ianwales Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Hi all Just thought this photo may be of interest to some. It is the Leyland bodied Mk1 on its way through Llanelli this morning heading for the steam centre at Cynheidre.(Apologies for the poor photo, it was taken on my phone). Ian 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bon Accord Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 What a curious looking beast. Anyone know the story behind it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Fisher Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Hi Bon, It was a trial to test the idea of reusing mark 1 underframes, providing a new body at a much reduced cost, I suppsed also it helped with the railbus project. I think it is the only DB stock to run in passenger service being used in cross country sets? Ian 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmann Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 A relatively innexpensive coach was required for short-distance light traffic, the initial idea being to marry a bus body to a long wheelbase wagon chassis. As an experiment, the Mk.I chassis off erswile E21234 was sent to British Leyland at Workington in 1982 for the latter to fabricate a body using standardised panels off the 'National' bus. It was returned to BR in January 1983 and was fitted with B4 bogies. The interior consisted initially of two open saloons seating 32 passengers (green & blue seats) and 40 passengers(orange & brown seats). Seats were unidirectional, there were no tables, and the whole coach was designated no smoking and was electrically heated. There were hopes of more vehicles of this style but press reaction was not good. Finished in corporate blue and grey, RDB977091 never entered revenue stock. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Where was the photo taken, Ian? Bottom of New Road, near the West End? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
royaloak Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Not forgetting all the headlines about BR reintroducing 3rd class travel! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 In (Parkin's?) standard work on the MkIs there is a photo of this coach in the formation of a cross-country service at Leamington Spa. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bon Accord Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Thanks for those replies. I think I'd have preferred the Mk 1 in it's original form rather than a Pacerised version! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianwales Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 Hi Brian Yes it had just turned off Pembrey Road into New Road, I had just dropped Tom in school and noticed this coming around Gelli Onn, they were having trouble negotiating the new road arrangement there so was able to have enough time to be in New Road waiting for it. Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xerces Fobe2 Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 The Class 153's & 155's are cousins of this coach - a load of rivits held together by some Leyland National bus panels! Xerces Fobe PS. I do quite like the Class 153's 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roythebus Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I hate the Leyland Nationals and all derivatives of them. Horrible nasty things, made of corrugated iron, like those French vans that look like an Anderson shelter on wheels, designed to replace the wife to take goods to market. An interesting vehicle otherwise, and probably worthy of preservation if it doesn't rust away in the meantime! Modelling conversion using EFE buses and a Mk1 underframe anyone? 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I know Roy's tongue was firmly in cheek there - what's not to love about screamers such as this beauty: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48950471@N02/5084254073/ These were such a feature of my childhood and adolescent transport I thought their built-to-a-price quirkiness was an intrinsic part of their charm. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Phil Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I know Roy's tongue was firmly in cheek there - what's not to love about screamers such as this beauty: http://www.flickr.co...N02/5084254073/ These were such a feature of my childhood and adolescent transport I thought their built-to-a-price quirkiness was an intrinsic part of their charm. Or this snapped in my lane last Saturday This beast had been in the Green Bus yard in Great Wyrley for a couple of years, but owing to uncertainty over the yard the bus owners decided to move it to somewhere near Stafford for work to continue. Re the OP I made a point of riding in it from New St to Wolverhampton or Stafford while it was in service. Although Coachman is technically correct about it never entering revenue stock, it was in passenger revenue service as a "DB" numbered vehicle, probably for a couple of years. From memory it was very plasticy and certainly nothing to brag about. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin_m Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 In (Parkin's?) standard work on the MkIs there is a photo of this coach in the formation of a cross-country service at Leamington Spa. I certainly travelled in it in passenger service between Birmingham and Coventry in late 82 or early 83, and someone who later became my boss was at one time nominated to ride around in it and gauge passenger reaction. Probably more comfortable than a Pacer (no underfloor engine or four-wheel underframe) but did not compare with the Mk2s it ran alongside! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stuartp Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Modelling conversion using EFE buses and a Mk1 underframe anyone? A couple of Tower Models kits might be a cheaper and easier alternative. I have enough bus kits, a Coopercraft Mk1 chassis and some spare B4 bogies in the stash... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DS239 Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 This coach was last seen at Shepherdswell on the EKR,so it seems that they've flogged it on... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Belgian Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 I hate the Leyland Nationals and all derivatives of them. Horrible nasty things, made of corrugated iron, like those French vans that look like an Anderson shelter on wheels, designed to replace the wife to take goods to market. Strikes me that's a pretty good idea! JE Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium acg5324 Posted September 10, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 10, 2011 Used to be a regular vehicle on the Brighton to Manchester services, travelled in it a couple of times, very light and airey due to the amount of windows. Seats were standard road coach seats of the time, OK comfort wise. Here are a couple of pics of it in service, first one at Reading. Second one at Mill Road Patcham on the outskirts of Brighton 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted September 10, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 10, 2011 Did they ever do a 4 wheel version of this? I.e. an unpowered Pacer in effect. I seem to remember it being tested in trains the same as the bogie version - but I might be barking up the wrong tree (or completely barking)! Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium acg5324 Posted September 10, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 10, 2011 Did they ever do a 4 wheel version of this? I.e. an unpowered Pacer in effect. I seem to remember it being tested in trains the same as the bogie version - but I might be barking up the wrong tree (or completely barking)! Keith LEV1.....which I think was initially unpowered This was an RTC / Derby works open day in 1979. Takn by my late Uncle, from my photo site at http://andygibbs.zenfolio.com/ 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmann Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 I wandered lonely as a cloud.... Crossing the Roodee Viaduct, Chester, en route to Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog on trials. It went beyond North Station to the closed GWR station where some of the transmition was dismantled and attended to. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin_m Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 That one got as far as the USA too. Apparently they weren't very impressed with the luxury (or lack of) inside. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Bird Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 ....................................... if it doesn't rust away in the meantime! Unlikely given that the Leyland National (love it or hate it) was one of the most corrosion resistant buses of its time. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertcwp Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Here is a photo of the Leyland coach showing more of the end detail. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Invicta Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 (edited) The Leyland coach arriving at Cynheidre http://youtu.be/CrOTFP_ohFc Edited September 11, 2011 by Invicta 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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