Bus Shite

[martc]

The 1949 DAF-Domburg bus was a unique. It eliminated the need for extensive disassembly or working in cramped conditions, enabling quicker repairs and servicing—an essential advantage in the early post-war years when reliability and fast maintenance were crucial for public transport systems.

However, the design also presented several challenges. Structurally, the sliding mechanism required additional reinforcements adding extra weight. The design also left the engine more exposed to dust, dirt, and moisture, increasing wear and tear over time. Lastly, improper closing or misalignment of the sliding rails could cause vibrations and mechanical instability.

While the system was meant to simplify maintenance, it introduced extra moving parts that required upkeep, ultimately increasing maintenance costs and complexity. These challenges prevented the design from becoming a standard in bus manufacturing, despite its initial promise.

[martc]

NuT

[martc]

Wellington St bus station, Gateshead.

[martc]

A PSV, but the service provided was to tune your Lada. It is a mobile tuning unit travelling the by-ways and highways of the USSR, built on a LiAZ-677 chassis.

In the back was a living compartment for the driver/technician with a bed, a wardrobe, a cooker, a washbasin, a water heater and, helpfully, a fire extinguisher. 

The 'technical compartment' housed  an exhaust gas analyser, a device for diagnosing the ignition system, an electric pulse tachometer and a fuel consumption meter.

[martc]

I think this is in Australia as the chaps bag says 'NSW rail museum'.

[martc]

And some unusual Ikaruses.

Post communism. Not sure how much is MAN/VW, but I would guess at the engine and running gear.

The mobile ABC (mobile grocery shop) was an important part of the rural supply system in socialist Hungary. It mainly operated in smaller villages and scattered rural areas where there were no shops.  Basic food items and household goods could be purchased from it, and it was especially important for the elderly and those with limited mobility who couldn't travel to the nearest shop.

And here's the timetable if you are short of bananas and Bulls Blood -

You've got 30 minutes. Oh and it has to be 1977.

[martc]

[High Jetter]

4 hours ago, martc said:

A PSV, but the service provided was to tune your Lada. It is a mobile tuning unit travelling the by-ways and highways of the USSR, built on a LiAZ-677 chassis.

In the back was a living compartment for the driver/technician with a bed, a wardrobe, a cooker, a washbasin, a water heater and, helpfully, a fire extinguisher. 

The 'technical compartment' housed  an exhaust gas analyser, a device for diagnosing the ignition system, an electric pulse tachometer and a fuel consumption meter.

Wasn't there a UK franchise start up offering similar, 80s or 90s?

[lesapandre]

Routemaster ghost - bus - ter.

[EyesWeldedShut]

6 hours ago, lesapandre said:

Routemaster ghost - bus - ter.

Never mind the bus - I've not seen a boiler plated building before - is it actually some sort of fancy render work?

[busmansholiday]

14 hours ago, martc said:

I think this is in Australia as the chaps bag says 'NSW rail museum'.

Pressed Metal bodied Atlantean ex Sydney. RM1708 in the background, part of the Sydney bus museum fleet.

[martc]

1961, a prototype of the LAZ-698 'Karpaty' intercity coach manufactured at the Lviv plant aiming to be the 1960s Soviet luxury coach.

[Inspector Morose]

2 hours ago, martc said:

1961, a prototype of the LAZ-698 'Karpaty' intercity coach manufactured at the Lviv plant aiming to be the 1960s Soviet luxury coach.

That bugged me for a while as I've seen vaguely a similar body before. After a while searching the sites, hey presto!

A Mulliner bodied Guy Warrior.

[quicksilver]

1 hour ago, Inspector Morose said:

That bugged me for a while as I've seen vaguely a similar body before. After a while searching the sites, hey presto!

A Mulliner bodied Guy Warrior.

A one-off in reality but much more numerous in toy form as Triang oddly chose to include it in the Spot On range. They had form for choosing unique buses as the Minix Strachans-bodied AEC Reliance was also a one-off.

[Dyslexic Viking]

Pre-war Dodge built as a bus in Norway and was in traffic well into the 1950s.

[SunnySouth]

Had the absolute *pleasure of visiting Gosport today. The former bus station, which has been an absolute pit of a place since pretty much the day it opened, has been fenced off ready to meet its fate:

A new replacement has appeared, slightly less substantial but probably with a less powerful stench of pee. While I was there it was inhabited solely by electric things. “Eclipse” is the branding for the busway routes between Gosport & Fareham, running along the former railway trackbed:

I then upgraded and crossed the harbour to Portsmouth, where I photted a couple of E200s in their contrasting tribal identities; First Solent and Slavecoach. “The Star” is the livery used for two extending up over Portsdown Hill and out of the city, council funding means they get a new fleet every few years. The first pic is the generic local livery, which I quite like:

 

[EyesWeldedShut]

6 hours ago, SunnySouth said:

The former bus station, which has been an absolute pit of a place since pretty much the day it opened, has been fenced off ready to meet its fate:

Used to hang around there a lot in the 1980s.  You're right - it was a total tip.
Not having a fly pee in the doorways - the OYC used to have their offices upstairs (I crewed with them sometimes out of Gosport, Falmouth, Plymouth & Ramsgate)

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

[Inspector Morose]

4 hours ago, The Old Bloke Next Door said:

The first National repowered at Chase with a leopard spec 0680. Went well and, as an encore, they did the same to two short, ex-LT Nationals before topping it all of with another ex-LT National repowered with a vertical leyland 420 engine and Alison auto gearbox that formerly resided in a dustcart.

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

[High Jetter]

Mumble mumble parts bin mumble. Bin cart!

[High Jetter]

4 hours ago, The Old Bloke Next Door said:

AEC. Respect.

[martc]

A LAZ-697Р 'Tourist', East Kazakhstan region, Kazakh SSR, 1991.

[martc]

Van based -

Grim.