Bus nostalgia

[splott]

At last I've managed to dig out some photos of National Welsh's second-generation of towing buses.

These were converted from members of the 30-strong 1971 delivery of 10-metre Leyland Leopards.

I'm confident that 'our man on The Wirral' will do the business soon enough, and all will be revealed ......

Pictures etc. for Smethsmate thread.....................

Here's Cwmbran-based 1506 at Crosville's Aberystwyth depot on a private-hire working early on in it's life.
1501-1510 were ten finished to 'dual-purpose' spec; and the last-ever to carry this livery.


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There followed 20 buses in the same order, the final 10 being for the associated Rhondda Transport fleet.
1520 is seen here at Cardiff sometime in 1975 after being renumbered into the Red & White system.

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Here's the first conversion under way at the former Red & White Central Works at Bulwark, Chepstow.
The body was cut-down into a chariot-style body thus.
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Here's a rear end view of the same vehicle.
It's initial allocation was to be Cardiff (Gelligaer Street).
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All subsequent conversions merely involved shortening the rear overhang and body.
Here's Bridgend depot's former Rhondda example at Heathrow Airport in Summer 1991.
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[alunonhisown]

At last I've managed to dig out some photos of National Welsh's second-generation of towing buses.

These were converted from members of the 30-strong 1971 delivery of 10-metre Leyland Leopards.

I'm confident that 'our man on The Wirral' will do the business soon enough, and all will be revealed ......

Pictures etc. for Smethsmate thread.....................

Here's Cwmbran-based 1506 at Crosville's Aberystwyth depot on a private-hire working early on in it's life.
1501-1510 were ten finished to 'dual-purpose' spec; and the last-ever to carry this livery.


[/img]


There followed 20 buses in the same order, the final 10 being for the associated Rhondda Transport fleet.
1520 is seen here at Cardiff sometime in 1975 after being renumbered into the Red & White system.

[/img]

Here's the first conversion under way at the former Red & White Central Works at Bulwark, Chepstow.
The body was cut-down into a chariot-style body thus.
[/img]

Here's a rear end view of the same vehicle.
It's initial allocation was to be Cardiff (Gelligaer Street).
[/img]

All subsequent conversions merely involved shortening the rear overhang and body.
Here's Bridgend depot's former Rhondda example at Heathrow Airport in Summer 1991.
[/img]

I was listening to the scanner last night and there was a big fire in Gelligaer Street Cardiff. Dunno what building tho.
Brilliant pics though, climbing into my era now. Job well done.

[splott]

Found this one, a nice tow bus. Know anything about this ?

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[Seth]

This was formerly fleet number 1, and was based at the Central Works at Ely, Cardiff.

It's a former WD AEC Matador 4x4 truck, and was one of a duo converted by the company at Ely.
Identical No.2 was based at Neath.

Got a photo here of them both at Ely after repaints.

It ended it's days at Brynmawr depot, in all-over yellow livery.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

This was formerly fleet number 1, and was based at the Central Works at Ely, Cardiff.

It's a former WD AEC Matador 4x4 truck, and was one of a duo converted by the company at Ely.
Identical No.2 was based at Neath.

Got a photo here of them both at Ely after repaints.

I have been quietly watching this thread with interest and just loving all the pictures of all these old charabancs, buses and coaches, and now a beautiful recovery truck!

I love all old transport, especially of course steam driven, but all this combustion engine nostalgia is just sooooo special.  Memories of childhood trips to the seaside, around town, to see relatives in London, and transport for school all come readily to mind 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

Just to add another bus to this growing collection, I will add a picture of the type of bus I travelled in Malta to school, and which as far as I know are still in daily use 8-) 8-):

[Seth]

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The 30-strong 1971 deliveries heralded the start of a new fleetnumber series from 1501 upwards.

TKG 501J-520J were for Western Welsh, and BTX 324J-334J were for Rhondda Transport.
They were bodied by Willowbrook on the 10-metre Leyland Leopard PSU4 chassis. RTC's 10 had Eaton 2-speed rear axles. All had the 9.8 litre Leyland 0.600 engine with 'close-coupled' semi-automatic transmissions.

Five were converted for towing duties, and variously allocated to Aberdare, Barry (ex-Gelligaer St), Bridgend, Crosskeys and Cwmbran. Despite initial reservations regarding the suitability of their transmissions for towing, they proved to be excellent performers in their new roles. They ousted ageing Bristol MW6Gs in most locations.

We were lucky enough to get a former Rhondda example (with 2-speed axle), at Bridgend, and it's seen here at Heathrow Airport in Summer 1991. Sethsmate and a colleague were on a mission to recover a Leopard coach which had suffered a failed diff; and were about to prepare for the long homeward trek west along the M4.

'Yours truly' had hand-painted the dayglo pink waistband, lined-out in blue, and also fitted a set of Duple wheeltrims to enhance it's appearance!
8-)

Got some 'in action' photos of this voyage to post later!

 

[Martin_1962]

Very interesting thread and I am not a BA

[Seth]

Very interesting thread and I am not a BA

Nor me Martin - and I certainly don't have an anorak!
Just grew up in the industry - literally 8-)

[Martin_1962]

Historic transport photos - that does get me looking

[alunonhisown]

This was formerly fleet number 1, and was based at the Central Works at Ely, Cardiff.

It's a former WD AEC Matador 4x4 truck, and was one of a duo converted by the company at Ely.
Identical No.2 was based at Neath.

Got a photo here of them both at Ely after repaints.

It ended it's days at Brynmawr depot, in all-over yellow livery.

Byron, PLEASE do not tell me that this beautiful machine has been scrapped
If so, the person who authorised that should have his toenails plucked out with a PLIERS one by one.

[splott]

More Sethmate pics.
Comments please, keep em clean
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[/img]

[Seth]

This was formerly fleet number 1, and was based at the Central Works at Ely, Cardiff.

It's a former WD AEC Matador 4x4 truck, and was one of a duo converted by the company at Ely.
Identical No.2 was based at Neath.

Got a photo here of them both at Ely after repaints.

It ended it's days at Brynmawr depot, in all-over yellow livery.

Byron, PLEASE do not tell me that this beautiful machine has been scrapped
If so, the person who authorised that should have his toenails plucked out with a PLIERS one by one.

Have seen it in the flesh at Welland over the years.

As well as my campsite duties, I also help marshall the commercial vehicle entries - just over 200 of 'em actually!

[Seth]

Historic transport photos - that does get me looking

C'mon then Martin, get the Imbers and caravan over to our show at Welland.

Over 200 entries in the Historic Commercial Vehicle section each year, plus Richard Reads demonstrate their recovery prowess at righting an overturned artic in the arena!


http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1268950466

You know it makes sense ..........

[Seth]

More Sethmate pics.
Comments please, keep em clean
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The top photo shows 'yours truly' en-route from Heathrow to Bridgend, and taking a well-earned break at Leigh Delamere Service Area.

892, one of our 'Tiger-powered Leopards' was being dragged home to be treated to a reconditioned differential.





The bottom photo was taken at Sutton Scotney Service Area on the A34 north of Winchester, on Sunday 2 June 1991, with Sethsmate 'coining it' again!

The coach on the back had actually been repatriated from Bayeux in Northern France after suffering a transmission failure. It's a Leyland Tiger with Duple 'Caribbean' body which was something of a 'lemon' at Bridgend. It had covered more miles than the Starship Enterprise on National Express duties before we got it, and usually returned home behind the tow-bus.
The Hydracyclic gearbox and it's associated gubbins cost us dearly!

Good ol' days though - 15 hours pay at double time!

[Sixstring]

the Coleford festival of transport is very soon (this weekend??) and there is always some lovely old buses there, one year I actually found the bus that used to take me to school displayed.......Bristol LE, bloody lovely.

I love old buses and coaches, it's going to kill me to sell my Leyland Swift motorhome soon, but mortgage beckons.......