Crowdfunding to save an Alexander-bodied Dart

[DanT2014]

You should check out the below link. It is for an interesting bus preservation project. I hope you like it.

Help save the last Stagecoach Western ALX200 Dart, organized by Milosz Sztajner

(Introduction) My name is Milosz, and I am a bus Fanatic and v… Milosz Sztajner needs your support for Help save the last Stagecoach Western ALX200 Dart

www.gofundme.com

My name is Milosz, and I am an absolute bus Fanatic and enthusiast interested in the hobby of vehicle preservation since I was little. I here introduce you to a friend in need, ALX200 Dennis Dart, who needs some work to get it back on the road for the preservation future it deserves. This bus was originally from Selkent and, in 2002, came to Stagecoach Western, where it proudly served Ayr and areas for a few years until it was withdrawn in 2012. Its sisters were all scrapped along with many other uncompliant darts, but this is where our hero got lucky and got donated to work for a charity in Ayr. Unfortunately, the future was not too bright because of the pandemic. The bus was left stranded in one place and replaced by a different bus making it out of work sitting in one place.

 

[richw]

To be blunt, if the person can’t afford the initial purchase cost without crowd funding, how do they intend ongoing costs. The initial outlay is the cheap bit in vehicle preservation.

 

[Leyland Bus]

To be blunt, if the person can’t afford the initial purchase cost without crowd funding, how do they intend ongoing costs. The initial outlay is the cheap bit in vehicle preservation.

This, exactly. Sadly storage costs are usually astronomical and these newer buses cost a lot more to keep going as well. Its really not a cheap hobby anymore. I sadly feel this will only go one way in the end, but good luck to them

 

[skyhigh]

So they're looking for money to purchase the bus - £2,000.

They note that the chassis is rusted and according to depot staff beyond economic repair.

They say once they have raised the money to buy the bus they will list another crowdfunder for the costs to repair/restore the vehicle (estimated at £3-4,000).

They say the vehicle is for sale for £1,500 yet they're looking for £2,000 to buy it - so they're putting precisely £0 of their own funding in.

Their qualifications are 'avid bus spotter'.

Never going to happen.

 

[RustySpoons]

This just comes across as an enthusiast with a dream of cruising around in their own bus, but without the money, knowledge or skills to actually maintain and run it. Hence the crowdfunding appealing for complete strangers to buy it for them, when they can then look forward to further crowdfunding attempts to pay for all the spare parts and labour required to maintain it.

 

[Mwanesh]

Restoring a bus is an expensive project. It needs deep pockets not just crowd funding

 

[Darandio]

You should check out the below link. It is for an interesting bus preservation project. I hope you like it.

Yet you don't appear to have donated yourself.....

 

[fgwrich]

So they're looking for money to purchase the bus - £2,000.

They note that the chassis is rusted and according to depot staff beyond economic repair.

They say once they have raised the money to buy the bus they will list another crowdfunder for the costs to repair/restore the vehicle (estimated at £3-4,000).

They say the vehicle is for sale for £1,500 yet they're looking for £2,000 to buy it - so they're putting precisely £0 of their own funding in.

Their qualifications are 'avid bus spotter'.

Never going to happen.

Nail hit on the head. Also, absolutely no mention about a potential storage location or how much that would cost either. It's nothing but an expensive pipe dream for what really is, just another ubiquitous ALX 200 Dart. Having some involvement in Bus preservation, it certainly aint cheap or easy - everything has a cost, from the vehicle itself, to upkeep, to maintenance and parts, to storage location etc.

It's quite telling that it's been active since the start of September, and has a grand total of 0 backers.

 

[LowLevel]

Rotten old bus, no money to buy, restore or maintain. Sorry, but to be blunt it sounds like throwing money down the drain.

 

[JonathanH]

It's nothing but an expensive pipe dream for what really is, just another ubiquitous ALX 200 Dart.

How many ALX200 Darts are there in preservation?

 

[DunsBus]

I've some advice for him. Stop the daydreaming and leave bus preservation to the experts.

 

[Eyersey468]

Nail hit on the head. Also, absolutely no mention about a potential storage location or how much that would cost either. It's nothing but an expensive pipe dream for what really is, just another ubiquitous ALX 200 Dart. Having some involvement in Bus preservation, it certainly aint cheap or easy - everything has a cost, from the vehicle itself, to upkeep, to maintenance and parts, to storage location etc.

It's quite telling that it's been active since the start of September, and has a grand total of 0 backers.

Rotten old bus, no money to buy, restore or maintain. Sorry, but to be blunt it sounds like throwing money down the drain.

I completely agree.

 

[Flying Snail]

Rotten old bus, no money to buy, restore or maintain. Sorry, but to be blunt it sounds like throwing money down the drain.

Throwing other people's money down the drain in this case. Or at least attempting to.

 

[DanT2014]

How many ALX200 Darts are there in preservation?

P701 BTA, Stagecoach Devon
Y329 FJN, Stagecoach London

My sources tell me that these two are preserved now. Hopefully more will follow in the coming years.

 

[GusB]

I must admit, when I saw the crowd-funder, I didn't see much point in it. If the bus was of historical significance and/or a very rare example, then I'd agree that efforts should be made to save it.

As it is, it's one of many that were produced and, according to the description, isn't in the best of condition anyway. I get the feeling that this is an enthusiast who had a favourite bus and wants it to stick around forever. I can understand that, but we can't save them all.

 

[Eyersey468]

I must admit, when I saw the crowd-funder, I didn't see much point in it. If the bus was of historical significance and/or a very rare example, then I'd agree that efforts should be made to save it.

As it is, it's one of many that were produced and, according to the description, isn't in the best of condition anyway. I get the feeling that this is an enthusiast who had a favourite bus and wants it to stick around forever. I can understand that, but we can't save them all.

That's the feeling I get too, and he isn't putting any of his own money into it either

 

[RustySpoons]

P701 BTA, Stagecoach Devon
Y329 FJN, Stagecoach London

My sources tell me that these two are preserved now. Hopefully more will follow in the coming years.

P701 is an even rarer in that it is the only surviving B6LE on an ALX200 body.

 

[Eyersey468]

I wonder if the guy has managed to get anyone to contribute to his effort yet?

 

[fgwrich]

I wonder if the guy has managed to get anyone to contribute to his effort yet?

Well, given that it's still saying "Be the first supporter to contribute to this fundraiser", I think that's a pretty clearcut response!

 

[GusB]

I wonder if the guy has managed to get anyone to contribute to his effort yet?

There's a tiny blip against the £400 goal...

 

[fgwrich]

There's a tiny blip against the £400 goal...

I don't think that means any funding has been put in yet, just a small slider which, very firmly since the start, has stayed where it is.

 

[GusB]

I don't think that means any funding has been put in yet, just a small slider which, very firmly since the start, has stayed where it is.

I wonder if there's a chance that I'm drinking from bits of it now

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I wonder if there's a chance that I'm drinking from bits of it now

Or shaving with it?

 

[GusB]

Or shaving with it?

There's absolutely no chance of that happening!

 

[M803UYA]

There's absolutely no chance of that happening!

Being mischievous here, if there is little metal left due to corrosion, won't there be very little or nothing to recycle?