Bus nostalgia

[Seth]

As a young 'nipper', I can vividly remember Western Welsh's Leyland Atlanteans arriving in the early '60s.

Being a car-less family (as most folk were then), meant that day-trips to the seaside would inevitably be by WW bus.
The Bridgend - Porthcawl section of our voyage would undoubtedly be aboard a new Atlantean, crammed full of valleys folk eager to sample the delights of the seaside.
I particularly enjoyed the music of that rear-mounted 0.600 engine in full cry climbing Three Step Hill en-route.

Late afternoon on a Bank Holiday would see a long line of Bridgend-based double-deckers on Porthcawl's Eastern Promenade in readiness for the homeward trek. They were mainly Atlanteans and lowbridge AEC Regent Vs - all under the watchful eye of Inspector Cyril Beaman, who subsequently became a great colleague of the youthful Sethsmate!
When the sun shone, Porthcawl meant 'big business' for Bridgend depot. Great days indeed

[Lizzie_Zoom]

This thread has not really touched on a form of bus that I faintly remember from childhood, as where I lived they existed no more; the Trolley Bus.

This is one late in the day in Reading c.1966:



It seemed to me an excellent form of transport, being clean, silent running, and in todays terms very eco friendly!

The last London trolley bus ran on 8th May 1962, but as a young child I just remember going on one in London when staying with my Nan.

This is a Leyland LF trolley bus of an unknown date:



This is how my childs mind eye remembers them, as unknown buses, that just ran using electric:





8-) 8-) 8-)


Does anyone on here know all the technical information and full history of these wonderful machines that I have never studied, but since childhood had such affection for?? :-/

[Seth]

 

'Tis often said : "What a small world in which we live" .......
I'm pretty sure that the chap in the foreground of Lizzie's picture above, is none other than a former colleague of mine.

A cheerful cockney character, we were in WW's driving school together.

He was being upgraded to an 'all types' licence, after moving from South London to Bridgend.
'Mac' had previously been a Routemaster driver, based at LT's Catford garage.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

'Tis often said : "What a small world in which we live" .......
I'm pretty sure that the chap in the foreground of Lizzie's picture above is none other than a former colleague of mine.

A cheerful cockney character, we were in WW's driving school together - he was being upgraded to an 'all types' licence, after moving from South London to Bridgend.

'Mac' had previously been a Routemaster driver, based at LT's Catford garage.

And that adds the personal touch Byron to this wonderfully warm nostalgic thread that is bringing our past back to life!!

[Seth]

Aye, too true Lizzie!
At that time, the bus industry was indeed a wonderful occupation.
8-)
With the 'second-generation Sethsmates' then growing-up fast, there was usually plenty of overtime to satisfy their demands too.

I used to actually look forward to going to work ......
16-hour days (overtime included), great characters, camaraderie, and smartly turned-out buses.

Rarely a dull moment .........

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Going back to my post on trolley buses, I have one additional question:

Why did the majority have twin rear axles? :-/ :-/

Was it to support the weight of the electric motors, if so why were they so heavy? 

Or where the twin axles there to support the weight of any batteries required when there was no overhead power supply available?

These are very much questions going back to childhood, and as previously asked I would welcome any techinical along with historical knowledge on the subject of trolley buses from those who know!

[Seth]

The electric motors were mounted forward in the chassis frame.

The twin rear axles were for the overall length.
At this time, the maximum length for a 'conventional' two-axle bus was 27ft.
(Think that I've got that one correct!)

IIRC, many, if not all, of Maidstone's trolleybuses were of the two-axle 27ft length.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

The electric motors were mounted forward in the chassis frame.

The twin rear axles were for the overall length.
At this time, the maximum length for a 'conventional' two-axle bus was 27ft.
(Think that I've got that one correct!)

IIRC, many, if not all, of Maidstone's trolleybuses were of the two-axle 27ft length.

Right, thanks, now I know! 8-) 8-)

[Seth]

I reckon that these Regal IV's were bodied in Blackpool by H V Burlingham ......
The outline of the upper deck and windows looks awfully-familiar to me.
Anyone?

[Seth]

I know that these Atlanteans were bodied in Falkirk by Alexanders.
Am quite a fan of their products

[splott]

Hey, you guys have been busy on this thread,whilst I was in Llandudno over the weekend.

Here is a picture from Sethsmate's collection, a nice Bedford .........................................

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[Seth]

Here's another 'familiar to many' Bedford, though this time an 'SB' model with Duple 'Vega' 'butterfly front' 41-seat body, of late-1950s vintage.

Introduced in 1950, the SB replaced the OB, and was marketed as the 'Big Bedford'.
Simple and straightforward in concept, this model was to enjoy a near-30 year production run!


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They were known as the 'big Bedfords' and had a 206" wheelbase for 33-seat bodies. Bedford's own 300 cu in petrol engine was the standard offering, though the Perkins R6 diesel soon became an option.
The former were designated 'SBG' - the latter being 'SBO'

In 1955, the SB chassis was developed further, with an increased wheelbase of 216" in order to accomodate 41-seat bodies.

Over the ensuing years, a variety of engine options was offered, and these, (to the best of my knowledge!) are listed here:

SB1 - Bedford 300 cu in diesel
SB3 - Bedford 300 cu in petrol
SB5 - Bedford 330 cu in diesel
SB8 - Leyland 0.350 diesel
SB13 - Leyland 0.400 diesel

My long-time friend Len Cooper, (who owns the Leather's OB featured earlier), remains a great supporter of the SB chassis.
As he rightly says: "There's nothing to go wrong with 'em. They have to be the best Bedford that was ever produced".
He should know - Leathers Coaches was 100% Bedford-based.

http://www.warminstervbrd.connectfree.co.uk/v/Leathers.htm

[splott]

Llandudno Victorian Festival had a Vehicle Rally and I took some pictures of some Classic Buses and Trucks.

Some I know and some I don't re an alcholic haze from the day before. Most are in focus which is strange as I couldn't

What a beautiful day, sunshine and Welsh traditional Bitter 8-)
Oh yes, and Buses, Trucks and Coaches


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Many more of these plus Trucks and a Steam Engine to follow

[Seth]

Hey splott!
Are you trying to hijack my Bedford ditty?

[splott]

Hey splott!
Are you trying to hijack my Bedford ditty?

Ooops! What do you mean? 
Don't want to tread on my Bus Guru's toes.
Just thought I would show my Rally pictures