Bringing a Midland Red Leyland National Bus Back To life After Laying Idle For 19 Years.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 พ.ย. 2024
- In this episode we get a former Midland Red Leyland National running after laying idle for over 19 years at a Police Firearms training centre.
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For being parked for 15 years,, you guys got the bus going☝🏽👌👍👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
You never know, it may have been started up from time to time.
Poor old girl. Nice to see her getting some love after all those years of service
I remember the days when “Made in England” meant that whatever it is will last forever.
That Engine Acceleration Sound....Melts my Heart 💞💞
My father was a Ribble bus driver, I spent many a happy hour as a child on one of these. Good days long gone.
Less smoky than some of the more modern buses around... love the sound of that old perkins, sounds of happier times
Lol, wash out you mouth. It's the legendary (or infamous depending who you talk to) Leyland 510.
@@jamesfrench7299was going to say Perkins? 😂
Well what a shock !! PUK(E) 647R never thought id see her again, I was wondering right thru the video could this have been one that we had at Southgates, Leicester. Drove this many times, would have been around 1989-1991. I liked the Nationals but I have no idea why cos they were as rough as a badgers a***e even then ! Would love to see it when restored, Thanks to all concerned.
Memories. My dad used to drive these when I was a kid. If he was the driver and we were getting on, I used to pay my fare in sweets
I used to love the "Clack-Clacks" as a child! A real memory of my childhood, the sound of them starting from cold!
I'm stuck in a tiny tiny town in the upper part of the Southeast USA, but back in the early 2000s I got to do some traveling. (This ended abruptly at the end of 2007. I mostly don't want to talk about it, as that began a _very_ unhappy part of my life that is largely still ongoing.) But your intro and outro make me want to cry in the most beautiful of ways because they remind me of those times...
My heart will forever pine for a flat in London. I know I'll never make it there, and I've made my peace with that, but the yearning will forever remain.
Thank you, sir.
@@johnwright7895 Been better, been worse. Right now...? I suppose I'm all right.
@@johnwright7895 ...also, pardon slow manners (lol, it's a thing with me... sadly)... thank you for caring, and for reaching out :)
I appreciate that.
It sounded pretty good considering its neglect and not much smoke all our west Yorkshire ones were fast starters the national is a strong motor if maintained right
If I may, honestly as a Brit I wouldn’t go for a flat in London, it’s expensive as hell. BUT a place in the Home Counties (Essex, Berkshire etc) would be stellar, there’s some GORGEOUS little villages and the countryside is beautiful, plus you can be just an hour outside of London :D Hope you’re doing well!
@@benkendall7489 I'm honestly doing really awful, and things are steadily finding and exploring ways of creating new lows at ever-increasing depths I did not realize were possible before. But you made me smile for a moment, and right now that is a treasure, so thank you.
Something a short commute into London would be certainly a thing I'd be fine with, roughly as you describe.
Used to come home from school on these clippers back in the day. Even after sitting for 15 years, it just goes to show that old buses never die
These were my school buses too, and most likely I've been on that one!
Just nearby pedestrian
@@wisteela my type of school bus, but mine were Eastern National.
i would love to see more videos with this leyland national if it's possible
Just put Leland national in the TH-cam search bar and see what comes up
It was going into preservation but I believe that has now been abandoned and it’s going for scrap
Is this true!?
Yes, bit of an anti-climax at the end, I thought we were going to see it restored.
I think it's being used as a donor
I love Leyland Nationals, I have great pleasure driving them in service, I love the sound of them!
I think they are a great bus!
They were certainly unique and very attractive looking. Can't believe they're an early 70s bus developed in the late 60s. There was a lot of futurism in that era. They did an excellent job here. The U.S had an equivalent in GM's RTS, developed at the same time.
@@jamesfrench7299 I've often thought the GMC New look was the US equivalent of the National, although it was around before the National. And I believe that most American city buses are of chassisless ring frame construction like the National.
@@crazyleyland5106 They have a resemblance to each other in the front clip, dual headlights notwithstanding.
But as far as being a very modern design in a 1980s era sense, yet designed and developed the decade before last, the RTS is more the equivalent.
I can remember going out with my dad at Garston bus garage while on school holidays.
I thought that started well for a Leyland National. I can remember my dad cranking them over for what seemed like forever, and them boom it fired up and covered the entire bus depot in a James Bond style smoke screen.
Great memories though and just hearing that old girl running brought a smile to my face.
I could smell the fumes ❤️
The smoke cloud is part of the National experience 😀
When she finally kicked into life once more and started moving... almost brought a tear to the eye.
And I'm a youngun! I've only ever seen buses like these in old pictures, or ones lovingly restored like this old girl will finally, deservingly, be. Certainly never ridden one or seen one in action in person. I have no nostalgia here... it's just wonderful to see, as an enthusiast of motor vehicles.❤
Excellent work.
Beginning in year 1968 till late 80s we used Leyland buses in public transport of Istanbul safely.They were said to be a special model designed and modified according to the needs of the city.A very powerful engine,semi automatic transmission and solid wood slats on the floor are some details which I still do remember .
Well done lads. Remember getting the number 71 national from Castle Brom to Sutton Coldfield in the mid 70's to go to college.
I remember laying in the snow, spraying easy start into the inlet duct on these, in my garage yard, having to get about 6 of em running, to take back to Heathrow airport, in the mid 90s, I was driving them too, on grandfather rights.
That smoke on start up, very nostalgic.
Great video.
I used to build the short motors for this type bus. It’s a 510 flat I used to make 3 short motors in less than 10 hours.
Crankcase, crank, pistons, camshaft, set up valve clearances and bolt it all together.
The engine type was a 500. The 510 flat, was this national engine. They had a 511 which was the upright engine, this was a truck motor. I built so many of these. It was 40 years ago but I could build them again, like it was yesterday. I have fitted at least 2000 pistons on this type of engine alone.
As a kid I was weirdly obsessed with the National, they were everywhere! Loved the noise they made. Great to see one escaping the scrap man.
i remember the panels always rattling as it idled at the lights...
Same here mate bloody icons! That chug chug sound and the whole interior rattling 😂. But they just looked awesome!! Almost became a bus driver because of them!
@@garethkimbley-brown9646 The Pacers rattled just the same.
Me too John! And as a kid I was fascinated by how the National 2s in nearby Southport sounded so much gruffer than the National 1s in and around Ormskirk.
@@norfolkhall Yeah but they were just horrible! The nationals had their own charm
I'm an ex pat Brit living in the USA and somehow found my way to becoming a bus mechanic. I love these videos for lots of reasons. Thanks for the upload.
Amazing,Leyland Nationals are cool,love them,I remember going on them,Great bus
As a child in the 80s loved riding these and loved the layout inside. During the summer the driver would drive with the doors open. Something unthinkable now.
Few things make me happier than seeing an old, rusty, lonely, forgotten bus slowly cough and splutter back into life, and move on to a new home where it will be properly cared for. I've only been on a National once in my life, when I was eleven years old, but for some reason it stuck with me.
Maybe the noise, if it was a Mk1 with the proper engine. Or the ride quality.
Just loved the video, I drove a Leyland National for Deanes Coaches of North Ryde in Australia in the early 1980's for extra money, it was a great bus and handled well. Great British quality, it started after some coaxing 15 years later, brilliant!
I have memories catching them around Eastwood and Epping on the 89 and on school special from Eastwood primary school in that period. I still marvel at their styling today and can't believe they were once a fixture in Eastwood from two private operators. Many moments in my mind involving the Deanes Nationals. I sighted but never rode Cumberland's units.
The last time I saw a National in Eastwood was a Deanes one in the newer colours in 86 when I was in year 7.
From India
My name Muhammad
Leyland is still i live in India
very happy to see vidio
Leyland is best for quality
7 minutes in and I tip my hat to that starter motor already....
A sure way to stuff it is to keep cranking like that... 🙄🙄🙄
@@lextaylor5661 that was part of the National's morning routine. They weren't known for consuming starter motors. Besides I believe the solenoid that throws the gear to mesh with the flywheel is the first point of failure and as long as you keep cranking, they aren't given undue wear.
That sound takes me back to my childhood
I drove a National for Midland Red out of Sutton Coldfield garage back in the seventies. I was told Never forget you have an ELEVEN FOOT overhang behind the rear wheels!
Could be this one as believe that's who had this new.
This looked to be an 11.3m "long" body. They have a whopping overhang like a Leyland Panther.
That brought tears. These buses took me to college. That sound is so unique. Quality to be that good after being stood for so many years
It's nice to see a British classic being saved from the scrap yard well done 👏
Love these old things I used to get a ride to school on these and they were tired back then.. deafening if you were sat at the back
Lovely to see another Leyland national being preserved after being stuck the same place for 15 years as a former driver of these buses in the 70/80 era I appreciate what you are doing
Drove a National after getting my licence in 2003 fond memories
❤❤Amazing pures like a kitten
That was a beautifull bus. I love it . the sound is very pretty ..Good Job guys. Love from Indonesia
I drove the Leyland National bus in Bristol for many years. Nice bus to drive.
I used to love driving those nationals. Lovely to hear that sound again. Thank you for posting.
I drove one of these for a couple of years in the early 90's, it was a Salvation Army mobile charity shop in Leicester and I did the job voluntarily, back then as the bus had no seats (full of clothes rails) it could be driven on a normal licence. I really enjoyed driving it, easy to drive and great pre-select gears I remember, also air wipers were a bit hit and miss.. Also had to be coaxed into life and got a liking for 'easy start' in the end. Happy memories, thank you.
I loved these buses , they are a gem. They look amazing and I remember they always sounded great too. Thank goodness she is being restored
It's being cannibalised for parts. Better choice.
@@jamesfrench7299
Nope. The better choice is to restore it
@@skylined5534 your opinion is meaningless now.
I never get enough of these “can we get it running” type videos
There are several channels here in the US, where they do this type of stuff
Some of the ones I’ve seen had them getting old trucks (lorrys) running
Impressed it managed to drive out of the site. The National was my regular Crosville back in the late Seventies, a step up from the Bristol !
I hope to see it at a show someday.
Brilliant. Brings back memories. The long start up, the black smoke which filled the garage and the bus, the air buzzer. Driving Nationals were some of the happiest days of my life.
Blimey, that takes me back. Passed my bus test in one many years ago! I know its 2years on but hope the resto has gone well!!
That old girl is in better condition than the buses I drive on a daily basis! Joking aside I do like those old Leyland Nationals and would be interested to see more on this one if you get the chance.
When I was at Ribble Motor Services in the late 1980's early 1990's I used to love driving both the Leyland Nationals Mark 1 & 2. In my opinion they was one of the nicest buses to drive.
The National was the best bus I ever drove. Smooth easy and was really good in bad weather
I used to work for London and Country in Leatherhead, Surrey about 2 years after privatisation. I drove these buses in service for 18 months. They had one especially converted for carrying wheelchair and other disabled users. It did`nt have any speed limiters or any gear change lock outs working so I can truthfully tell you the Leyland National WILL do 80 mph as a driver ferrying 3 of us back to the depot floored it and 80 came up dead easy! They also had one with a blown engine converted to have a Volvo engine fitted. This one when you floored it would lift the front up and accelerate like a scolded cat. Great fun to drive. I ended up driving double deckers, Leyland Atlanteans, Leyland Oklympians and a Bristol VR on different routes.
So many memories spring to mind, and not all good! In the end I was glad to leave the industry as the pay was s**t and getting worse.
Well done for rescuing this bus It was definitely one foot in the grave!
This bus was built way before i was born but hearing it fire into life is bloody beautiful!
I wish I was back in Birmingham listening to the old Leyland nationals at the old bus station 😢 midland red west❤
We've just had a two-day event for the 50th anniversary of the Leyland National and the factory at Lillyhall in my hometown of Whitehaven, it was very nice to see these buses again as they were a part of my childhood.
Great rescue of this Mk 1 Leyland National my Dad loved working at the Lillyhall Workington Bus plant for over 20 years
Wish I got that privilege or at Southall.
Nice to see the old girl finally getting some love and a new home and I would love to see some more videos on this leyland national if it's possible
Remember these buses on the 144 route Worcester to Brum back in the 70's. Still remember the sound and smell of these Nationals.
I used to love getting on these in the 80s, the smell, the deafening sound and the vibration making the chrome seat handle vibrate like mad. They had a distinctive smell as they drove off
I did my apprenticeship for Leyland in New Zealand about fifty years ago. I worked on all sorts of Leyland buses and trucks. My last job was working at a coach line just north of Auckland. You could not kill Leyland products. This bought back a lot of memories. And yes, I am a female diesel mechanic among working in other areas of diesel engineering. Love to see more of that old Leyland, thanks, Laurajane Mildon-Clews from Lake Taupo New Zealand 🇳🇿
They were only briefly trialled in NZ in the early 70s. Non were sold there due to axle weight limits.
Christchurch ran Bristol RE mid engine buses with the same engine though. There are two videos showing them.
Absolutely fantastic, I can’t believe you got it moving . True driving skill in getting it out and on a low loader.
Wasn't exactly short on space was he ????
When a mechanical piece of machinery has been sitting there for that long , and then you try a breathe life onto it, its such a great feeling when that engine starts to splutter onto life after all that time... it almost feel like a living thing.
That was an absolute joy to watch. Growing up with the sights and sounds of those Nationals, it’s great to see one being rescued. That ran and drove amazingly after all that time.
Love it!. That dear old bus didn't want to rot away!. Nice that there are still people around with the skills and 'nous' to get these old bits of kit up and running and restored to remind us of happier times. Nice one!.
IT is lovely to see our old vehicles being preserved and not going for scrap Thanks to the work of your team
Travelled on these throughout the mid 80s to late 90s to school and then work... such a joy to hear those early kicks and then that plume of smoke and the engine give that distinctive Leyland Roar...... she will be a beauty when restored for sure.
this video is brilliant and lovely to see a group of people saving an old workhorse that is a leyland national
I remember those when they first came out - am I old?!
An interesting patina to the bodywork and I honestly didn't think it would start. Amazing work you got it running. Great stuff that it's being saved.
I used to go to school on one of those every day. Yep - we're old.
I drove them, that makes me ancient!😁
I remember this model coming out with larger redesigned back lights
Took my test with Lincs Road Car in June '77, and the Nationals had just come out. Big overhang at the back (11 feet?) so on full lock the rear corner came about three feet outside the wheel track. Knocked over no end of those traffic island lights. And the screen washers were operated by a foot pump. If the nipple got blocked the feed tube would come off and squirt water all over the cab!!
@@fmcb269The first Nationals delivered to customers date back to 1972. This is a Phase 2 model, a design which came in 1975.
Absolutely fantastic. 👍
I did many journeys on Leyland nationals between 1978 and 1988 when they were a regular sight on the road.! And daily service.! Those clattery diesel engines pouring smoke out.! My journeys were crosville service nationals. 😁👍 Happy days.!
Now there's a bus that definitely wants to live! ❤️ That sound. Well done! I saw my last Midland Red in service in Hereford in 97. By that time, First Bus had the company (Red West) and had refreshed the original livery on the fleet. A last swansong you could say.
Better nick than some of the Stagecoach buses I used to drive
I know you're joking but mechanically probably true.
Well done guys, brought a tear to my eyes
Great video. The National is THE bus of my childhood; I spent countless hours in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s on the ones owned and operated by the East Kent Road Car Company :)
I absolutely love this, when it eventually started was just magic. I used to drive one of these as an exhibition bus for a charity. If money was no object, I would have one as a motorhome. Though I would definitely need deep pockets, because running costs would be astronomical, but it would be fun. Well done, and keep on preserving these rare classics.
Amazing, She sounds so good too considering been sitting there so long!
Crikey, it's amazing what pops into your feed!
Used to ride these (in London Country form) to school in the late 80's early 90's. Even remember that buzzer on starting.
That noise at tick over brought back some memories! It’s great to see one saved.
When I was a bus driver at Holloway garage for metroline many years ago, They asked me to drive one. Was funny as I’m 6’ 3” and was basically sitting low. When I got to a set of lights I had to bend down as far as I could to see the lights. I got a tap on the window and told to return to garage. Wasn’t my favourite bus I must say. Could not get out of the tiny door. I fell out backwards. They said no you can’t do the 10 Route. I was relieved. But sad to see such an iconic bus stopped use of. I grew up riding on them with both my brothers driving them. There semi automatic those old leylands. Drove those as well as Leland lynx which was my favourite old bus.
What a beautiful sound from that Leyland Diesel engine..
Always loved the Leyland Nationals, remember travelling on them as a kid in the 70s and 80s. Love too the Atlantean’s and the Olympians. Would love to own one, and turn it into a motor home.
Hello folks, nice to see that somebody cares about vehicles of not so laong ago the past. .. I am looking forward for mor videos to come about the restoration of this bus.
That was amazing how you got that National running, I really am very fond of Leyland National's remember traveling to school on them.
I can't believe you not only got it running but actually drove it off!
Those were our local buses back in the day , spent many a mile on those 👍
I'm not particularly in to busses but that thing starting still made me smile!
These old Nationals are the ones I remember travelling to places with my Dad (he's no longer with us) I'm looking forward to the resto project being started on this old chugger.
I can't remember the company or what the logo said but I do remember the local livery was a lightish green (south east/home counties area, late 80's very early 90's) will be epic to see her mint again, would be even more special seeing it in the livery I remember 🤞
Wow! A midland red. The memories of Hereford in the 80s come flooding back. 👌
Really amazing effort to get this going again. What get's me is how it seems to happily go on once you started it!
As a rather older viewer, I have to admit that we used to be annoyed when one of these "new fangled" vehicles turned up. We were more interested in older buses, like your RMs or Bristol Lodekkas, so it seems odd that such a 'new" bus is being restored. But it isn't new any more, is it! Every success to the new owner in the restoration project.
Buses age like wine. They have to get some decades up before they're appreciated. I never would have thought this but I'm even getting nostalgic over Dennis Darts -to some degree anyway!
wow. credit to whomever is going to restore that one. Would love for you guys to do update videos on it.
NGH standing for not gonna happen.
Too far gone. Parts donor instead.
Wow. All that after 15 years. Leyland knew their stuff.....that's the real tragedy.
Not only 15 years. But after being deemed worn out or obsolete to then be left 15 years as a useless trash pile. Looks like if not for the fuel pump messing up it would have turned on with one or two long cranks and some fresh fuel. From the video they did not say anything about even putting air into the tires but it really do look like the thing just started up and got out of there ready to drive down the road agen picking up people at the next stop. Today's vehicles have no hopes to last passed the 20year mark. Let alone park 15 years after that and be expected to even be possible to tow it out of there. Thins thing looked almost ready to pick up people agen.......
@@TheDiner50 yep I hear that
Perkins too
Wow, they don't make em like they used to! 15 years of abuse and it started, drive and loaded. Hats off to you guys!! So what happens next? Dying to watch its restoration
It's being harvested for parts.
Best-looking and best-sounding bus ever in my opinion - and lots of lovely clag! Spent a lot of time on these in St Helens where I went to school during the 1970s and 1980s (my home town of Wigan favoured Leyland Atlanteans) so this brings back a lot of happy memories. Really hope we get to see this old stager getting restored and finished. 🙂
Brought a huge smile to my face when she started!
Been a long while since I've driven one of these. Must have been '01 or '02 when we bought a load of them from Blackpool if I recall correctly. The company bought them for scrap price and pressed them into service for the last Edinburgh bus war, finally driving First out of town...
Takes me back to my London transport days and the Chiswick works
Pretty amazing you took that thing from derelict wreck to moving on it's own steam with gears, brakes and all with minimal fuss.
Just love seeing these heritage vehicles getting a second life.
Awesome to see another National saved and preserved! Certainly spent a lot of my childhood around these for a fair few years! Lovely buses 🥰
Love these old school buses. It was the roof spoiler that got me interested. Looks so sporty and without one they don't look so sporty. All it needed was racing stripes! 😂
I love the Leyland National.
One of the first busses that i would catch on my own, or with my mates, when we went up town on our own for the first time.
They were Eastern Counties busses.
I noticed early on it's got an Arran switch, this means it's likely got the Cummins engine. Drove in service for 2 years in London, these are brilliant!
Leyland engine. 510ci.
I was amazed that fired up. I was even more amazed that it moved!
It was like out of a Mad Max film. Year 2077 100 year old National haha.
Can't believe she spluttered in to life and just sat there happily idling after all that time, Great British engineering
Excellent bit of driving from Tim! That mirror didn’t look like it was much help there!
I was thinking that. I had to have my mirrors absolutely perfectly adjusted before I would take one out the depot... I couldn't imagine reversing a bus with no mirrors!