Bus Shite

[LightBulbFun]

3 hours ago, cms206 said:

I've scanned about 60 images so far; there are probably another 150 or so in this batch, plus an absolute pile of Londom rally shots which I won't lie I've not even looked at scanning as I don't particularly like rally shots.

A handful which I posted on my facebook earlier today, as I'm not on the PC at the minute...

RM1290 at Hyde Park Corner bound for Tottenham Court Road, March 30th 1987.

 

Apparently nobody can do it like a steam train; answers on a postcard.

RM1063 pondering if it's 2B or not 2B on Vauxhall Bridge Road.

Ahhhh... Terminus Place in better* times. RM2033 is graced with the presence of an Ambassador, February 26th 1987.

Last for now, back to Thursday February 26th 1987; London Buses' RML2660 at Friern Barnet Lane.

I like how the majority of those just like Yoss's bus, also have offside illuminated adverts including the RML which is very rare  (although I do admit as much as they please me as a lighting enthusiast, I have always found they looked a bit odd with how they stick out of the bus/have rounded edges/an obvious gasket, thats one thing I noticed about RM's is how they dont have window gaskets like a normal road car would so any time something is given a gasket is stands out like a sore thumb, this is very obvious on the RCL's that where given a convertible roof since the middle roof section gained windows with "normal car" style gaskets)

4 hours ago, Yoss said:

I must admit I had to do a double take there to check it wasn't one of my own pics. In 2006 I had those adverts remade for the 20th anniversary of the last 68. They are very simple black and white or black and yellow so I was able to walk in to my local sign writers with close up photos and dimensions and it was quite easy for them to knock them out. So that is a look very familiar to me. Thanks. 

thats got me thinking if had an RM I i'd probably go with a giant stylised "INVACAR" in the Invacar fon ont a silhouette/outline of their winged badge on a light blue background, let the bus enthusiasts figure that one out  its either that or see if a vector graphic for this still exists  

(although driving around in a double decker bus with "SHITE" emblazoned on the side in big red letters might be a bit frowned upon LOL)

[Yoss]

The gasket was just like a giant windscreen rubber except in a long line not a loop. There would be a slight gap which you would make sure was at the bottom for obvious reasons. You then added a smaller rubber extrusion with one of those windscreen rubber stretcher tools to lock it in place. The perspex panel came in three pieces with a small overlap at the ends. 

I may have posted these before but they are as appropriate as they are ever going to be now. These were taken from the loft window of our old house. I spread the panels down the garden path which luckily was long and flat. I couldn't do it in our current house. 

The sign people supplied three big sheets of blank yellow vinyl and the lettering was on a separate sheet. This made it easier to get the lettering in the right place. There's a bucket of soapy water to help slide things about a bit if need be. The front adverts they gave to me ready done as they are a much more manageable size. Have a close up. 

And on the day. You can just make out in the gloom that illumination was working throughout.

This was the only day it ever did and even then it didn't last all day. There are five fluorescent tubes in there and they all worked but never at the same time. The pattern would change from day to day (or month to month as obviously I didn't use it every day). 

This was later the same day. 

[Inspector Morose]

18 hours ago, Yoss said:

The gasket was just like a giant windscreen rubber except in a long line not a loop. There would be a slight gap which you would make sure was at the bottom for obvious reasons. You then added a smaller rubber extrusion with one of those windscreen rubber stretcher tools to lock it in place. The perspex panel came in three pieces with a small overlap at the ends. 

I may have posted these before but they are as appropriate as they are ever going to be now. These were taken from the loft window of our old house. I spread the panels down the garden path which luckily was long and flat. I couldn't do it in our current house. 

The sign people supplied three big sheets of blank yellow vinyl and the lettering was on a separate sheet. This made it easier to get the lettering in the right place. There's a bucket of soapy water to help slide things about a bit if need be. The front adverts they gave to me ready done as they are a much more manageable size. Have a close up. 

And on the day. You can just make out in the gloom that illumination was working throughout.

This was the only day it ever did and even then it didn't last all day. There are five fluorescent tubes in there and they all worked but never at the same time. The pattern would change from day to day (or month to month as obviously I didn't use it every day). 

This was later the same day. 

This sent me thinking about the fashion of illuminated adverts on buses. Of course, Walsall did it differently:

Odd position for an advert? That's because it was illuminated from the lower deck interior lighting. The side panels were fibreglass, translucent where the adverts went. Hey presto, one illuminated advert for no extra cost. Very Walsall.

[Yoss]

1 hour ago, Inspector Morose said:

This sent me thinking about the fashion of illuminated adverts on buses. Of course, Walsall did it differently:

Odd position for an advert? That's because it was illuminated from the lower deck interior lighting. The side panels were fibreglass, translucent where the adverts went. Hey presto, one illuminated advert for no extra cost. Very Walsall.

There's a London RT behind it. But obviously not in LT livery. Any more info on that?

[Inspector Morose]

23 minutes ago, Yoss said:

There's a London RT behind it. But obviously not in LT livery. Any more info on that?

Walsall bought five or six RTLs from London around 1959. They gained red tops to their radiators as they could pass under a 14'3" bridge in Cannock. Lasted until mid '71 so did get into the WMPTE era but none were repainted blue/cream.

[Inspector Morose]

4 minutes ago, Inspector Morose said:

Walsall bought five or six RTLs from London around 1959. They gained red tops to their radiators as they could pass under a 14'3" bridge in Cannock. Lasted until mid '71 so did get into the WMPTE era but none were repainted blue/cream.

Just had a think, both the Walsall RTLs and the St Helens RT-a-likes were both bought by one R. Edgley Cox, who was general manager at both corporations at the time.

[Inspector Morose]

4 hours ago, Inspector Morose said:

Just had a think, both the Walsall RTLs and the St Helens RT-a-likes were both bought by one R. Edgley Cox, who was general manager at both corporations at the time.

And a bit of extra research later, guess who was involved in the development and introduction of the post war RT class? Yup, you guessed it, one Mr R E Cox yet again!

[martc]

Washington Square Arch, NYC 1929. Any idea what the bus is?

[martc]

A Mercedes-Benz O303 navigating the stunning winter scenery of Zillis, Switzerland.

[martc]

 

Oooops a tram tries to ram raid a pawnbrokers in Bexley Village, Woolwich, 1946. Note how far it is away from the tracks.

[martc]

London, 1926. Note the bobby cadging a lift on the bonnet. Any idea why there is chalk scribbling on the side?

It's a mix of alsorts - 'ladies xxxx size 9, outsize xxxx' looks like an advert for big shoes, 'xxx quite sober' next to the operators info -  a satirical comment on the management of London buses?

[SunnySouth]

5 minutes ago, martc said:

London, 1926. Note the bobby cadging a lift on the bonnet. Any idea why there is chalk scribbling on the side?

It's a mix of alsorts - 'ladies xxxx size 9, outsize xxxx' looks like an advert for big shoes, 'xxx quite sober' next to the operators info -  a satirical comment on the management of London buses?

I wonder if this was some sort of event, the chaps up top appear to be paying rather a lot of attention to something at street level, plus the bobby up front… Curious!

[Inspector Morose]

1 hour ago, martc said:

Washington Square Arch, NYC 1929. Any idea what the bus is?

It's a double decker built and operated by the Fifth Avenue Coach Company.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Avenue_Coach_Company

 

[Inspector Morose]

1 hour ago, martc said:

London, 1926. Note the bobby cadging a lift on the bonnet. Any idea why there is chalk scribbling on the side?

It's a mix of alsorts - 'ladies xxxx size 9, outsize xxxx' looks like an advert for big shoes, 'xxx quite sober' next to the operators info -  a satirical comment on the management of London buses?

1926 General strike. Probably had something to do with that, the bobby was probably riding the bus to stop it getting hijacked by the striking drivers.

 

[busmansholiday]

5 hours ago, martc said:

A Mercedes-Benz O303 navigating the stunning winter scenery of Zillis, Switzerland.

Isn't that an 0304?

[martc]

On 23/01/2025 at 22:35, busmansholiday said:

Isn't that an 0304?

Thanks, yes further fact checking (how archaic) shows it is, I was quoting the note which came with the photo.

[RoadworkUK]

On 23/01/2025 at 22:35, busmansholiday said:

Isn't that an 0304?

That's interesting. Could you educate me as to the difference between an 0303 and an 0304? I'd never heard of the latter. Cheers.

[artdjones]

On 23/01/2025 at 18:44, Inspector Morose said:

1926 General strike. Probably had something to do with that, the bobby was probably riding the bus to stop it getting hijacked by the striking drivers.

 

Yes, feelings ran high. A LNER express was derailed by loosening or removing a rail up North.

[busmansholiday]

1 hour ago, RoadworkUK said:

That's interesting. Could you educate me as to the difference between an 0303 and an 0304? I'd never heard of the latter. Cheers.

To me this is an 0303;

 

 The picture actually appears to be a much later version of the 0303 but the 0304 did exist ;

 which I've come across in Turkey which is why I thought it was an 0304.

[High Jetter]

4 hours ago, RoadworkUK said:

That's interesting. Could you educate me as to the difference between an 0303 and an 0304? I'd never heard of the latter. Cheers.

1

🤣 

 

(Sorry)

[martc]

A Bussing D2U double decker in Berlin, 1959.

[martc]

Around the Tyne

The number 34 trolley bus terminated on Park Rd, Wallsend. The route ran along Walkergate, the riverside, Neptune Road, Walker Road and City Road.

Worswick Street Bus Station and the queue for Gregg's Outlet Shop.

 

[busmansholiday]

Metro Scania decker. Wonderful* machines if you liked the two speed transmission, fast and drank like a pissed Geordie plumber, and fooking fast and how many gallons to the mile,?.

Air operated throttle as well, so if the air pressure dropped overnight you couldn't rev the bastards up to build the pressure up (catch 22).

* I'm sure @Inspector Morosewill have a tail or two about these.

[Inspector Morose]

32 minutes ago, busmansholiday said:

Metro Scania decker. Wonderful* machines if you liked the two speed transmission, fast and drank like a pissed Geordie plumber, and fooking fast and how many gallons to the mile,?.

Air operated throttle as well, so if the air pressure dropped overnight you couldn't rev the bastards up to build the pressure up (catch 22).

* I'm sure @Inspector Morosewill have a tail or two about these.

You missed rotting for fun. They made Alfa Suds seem galvanised.

The very end of production had three speeds, the box was very similar to a Voith. Black Prince standardised on them before discovering the qualities of ghe Ailsa, and managed to collect a number of them including the preserved West Yorkshire and Tyneside PTE examples. Even they had to throw in the towel trying to cope with the rampant corrosion issues.

Another operator who couldn't get enough of them was Wippet of Fenstanton. Their routes were less urban and so the gearbox spent more time in lockup, improving the economy no end. They even converted one to open top - one of the last to leave the fleet after Wippet moved on to ex London Titan T15s.

I think one Tyneside example is slowly being restored (brave), one Leicester example is nicely polished, London MD60 had many thousands thrown at it by Ensign to basically build a new Metropolitan body, and a Reading example is still around. That's all that's left as far as I know.

[busmansholiday]

London's first, MD1 is at the Scania museum in Stockholm, presumably in an airtight bag.

[busmansholiday]

South Yorkshire PTE bought 4 of them for trials in Sheffield. They lasted about a month before some leftie in the council kicked off about why the (labour) run council was buying 'foreign' buses and not supporting BL...

 

They were quickly moved to Doncaster for the rest of their lives and the lefties ordered 62 Ailsa's with Irish assembled bodies.......

 

[Inspector Morose]

Silly thing about the Ailsas, bodies aside, was that they had a greater percentage of UK componentry than a Metrobus.

Yet WMPTE ordered Metroboxes instead of Alexander R type Ailsa mk3s due to a 'higher UK content'.

[danthecapriman]

Can any of you bus guys tell me what colour(s) the interior of London Transport AEC Regent III’s had?

Im building a model, slowly, which comes with a grey plastic interior moulding and I’d like to paint it to properly look like the real ones rather than just grey.

[Mr Pastry]

59 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Can any of you bus guys tell me what colour(s) the interior of London Transport AEC Regent III’s had?

Im building a model, slowly, which comes with a grey plastic interior moulding and I’d like to paint it to properly look like the real ones rather than just grey.

I'm not a bus guy really, and there were probably variations over the years, but on all the RTs I remember the ceilings and upper parts of the inside panels were cream, lower parts of the panels dark green, floors when new were pale varnished wooden slats, but quickly turned greyish-black.  Seats, where do you start? - multi-coloured patterned Moquette.   Maybe reddish-brown would do on a small model.  Hopefully someone will have some good photos.

[danthecapriman]

2 minutes ago, Mr Pastry said:

I'm not a bus guy really, and there were probably variations over the years, but on all the RTs I remember the ceilings and upper parts of the inside panels were cream, lower parts of the panels dark green, floors when new were pale varnished wooden slats, but quickly turned greyish-black.  Seats, where do you start? - multi-coloured patterned Moquette.   Maybe reddish-brown would do on a small model.  Hopefully someone will have some good photos.

Cheers👍

That sounds about right. 
I did find a few interior photos but it’s difficult to go by pictures of restored vehicles as things often get altered or colour/trim changes over the years etc etc.

The bus Im trying to create is an ex London Transport RT, one of the group sold to Matchbox Lesney for their staff buses, in the later white & red livery used in the late 70’s early 80’s so they were old buses by then and about at the end of their lives really. I doubt Matchbox would have bothered changing the interiors.