Bus Shite

[cms206]

How did the gearbox/shift work?

 

There was a tall pedestal with a Ferrari style gate on the top.

Chap seemed almost to pre-select?

But I know nothing about how a pre selector box might have functioned.

 

Me old man used to bang on about them though!

 

Not sure about an S-plate, but there are a few preserved - KAU 564V and RVO 657L are two that spring to mind, possibly others.

 

They were semi-automatic. Various different setups exist with various different selectors, the one in the Barton Leopards seems to have been most popular in England and were air controlled; select gear, air valves hiss and chuff, gear selected. They seem to be rarely driven correctly but they can be awkward bastards and people are idiots.

 

Up here the selectors were generally electrically controlled which were a bit smoother and less clumsy, being steering column mounted.

[Inspector Morose]

On the air pedestal, you could lock it into neutral by lifting the lever and twisting it anti-clockwise. Not many people knew that, much to my enjoyment!

Direct air selection was great, the biggest problem was oil carry over in the air system leading to oily carpet around the pedestal on coaches and on the box itself, fitters not knowing that the little brass restrictors were there to stop the box banging into gear violently so removed them. The whistle on leopards were quick release valves to dump the air out of the box so it wouldn't hold onto the gear when changing. I always kept a vocal set aside to fit on the national I was taking to a rally. Ah, happy days!

[Christine]

Musta been 2006 ..Up north somewhere...probably Dung fermline?

 

 

[quicksilver]

That Stockholm museum looks awesome. Anyone noticed the badge on the first bus in Simmo's second post?

[Richard]

Musta been 2006 ..Up north somewhere...probably Dung fermline?

 

 

Jaynebuscopy ww.jpg

 

 

I don't think that's in the UK.

[Christine]

I don't think that's in the UK.

 

You're right , its a left hooker ain't it !!  I pinched the pic from my late cousins photo bucket he gave me access to, before he died . Might be CANADA  or USA  , on holiday there when he died. 

If the driver was killed ,i'll take the picture down

[Pillock]

Spent the day on this badboy today.

 

 

Originally converted as an internet bus for a scout site but now just used as an activity area, still has power and network sockets everywhere. Bit disappointed the drivers seat was blocked off. Top deck was full of flies, like you see on telly when the cops break into a dead persons flat. Found no corpses, did not check under back seat though.

 

 

[Pillock]

Just had a history lesson on it from Mrs_Pillock (in the photos), apparently it was one of twelve buses used for a Scout jamboree in London in 2006ish, after the event various scout teams purchased the buses and this one was driven to Leicestershire, parked in a field, and left. Shame

[Skizzer]

A couple of weeks ago I spotted a P-suffix Leyland National mk1 bus in what might have been South Wales Transport livery heading west on the M4 somewhere in Berkshire.  I'm sorry to report that I don't have a photo, as I was heading east at the time with a closing speed upwards of 120mph.  (As a spot, this is so rubbish I didn't even put it on the lazy spotters' thread.)

 

Anyone know anything about it?  It truly warmed the cockles as I used to get to and from Swansea on one just like it, before I learned to drive and during the frequent periods when my bicycle had been stolen.

 

Here's someone else's library pic of a similar one:

South Wales Transport Leyland National 787. by Richard Field., on Flickr

[Inspector Morose]

Spent the day on this badboy today.

 

 

Originally converted as an internet bus for a scout site but now just used as an activity area, still has power and network sockets everywhere. Bit disappointed the drivers seat was blocked off. Top deck was full of flies, like you see on telly when the cops break into a dead persons flat. Found no corpses, did not check under back seat though.

 

 

"Might" be needing the back axle from one of those soon.

[Pillock]

Erm, I think they're using that one.

[RichL]

The Barton Leopards were in service until the mid 90's. I used to go to School on them and always wondered how the gearbox worked.

 

I think I have some pics somewhere

[Grundig]

 

 

...& this, lol at about 9:00mins - when bus brakes made that noise while reversing  

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_5nZ8vVSvM
 

[spike60]

The top gearchange  takes me back a bit, -to about 1980! I used to work on Bristol VRT and RE's in the late 70's.

[STUNO]

These things look really weird in the flesh, the downward slope is  just crazy. Built on Volvo B10.

 

 

 

Bethlehem Coachlines Tauranga NZ

 

 

[Richard]

I saw this on Facebook the other day.

 

 

 

 

It is with a heavy heart that we here at First Buses bid farewell and good luck to one of our longest serving and most dedicated employees, Mr Geordie McArdle, who has drove our 255 route in Greater Glasgow for the past 35 years.

Geordie had this to say upon his retirement;

"To be honest, thank fuck. This game is gettin' worse and worse. Long gone are the days when you knew your passengers, where they were going, what time to expect them and even their names. Now, buses are essentially public toilets on wheels, scum shuttles which ferry council estate maws and their snotty, illegitimate scrotes around to do fuck all whilst the rest of us are at work.

If I hear the likes of "Declan! Ye better fuckin' sit doon and shut up, here's the man comin' to get ye and chuck ye aff" one more time, I'll fuckin' go postal. It's not my job to control your sprog, hen, that's yours. You don't have a fuckin' job, so at least put some effort into parenting.

Honestly, with the wee arseholes with that floppy haircut with it shaved at the back and sides thinking they're mental, and junkies paying their entire fare in copper coins, standards are crumbling and I'm glad I'm getting out whilst I can.

Admittedly, I've had a few senior moments myself. Just last week, I ran a red light and nearly hit a buggy. I've also sometimes completely forgotten my route and just improvised in hope that no one would notice.

Now, I can concentrate on the important things, like watching Sooty and Sweep in my jammies, nattering shite in the post office queue, hovering in the bookies and constantly searching for my heart tablets."

We wish Geordie all the best in his retirement and have gifted him with a bottle of Glenfiddich and a few grams of Colombian pure as a parting gift.

Thanks,

The First Buses Team.

[Inspector Morose]

I used to work on Bristol VRT and RE's in the late 70's.

You have my sympathies. RE constant brake adjustment! VRT angle drives? etc etc etc.

[spike60]

You have my sympathies. RE constant brake adjustment! VRT angle drives? etc etc etc.

They were the cream of the crop, we also had LH, Nationals and whatever the old half cab Bristol double deckers were called.

[Jon]

Just to let you know that NZ is still at the forefront of pioneering bus shite with these converted trucks, manufactured for the school bus market.

 

 

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/124992026@N08/14864617529

 

It's not obvious at this angle but they have a colossal rear overhang.

[Pillock]

Makes more sense for the school bus market to use tippers, and just reverse up to some sort of loading bay at the school. 

[Grundig]

These things look really weird in the flesh, the downward slope is  just crazy. Built on Volvo B10.

 

 

 

Drögmöller Had a thing for slopes too

 

 

... & window lines 

[Grundig]

 

This Leyland National Mk1  was bought in September 1972 and given the fleet number 1.

The bus was the 55th off the production line and was the first single door National to be produced, all previous ones where dual door.

It remained in service with Widnes and Halton until 1992 and had completed 507,400 miles.
After withdrawal No1 was donated to the North West Museum of Road Transport and was restored to its former glory in 1999

[Inspector Morose]

LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE.

[Grundig]

LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE.

 

Well in that case ......... have some more

 

 

[Inspector Morose]

I could bore you for years about nationals. 4856 rivets in close formation.

[Six-cylinder]

This Leyland National Mk1

 

There was a whole fleet of these in went to High Wycombe in the mid 70s, no more bumping and jarring over rough roads but they made me oh so travel sick.

[Six-cylinder]

I could bore you for years about nationals. 4856 rivets in close formation.

 

Can you tell me when they went to High Wycombe?

[Asimo]

I could bore you for years about nationals. 4856 rivets in close formation.

Please start such a thread then!

[Justin Case]

Last Leyland National fleet of any size was that of Chase Coaches of Chasetown, Staffs, which lasted until the takeover by Arriva in April 2007. More on the end of LN services here:

 

http://leylandnational.blogspot.co.uk/

 

There was one (ex London Country before Chase) preserved, but I haven't seen it for a while.

[dollywobbler]

I used to travel home from school on Leyland Nationals. A few years later, the same buses (with the same drivers!) were shuttling us home on the night bus. Caves Buses. I think the most entertaining trip was one that involved the journey home after a nightclub, LSD and some really big speed humps while sitting in the rearmost seats. It felt like being on the most amazing rollercoaster ever. The drugs might be to blame for that...