Ice cold in Walsall

[Deleted]

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.html

Hope you enjoy them

Dave

[Deleted]

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!

[Colin]

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......

[Phil]

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!

[Deleted]

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.

[Phil]

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.

[Deleted]

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.

[Tomcakes]

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 .

[Colin]

david5032 said:

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

[Deleted]

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.

[Deleted]

colin said:

david5032 said:

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.

[Deleted]

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 ?

[Colin]

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!!

[Deleted]

I take it you don't like ANs then, Colin?

What did they get to replace the ANs?

[Colin]

david5032 said:

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!!

david5032 said:

What did they get to replace the ANs?

Dart SLF's

[Deleted]

colin said:

david5032 said:

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?

david5032 said:

What did they get to replace the ANs?

colin said:

Dart SLF's

Nasty