77syk7
Forum Member
Posts: 639
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Post by 77syk7 on Feb 20, 2009 21:31:42 GMT 1
Hi Everyone
I have been a bus enthusiast for over 50 years. My intererst is in the vehicles themselves, operators and routes. I live in Halifax and have a particular interest for all bus events and happenings in Calderdale.
I have recently since retiring from my 'main job' joined Metro as an 'Outside Surveyor'. This is the perfect opportunity to combine my hobby and work plus a chance to observe operations in more detail.
It is interesting to observe the various topics being raised by some of the younger members - I have one in particular of which I would like to ask anybody on the forum for more details.
Which bus has the best acceleration O-30 - I would love to see a chart (as in cars) outlining details of bus performance. A fantasy would be to line up an Enviro 400 v Volvo B9TL on a racetrack?
My favourite batch of buses has to be Halifax JOC 300-304 (1967 Dennis Loline III with Northern Counties bodies) with an overdrive top they could reach 58mph - the fastest buses in ther area!
Hope to hear some comments from fellow enthusiasts (young or mature)
Eric
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Post by Craig on Feb 20, 2009 23:27:17 GMT 1
Welcome Eric and thanks for posting your introduction. It's certainly good to find somebody living over Halifax way as that end of the county is a little under-represented on here! I'm afraid I can't help you on which bus has the fastest acceleration... perhaps a special bus edition of Top Trumps is what you're after!
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6u3zr
Forum Member
Posts: 48
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Post by 6u3zr on Feb 20, 2009 23:36:05 GMT 1
I'd imagine that the fastest buses ever operated in West Yorkshire would have been Huddersfield's Seddon Pennine RU's.
I'm not old or local enough to have ever experienced them, but the RU had the same Kirkstall differential as the RE through a far more meaty drive train.
Crosville men reckoned that they were better than 6G Bristol MW's and good for 70.
Sadly they weren't very good at stopping, or going in a straight line.
Second favourite on the West Yorkshire theme would be the Metro Scanias. Appalling to maintain but on form would go like crap off a shiny shovel.
Your Lolines were essentially re-engineered FLF's, but a Northern Counties body would be lighter than ECW. What engines did they have?
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kendall17
Forum Member
Justice for the 96!
Posts: 4,514
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Post by kendall17 on Feb 21, 2009 0:07:28 GMT 1
Welcome to the forum Eric! hope your stay is pleasant and enjoyable
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Post by jimbob90 on Feb 22, 2009 13:51:10 GMT 1
Hi Eric, Welcome to the forum, hope you enjoy your stay.
Jim.
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77syk7
Forum Member
Posts: 639
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Post by 77syk7 on Feb 22, 2009 22:08:36 GMT 1
A big thanks for all your kind welcomes!
The Dennis Lolines were already obsolescent when bought in 1967 - interestingly, Halifax had purchased their first rear engined buses a year earlier (Fleetlines 99-105)
One of G Hilditch's creations (General Manager at the time) - these 5 buses were interesting for many features - they were longer than normal at the time (30 foot 6 inches) and had lowheight bodywork therefore accentuating their length. They had high backed seats and were impressive vehicles from all angles. Sadly, they were unsuited to Halifax's hilly terrain and their gearbox/axle ratios would have made them ideal buses in Lincolnshire. Engines were the Gardner 6LX 150 bhp. They only lasted 3 years with Halifax and were then sold to West Riding - a real shame one has not been preserved.
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6u3zr
Forum Member
Posts: 48
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Post by 6u3zr on Feb 23, 2009 21:25:07 GMT 1
Surprised that they weren't better hiil-climbers with 6LX's, although hill-climbing is all about gear ratio.
Leyland Leopards would belt along flat roads gleefully then get left behind by virtually everything - even 400 engined VAL's - going uphill.
The real hill-climbers were Regent fives - My username gives away my love of all Southall products - and I cherish the memory of a late '90's Heart of the Pennines rally, overtaking an Atlantean on the way to Stone Chair aboard EOD524D.
Very sweet.
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Post by stagecoachinyrks on Feb 24, 2009 0:26:33 GMT 1
Hello Eric, I've also been a life-long enthusiast...although I am of a young age (will not give it out but its under 20). I also have an interest in Police/Fire/Ambulance vehicles. Hi Everyone I have been a bus enthusiast for over 50 years. My intererst is in the vehicles themselves, operators and routes. I live in Halifax and have a particular interest for all bus events and happenings in Calderdale. I have recently since retiring from my 'main job' joined Metro as an 'Outside Surveyor'. This is the perfect opportunity to combine my hobby and work plus a chance to observe operations in more detail. It is interesting to observe the various topics being raised by some of the younger members - I have one in particular of which I would like to ask anybody on the forum for more details. Which bus has the best acceleration O-30 - I would love to see a chart (as in cars) outlining details of bus performance. A fantasy would be to line up an Enviro 400 v Volvo B9TL on a racetrack? My favourite batch of buses has to be Halifax JOC 300-304 (1967 Dennis Loline III with Northern Counties bodies) with an overdrive top they could reach 58mph - the fastest buses in ther area! Hope to hear some comments from fellow enthusiasts (young or mature) Eric |
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