Driver362
Member
- Joined
- 12 Aug 2018
- Messages
- 296
Some could do with a little more oomph , some still only do 45mph , it also spears you are getting no whare near full boost if the dash gauge is anything to go by
Lothians ZF B9TL’s could have there software reconfigured, I’ve never rode on one, are they really that bad?
On the subject of BMC, what happened to them? A few of our local operators had a numerous amount of up to 59 plate examples, but I haven't seen any BMC bus around anywhere in absolutely ages. That said, the Falcons's were attrocious and the Condors weren't much better.
Perhaps my opinion is slightly skewed by the fact that the ones closest to me were operated by Francis Drake who otherwise operated a knackered fleet of F & H reg Merc minibuses, they were a bit of a cowboy operator and didn't last long.Company went Dissolved in February this year.
I actually disagree with your statement. A independent here called Bain's Coaches have a fleet of BMC Falcons, they're literally bomb proof, go at quite some speed, and even at 14 years old there's no rattles.
Me.Who have you heard from ,that drivers loath them ? , can’t recal anyone saying they loath them ?
We had one on loan from Central SMT/Scottish for a time. Fortunately I didn't have the pleasure of travelling on it, but I recall that it wasn't overly popular with the drivers.I see all of your modern dross and raise you an 'x' reg'd Duple bodied Leyland Cub.
Utter rubbish. I travelled on them as a passenger when they were new and subsequently had some involvement with a preserved example. Everything about them appears to be dire. Slow and noisy to travel on, an atrocious entrance arrangement due to the front engine (reminiscent of a Ford coach) getting into the driving seat is a faff having to squeeze around the cab bulkhead. When you do get into the seat, it becomes apparent that you're sitting at arm's length from the windscreen giving an odd driving position.
The cub was a modified Terrier truck chassis and boy does it show.
Just be b****y awkward they have air over hydraulic brakes and cable operated parking brake.
I see all of your modern dross and raise you an 'x' reg'd Duple bodied Leyland Cub.
Utter rubbish. I travelled on them as a passenger when they were new and subsequently had some involvement with a preserved example. Everything about them appears to be dire. Slow and noisy to travel on, an atrocious entrance arrangement due to the front engine (reminiscent of a Ford coach) getting into the driving seat is a faff having to squeeze around the cab bulkhead. When you do get into the seat, it becomes apparent that you're sitting at arm's length from the windscreen giving an odd driving position.
The cub was a modified Terrier truck chassis and boy does it show.
Just be b****y awkward they have air over hydraulic brakes and cable operated parking brake.
Have to agree, especially the DMS with auto fare equipment, from a passenger view point the buses had enough rattles but the AFC rattles were almost unbearable even upstairs.I agree they are ugly, but I would nominate the old London Daimler DMS / DM / D class as being the ugliest ever - they tried to emulate the front end appearance of the Trolleybus, but failed dismally in the attempt...
I’m not a fan of the Citaro either. Every time I saw one it seemed to be followed around by a fire engine.
I’m not a fan of the Citaro either. Every time I saw one it seemed to be followed around by a fire engine.
What a daft thing to say.
Strange, I loved a good mk2 national, much rather that than an LH!44 years on buses and without a shadow of doubt, Leyland Nationals. They just didn't like stopping and were lethal in wet/icy conditions.
Spoken like a true NMS driver!!!Resurrecting another old thread, Bristol LH with a manual box, murder round town in service, dreadful Leyland Sherpa, I was embarrassed to be seen driving one.
Oi! I am a United driver!Spoken like a true NMS driver!!!
United liked an LH and they were concentrated on the rural routes in North Yorkshire and Durham. However, at deregulation, they seemed to gravitate to Teesside (both with United and TMS who bought them to set up a competitive operation to Transit). Memories of my youth.
Mk 1 Nationals were notorious for handling especially early ones. The later iterations and then the Mk2s were generally much better.
Oi! I am a United driver!
In my mind at least.
Jesmond won a load of contracts in South Shields not long after deregulation, I wasn't on that rota but I think they had about 12 lines of work all done with stotty boxes. The drivers got 2 quid a day to pay for the Tyne tunnel but they all went over the Tyne bridge!
We seemed to have plenty before dereg too. I think there were even some in PTE yellow.
You are right about mk1 Nationals, leant over about 30 degrees going round a bend. We had a Fab mk2, 3124 was it's fleet number IIRC, I believe they were really poor on fuel economy.
I am going to throw a spanner in the works here, but for me it was the Leyland Atlantean as they were very noisy buses and where possible I avoided travelling on them.-Inspired by 'Most Hated Traction' thread-
Has anyone got a particular bus type that they hate, despise and/or try and avoid?
For me it's Scania Omnidekkas with Fainsa seats.