me that these little buggers is no longer in service, it had zero suspension & rock hard seats. Sure it gave me back pain for a week, when it hit a bloody big pot hole.

http://www.greaterlondonphotos.co.uk/communities/2/004/008/791/882/images/4566334374.jpg

http://www.greaterlondonphotos.co.uk/communities/2/004/008/791/882/images/4566334376.jpg

Links as I cannot be bothered to host and re-size 

[tunnie]

Found one of the old fleet, this was either on way or after a pickup at Ealing Broadway:

[ted_one]

Recognise the Gillette building in those shots,worked there as a chauffeur for the senior management in the nineties,never short of shaving kit

[tunnie]

Recognise the Gillette building in those shots,worked there as a chauffeur for the senior management in the nineties,never short of shaving kit

Sky is based just behind that  Sadly the Gillette building is now empty. They moved production to Poland 

Last few months, they have had film crew on site. Seen various props, loads of catering vans parked in the front. Saw an Omega parked there most days 

Also got e-mails to say don't worry, few bangs will be heard they are part of some gunshot parts of the film 

[Seth]

You might like this, its big relief to me that these little buggers is no longer in service, it had zero suspension & rock hard seats. Sure it gave me back pain for a week, when it hit a bloody big pot hole.

Bit of an overkill IMO:


The Plaxton 'Primo' integral - built on a bought-in underframe.






4-cylinder Cummins lump at the rear. Probably got Allison fully-auto transmission.

[tunnie]

Appeared to go ok, some of the drivers have binary throttle control 

But hated the ride in it, seriously it was incredibly poor. So much so, I started taking the later bus which always tended to be an Optare.

[ted_one]

I did hear a few years ago that were going to lay off 400 workers and that they had plans to move production abroad,looks like the prophecy came true,got a feeling that the buildings frontage is listed so I guess what ever they do with it the result will have to be sympathetic to it's history