For those interested in old buses (and coaches)

[PhilJ W]

Another surviving Bristol LDL is the one provided to Eastern National. My late father drove it several times when he was a driver at Brentwood depot.

[A Murphy]

Post 51, the Mancunian selection is just brilliant. I used to travel home from school on Crossleys right at the end of their lives. Magnificent, thank you.

 

Alastair M

[phil_sutters]

Having uploaded a Brighton & Hove event, travelling the other way from our home in Seaford, here's a set from an Eastbourne running day.

 

 

This is not an old bus, but it's here to fly the flag for our local company - registered office in Seaford - depot in Newhaven. It doesn't seem to have any public service routes, but does school work, rail replacement and has now won the Eastbourne - Beachy Head open top tourist service.

Edited May 17, 2017 by phil_sutters

[Enterprisingwestern]

Somebody mention Manchester?

 

 

 

Mike.

[Joseph_Pestell]

Well someone had to show a Bedford VAL at some point !

Here's two, half of the four owned by Wessex of Bristol.5564196902_5ccbe98602_o.jpg

My school bus (1964) was a Bedford VAL, but not with a coach body like these. Belonged to the Bookham Coaches off-shoot of H R Richmond, now Epsom Coaches.

[chris p bacon]

My school bus (1964) was a Bedford VAL, 

Same here, 1970's from Sandy to Biggleswade I couldn't see the advantage of the twin steer as it was one of the few buses that had to take to bites at getting through the school gates. Buses serving the school were a selection of local operators, Cooks, Fairway, Saffords, Horseshoe, most were pretty ropey.

[chrisf]

A few more.  The first is from a photo charter at Carlton Colville in 2012:

 

 

... and one at Amberley.  Oh bother, it is horizontal

 

 

and the 2010 bus rally at North Weald

 

 

Chris

 

 

[leopardml2341]

Twin steer VALs would catch a lot of drivers out with their much tighter turning radius and consequently the different 'approach' needs to turns and junctions.

 

I'm told that many a VAL showed (especially) nearside panel damage as a result.

[PhilJ W]

A few more.  The first is from a photo charter at Carlton Colville in 2012:

 

Carlton Colville May 2012 061.jpg

 

Chris

One of those buses is seriously off route.

[chrisf]

You're quite right.  Tell you what:

 

 

 

Is that better?

 

Chris

 

 

[HitchinLoco]

Mentioning the VAL 3 axle have this one and a few other single deckers hope will be of use.

[phil_sutters]

From a holiday based in Glasgow, in 1991, I think.

 

[RANGERS]

Same here, 1970's from Sandy to Biggleswade I couldn't see the advantage of the twin steer as it was one of the few buses that had to take to bites at getting through the school gates. Buses serving the school were a selection of local operators, Cooks, Fairway, Saffords, Horseshoe, most were pretty ropey.

The VAL arrangement allowed the weight distribution across three axles, so smaller wheels could be used and correspondingly the floor could be lower making it more suitable for bus work although ironically its as a coach it was more widely adopted.

 

The twin from axle was to accommodate the weight distribution, with a front mounted engine, this was the heaviest part. As Leopardml2341 points out, the turning circle was pretty tight and could catch the unwary. With a superb ride, power steering and agile handling, they could be driven enthusiastically (see 'Italian Job' for details), and were popular with drivers of their day. The downside was smaller wheels dictated smaller brake drums which were prone to fade, this exacerbated issues with the primitive tyre technology contributing to blow-outs on the smaller, faster revolving wheels.

[stewartingram]

I have memories of a VAL on a long distance coach service, arriving at Cambridge Drummer Street bus station. One of the 4 front wheels was missing, the driver wasn't even aware of it. He was quite shocked when it was pointed out to him.

 

Stewart

[SRman]

I have a happy memory of a VAL belonging to Crawley Luxury Coaches on a school excursion to Arundel Castle. Even as a nine or 10 year old I was very impressed.

Much later on, the Model Bus Association of Australia, in collaboration with another enthusiast society, looked at an Australian bodied VAL (Custom Coaches body) as a potential vehicle for displays. Our Secretary took it for a test drive and it handled and rode well, but, as a bus mechanic and workshop foreman, he gave it a good once-over, and pointed out that all of the brake cylinders were weeping, and had contaminated the brake shoes and the tyres, so we would have been up for eight new tyres and six sets of brakes. Needless to say, we didn't buy it.

[John M Upton]

Of course the best demonstration of how manouverable a VAL could be and its potential consequences can be seen at the end of The Italian Job.  Top tip, don't load half a ton of gold bullion over the rear axle....

[SRman]

Of course the best demonstration of how manouverable a VAL could be and its potential consequences can be seen at the end of The Italian Job.  Top tip, don't load half a ton of gold bullion over the rear axle....

 

"And don't nobody get off, neither!"

[Co-tr-Paul]

Bristol VR time and Bristol Omnibus City line, fresh from repaint 7/96 and the first BOC vehicle to carry the then new first corporate style fleet name.

[Co-tr-Paul]

Also fresh from the paintshop, fellow Bristol City line Durbins liveried VR.

[Co-tr-Paul]

Celebrating 30 years of Bristol REs, Bristol Festival of Transport, 199?, here's 8 of them !

Edited May 18, 2017 by Co-tr-Paul

[leopardml2341]

Temporary diversion back to VALs, a mate of mine who used to drive them on long journeys was shown by the depot staff how to 'nip up' the brakes ready for the return journey. He always carried a suitable spanner in his driver's bag

[Enterprisingwestern]

Whilst rummaging through my hydraulics at Exeter pics, I came across this.

 

 

Mike.

Edited May 24, 2017 by Enterprisingwestern

[Dave47549]

.

 

Edited October 4, 2021 by Dave47549
Removed pointless guff

[phil_sutters]

A few more Routemasters off their usual patch. The COVES workshop conversion can be seen with many of the other entries from the 2013 Historic Commercial Vehicles Society London to Brighton run, in my new album at http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/gallery/album/4246-historic-commercial-vehicle-society-2013-run/  There are a few more old buses in the album. The Bath Bus Company RM reminds me I have a few photos of buses in Bath around 2000 - please see the following post.

 

Edited May 18, 2017 by phil_sutters

[phil_sutters]

Some Bath buses from 2000ish