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Author Topic: Bus nostalgia  (Read 262409 times)

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Seth

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Re: Bus nostalgia
« Reply #510 on: 12 April 2010, 22:17:50 »
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This has been, and still is, a wonderful, highly interesting (for us transport enthusiasts anyway!) thread.  But I note one thing that greatly saddens me, and I hope I am wrong on:

The thread has highlighted the lovely, well designed, and treasured historic buses built by British craftsmen.  But also the thread seems to reveal how all that tradition has now passed away, with all new buses and coaches foriegn built, on chassis's with engines manufactured by the likes of Volvo, bodies by Van Hool :'( :'(

Am I right, or wrong (I hope so!!) ?? :( :(

The reasons are many, there's no doubt about it.

My own view suggests that the British motor industry generally rested on it's laurels.
The PSV manufacturers failed to take heed of changing circumstances, such as the expanding motorway network and the likes of Volvo who were slowly but surely getting a firm foothold in the marketplace.

The dominant heavyweight coach at this time was the Leyland Leopard - a rugged and dependable workhorse, which was getting 'long in the tooth' - literally.
Volvo's B58, whilst being a more expensive option was a far superior vehicle. Operators quickly found that all that was required was regular and concientious routine maintenance. Drivers loved 'em too - power steering as standard, and a smooth quiet turbocharged diesel allowed effortless and sustained motorway cruising. The later B10M simply improved things further for the Swedes reputation.
By the time Leyland introduced it's Tiger chassis, the writing was on the wall, so to speak!

And talking of bodies, the Van Hool offerings are something of a 'class act' believe me.
Forget the British offerings, a Van Hool body simply oozes quality throughout.

Get yourself a Van Hool-bodied Volvo B10M and you really can't go wrong. Trust me! :y



Thanks for that! :y :y :y  Sad story then, with no British builder left!! ::) ::) :'( :'( :'(


Those following this thread might be interested to know of a brilliant book which portrays the Leyland Bus - Volvo debacle.

Entitled "Beyond Reality: Leyland Bus - the twilight years" respected transport author Doug Jack tells a compelling story as only he can.



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Reality-Leyland-Twilight-Heritage/dp/1898432023/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271106522&sr=8-1



It can often be purchased far, far cheaper elsewhere! :y


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splott

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Re: Bus nostalgia
« Reply #511 on: 12 April 2010, 22:35:00 »
Sethmate, are you telling me that I got both the Bedford and the Wrecker wrong. All I can is:-

Oooops!!! :-[ :-[ :-[

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Seth

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Re: Bus nostalgia
« Reply #512 on: 13 April 2010, 08:54:38 »
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Sethmate, are you telling me that I got both the Bedford and the Wrecker wrong. All I can is:-

Oooops!!! :-[ :-[ :-[




Never mind, don't lose any sleep over it! ;D
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Seth

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Re: Bus nostalgia
« Reply #513 on: 14 April 2010, 21:54:46 »
All quiet this evening ........

Looks like I'm gonna have to 'collaborate' with 'our man on the Wirral' then! ;)
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splott

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Re: Bus nostalgia
« Reply #514 on: 14 April 2010, 23:48:35 »
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All quiet this evening ........

Looks like I'm gonna have to 'collaborate' with 'our man on the Wirral' then! ;)

Collaboration succeded.....................
A Western Welsh Coach?
What's the difference between a Coach and a Bus :-/ :-/
[/img]
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Re: Bus nostalgia
« Reply #515 on: 15 April 2010, 00:01:50 »
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All quiet this evening ........

Looks like I'm gonna have to 'collaborate' with 'our man on the Wirral' then! ;)

Collaboration succeded.....................
A Western Welsh Coach?
What's the difference between a Coach and a Bus :-/ :-/
[/img]

I like collaboration...... :y

Ussually the bodywork the seats and gears imho.. :y
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Seth

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Re: Bus nostalgia
« Reply #516 on: 15 April 2010, 10:19:45 »
Here's Western Welsh's first post-war coach delivery, which arrived in 1950.


[/img]


It's one of 12 similar machines - fleetnumbers were 500-511, and registered EBO 500-511.
They were AEC Regal Mk3's with Windover 'Huntingdon' bodies built to the full-fronted design seen here.
A seat for the courier was provided opposite the driver, and the livery was Royal Ivory with Wine Red reliefs.
These were also WW's first 8ft wide coaches, and most remained in service until 1963.
They were nicknamed 'fire engines'.

All subsequent coaches would be of the underfloor-engined models from AEC or Leyland.
Western Welsh was also a highly-regarded tour operator, with an extensive programme in operation each year.


Does anyone know the companies' proud motto?
Watch this space ............ :y
« Last Edit: 15 April 2010, 22:42:19 by Reliance505 »
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splott

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Re: Bus nostalgia
« Reply #517 on: 15 April 2010, 11:42:05 »
Now here is a strange looking coach, any ideas because I haven't. :-/
Western Welsh I think :y

[/img]
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Sixstring

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Re: Bus nostalgia
« Reply #518 on: 15 April 2010, 11:44:27 »
Really looks like an early Duple 410, but can't get the front glass area........???
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splott

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Re: Bus nostalgia
« Reply #519 on: 15 April 2010, 12:00:57 »
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Really looks like an early Duple 410, but can't get the front glass area........???


Weird windscreen, I think its an AEC Reliance with a Weymann body. Not sure though, WKG 137 is the number plate :y
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Seth

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Re: Bus nostalgia
« Reply #520 on: 15 April 2010, 21:59:32 »
Additions to the coach fleet during 1960/1 were some 21 of these Weymann-bodied AEC Reliances.

Nicknamed 'Sabrinas' by the staff, they carried fleetnumbers 119-139, and were registered TUH 119-124 and WKG 125-139.
AH470 engines and 5-speed synchromesh gearboxes were specified.

[/img]

A staff competition to name these coaches 'by class' saw a relative of mine submit the winning entry!
Accordingly, 119-130 became the 'Cambrian Class', whilst 131-139 were the 'Celtic Class'.

All were used on the extensive touring programme, with withdrawals occurring in the 1968-1970 period.
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Re: Bus nostalgia
« Reply #521 on: 16 April 2010, 08:06:41 »
Ok then Sethsmate............ What was the motto for Western Welsh ?
I searched everywhere for it and come up with nothing! :-[ :y
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Re: Bus nostalgia
« Reply #522 on: 16 April 2010, 09:07:37 »
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Ok then Sethsmate............ What was the motto for Western Welsh ?
I searched everywhere for it and come up with nothing! :-[ :y

Here we go then, 'twas: "Reliability,  Efficiency,  Comfort,  Courtesy"

All taken seriously, you understand :y
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Sixstring

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Re: Bus nostalgia
« Reply #523 on: 16 April 2010, 09:12:59 »
Bugger. got it wrong then. I thought it was "we don't slow down for sheep".............LOL!

Seriously.........
I am loving this thread, it takes me back to being a kid at the Bristol bus depot in brislington (eastern coachworks) and seeing the bus chassis a driver in a little seat with a helmet on delivering chassis and testing them along the A4 bath road.

Good times..........! :y
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Re: Bus nostalgia
« Reply #524 on: 16 April 2010, 09:17:36 »
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Bugger. got it wrong then. I thought it was "we don't slow down for sheep".............LOL!

Seriously.........
I am loving this thread, it takes me back to being a kid at the Bristol bus depot in brislington (eastern coachworks) and seeing the bus chassis a driver in a little seat with a helmet on delivering chassis and testing them along the A4 bath road.

Good times..........! :y

That was in fact Bristol Commercial Vehicles dear boy!

A few more 'Western Welsh' from the archives, then we'll move on to pastures new .............
 8-)
« Last Edit: 16 April 2010, 09:18:07 by Reliance505 »
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