Bus Shite

[Yoss]

I know you all love* Routemasters here so I shall inflict a few on you now. 

Every year there is a road run to commemorate the end of normal RM operation, and therefore conductor buses, on the 159 on 9th December 2005. It happens on the nearest Saturday to that date. Being a postman I have no chance of getting any time off in December and just have to hope it coincides with a day off. I get one Saturday in four off but the two hadn't matched up for about twelve years until yesterday. 

Of course I no longer actually own a bus now so I rang my mate who I sold it to last week as I knew he was going, only to find he'd just tested positive and was self isolating. So I rang another friend who, by being a self employed Routemaster fixer, knows a lot of RM people to see who else was going and it turns out my other ex bus was going. I sold it to a chap in Peterborough in 2006 but it has since passed on to somebody else in Wrexham. I didn't know them yesterday morning but I do now. And it's the first time I've been on it since I sold it 15 years ago. 

The 159 route is from Marble Arch to Streatham but the buses meet up first at the Ace Cafe as there aren't too many places you can amass a large number of buses in central London and you can have breakfast before setting off. 

A few buses arriving at the Ace. 

There were 11 eventually and we set off for Marble Arch though there didn't seem to be any attempt to keep them together as we battled the West London gridlock. 

Action shot. 

Parked up in Finchley Road in a vain attempt to regroup. 

Parking on the bus stand at Marble Arch I was able to see the ridiculous Marble Arch Mound in the flesh for the first time. 

It really does look shit. It's just some turf laid over some scaffolding. It looks like a hastily covered landfill site. And they actually charge you to go up it despite the fact it's only about three times the height of a bus. And it obscures Marble Arch itself from Hyde Park! 

And then the 159 itself. 

A quick stop at Brixton garage where it all ended 16 years ago. 

The weather had turned a bit by then but it adds atmosphere to the pictures. 

And this is parked up outside a Sainsbury's just past the old terminus of Streatham Garage where we all queued up to use the two toilets as it takes a bloody long time to get here from the Ace Cafe on a Saturday just before Christmas. 

We then did it in reverse but in the dark and via a different route from Marble Arch to the Ace Cafe. We then ate again before setting off on the second half of the day. 

This is my ex bus RM 2213 in the dark at the cafe looking much, much better than it it did in my hands. 

[Yoss]

The second part of the day was the Christmas lights tour so I'm putting these here just because they look pretty. 

I think the rain really helps now. It just adds so much more atmosphere as the lights reflect off the road and the drops on the widows reflect all the lights. 

 

This is the calendar shot. 

Lights reflecting on a nice shiny bonnet. 

 

I know you don't all agree but this is the reason I can sit on a Routemaster all day and all night. 

So subtle you can have the lights on and still see outside unlike every other bus from the last 50 years where trying to look out in the dark just sees your own reflection looking back at you. 

[LightBulbFun]

19 minutes ago, Yoss said:

I know you all love* Routemasters here so I shall inflict a few on you now. 

Every year there is a road run to commemorate the end of normal RM operation, and therefore conductor buses, on the 159 on 9th December 2005. It happens on the nearest Saturday to that date. Being a postman I have no chance of getting any time off in December and just have to hope it coincides with a day off. I get one Saturday in four off but the two hadn't matched up for about twelve years until yesterday. 

Of course I no longer actually own a bus now so I rang my mate who I sold it to last week as I knew he was going, only to find he'd just tested positive and was self isolating. So I rang another friend who, by being a self employed Routemaster fixer, knows a lot of RM people to see who else was going and it turns out my other ex bus was going. I sold it to a chap in Peterborough in 2006 but it has since passed on to somebody else in Wrexham. I didn't know them yesterday morning but I do now. And it's the first time I've been on it since I sold it 15 years ago. 

The 159 route is from Marble Arch to Streatham but the buses meet up first at the Ace Cafe as there aren't too many places you can amass a large number of buses in central London and you can have breakfast before setting off. 

A few buses arriving at the Ace. 

There were 11 eventually and we set off for Marble Arch though there didn't seem to be any attempt to keep them together as we battled the West London gridlock. 

Action shot. 

Parked up in Finchley Road in a vain attempt to regroup. 

Parking on the bus stand at Marble Arch I was able to see the ridiculous Marble Arch Mound in the flesh for the first time. 

It really does look shit. It's just some turf laid over some scaffolding. It looks like a hastily covered landfill site. And they actually charge you to go up it despite the fact it's only about three times the height of a bus. And it obscures Marble Arch itself from Hyde Park! 

And then the 159 itself. 

A quick stop at Brixton garage where it all ended 16 years ago. 

The weather had turned a bit by then but it adds atmosphere to the pictures. 

And this is parked up outside a Sainsbury's just past the old terminus of Streatham Garage where we all queued up to use the two toilets as it takes a bloody long time to get here from the Ace Cafe on a Saturday just before Christmas. 

We then did it in reverse but in the dark and via a different route from Marble Arch to the Ace Cafe. We then ate again before setting off on the second half of the day. 

This is my ex bus RM 2213 in the dark at the cafe looking much, much better than it it did in my hands. 

Very cool! I never realised you had 2nd RM beside RM2037, whats the story behind it?  

Id have loved to have been there but personal transport issues aside I understand its a private event, and sadly apart from you, I dont know anyone from the Routemaster community anymore

I used to know a few people back in the day when I was small, but lost contact gradually as life went to pot, Mike Fuller was someone who I knew well and who I thank for putting up with my incessant phone-calls back then!

he also very kindly took me and the rest of my family out for private run on ER882 around bedford (which is where my profile picture comes from  ) it will always be memberable getting out of the train station at Bedford and seeing a Routemaster parked in the car park among all the regular cars  

id like to renew my RMOOA membership, but im not sure how these days since its all online and I last renewed long before they setup things online (I did try firing off an email a couple years ago but no one ever responded) I was apparently the youngest member when I joined aged 8! (doubt I would be anymore LOL)

3 minutes ago, Yoss said:

The second part of the day was the Christmas lights tour so I'm putting these here just because they look pretty. 

I think the rain really helps now. It just adds so much more atmosphere as the lights reflect off the road and the drops on the widows reflect all the lights. 

 

This is the calendar shot. 

Lights reflecting on a nice shiny bonnet. 

 

I know you don't all agree but this is the reason I can sit on a Routemaster all day and all night. 

So subtle you can have the lights on and still see outside unlike every other bus from the last 50 years where trying to look out in the dark just sees your own reflection looking back at you. 

Gosh I do love a Tungsten illuminated RM  (and RT for that matter!)

some lovely photos  

[Yoss]

A very brief history of my buses. We bought RM 2037 from Southampton CityBus in 1989. This was jointly owned by three of us. We sold it to Reading Mainline in 1995 as we'd all run out of money. Then in 2001 I had the RM itch again. By this time 2037 had reentered preservation. I did ask the owner if he wanted to sell, as I still considered it to be my bus (and still do!) but he didn't so I had to look elsewhere. 

RM 2213 came up in Glasgow of all places but it was in good mechanical condition, though could have benefitted from a respray. But most importantly it had never been through any of the re engineering or refurbishment programmes and was totally original. 

I had it for six years when I found out 2037 was for sale again and so had to sell 2213 rather hastily to make sure I got my bus back. 

Dez, if I can do it next year (depends on my day off) I'll let you know, you should be mobile by then and as the Ace Cafe is right on the North Circular it should be quite easy for you to get to. 

[LightBulbFun]

12 hours ago, Yoss said:

A very brief history of my buses. We bought RM 2037 from Southampton CityBus in 1989. This was jointly owned by three of us. We sold it to Reading Mainline in 1995 as we'd all run out of money. Then in 2001 I had the RM itch again. By this time 2037 had reentered preservation. I did ask the owner if he wanted to sell, as I still considered it to be my bus (and still do!) but he didn't so I had to look elsewhere. 

RM 2213 came up in Glasgow of all places but it was in good mechanical condition, though could have benefitted from a respray. But most importantly it had never been through any of the re engineering or refurbishment programmes and was totally original. 

I had it for six years when I found out 2037 was for sale again and so had to sell 2213 rather hastily to make sure I got my bus back. 

very cool! the drive back from Glasgow back to Southhampton must of been a fun collection caper flat out at 45Mph! 

12 hours ago, Yoss said:

Dez, if I can do it next year (depends on my day off) I'll let you know, you should be mobile by then and as the Ace Cafe is right on the North Circular it should be quite easy for you to get to. 

Thanks thats much appreciated  hopefully theres parking and a return journey back!or I could just chase the RMs in REV photobombing all the picturesque photos, LOL

(but I would much prefer to be able to ride on them! its been far too long since I was last on a Routemaster!)

[Eyersey1234]

Today's chariot, fleet number 89 is a Plaxton Elite bodied Volvo B9R new in 2014.

[Zelandeth]

Did they ever sort the godawful whistle from the driver's window on the Elite?  I had a shot of one shortly after they were launched and ended up just keeping the window open because of the noise.  Only been on one other a few months afterwards as a passenger and it did it too...that was a long time ago though!

[Eyersey1234]

4 hours ago, Zelandeth said:

Did they ever sort the godawful whistle from the driver's window on the Elite?  I had a shot of one shortly after they were launched and ended up just keeping the window open because of the noise.  Only been on one other a few months afterwards as a passenger and it did it too...that was a long time ago though!

Ours don't seem to be too bad in that respect. 

[Cookiesouwest]

Is there a model bus shite thread?

The miniature shite thread seems to be just cars.

Ta

[Noel Tidybeard]

i do believe not

[warch]

2 hours ago, Cookiesouwest said:

Is there a model bus shite thread?

The miniature shite thread seems to be just cars.

Ta

We have had model buses on there (most recently commemorative buses associated with royal jubilees and other important* national occasions). The miniature shite crowd are a lovely bunch, I even posted a load of pictures of toy tractors from my extensive collection and no one actually told me to fuck off so its obviously quite a broad church.

[Eyersey1234]

The takeover of Stagecoach by National Express has been agreed. Megabus will be sold presumably to prevent problems with the competition authorities, though Stagecoach/NX will keep the vehicles and act as contractors. 

[CreepingJesus]

Wonder how long it'll take Souter to scratch the itch of buying a fleet of assorted shite, and undercutting the opposition? Worked well enough the last time.

Be interested to find out what it means for fares and service though, particularly the day tickets and the areas those cover.

[808 Estate]

On 12/12/2021 at 9:58 PM, Yoss said:

I  know you don't all agree but this is the reason I can sit on a Routemaster all day and all night. 

So subtle you can have the lights on and still see outside unlike every other bus from the last 50 years where trying to look out in the dark just sees your own reflection looking back at you. 

Absolutely. Proper comfy seating and lighting that doesnt tear out your retinas.
I is jealous.

You need to sort out an Autoshite day trip.

[martc]

[STUNO]

The school year ended yesterday for me, and so did my old Mitsi/Fuso bus, it is off to be converted into a camper or scrap .

So a few random photos are necessary.

Ready to start the school run, Next to a Mitsi truck-bus schoolie.

country roads and narrow bridges

Back country roads, complete with mud /dust and teeth jarring courrigations

even a field with a hole in it that emits steam continuously

and another larger hole in the earth that can create a thick steamy fog on a Winters day

So back to work in February....

 

[dollywobbler]

Gawd, I remember the corrugations on those gravel roads! Bad enough in a car. Any idea what you'll have next term Stuno?

[STUNO]

HI Ian, just imagine everything in a bus vibrating and CRASHING LOUDLY against everything else. Quite remarkably it survived the treatment with only a broken rear spring . Also the tendancy to refuse to turn at the corners due to the front wheels only having intermittant contact with the road gravel if going a wee bit too fast ! Next years bus is unknown so far, but I will be on a different route as the contract has ceased for the above route. No more 5am starts for me .

[warch]

On 12/15/2021 at 6:39 AM, martc said:

[quicksilver]

Here's a blast from the past! These Merc T2s used to be everywhere but there can't be many left now. This one is still going strong at 25 years old though - I've seen it a couple of times in the dark but today the schools finished at lunchtime so I could get a snap in something approaching daylight. This operator obviously likes to keep old stuff going as long as possible as they still ran breadvan Transits on their stage service well into the 2000s.

 

[Eyersey1234]

54 minutes ago, quicksilver said:

Here's a blast from the past! These Merc T2s used to be everywhere but there can't be many left now. This one is still going strong at 25 years old though - I've seen it a couple of times in the dark but today the schools finished at lunchtime so I could get a snap in something approaching daylight. This operator obviously likes to keep old stuff going as long as possible as they still ran breadvan Transits on their stage service well into the 2000s.

 

Phoooaaarrr. We used to have some of these, though most of the ones we had when I started at East Yorkshire were the later Vario O814D. 

[Eyersey1234]

This is one of the ones that we had, when I started we had 455 (R455 PRH) 458 (T458 JRH) and 418/9 (YX51 MUO/P) 

I'm told 418/9 were stock vehicles that we got cheap as no one else wanted them. 

[83C]

We had over sixty of the bloody things at Western Greyhound at one point, rattly and not disabled friendly but really the ideal bus for rural Cornwall. All manuals, cheap to run and they didn’t half take some hammer, run for 18hrs a day, every day on everything from town services to 5hr round trips from Newquay to Plymouth - and everything was tightly timed meaning the only way to drive them was flat out. Some were great - you’d see a particular machine (500, 522, 568, 577, 581 or 599 all spring to mind) allocated and be happy that you’d got something decent and quite likely to get to the end of the day, or you’d see others (520, 530, 540, any of the 55xs, 561 or 582) and know you had a shit one and a phone call arranging recovery was quite likely, or you wouldn’t be able to keep to time because they were knackered. 530 wasn’t bad as such, but it had different gearing to the rest - the diff was too tall meaning 2nd was useless for pulling away and 5th was gutless at 62mph, if it managed to get to 62. The usual answer was to just leave it in 4th at about 59-60 - the different gearing was just a pain when the rest of the fleet was so predictable with regard to which gear was needed at any given time. After the 2013 fire an auto O814 turned up from Anglian Bus - T400 CBC if I remember correctly. It became 540 briefly to replace the old 540, and it was just as shit. My one and only trip in it ended in failure when it spat all its ATF out near Tregony one morning, and that was the last time it moved under its own steam. 

The Solos and cheap MPDs that followed in a half-arsed attempt to go over to accessible vehicles before the company folded hadn’t a hope in hell of either keeping to the same times or being as reliable as the O814s, both types used to go bang very regularly. 

It was the same story with the decker fleet too - hardy and rugged Volvo Olympians gave way to utterly terrible Dennis Tridents (some even came with the crap Voith 3-speed) and of course they couldn’t manage. 

[martc]

On 12/17/2021 at 9:37 PM, 83C said:

 ....really the ideal bus for rural Cornwall....

 

the ideal bus for rural Soviet Union....

The PAZ 672 (pictured in 1967). Note the high ground clearance and chunky tyres ideal for rural Russia where unmade roads, mud and snow do not get in the way of the bus service. Could there be alpine horns behind those grilles?

[Six-cylinder]

I went to a small local car show at Brackley yesterday and one bus sneaked in! 

[cms206]

On 11/17/2021 at 2:28 PM, sierraman said:

It’s a 1985 Dennis Dorchester with a Plaxton Paramount body, no idea on the engine, maybe a Cummins L10, not sure. 

Almost, if not all Dorchesters were Gardner 6HLXCT.

They were another tool of the Scottish Bus Group falling out with Leyland's unwillingness to supply Gardner power, though in reality only Western and Central took Dorchesters before deregulation with Western's Paramount 3200 Express-bodied Dorchesters N152-159 (TSD 152-159Y) being followed by a batch of outwardly identical Gardner Turbo Leyland Tigers (L167-186, A167-186 UGB) and Central's batch of fifteen Alexander-bodied Dorchesters (bus spec 'TS'-type DD1-5 A101-5 RGE, dual purpose 'TE'-type DD6-10 A106-110 UYS and full coach 'TC'-type C2-6 A202-6 UYS). Central then moved onto Gardner powered 'TS'-type Tigers (LT21-83, all Gardner 6HLXB bar LT58-62 which were dual purpose bodied 'TE'-types with 6HLXCTs). Kelvin Scottish had a small batch of 6HLXB-powered Tigers diverted from Central also, but that's out of scope of this.

After deregulation, Clydeside took nine Plaxton Paramount 3500 II-bodied Dorchesters (401-9, B401-9 OSB), while Western took six similar examples as their N199-204 (B199-204 CGA) followed by six more with Alexander 'TC' bodies as N216-221 (D216-221 NCS). Of the 67 chassis built, 44 were for Scottish operators.

Interestingly, Central, Clydeside and Western were also the only Scottish Bus Group companies to take Dominators - Central's D1-51, Western's N136-147 and Clydeside's 148-159, all low height Alexander R-types bar Central's D1 with low height D-type bodywork.

[RoadworkUK]

Yes! Finally found a (tiny) pic of what was the very most awesome coach that I ever had as a school bus in the 90s.

Plaxton Paramount 4000 built on Neoplan underframes, with Gardner 6LYT power. Sounded absolutely phenomenal.

Also, it had a remarkable power over those who rode in it.

My route, 15, from Frinton-on-Sea to Thorpe Le-Soken (and back) was usually operated by one of Partridge's fleet of Ex-LT Fleetlines, or their solitary Atlantean. The kids (years 7-9) were largely total animals. However, on the few occasions that we had the 4000, everybody sat in relaxed silence. There was barely a murmor, so much so that you could hear the engine electrics coming through on the not quite properly suppressed PA system.

Proper thing. I suspect it met its fate years ago, and that Neoplan 4000s are extinct by now.

[cms206]

Long time no speak.

My long term daily 2008 Plaxton Volvo B12B has finally been cascaded to school duties about three weeks ago - it was our last front line Volvo coach. As a result I was moved onto our other oddball front line coach, this Beulas Cygnus bodied MAN 19.360.

It's actually pretty decent. I like it a lot.

[chaseracer]

Welcome back, Andy 🙂

[chaseracer]

Around the millennium, my then-employer decided, in their infinite wisdom*, to run a fleet of these.