Bus Shite

[Roverageous]

Another blast from the past for you, a Northern Counties bodied Leyland Olympian. EYMS bought 4 batches between 1990 and 1993, H547-52 VAT, H154-60 BKH, J561-70 HAT and K572-83 RRH. Good solid workhorses, most of them were withdrawn between 2008-2010 with the last going in 2012.

My childhood.

I attended Bishop Burton College and used the bus to get there. More often than not it was Alexander-Royale bodied N660BRH which wore registration A10 EYD.

There was also an Olympian that we regularly had which I think was R172 SOY or R792 SOY? Either way I think it broke down on every journey we had it for.

If we were really lucky we'd get an older H reg Olympian which would boom and shake at idle. I would always sit so o could see the dashboard, and is amazing how many of the older buses would illuminate their oil pressure lights at idle.

Sent from my KB2003 using Tapatalk

[busmansholiday]

So I went looking for the negatives from those three pictures I posted last week and found them, and a shed load more. Spent the week scanning just over 1000 B&W negatives, some decent quality, some shiteish.

So continuing in the coach park at Southsea (it was Newton Heath that sent RT1688) in the early 70's a few more delights.

More RMLs,

 

 

whilst LCBS at Crawley used their recently delivered Alexander bodied Swifts (ordered by South Wales) and a Park Royal bodied Reliance,

Wilts and Dorset sent this mixed selection,

whilst United Counties sent this from Luton.

There was also interesting vehicles from independents, including this Harrington Legionnare bodied Thames that was built for the 1964 Commercial Motor Show and is actually now preserved,

and this ex BOAC Atlantean.

 

 

 

 

[busmansholiday]

So, my 8mm videos from the 70's (newest appears to be 1977) have been transferred to digital (and worth every penny of the £5 a roll). Given I'm slowly working through boring you shitless at weekends with my early 70's B&W pics, and whilst the original 8mm quality is shite by modern standards, I'll leave this here for @Yoss and @LightBulbFun (and any others)  to enjoy for what I can now pull off these films (done in B&W, original colour version some time in the future).

 

 

 

Hillman Hunter estate in the background before you ask.

.

 

[Eyersey1234]

Martijn Gilbert's preserved RMC and B693 BPU. 

[busmansholiday]

That's the Olympian on the front cover of this month's Buses mag isn't it.

[Eyersey1234]

12 hours ago, busmansholiday said:

That's the Olympian on the front cover of this month's Buses mag isn't it.

Could be, I've not seen this months Buses Mag so can't say for certain 

[busmansholiday]

As it's a shite day weather wise, time for a few more of my B&W pics from the beginning of the 70's. We'll leave the south coast for a bit and start on God's country, and his favorite city, Sheffield.

So lets start with a little history lessen. . Prior to the 1968 Transport Act (brought in by the non driving Labour transport minister, Barbara Castle) there were three Sheffield fleets; the Corporation owned "A" fleet, the "B" fleet owned jointly between the Corporation and the nationalised Transport Holding Company (Tillings Group) and the "C" fleet owned wholly by the THC. Generally the "A" fleet ran the city services, the "B" fleet the services to nearby places like Donny and Chesterfield and the "C" fleet the long distance services to the likes of Leeds and Manchester. The transport act and the formation of the National Bus Company which included the former British Electric Traction group of bus companies ended all that. The Corporation acquired the "B" fleet and routes whilst the "C" fleet, with the exception of the four newest Alexander bodied Leopards, were dispersed to other NBC operators. Sheffield wasn't alone with this system, Huddersfield had a similar arrangement with buses.

Let's start with number 1 and work our way through the fleet as it was then. This was a Cravens bodied Bedford VAS that was the prototype for a range of lightweight welfare buses. It would remain unique and saw service only on lightly used routes. It's seen here at RInginglow, the words on the bus stop says "Motor Bus leave here for Sheffield". Note the Imp and Mini van in the background.

It was sold to King Edward VII Grammar School Sheffield for us as a school bus in about 1972. By a mischance of fate I'd passed the 11 plus back in 1968 to go there. That long haired yob on the left holding the Zenit B camera case is err....

Six to ten were a batch of Weymann bodied Leopards, a front view of 7 and a rear view of 6, note the central rear emergency exit.

A pair of Wolseleys, an Austin and a selection of Fords for bonus chod spotting.

Eleven to fifteen were the former "B" fleet 1315 to 1319 renumbered and were Park Royal bodied Leopards.

Then there were two batches of Park Royal bodied AEC Swifts delivered in 1968. The first 22 were dual door whilst the second batch were single door and were originally in the "B" fleet. I cannot find a B&W of the second batch, so have a couple of the first batch, plus some nice background chod pictured at Loxley on the first day the service 14 was altered to serve that part of the city.

Renault 10 before you ask.

The four new Leopards were renumbered from 3001-4 to 61-4 and were generally used on the motorway services to Leeds and Bradford. They were unusual in having electrically operated semi auto boxes (ie the standard little selector on the steering column) rather than the air operated boxes and the pedestal alongside the driver.

Finally a crappy shot of number 90, the centre entrance Roe Dalesman bodied AEC Reliance after withdrawal.

 

See you soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[quicksilver]

Something I saw today for @LightBulbFun, @Yoss and the other Routemaster fans. It's RM548 but with an age-related plate and an Iveco engine (so LBF won't approve ), used on the Victoria's Secret 'Bra Fit' campaign to visit universities as a mobile fitting room. The truck is from Purfleet, just round the corner from Ensignbus, so I guess that's where it was going as it can't do its job at the moment.

[LightBulbFun]

11 minutes ago, quicksilver said:

Something I saw today for @LightBulbFun, @Yoss and the other Routemaster fans. It's RM548 but with an age-related plate and an Iveco engine (so LBF won't approve ), used on the Victoria's Secret 'Bra Fit' campaign to visit universities as a mobile fitting room. The truck is from Purfleet, just round the corner from Ensignbus, so I guess that's where it was going as it can't do its job at the moment.

"and other Routemaster fans" No I think its just us 2 on here LOL

RM548 is a 2000's refurbishment  so it might have a Cummings B series engine and and other such crap fitted during the refurbishment (note the awful hopper windows)

(glad to see her exterior lighting has been returned back to how it should be at least)

[Yoss]

I saw the lights and got my hopes up, then saw the windows and they dropped again. Those windows are the worst mod they ever did to RMs. Not just cosmetically but they are hopeless at letting any air in. The first time I ever went on a 'Dartmaster' was on a hot day. I got on at Brixton garage and got off again before Brixton high street, it was so unpleasant. 

[Eyersey1234]

Our white elephant, now in Dublin I believe. It spent more time in the depot than on the road, not because it was a bad coach they just bought it without having the work for it. Apparently the coaching manager wanted them to order 2 coaches but PJS ordered this instead. 

[Crackers]

On 1/28/2021 at 4:24 PM, quicksilver said:

Iveco engine

A Routemaster with an Iveco engine...

*checks notes*

...

*checks notes again*

...on the back of a wrecker.

 

 

*closes notebook*

...yep, it figures.

[Leyland Worldmaster]

Good morning all! Thank you very much for adding me! I'd like to introduce myself. 

My name is Stu and I have an expensive addiction. Here is most of my Leyland Zoo. 

It's an old picture. Since it was taken, I have a Tiger Cub too. 🐯😎

[Leyland Worldmaster]

Here is an example of the worst vehicle I've ever driven. They were shite when new. Comedy understeer and ELCB build quality. 

Frequently broke down when new. Suspension problems and interior partitions coming adrift. 

Bloody fast though! 

[Eyersey1234]

9 minutes ago, Leyland Worldmaster said:

Here is an example of the worst vehicle I've ever driven. They were shite when new. Comedy understeer and ELCB build quality. 

Frequently broke down when new. Suspension problems and interior partitions coming adrift. 

Bloody fast though! 

What chassis were they? 

[Leyland Worldmaster]

21 minutes ago, Eyersey1234 said:

What chassis were they? 

They are based on the Scania N94/Omnicity Underframe. A similar Underframe is found under the ELCB Omnidekka too. 

Speaking of their close relatives, I have driven the first of these Omnidekka 'deckers in service. The quality was such that teams from ELCB and Scania had to be physically separated at a Warranty Meeting. 

Even late model Omnidekkas suffered problems such as "Body Drop" and the Underframes cracked below the gangway between the rear wheels. No great surprise. They were a very "Flexible" bus. 

Shite. But their "Lively" performance made them popular. 

I'll look through my old files when I get the time and post them here.  😎

[Eyersey1234]

1 hour ago, Leyland Worldmaster said:

They are based on the Scania N94/Omnicity Underframe. A similar Underframe is found under the ELCB Omnidekka too. 

Speaking of their close relatives, I have driven the first of these Omnidekka 'deckers in service. The quality was such that teams from ELCB and Scania had to be physically separated at a Warranty Meeting. 

Even late model Omnidekkas suffered problems such as "Body Drop" and the Underframes cracked below the gangway between the rear wheels. No great surprise. They were a very "Flexible" bus. 

Shite. But their "Lively" performance made them popular. 

I'll look through my old files when I get the time and post them here.  😎

We have some Scanias as National Express coaches and they seem to have upped their game in recent years, the last ones we had, back in the 90s, were terrible, they spent more time off the road than on it but these are fine. 

They were originally going to lease the Scanias but in between them being ordered and delivered we were taken over by Go Ahead Group, and the new owners said they would buy them as it would be cheaper. 

[busmansholiday]

Right, lets have a few more B&W pics from the early 70's in Sheffield. Again, where possible there's some local chod to enjoy in the background.

Most of the buses numbered 101 to 228 were Park Royal bodied Atlanteans but there were a few different ones in their like 101 to 125 which were Fleetlines (easily spotted with the white steering wheel) with the 'Sheffield' style Park Royal bodies.

Atlanteans 126 to 160 looked similar, this is Castleton in Derbyshire, we were on that Roe bodied Regent III on an enthusiasts tour, that's why it looks busy.

Sheffield took two batches of Neepsend bodied Atlanteans, although lower numbered, 161 to 180 were the second batch. Neepsend were a subsidiary of East Lancs who built a factory in Sheffield (at Neepsend), allegedly to take advantage of available government grants. When they ended, so did the factory. You'll be pleased to know they were built to the generally acknowledged East Lancs quality.

Some class chod spotting here,

and they didn't look much better from the front.

More Park Royal stuff,

Although still with it's "B" fleet numbers, this became 217, front bumpers were fitted to the 1967/8 batch.

Another batch renumberd were these older (1962) Weymann bodied Atlanteans, this was 1351.

One, 1357, now 227 was rebodied in 1968 after a fire destroyed the top deck with a Park Royal body.

This still survives in preservation. It became a driver trainer and was then used for livery experiments before sale.

That'll do for today.

 

 

 

 

[LightBulbFun]

41 minutes ago, busmansholiday said:

One, 1357, now 227 was rebodied in 1968 after a fire destroyed the top deck with a Park Royal body.

This still survives in preservation. It became a driver trainer and was then used for livery experiments before sale.

That'll do for today.

wonder if that counts as Early Registration madness or not...

(reminds me of those rebodied milk floats you used to see) 

[OM646]

Here in north Portugal, we still have some of the ultimate Euro bus shite to be still in service 

37 years and counting. Volvo B10M articulated with a CAMO body.

[Eyersey1234]

Today's chariot. Nice to be behind the wheel of a Levante again. 

[busmansholiday]

 

Cracking chod not to mention the buses.

 

[Leyland Worldmaster]

I'm on a Railway Replacement bus. Wrightbus Gemini/Volvo B9TL.  I'm missing driving Double Deck Buses. 

The last one I drove was a Leyland Titan RTW. This is me a couple of years ago in the first one I'd driven. 

I usually drive an AEC RT. Deeply wrong for a Leyland Man... 

[Eyersey1234]

30 minutes ago, Leyland Worldmaster said:

I'm on a Railway Replacement bus. Wrightbus Gemini/Volvo B9TL.  I'm missing driving Double Deck Buses. 

The last one I drove was a Leyland Titan RTW. This is me a couple of years ago in the first one I'd driven. 

I usually drive an AEC RT. Deeply wrong for a Leyland Man... 

Our standard double decker at one time was the Gemini, both B7 and B9. Good solid buses. We switched to the MCV Evoseti body for a couple of years because price, though the build quality of the MCVs is terrible.  I drove one of them when it was a fortnight old and it felt like it was going to fall apart. 

[Leyland Worldmaster]

19 minutes ago, Eyersey1234 said:

Our standard double decker at one time was the Gemini, both B7 and B9. Good solid buses. We switched to the MCV Evoseti body for a couple of years because price, though the build quality of the MCVs is terrible.  I drove one of them when it was a fortnight old and it felt like it was going to fall apart. 

I've driven a few B7TL based buses. My favourites were Plaxton President variants with Independent Front Suspension. These felt solid and reliable. Often used on Rail Replacement. 

The (what I'll call Mk2) B7TL with a beam front axle isn't as nice to drive. I only drove Wrightbus Geminis though. I echo your comments re: quality. 

The Gemini 2 B9TL felt a little less solid. Also the Gearbox was set to Economy so was quite sluggish. 

I've driven a couple of comparitively rare Gemini 3 B5TL buses too. Quite nippy for a Double Decker with a 5.1L Engine. 

Not reliable though. One needed a new Engine within months of arrival. Also, the bodywork feels extremely flimsy. Everything feel as though its as lightweight as possible; even the window glass is noticeably thinner. 

The Upper Deck Windows are like letterboxes and the whole thing reminds me of the first MCW Bodied Leyland Atlanteans, actually... 

Interesting you mention the poor quality of MCV Bodies. I've some stories, but I need to get something to eat now... I'll try and find some more bus shite pictures too... 👍 👍 👍 😎 😎 😎 

[Leyland Worldmaster]

On 09/02/2021 at 3:44 PM, OM646 said:

Here in north Portugal, we still have some of the ultimate Euro bus shite to be still in service 

37 years and counting. Volvo B10M articulated with a CAMO body.

I've got something that might be of interest. Portuguese connections... 

[Leyland Worldmaster]

On 11/02/2021 at 8:36 AM, busmansholiday said:

 

Cracking chod not to mention the buses.

 

This is AMAZING!!! Unfortunately the Leyland National wasn't suited to the Operating Conditions; you might notice the enlarged ventilation grille at the back. I read they got so hot, the rear seat passengers got warm backsides... 

Low Ground Clearance was a problem too. They did not have long service lives. 

Still, great to see some Leyland National, Leyland\MCW Olympic and LAD Cabbed Lorry action! 

I think at the time of production, JOS was still a BET Company.

[Leyland Worldmaster]

Plenty of Jonkheere Shite to be found in the spiritual successor... 

https://jutc.gov.jm/

 

[Leyland Worldmaster]

OK, as promised from my Leyland Motors Southeast Collection:

Portuguese Connection... 

[Leyland Worldmaster]

The UTIC Leyland B52 is a Leyland Olympian with a different arse end. 

More Leyland stuff: