I'm old enough to remember getting my conductor to walk round to check the lights for me while I sat in the cab doing the onerous job of operating the switches lol! Ahh, the good old days!
It was always impossible to get a colleague to check brake lights but you either found another bus to stop in front of, thus seeing your brake lights reflected in the windscreen of the bus behind or if you were really lucky there was a painted wall you could use for the purpose.
Light check on older vehicles is easier in the dark because you can see if brake and reverse lights are working in the mirrors. When I drove for Stagecoach it was in the white era, so in daylight you could normally just about see the reflection of theses lights on the bus behind you
@ yes quite so. I’m not yet convinced of the merits of some parts of the new passenger information legislation. On the whole I think it’s a good idea but some of it seems a little OTT.
Just as a side note I'm a h g v driver the current fleet we have are mercedes and most of these have the light check facility on the key fob, this makes life so much easier.
I'd love to hear more about the Dennis Arrow as I remember then from Firstbus in Wigan (like the one in the photo you used!) But then the Ailsa is also a fascinating bus, that I think would fit better with the past few classic bus histories!
Yes the Dennis Arrow was first produced in 1995 and ceased production in 1998 with the introduction of the Dennis trident 2. It was at the time seen as the successor to the Dennis dominator and it was actually the double deck variant of the Dennis Lance which was only available with single deck buses. The Dennis Arrow that you saw in this video was actually part of a batch with the same body type (Northern Counties Palatine 2 bodywork) which operated for first in Leeds for a number of years until around 2006/2007 after being cascaded away from capital citybus in london a few years earlier. The other batch of Dennis Arrows which were also formerly of Capital Citybus in London were based in Manchester and you would typically catch these in Manchester City centre, Ashton and Oldham. These ones were bodied by east lancs pyoneer bodywork. Around 2009-2013/2014 you would have seen many of these wandering around the streets of Manchester. Some of which had really nice ZF sounds. Sadly, only 73 Dennis Arrows in total were built.
Oi flasher,remember first 220 out of S freezing cold dark and my bus was first in the run out and was parked outside as you know no air in the system so the doors would creep open and the cleaners didn’t fully close the window sliders after cleaning starting up a freezing metro buzzer going off bec there was no air flag switch down and the bus leaning a bit bec the suspension was charging up the air all of a sudden enough air doors slammed shut and the bus Became level mind you one rounder to warm the saloons up ,coming upto date doing checks on a scania ,Volvo streetdecker Gemini 3 ,evoseti,and MDC 400 much better ,you know there a lot of videos about Routemaster but I’ve seen articles about what may of been as well as FRM 1 ,single decker rear engine versions and XRM take some research but what great video Jake a man with your talent mate would be great , Take care bud and looking forward to more Mark 😊😊
@@marksinthehouse1968 Flasher 😂😂😂 I can relate to what you say about the Metros. Many a unhappy hour spent on them on rail replacement standby in the depths of winter freezing my bits off! FRM and XRM is a good call Mark. Strangely I've been reading up it in recent months... 👍🏼
@@JakeSCOCwell what you expect us ex LT men think of the good ideas ( this will put the cat among the PTE/National drivers 😂)😊😊was the flag switch unique to London buses Jake when we git Olympians they didn’t have this at the brook V
@JakeSCOC Yes I certainly did, RTO 1R, it had a great turn of speed on its regular run out to Burton from Derby, all I know is that Alexander encountered a lot of problems putting a low height body onto the chassis, hence there was no more low height Ailsa's. The best Ailsa Derby had, in my opinion, was LUG 480P, second hand from West Yorkshire PTE, that emitted some noise! Keep up the good work.
Ailsa for me - memories of that screaming engine and gearbox whine in the West Midlands as a kid. It's like a Wulfrunian but one that actually worked! Actually, the Wulfrunian would be an interesting story
Very interesting. I had forgotten about the check button. I was trained in 2021 but sadly no longer driving buses but I was told not to use the check button and instead to do it the old fashioned way of look in the mirror or at the reflection of the bus behind or bother a collegue. If you hadn't said it was a DMS look alike I would have assumed that bus was a DMS. I would like to hear your take on the Dennis Arrow as I don't know much about it and neither does Wikipedia say much about it. But the Ailsa one would be interesting and in keeping with the theme of older buses first. Yes, I'm being awkward and not voting. Don't forget the Lance which I think is related to the Arrow and don't forget the HK Ailsas. Will you be doing a video about the HK Ailsa competitors or whatever you'd call the buses developed as an answer to the Ailsa for the HK market: the Leyland Victory and Dennis Jubilant?
@@leylandlynxvlog That's interesting about not using the button, I wonder why? Yes those DMS look alikes are interesting buses. In fact South Yorkshire had an interesting fleet in the late 70's early 80's - this coming from a southerner who never actually saw them in action! I think the Ailsa might be another two parter again.
Gosh difficult that one both fantastic buses Nottingham had a interesting fleet of Dennis arrow and derby Ailsas both equally good but Ailsa just taking it
@JakeSCOC I remember the gnr volvo Olympion northern country 2 palatine we had well until 2016 at least and being born 07 they are we're me favourite buses and still are
@@neiloflongbeck5705 When I've done the NBC fleets it's going to be the SBG, PTEs and Municipal fleets but eventually I will try to attempt smaller companies. Depending on what's out there for research of course!
I'm old enough to remember getting my conductor to walk round to check the lights for me while I sat in the cab doing the onerous job of operating the switches lol! Ahh, the good old days!
@@WOLFIE-96B-UK Definitely the good old days! Sometimes they'd top up the water for you too.
It was always impossible to get a colleague to check brake lights but you either found another bus to stop in front of, thus seeing your brake lights reflected in the windscreen of the bus behind or if you were really lucky there was a painted wall you could use for the purpose.
@@Boldberry44 Yes reflections on a vehicle or wall behind was a handy trick too.
Definitely the Volvo ailsa ! That sound ❤
@@martinb2553 Thanks Martin 👍🏼
Another ex SYPTE passenger here looking forward to that one ! Volvo for me too.
@@garrymartin6474 Thanks Garry
@@garrymartin6474 screaming everywhere they went lol
Light check on older vehicles is easier in the dark because you can see if brake and reverse lights are working in the mirrors. When I drove for Stagecoach it was in the white era, so in daylight you could normally just about see the reflection of theses lights on the bus behind you
@@chris075uk I remember those days too Chris. Reflections in windscreens were a bonus too!
The Enviro check lights button is one of ADL's better ideas. Another vote for the Volvo Ailsa please, I've fond memories of getting to school on them.
@@JohnStokes-c1o Yes it's definitely a good idea. Shame not all ideas are that constructive eh? Thanks John 👍🏼
@ yes quite so. I’m not yet convinced of the merits of some parts of the new passenger information legislation. On the whole I think it’s a good idea but some of it seems a little OTT.
Just as a side note I'm a h g v driver the current fleet we have are mercedes and most of these have the light check facility on the key fob, this makes life so much easier.
@@andrewforeman5716 Ooo that's a bit snazzy for the bus industry 😂
We had a mirror to check brake lights as we left yard. If you had a bus behind you could see them light up on vehicle behind
@@alisonjones9089 A mirror is a great idea. Bit like an MOT bay.
I'd love to hear more about the Dennis Arrow as I remember then from Firstbus in Wigan (like the one in the photo you used!) But then the Ailsa is also a fascinating bus, that I think would fit better with the past few classic bus histories!
@@adamshaw2932 Thanks Adam
Yes the Dennis Arrow was first produced in 1995 and ceased production in 1998 with the introduction of the Dennis trident 2.
It was at the time seen as the successor to the Dennis dominator and it was actually the double deck variant of the Dennis Lance which was only available with single deck buses.
The Dennis Arrow that you saw in this video was actually part of a batch with the same body type (Northern Counties Palatine 2 bodywork) which operated for first in Leeds for a number of years until around 2006/2007 after being cascaded away from capital citybus in london a few years earlier.
The other batch of Dennis Arrows which were also formerly of Capital Citybus in London were based in Manchester and you would typically catch these in Manchester City centre, Ashton and Oldham. These ones were bodied by east lancs pyoneer bodywork. Around 2009-2013/2014 you would have seen many of these wandering around the streets of Manchester. Some of which had really nice ZF sounds.
Sadly, only 73 Dennis Arrows in total were built.
Definitely the Alsa!
@@markstramtrainbuscapades1729 Another Volvo vote. Thank you Mark 👍🏼
Oi flasher,remember first 220 out of S freezing cold dark and my bus was first in the run out and was parked outside as you know no air in the system so the doors would creep open and the cleaners didn’t fully close the window sliders after cleaning starting up a freezing metro buzzer going off bec there was no air flag switch down and the bus leaning a bit bec the suspension was charging up the air all of a sudden enough air doors slammed shut and the bus Became level mind you one rounder to warm the saloons up ,coming upto date doing checks on a scania ,Volvo streetdecker Gemini 3 ,evoseti,and MDC 400 much better ,you know there a lot of videos about Routemaster but I’ve seen articles about what may of been as well as FRM 1 ,single decker rear engine versions and XRM take some research but what great video Jake a man with your talent mate would be great ,
Take care bud and looking forward to more
Mark 😊😊
@@marksinthehouse1968 Flasher 😂😂😂
I can relate to what you say about the Metros. Many a unhappy hour spent on them on rail replacement standby in the depths of winter freezing my bits off!
FRM and XRM is a good call Mark. Strangely I've been reading up it in recent months...
👍🏼
@@JakeSCOCwell what you expect us ex LT men think of the good ideas ( this will put the cat among the PTE/National drivers 😂)😊😊was the flag switch unique to London buses Jake when we git Olympians they didn’t have this at the brook V
The ailsa, please, I lived in Derby in the late 70's early 80's and was very familiar with their unique sound, and had many a journey on them!
@@robertnicholson617 Thanks Robert. Did you encounter the low height Ailsa at all?
@JakeSCOC Yes I certainly did, RTO 1R, it had a great turn of speed on its regular run out to Burton from Derby, all I know is that Alexander encountered a lot of problems putting a low height body onto the chassis, hence there was no more low height Ailsa's. The best Ailsa Derby had, in my opinion, was LUG 480P, second hand from West Yorkshire PTE, that emitted some noise! Keep up the good work.
Really looking forward to the SYPTE video. Hope you cover their Daimler Fleetlines in it too.
And please do the Volvo.
@@adamlee3772 Thanks Adam. It will only be the DMS look alikes for now
Ailsa for me - memories of that screaming engine and gearbox whine in the West Midlands as a kid. It's like a Wulfrunian but one that actually worked! Actually, the Wulfrunian would be an interesting story
@@deepestdub aThey sounded amazing didn't they?
Volvo for me please. Looking forward to the DMS video 😁
@@unclenolly3207 Thanks Uncle Nolly 👍🏼
Very interesting. I had forgotten about the check button. I was trained in 2021 but sadly no longer driving buses but I was told not to use the check button and instead to do it the old fashioned way of look in the mirror or at the reflection of the bus behind or bother a collegue.
If you hadn't said it was a DMS look alike I would have assumed that bus was a DMS. I would like to hear your take on the Dennis Arrow as I don't know much about it and neither does Wikipedia say much about it. But the Ailsa one would be interesting and in keeping with the theme of older buses first. Yes, I'm being awkward and not voting.
Don't forget the Lance which I think is related to the Arrow and don't forget the HK Ailsas. Will you be doing a video about the HK Ailsa competitors or whatever you'd call the buses developed as an answer to the Ailsa for the HK market: the Leyland Victory and Dennis Jubilant?
@@leylandlynxvlog That's interesting about not using the button, I wonder why?
Yes those DMS look alikes are interesting buses. In fact South Yorkshire had an interesting fleet in the late 70's early 80's - this coming from a southerner who never actually saw them in action!
I think the Ailsa might be another two parter again.
Volvo Alisa please, remember travelling from Morley, Leeds, to Sheffield on a former Maidstone and District Alisa, operated by Black Prince.
@@michaelkeen5010 I wonder if that's the one that ended up preserved?
@ yes, it is the same one, LKP 385P.
Ailsa please. I fondly remember them with Black Prince screaming up the hill out of Leeds going to Morley!
@@craigryan3069 Of course, Black Prince loved them didn't they?
Gosh difficult that one both fantastic buses Nottingham had a interesting fleet of Dennis arrow and derby Ailsas both equally good but Ailsa just taking it
@@joeziffbev4977 Thanks for voting 👍🏼
@JakeSCOC thanks for the continued brilliant content
@joeziffbev4977 Thanks for commenting and supporting the channel 👍🏼
Ah. I grew up in the SYPTE in the 80’s. The Volvo for me.
@@BEAR_UK Thanks, another vote for the mighty Ailsa
@ certainly were rowdy lol
I'm yet to drive an E400 with a working check button. Inless some operators spec'd them without this feature to save costs but the button remained
@@tomkirby7991 Confession time now Tom. The bus I started the video on didn't have a button so I had to swap buses halfway... 🤣
@@JakeSCOC 🤣
Volvo Ailsa, please!
@@thisiszaphod Another vote for the Volvo 👍🏼
Started driving buses in 1998 here in Fife Scotland so my first decker was a volvo Ailsa so that's my vote Volvo Ailsa please
@@duncanwheelan6890 Thank you for voting Duncan 👍🏼
Arrow next please, Jeffrey Orenstein recently covered the Ailsa.
@@StephenAllcroft Thank you for your vote 👍🏼
Can you do the northern country palatine and paladen
@AdamSidey When I've finished all the buses I was thinking about doing coach builders and bodywork builders 👍🏼
@JakeSCOC I remember the gnr volvo Olympion northern country 2 palatine we had well until 2016 at least and being born 07 they are we're me favourite buses and still are
@AdamSidey They were lovely buses. Many fond memories of Palatine 2 Vollys myself. Shame the Volvo chassis has a tendency to corrode 😣
Will you be doing the smaller local bus companies at some point?
@@neiloflongbeck5705 When I've done the NBC fleets it's going to be the SBG, PTEs and Municipal fleets but eventually I will try to attempt smaller companies. Depending on what's out there for research of course!
@@JakeSCOC a lot of planned work...
@neiloflongbeck5705 Will keep me out of mischief for the next few years 🤣
Is that a Southern Vectis Enviro?
@@grahamtruckel Yes!
@@grahamtruckel Two actually 🤣
Why pixelate the Vouthern Sectis logo?
Yes i did try to disguise the real name.
@@Colin_Pole Just so everyone knows I'm not talking with my company hat on 😂
Something we have to think about these modern times unfortunately.
Do Volvos have a similar button on them?
@@markcf83 I don't know. The older ones I've driven don't.
no such loxuries on dodge or merc minibuses or lynx and olympians lol
@@a11csc Oh goodness no! 🤣
Volvo Ailsa!
@@50018Resolution Another one for the Volvo. Thanks 👍🏼
The Volvo
@@MaxCawthray Thanks Max
volvo alsa
@@whitbygaming2474 Thank you 👍🏼
Alisa please thanks please please please
@@robertjennings8105 A Volvo vote. Thank you Robert 👍🏼
Volvo Ailsa
@@paulevans5071 Thanks Paul 👍🏼