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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2006 22:25:15 GMT
One for the bus fans that are around here. A freezing day in the West Midlands. Sorry for the low-res images; my camera was on the wrong setting. D'oh  davidhenderson.fotopic.net/c847272.htmlHope you enjoy them Dave |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2006 23:00:30 GMT
Ah, LN's.... I'm in heaven. When I was a lad, many years ago, these lovely buses used to take me from town to the bottom of the road near my house. This was the early 1980's. They were replaced, wholesale by Iveco's or Mercedes horrid, cramped, uncomfortable 19/22 seaters, which did nothing especially on Fridays when they were packed. the bus company at the time doubled the frequency of the service, to solve the problem... Great Pics, David!  |
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Colin
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Post by Colin on Feb 2, 2006 3:31:23 GMT
Those Nationals look rather tidy for their age. I didn't think there were any left in service - hmmm, might have a wander up north......
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Feb 2, 2006 12:24:30 GMT
So, those Nationals were mostly ex-LT, one or two ex Bournemouth or Hants & Dorset. They have lasted well.
But when you see the number of really old buses (even the doubles) still running, it does make you wonder what on earth TFL is doing virtually forcing the companies to buy new every time a contract comes up for renewal. The waste of resources and all the energy wasted in building new and scrapping after a few years seems criminal.
Yes, I know how hard work in London is for a standard bus, and I know about cascading, and I know about DDA, but is all this waste REALLY necessary? How much would fares come down ( or at least stop rising ) if the age profile of the fleet was allowed to rise a bit.
Sorry: almost a rant. Moderator's privilege!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2006 19:54:31 GMT
Chase Bus love their Nationals, they have about 20 of them. They are all in superb condition. They all are Mk 1s with their original engines. AND THEY DON'T SMOKE The operation is run by a former Policeman, Graham Dodd.
It's funny, I used to hate LNs, now (having driven the type) I really like them.
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Feb 2, 2006 20:20:37 GMT
LNs -ok. But by comparison: REs brilliant. You always felt in control of an RE: somehow that never (to me ) felt the case in a National.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2006 20:27:15 GMT
I used to drive REs for Classic Coaches (MHW 285L and SWC 24K), they were great fun, especially 285L. These were on Bucks heritage services a few years ago.
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Post by Tomcakes on Feb 2, 2006 20:28:34 GMT
If you want to see clapped out buses, come outside London. Readers on other forums will know I often rant about everywhere else in the country getting ex-London clapped out bangers. *stops self again* Nice shots though  . |
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Colin
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Post by Colin on Feb 3, 2006 4:15:19 GMT
Chase Bus love their Nationals, they have about 20 of them. They are all in superb condition. They all are Mk 1s with their original engines. AND THEY DON'T SMOKE The operation is run by a former Policeman, Graham Dodd. It's funny, I used to hate LNs, now (having driven the type) I really like them. And I love them for loving nationals!! Having driven many types both old and new, I can't help but love anything Leyland - especially the hated Titan  ;D ;D |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2006 6:49:26 GMT
Original engines, original everything ay? I'll have to go up there I think, I didn't even know Nationals were used in ordinary service anymore.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2006 21:04:40 GMT
Chase Bus love their Nationals, they have about 20 of them. They are all in superb condition. They all are Mk 1s with their original engines. AND THEY DON'T SMOKE The operation is run by a former Policeman, Graham Dodd. It's funny, I used to hate LNs, now (having driven the type) I really like them. And I love them for loving nationals!! Having driven many types both old and new, I can't help but love anything Leyland - especially the hated Titan ;D ;D There's nothing wrong with a Titan. When I worked at First's Gallow's corner depot, stagecoach operated them in Romford from North Street garage, ISTR they were on the route to Noak Hill. Titans are much nicer than Olympians, which I always found slow. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2006 21:08:04 GMT
Also in the West Midlands is North Birmingham Busways, who still have a large-ish fleet of former Manchester Leyland Atlanteans, which are used along with some former VAs on their service to Sutton Coldfield, via the Aston Expressway. Atlantean thrash, anyone ? |
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Colin
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Post by Colin on Feb 3, 2006 21:16:16 GMT
David, you are becoming my new best friend ;D ;D We had loads of Scania double decks at Upton park garage (which to be fair, were very nice) - then we gained 4 Titans for service upgrades (prior to getting them horrible Volvo olympians delivered). I don't think the 15's had seen so much Titan operation till I got hold of one!! Then I heard my local Arriva company (ex London country - Grays) were getting rid of their Atlanteans - I soon got the application form in for a job with them!! |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2006 21:29:57 GMT
I take it you don't like ANs then, Colin?
What did they get to replace the ANs?
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Colin
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Post by Colin on Feb 3, 2006 21:40:57 GMT
I take it you don't like ANs then, Colin? I loved em - best use of anyones 8 hour day ! - but not as much as I loved the Titan ;D!! What did they get to replace the ANs? Dart SLF's  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2006 21:51:13 GMT
I take it you don't like ANs then, Colin? I loved em - best use of anyones 8 hour day ! - but not as much as I loved the Titan ;D!! Well, I was given my own 'pet' Atlantean to drive (which I even took to Showbus 2002), I am still (just about) an Atlantean owner and I had an Atlantean from my friend's company as transport to my wedding ;D. Does that qualify me as an Atalantean fan? What did they get to replace the ANs? Dart SLF's Nasty  |
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;D ;D
