Bachmann Website - EFE 'D of E & M M' Training Bus

[Opelsi]

Just noticed that the Bachmann website is showing a new bus in D of E and MM livery - maybe suitable for a depot, works or even RTC application, or of course on any road.

 

Never seen anything like this before - very unusual to my eye and defo a must for my RTC depot.

 

Looks like a well know Sheffield retail has them at £31.88 - mine is already ordered.

 

Sorry if this is mention elsewhere on RM Web!

 

 

[4069]

For clarity, this is a Bristol VRT as a British Rail Department of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering (DMEE)  training vehicle.

 

http://www.Bachmann.co.uk/details.php?id=360

[birdseyecircus]

Was this or one similar often seen in Doncaster works car park?

 

Paul

[giz]

Here is a photo of the prototype:

 

http://www.sct61.org.uk/mg315

 

I saw it at Butterley a couple of years ago, it's being restored back to original Midland General condition.

[richierich]

British Rail had two of these Bristol VRs, converted for training purposes:-

 

Ex West Yorkshire Road Car Company VR40 / 1940

 

http://bcv.robsly.com/ayg941h.html

 

This survives with Classic Bus of Chepstow, and was in use as a mess bus as Glastonbury Festival recently.

 

 

The second one which EFE have modelled is Midland General VR:-

 

http://bcv.robsly.com/bnu679g.html

 

 

Maybe EFE will do the West Yorkshire VR as a de-lux edition!

Edited July 4, 2015 by richierich

[96701]

I actually ran a training course on one of those buses!

[neal]

The school at which I am a governor is having a VRT converted into a static library.

 

The kids voted for LRT red, rather than Maidstone and District green/cream but it should look great anyway.

 

Due to land next month, I'll post more pictures, but here is the work in progress..

 

Neal

[Clive Mortimore]

The school at which I am a governor is having a VRT converted into a static library.

 

The kids voted for LRT red, rather than Maidstone and District green/cream but it should look great anyway.

 

Due to land next month, I'll post more pictures, but here is the work in progress..

 

Neal

Hi Neal

 

I despair with today's education system, everyone knows a VR should be in Tilling Green or Red :mosking:

 

Edit Nice to see a school being creative with a library.

Edited July 5, 2015 by Clive Mortimore

[RANGERS]

Am I right in thinking that's none of the high bridge body versions?

[neal]

As Chair of Governors I tried pulling rank over green, but to no avail - difficult to argue against the school council of 10 and 11 year olds!!

 

I remember the 332 Bath - Bristol (and 58, 57) stopping outside my house, decorated in Bristol Omnibus/National Express green.

 

Them was the days!

 

Neal

Edited July 5, 2015 by neal

[neal]

Am I right in thinking that's none of the high bridge body versions?

Yes it has the extra 8 or so inches to the lower/higher deck.

 

We had a choice of VRs and whilst this needed more work, the higher ceilings allow us to consider using thie bus as teaching space as well as a library. It will have interactive white board at the rear bulkhead over the motor bay. All 'high-tech' with wi-fi and air-con, trace heating for the winter - but still cheaper than a portacabin. And no planning permission required.

 

This frees up space in the school to expand our breakfast club and after school provision, which combined with a generous contribution from the PTA means that it will pay for itself within 18 months.

 

 

In refurbishment, the restorers found more water ingress than expected, hence a project we had hoped to deliver before the end of term will now be ready early next academic year. I was surprised at the amount of timber which surrounds the window and panel carcassing. We have a 5 year warrant with the bus, and it appears that they are completing a very professional job.

 

Sorry to drag this OT, but I never thought I would get this excited over a bus!

 

 

 

Neal

Edited July 5, 2015 by neal

[richierich]

Was this VR formerly preserved?

 

High bridge ECW bodied VRs are pretty rare.

[neal]

No, it came via a broker and is pretty original. Apparently it runs but there is a blockage in the fuel line, so needs a reserve rank to run. It will be towed from Stafford to Northampton, then chug across our field to the already laid foundations. Much clag expected!

 

I am not a bus expert, but was told this was rare. Funnily enough someone I work with used to be a tyre fitter for M&D and probably re-grooved the tyres on this one!

 

New parents evening at school tonight, lots of excited parents and 4 year olds looking forward to the 'big read' bus.

 

I only hope they get the graphics in an authentic font!!

 

N

Edited July 7, 2015 by neal

[RANGERS]

If memory serves me rightly, these were originally among those fitted with the Leyland 510 engines. Most were swapped for Leyland 680 or Gardner LXBs but there may have been some survived with the 510. If this was one, there will be smoke....and noise!

[neal]

This is the beastie, Gardner engine if this is to be believed.

 

http://bcv.robsly.com/wko132s.html

 

N

[neal]

Due to arrive 6th October

[surfsup]

Just needs a nice pair of NBC Logos now and will look fantastic!

 

In all seriousness though, Well done and I hope it works out well. At least with conversions like this, if the VR's requirement as a classroom one day in the future diminishes, it can at least enter preservation. I've not seen many High Bridge VRs before either so it's good to see another saved!

[richierich]

Highbridge Bristol VRs are rare. Series 3 where only supplied to Ribble, East Midlands, East Yorkshire, London Country, Northern and Maidstone & District, as far as I recall.

[RANGERS]

Highbridge Bristol VRs are rare. Series 3 where only supplied to Ribble, East Midlands, East Yorkshire, London Country, Northern and Maidstone & District, as far as I recall.

Add West Riding, East Kent and I think Bristol to the list. they had P and R plate buses which would probably have been S3 versions.

[HillsideDepot]

Add West Riding, East Kent and I think Bristol to the list. they had P and R plate buses which would probably have been S3 versions.

 

Bristol's came from London Country when they weren't that old. They were registered PPH_R, Series 3 buses with Leyland engines when they arrived. They were allocated to Bristol Marlborough Street and Bath depots so passed to Badgerline at de-regulation and many were converted to Gardner 6LXB power.

[RogerE]

Due to arrive 6th October

 

Was that taken, by any chance, at  Metropolis (Ward Jones) in Cryers Hill?

 

They specialis in restoring and servicing old buses (they are looking after a RF and RML that I have an "interest" in)

[47423]

Add West Riding, East Kent and I think Bristol to the list. they had P and R plate buses which would probably have been S3 versions.

All our West Riding VR`s were lowbridge. East Kent and Northern had Willowbrook Highbridge`s. As already stated the Bristol ones were ex London Country.

Lincoln also had Highbridge S3 ECW`s 

[neal]

Was that taken, by any chance, at  Metropolis (Ward Jones) in Cryers Hill?

 

They specialise in restoring and servicing old buses (they are looking after a RF and RML that I have an "interest" in)

This is being fitted out somewhere near Stafford. These guys specialise in conversions to teaching spaces amongst other things. Apparently this is very popular at the moment, hence the delays that we have had.

 

Will post more pics when it arrives,

 

Neal

[neal]

Arrived today, needs to be levelled and loose furniture/IT adding.

 

Ran surprisingly well, however will now be drained of fluids to make safe in its new home.

 

Interior is lovely, image shows upper deck, with fire refuge at rear. This will be home to an interactive whiteboard.

 

Chuffed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neal

Edited October 6, 2015 by neal

[steveb860]

Just seen these at the Cheltenham model centre. Do I buy one. Do I need one. Decisions, decisions.