I think I saw this Merlin at Kirklands in '91, just after their fleet of MB's came out of service. Great to see it survives painted in Eggins colours like the similar one they operated 👌
@@briannash9811 that’s awesome! I’m trying to find out the fuel tank capacity. Based on rudimentary calculations I’m at 210 litres/45 gallons. Does that sound right to you?
@@stevestufff what is the vehicle's top speed? I have an inkling it's had a high speed 4.1:1 ratio diff fitted at Eggins possibly due to the running conditions up there. I heard the Canberra AEC Swift 505s had these diffs for some mysterious reason. I think it gives them a distinctive sound. All other Merlin recordings I've heard didn't have these distinctive driveline sounds like the Canberra Swifts. Does it sit on about 100km/h flat chat?
@@jamesfrench7299 havent tested the speed yet, as it has no working speedo. Working on that. Also this unit was at Kirklands in Lismore, I restored it as an Eggins tribute. The Eggins Merlin has disappeared off the radar. There is a chance the diff was changed as this was old man Kirklands' favourite bus!
We had a similar situation with DMS Fleetlines. Our mechanics fitted extending arms to take the mirror forward so as to use it through the n/s windscreen
That bus has a rich sound to it. Could be why I was so taken as a child in the late 70s when I scored a ride on a Deanes example from Ryde to Eastwood on the old route 89. I would pretend to be driving it on my trike soon after! Years after that ride Deanes bought some ex Canberra AEC Swifts which immediately reminded me of the Merlin! This ride reminded me of those, it makes a remarkably similar sound.
I'm amazed that an ex-London Transport Swift/Merlin has survived so long in Australia. London Transport gave up on them as being a lost cause and ditched them. Do you have any idea of your bus's London identity? Great work, keep it up.
Some Australian operators used them for years after LT retired them much sooner than planned en masse in the 70s. They got a decent run out of them here and they got upgraded radiator fans for our climate which solved their cooling issues. Their length wasn't a problem either like it was in London.
I think I saw this Merlin at Kirklands in '91, just after their fleet of MB's came out of service.
Great to see it survives painted in Eggins colours like the similar one they operated 👌
Nice old bus, well done. I suggest you get a snow foam gun, wet it down, put snow foam soap on, brush it off with your broom, then rinse.👍
nice to se the merlin back out on the road
NICE TO SEE A BUS I WORKED ON MANY TIMES AT POTTERS BAR IN THE 1970,S STILL RUNNING
@@briannash9811 that’s awesome! I’m trying to find out the fuel tank capacity. Based on rudimentary calculations I’m at 210 litres/45 gallons. Does that sound right to you?
@@stevestufff what is the vehicle's top speed? I have an inkling it's had a high speed 4.1:1 ratio diff fitted at Eggins possibly due to the running conditions up there. I heard the Canberra AEC Swift 505s had these diffs for some mysterious reason.
I think it gives them a distinctive sound. All other Merlin recordings I've heard didn't have these distinctive driveline sounds like the Canberra Swifts. Does it sit on about 100km/h flat chat?
@@jamesfrench7299 havent tested the speed yet, as it has no working speedo. Working on that. Also this unit was at Kirklands in Lismore, I restored it as an Eggins tribute. The Eggins Merlin has disappeared off the radar. There is a chance the diff was changed as this was old man Kirklands' favourite bus!
@@stevestufff I think it's had the high speed diff fitted. Time to use a GPS and a freeway to find out!
@@jamesfrench7299 yeah the gps speedo is ordered. Gotta get the shroud sorted and make sure cooling system is 100% first. Then we test!
Great video again Steve nice to see the Merlin mobile again.
thanks Richard it certainly is!
We had a similar situation with DMS Fleetlines. Our mechanics fitted extending arms to take the mirror forward so as to use it through the n/s windscreen
good idea
That bus has a rich sound to it. Could be why I was so taken as a child in the late 70s when I scored a ride on a Deanes example from Ryde to Eastwood on the old route 89.
I would pretend to be driving it on my trike soon after!
Years after that ride Deanes bought some ex Canberra AEC Swifts which immediately reminded me of the Merlin!
This ride reminded me of those, it makes a remarkably similar sound.
Great video there Steve I really enjoyed it thanks for creating and sharing with us
thanks Bill
Still looks way better than the condition I remember them running round London in.
thanks mate I have given it a new lease on life :)
I know London buses had low ratio diffs but what is the top speed?
not sure the speedo doesnt work. I will try to find out when I can get one sorted out
I'm amazed that an ex-London Transport Swift/Merlin has survived so long in Australia. London Transport gave up on them as being a lost cause and ditched them. Do you have any idea of your bus's London identity?
Great work, keep it up.
@@AJSAN1971 hi there. It is MB 375
Some Australian operators used them for years after LT retired them much sooner than planned en masse in the 70s. They got a decent run out of them here and they got upgraded radiator fans for our climate which solved their cooling issues. Their length wasn't a problem either like it was in London.