I worked at BCV for the last 8 years of their existence. Machined countless parts for VRs including crown wheels and pinions, Gear box housings, Steering arm brackets with their tapered mirror finish hole...to name just a few examples. Made of EN35 steel, that kicked up frightening curly swarf when initially drilled. 17.52 minutes to machine each one...so my memory is till good 40 years on! Also machined parts for the very early BRISTOL Olympians, that I had watched evolve in the experimental shop A very proud workforce where quality was the byword. As for Leyland management, no time for them whatsoever. To my mind they were on a par to what is unfolding with the Post Office Horizon scandal IMO...deceitful. Really enjoyed the video as I can relate to it first hand.
These were the buses of my youth - the East Yorkshire fleet was full of them. I remember them being incredibly drab inside. Their last day was in 2004 I think, running the 115 route in Hull.
Perhaps some clarification on these vehicles, the prototype VRT3 that went to Western National, fleet no 1078 had a Leyland 510 fixed head diesel with a fully auto box fitted, the electronics for the box taking up a substantial amount of room under the rear seat. When it was taken into regular service, this was stripped out and it was changed to a semi auto box operation as were every other VRT. It was delivered with the full hush kit including the centre under tray which was quickly dumped as it was a right pain come oil change time (and a fire risk due to oil buildup, Gardners weren’t exactly the most oil tight engines) The first batch of MK3s were also fitted with 510s, at Taunton we upgraded 3 of them with coach seats and different gearing to run the X96 service between Taunton and Bristol, the vehicles chosen were the Leyland engined VRs.The gear boxes were fully charged units, that is the oil was common to both the gearbox and fluid coupling and would be circulating around both the gearbox and the fluid coupling and so allowed the fluid coupling to be kept full and not over heat. If care was taken to align everything properly this practically eliminated fluid coupling gland oil leaks, the earlier vehicles suffered quite badly from overheating oil causing the Llewelyn glands to carbon up and fall. The power steering was a godsend as was the air throttle, for power steering on the earlier vehicles there wa an air assisted system that was often fitted, this tended to make the vehicle corner in a series of jerks, it felt as though it was modelled on an old threepenny bit, the steer tyres on those had some interesting wear patterns.
taxus750, for whatever reason although I received notification of your response it’s not showing up when I log into this stream, so… As stated the VRT3 had a number of options for the engine to be used, when the series 3 was introduced the basic choice was either the Gardner LX / LXB or the Leyland 510 fixed head diesel,. Western National took a mix of the two, Taunton was allocated 1083, 1084 and1085. These initially were for stage carriage work but were converted into express carriage vehicles for use on the X96 limited stop service to Bristol. The conversion entailed fitting a higher ratio gearbox, gearbox oil cooler, re trimming with coach seats and a webasto heater. The registrations of these vehicles wer MOD 823 P, 824 P and 825 P The 510 was a fixed head design, the head and block being a single casting and was an overhead camshaft design, valve adjustment was by selective assembly of the appropriate shims. Basically it involved checking the initial valve clearances, measuring the shims that were in place an replacing them were needed, this required the camshaft to be removed. The Leyland National used the horizontal version of this engine which had the added complication of having the fuel injection pump mounted on the camshaft cover, so this also had to be removed when the tappets were adjusted, so yes, checking tappet clearances on these things were a pain in the ass.
The early ones were horrendous but I guess it was work in progress. By the time the series 3 came along it was much better. The mitre box is the only real weak spot in my experience.
3 out of 3 ! It's the crashing of the cab door and vibrating furniture that is so familiar to the ear. The only thing missing on the drive was an Almex machine shuddering on its plinth and the coins jangling in the change tray.
I normally have an old Setright on 809 but an Almex would certainly look the part! I certainly remember that 'rattle crash' of the cash tray and cab door. Seemed more prevalent on Nationals though?
@@JakeSCOC Leyland Nationals were an all round glorious cacophony of noise ! I'm finding this series fascinating, I never knew all that stuff about the VRL/VRT drastic redesign. What was the logic of the government grant positively discriminating in favour of the transverse layout I wonder ? I do remember as a keen eyed teen noticing those high mounted grilles on the later M&D VRs but little imagined their true purpose,
@@getinthevantim Glad you're enjoying the series. To be honest I don't know why they government went for the transverse layout. I can only imagine that by then the design had be in production for ten years or so and was 'tried and tested' so to speak. It's a real shame that the VRL concept didn't have chance to prove itself. The possibilities with that particular design was endless and would have allowed something akin to the New Routemaster design 55 years ago!
@@JakeSCOC From memory there was an idea that it would simplify the amount of vehicle types, which would assist engineering cost savings in build and in maintenance in the industry. The Standerwicks of course not being used on stage carriage services wouldnt qualify for Bus Grant anyway , hence able to be the VRLL version.
Why the stipulation of the transverse engine rather than a longitudinal one? Almost like the Government knew what Bristol were up to but didn't want them to be... Incidentally, when I started college in 1979 in Southampton, NEL 116P was my first VR and a regular performer during those days. I shall always remember NEL 116P from my first day at college and my first VR.
Hi i'm viatron from Sheffield, why don't you do a version of CLASSIC BUS HISTORIES video on the open market version of the Bristol Lodekka lowhight double deck bus known as the Dennis Loline which were sold to those local companies outside of the Tilling Bus Group such as Aldershot & District, Walsall corporation & North Western for instance. & this is a new bus story between Bristol & Dennis what who want to build & construct the same lowhight double deck bus known as either a Lodekka or a Loline versions. Thanks for your co-operation from myself David Viatron Esquire of crookes in Sheffield. So stay turned for another episode of the British Bus Histories & that my new idea for you.
The Guildford Lodekka! Yes that was a stroke of genius from Bristol wasn't it? Eventually I will be covering most of the well known types and without a doubt the Loline will be included.
Thoroughly interesting little mini documentary. Was aware of the Bristol VR and how successful they were but never had occasion to travel on them. Strange they opted for the in-line engine to begin with. Didn't know there were quite a number of body variations and engines such as AEC AV691 fitted to the FRM I believe. Series 2 look great, nicer styling and pleasing design. I don't think you show all the variations to accompany the narration, but otherwise great stuff!
Great video. I drove Cumberland and Ribble VR3s albeit very much at the end of their life and lived every minute of my time behind the wheel of them. Listening to that engine note and whine was wonderful as it bashed along the road ensuring you felt every lump and bump along the way!
I read an interview with the founder of Citybus in Hong Kong saying that he was glad to miss out on these buses and and was a lover of the Leyland Alexander bodied Olympians
Driver….. let the passengers sit before you take off! And blip the throttle between downshifts, you could lock the rear wheels if not too careful with rev matching. Reminds me of a school bus driver we had. These days you could probably claim for whiplash 😂
Please please do a video on the production of the Vanhool Aitzee (the T5) variant that was from the 1988 period? Such a characteristic and bold looking front ended coach bodywork; with an unusual rear end.
Worked on them at the end of their life / start of my apprenticeship, both Gardner and Leyland engine versions. Still mantain and drive several preserved VRs.
I went to school on a VR (and single decker Leylands) for years. Iconic, I love them as a result. I saw one in Netherlands (Texel) and it still had its uk numberplate in the rear glass window so I could check its history. It was from up north. Near where I live, one is a mobile wood fired pizza shop, a hole cut for the chimney through both decks.
Bus I used go to Redcar from guisborough tees and district and now arriva who took long term running. 81/63/93 Whitby Scarborough service always used both Bristol vr and Leyland Olympians double decker Thought I do remember 1 Leyland Olympian younger model that pass over to arriva where it's interior was luxury could passed as coach seats and like carpeted Mind today 81 uses crap temsa avenue LF and is only ones in UK there 20 of them though one caught on fire in engine bay unknown reason put rest of operators off
The Bristol VR replaced the Lodekka, and the majority of VRs went to Tilling companies usually red or green. ECW bodywork was standard of all Tilling Bristols, single and double deck, but smaller number of VRs were bodied by other firms, some to small operators.
I was pleased to see on moving to Lancaster in 2004 a Bristol that was regularly routed to serve the 42 Blackpool timetable. I was told this has been preserved and now wears it's original "Cumberland" colours. (There were also a handful of Titans, not sure what happened to these).
I worked for Stagecoach Lancaster between 2001 and 2006, we had Cumberland 427, 431, 435 and Ribble 2024. Officially they were for schools duties but were regularly allocated to the X2 University shuttle and local stage duties as necessary. I once managed to keep 2024 out until last bus on a Saturday night which was 01:08 X2 University to Morecambe Battery. They were withdrawn in late 2003 (2024 had already succumbed to a destroyed gearbox) but 431 managed to be reinstated and eventually repainted into beachball colours having been moved to the Preston depot. It had to be given a new numberplate PHH149W as its original KRM435W plate had been sold and it carries the PHH plate to this day in preservation. The Leyland Titans were similarly intended for schools duties but also found work on the X2 and were occasionally allowed to stray as far as Preston or Blackpool on stage carriage work. They were gradually withdrawn with some converted to open top for the Lake District while the rest were stripped for parts, sold for scrap and a few made it into preservation. T56 was initially preserved but I believe this is no longer the case. The unique Voith transmission T684 is preserved restored to dual door layout.
As a kid I remember the early VRTs having a distinctive wailing sound in top gear. It was like they were singing. So from the age of about 7 or 8 they had me hooked. I managed to spot almost all of the Southdown fleet before i became a teenager and gave myself totally to trainspotting. I have never really lost my love for the buses of my childhood though and I'm so pleased that I have subbed to this channel. Cant wait to see if you do the old Leyland Titans (not the 1980s one) We had the old Queen Marys (pd3/4) and I miss being bounced down the road in one of them. Thanks for posting these videos.
I was the same, from a similar age. We were transported to an from school daily on the Bristol VR series 3. And I totally understand your point of the gears whinging. I was actually obsessed with the buses and my friends grandparents owned a small bus company and we got to manoeuvre them around the yard to clean them for pocket money. Being mechanically minded, I was able to tell if a driver was taking care when driving, where there were other drivers driving absolutely ruthlessly. Not rev matching the engine with the gearbox speed and consequently a very jerky ride. I knew this was wrong before I was 10 years old. We had lots of Crossvile VR’s here around North Wales. The Gardner engine and the gearbox whinging was like music to my ears. Where is there a museum holding these VR’s ? Id love to see one again. I remember my school bus driver allowing me to change the gears, probably because he could see my enthusiasm
All that time I thought I was wierd as nobody I knew liked buses, I felt like the odd one out. Now it seems everyone is into buses today as YT is full of bus spotting videos, I got left behind as I have no idea what any of these modern buses are, the industry has changed beyond recognition and I get confused all the time by the new buses, they all look the same haha. @@MrTech1210
Recently I went on the Buses website, and by chance I cast my vote in their Top 10 favourite buses poll. I voted for the Leyland National as it is my favourite. But I was disappointed that VRs weren't on the list - my 2nd favourite sort of bus - and also REs weren't on the list. They did have a vote for your own favourite option.
Another excellent video .. growing up & living in High Wycombe throughout the 60’s/70’s/80’s & 90’s .. had not only the LT Country Area Garage HE but also 2 Thames Valley Garages in Desborough Road & on the London Road at Micklefield… by 1970 they had been replaced by a new bus station/garage at Newlands when the first VR’s were coming into service .. we also had some of those ex Scottish ones (FLF’s going north of the border). That distinctive destination screen was soon replaced by a more standard one though! by 1972 when they merged with Aldershot & District to form Alder Valley these were soon replaced by VRT2’s and they had lots of series 3’s too .. wearing various liveries as the NBC split up after deregulation … but my most remembered time was during the winter of 1984 .. when my car was off the road & I was working in Maidenhead.. had to get the 320 bus to work and in the morning it usually was a Maidenhead Depot ex Hastings & District VR .. that was always freezing inside with ice on inside of the windows! My other memory is on holiday travelling on several of Hants & Dorset’s convertible VR’s between Bournemouth & Swanage via the Sandbanks Ferry; and down in Devon & Cornwall riding through those beautiful counties on the top deck of a VR. Happy Days
Interesting video. I remember riding on the Bristol VR when it was owned by Stevensons of Uttoxeter. My friend used to drive it in the 80s and it was a very quick bus. They also had a fleet of Atlanteans. I do wonder if any of them were preserved when Stevensons closed down.
Just found your channel and it's got great content! I love old buses, having been a bus driver for many years, from NBC days and after the disaster of deregulation. I worked for West Yorkshire Road Car, United, Northern General then Go Ahead Northern, Lothian Buses and London Northern. Of all the buses I've driven my favourite bus was the legendary Bristol RE, with the Routemaster a close second!
I remember the first Scottish VRs introduced by Eastern National in exchange for Lodekkas. When they first entered service they were still painted blue with acute trapezoid shaped destination boards. If I recall correctly, their registration numbers all began OWC, although this may have been a later batch.
I recall seeing a Devon General liveried VR in Vancouver in 1998, still with its Devon reg plate. The first VR I recall seeing was a flat screen version in Looe Cornwall in 1970.
I assume you mean the windscreen shape. To me the front dash design made VRs look worried, rather like Boxer dogs. It's the ridges above the headlights.
Loving this series 😁. Having been used to single door VR’s, I only discovered that 2 door versions were made a few years ago. These must be very rare now.
I remember as a kid watching a Western SMT (Scottish Bus Group) Bristol VR, the 60s, going up in smoke in my home town after that they disappeared, my next encounter was as driver for Brighton & Hove back in 84, they had a few without power steering, they retro fitted some kind of air assisted steering, weirdest thing I ever drove.
I wish I could get down to the bus event. I'm in the midlands now but grew up in east Kent. I used to love going on EK Vrs and would often go on the 604/5/6/7 services during the 80/90s.
I worked for the BET Group which became part of the National Bus Company and drove all three models of the VR. The Mk 1 was in all respects very heavy to drive, with a very hard-to-push throttle pedal and really heavy steering, as well as being slow and ponderous with the Gardener engine, the Mk2 came with the air throttle, power steering and the Leyland 501 power plant and bore little resemblance to the Mk1, they were almost a joy to drive, then the Mk3 arrived, again it bore little resemblance to its predecessor, it retained the power steering and air throttle, but had a Gardner engine again, this time though it was a powerful and responsive unit that became my favourite.
I often thought that for the time these buses could have been much better than they were, we had the Leyland National Mk 1 which after sorting the body roll out and adding some "Feel" to the steering was a nice bus to drive, and I thought the Bristols were much too heavy and ponderous. I had forgotten about having to "Pump up" the throttle to get full revs, I can remember the rough choppy ride though, they didn't ride the bumps, they more or less flattened them out. But driven right they would take you anywhere even in 6" of snow, and they were much better than the Daimler Fleetlines with their lacklustre performance, vague steering and poor brakes.
@@daveA2024 unfortunately most were designed in the 1960's so it wasn't until the advent of the Titan, Olympian and National 2 that things really started to improve.
I quite agree, we had some Volvo Olympians delivered well after the demise of Leyland, maybe four or five years later, and everyone was excited at the prospect of the arrival of new buses, what a letdown that was, apart from a fully auto gearbox and a Volvo engine they drove and performed like the old Olympians, apparently Volvo did little or nothing to update the original design, it was only when we started getting Scania buses that things really got better. Now wherever you look it`s got a MAN badge on the front.
@@JakeSCOC Actually, you're quite right, but, dear god, did they make some horrific transmission noises when hill climbing! Unless that was specifically an NBC West Riding/Yorkshire Woollen problem, of course.
@@robertwilloughby8050 they could be a bit whiney, some more than others. In fact most Bristols with the SCG semi auto gearbox did (Lodekkas and RELLs spring to mind).
The Bristol Verity is one of the few historic busses I really miss! I remember about twenty years ago there was one working for First (formerly Western National) which broke an air reservoir tank whilst driving off the Torpoint ferry at low tide. The ferry backed out leaving the bus behind to wait for a fitter to arrive. It was a sorry sight to see as the tide came in and rose up around the back of the aforementioned bus!
@@JakeSCOC I believe she was repaired....an old but reliable workhorse and well used on a busy route.....a quick patch and weld for an air tank wouldn't be too much trouble for an 'in depot' fitter.
I worked at BCV for the last 8 years of their existence.
Machined countless parts for VRs including crown wheels and pinions, Gear box housings, Steering arm brackets with their tapered mirror finish hole...to name just a few examples. Made of EN35 steel, that kicked up frightening curly swarf when initially drilled. 17.52 minutes to machine each one...so my memory is till good 40 years on!
Also machined parts for the very early BRISTOL Olympians, that I had watched evolve in the experimental shop
A very proud workforce where quality was the byword.
As for Leyland management, no time for them whatsoever. To my mind they were on a par to what is unfolding with the Post Office Horizon scandal IMO...deceitful.
Really enjoyed the video as I can relate to it first hand.
Lovely to hear from someone who helped create them. I absolutely love the old dears. Very well built and still solid.
These were the buses of my youth - the East Yorkshire fleet was full of them. I remember them being incredibly drab inside. Their last day was in 2004 I think, running the 115 route in Hull.
@@Bungle-UK The earlier series 1 and 2 buses have a much better lighter interior. All creams and whites.
These and National best looking buses from my childhood
Perhaps some clarification on these vehicles, the prototype VRT3 that went to Western National, fleet no 1078 had a Leyland 510 fixed head diesel with a fully auto box fitted, the electronics for the box taking up a substantial amount of room under the rear seat. When it was taken into regular service, this was stripped out and it was changed to a semi auto box operation as were every other VRT. It was delivered with the full hush kit including the centre under tray which was quickly dumped as it was a right pain come oil change time (and a fire risk due to oil buildup, Gardners weren’t exactly the most oil tight engines) The first batch of MK3s were also fitted with 510s, at Taunton we upgraded 3 of them with coach seats and different gearing to run the X96 service between Taunton and Bristol, the vehicles chosen were the Leyland engined VRs.The gear boxes were fully charged units, that is the oil was common to both the gearbox and fluid coupling and would be circulating around both the gearbox and the fluid coupling and so allowed the fluid coupling to be kept full and not over heat. If care was taken to align everything properly this practically eliminated fluid coupling gland oil leaks, the earlier vehicles suffered quite badly from overheating oil causing the Llewelyn glands to carbon up and fall. The power steering was a godsend as was the air throttle, for power steering on the earlier vehicles there wa an air assisted system that was often fitted, this tended to make the vehicle corner in a series of jerks, it felt as though it was modelled on an old threepenny bit, the steer tyres on those had some interesting wear patterns.
taxus750, for whatever reason although I received notification of your response it’s not showing up when I log into this stream, so…
As stated the VRT3 had a number of options for the engine to be used, when the series 3 was introduced the basic choice was either the Gardner LX / LXB or the Leyland 510 fixed head diesel,. Western National took a mix of the two, Taunton was allocated 1083, 1084 and1085. These initially were for stage carriage work but were converted into express carriage vehicles for use on the X96 limited stop service to Bristol. The conversion entailed fitting a higher ratio gearbox, gearbox oil cooler, re trimming with coach seats and a webasto heater. The registrations of these vehicles wer MOD 823 P, 824 P and 825 P
The 510 was a fixed head design, the head and block being a single casting and was an overhead camshaft design, valve adjustment was by selective assembly of the appropriate shims. Basically it involved checking the initial valve clearances, measuring the shims that were in place an replacing them were needed, this required the camshaft to be removed.
The Leyland National used the horizontal version of this engine which had the added complication of having the fuel injection pump mounted on the camshaft cover, so this also had to be removed when the tappets were adjusted, so yes, checking tappet clearances on these things were a pain in the ass.
The VR wasn't exactly reliable Eastern Scottish got rid of them very quickly. Been on a few the broke down back in the early 1970s
The early ones were horrendous but I guess it was work in progress. By the time the series 3 came along it was much better. The mitre box is the only real weak spot in my experience.
3 out of 3 ! It's the crashing of the cab door and vibrating furniture that is so familiar to the ear. The only thing missing on the drive was an Almex machine shuddering on its plinth and the coins jangling in the change tray.
I normally have an old Setright on 809 but an Almex would certainly look the part! I certainly remember that 'rattle crash' of the cash tray and cab door. Seemed more prevalent on Nationals though?
@@JakeSCOC Leyland Nationals were an all round glorious cacophony of noise !
I'm finding this series fascinating, I never knew all that stuff about the VRL/VRT drastic redesign. What was the logic of the government grant positively discriminating in favour of the transverse layout I wonder ? I do remember as a keen eyed teen noticing those high mounted grilles on the later M&D VRs but little imagined their true purpose,
@@getinthevantim Glad you're enjoying the series. To be honest I don't know why they government went for the transverse layout. I can only imagine that by then the design had be in production for ten years or so and was 'tried and tested' so to speak. It's a real shame that the VRL concept didn't have chance to prove itself. The possibilities with that particular design was endless and would have allowed something akin to the New Routemaster design 55 years ago!
@@JakeSCOC From memory there was an idea that it would simplify the amount of vehicle types, which would assist engineering cost savings in build and in maintenance in the industry. The Standerwicks of course not being used on stage carriage services wouldnt qualify for Bus Grant anyway , hence able to be the VRLL version.
Why the stipulation of the transverse engine rather than a longitudinal one? Almost like the Government knew what Bristol were up to but didn't want them to be...
Incidentally, when I started college in 1979 in Southampton, NEL 116P was my first VR and a regular performer during those days. I shall always remember NEL 116P from my first day at college and my first VR.
I know it was shame the transverse engine was stamped out.
Now you need to produce a workshop manuals for Bristol vrts i have a mk3 so start with that one first please 😊
@@davidupton5252 I have one of those both on paper and pdf courtesy of Rob Sly's Bristol Commercial Vehicles site.
Hi i'm viatron from Sheffield, why don't you do a version of CLASSIC BUS HISTORIES video on the open market version of the Bristol Lodekka lowhight double deck bus known as the Dennis Loline which were sold to those local companies outside of the Tilling Bus Group such as Aldershot & District, Walsall corporation & North Western for instance. & this is a new bus story between Bristol & Dennis what who want to build & construct the same lowhight double deck bus known as either a Lodekka or a Loline versions. Thanks for your co-operation from myself David Viatron Esquire of crookes in Sheffield. So stay turned for another episode of the British Bus Histories & that my new idea for you.
The Guildford Lodekka! Yes that was a stroke of genius from Bristol wasn't it? Eventually I will be covering most of the well known types and without a doubt the Loline will be included.
Thoroughly interesting little mini documentary. Was aware of the Bristol VR and how successful they were but never had occasion to travel on them. Strange they opted for the in-line engine to begin with. Didn't know there were quite a number of body variations and engines such as AEC AV691 fitted to the FRM I believe. Series 2 look great, nicer styling and pleasing design. I don't think you show all the variations to accompany the narration, but otherwise great stuff!
Glad you liked it. Yes for a standard bus the VR originally had a lot of options.
Great video. I drove Cumberland and Ribble VR3s albeit very much at the end of their life and lived every minute of my time behind the wheel of them. Listening to that engine note and whine was wonderful as it bashed along the road ensuring you felt every lump and bump along the way!
Thanks I'm glad you liked the video. Can't beat driving a VR can you?
VEX 294 X used to be one of my old school buses 'back in the day' looking slightly better in the photo, than when it was being used daily!
I read an interview with the founder of Citybus in Hong Kong saying that he was glad to miss out on these buses and and was a lover of the Leyland Alexander bodied Olympians
Driver….. let the passengers sit before you take off! And blip the throttle between downshifts, you could lock the rear wheels if not too careful with rev matching. Reminds me of a school bus driver we had. These days you could probably claim for whiplash 😂
Please please do a video on the production of the Vanhool Aitzee (the T5) variant that was from the 1988 period? Such a characteristic and bold looking front ended coach bodywork; with an unusual rear end.
Our school bus was BEY938W. Last owned by Alpine of Llandudno North Wales.
Worked on them at the end of their life / start of my apprenticeship, both Gardner and Leyland engine versions. Still mantain and drive several preserved VRs.
Can't beat them can you?
@@JakeSCOC Only with a mighty spanner plenty of sealant and religion
Went to School on a mixture of these leyland Olympians/tigers/leopard even a AEC Reliance in the late 90s early 2000s
Can you do a video on the Volvo Ailsa & Volvo citybus
I went to school on a VR (and single decker Leylands) for years. Iconic, I love them as a result. I saw one in Netherlands (Texel) and it still had its uk numberplate in the rear glass window so I could check its history. It was from up north. Near where I live, one is a mobile wood fired pizza shop, a hole cut for the chimney through both decks.
They're very popular for conversion into restaurants and bars.
Thanks for the video, very interesting and a trip down memory lane 😊
@@user-tn1vc1xz5d glad you liked it.
thanks so much....drove vr`s 1 &11 & RL in Cambridge,,,,
Guy Wulfrunian?
Possible but obscure even for me. Interesting subject though and an great what might have been.
Bus I used go to Redcar from guisborough tees and district and now arriva who took long term running. 81/63/93 Whitby Scarborough service always used both Bristol vr and Leyland Olympians double decker
Thought I do remember 1 Leyland Olympian younger model that pass over to arriva where it's interior was luxury could passed as coach seats and like carpeted
Mind today 81 uses crap temsa avenue LF and is only ones in UK there 20 of them though one caught on fire in engine bay unknown reason put rest of operators off
Without power steering, you had to stand up to get the bastard to turn if you had a full standing load.
😂 It's bad enough empty!
Ribble had plenty of VR'S. Lowheight and highbridge versions.
The Bristol VR replaced the Lodekka, and the majority of VRs went to Tilling companies usually red or green. ECW bodywork was standard of all Tilling Bristols, single and double deck, but smaller number of VRs were bodied by other firms, some to small operators.
I was pleased to see on moving to Lancaster in 2004 a Bristol that was regularly routed to serve the 42 Blackpool timetable. I was told this has been preserved and now wears it's original "Cumberland" colours. (There were also a handful of Titans, not sure what happened to these).
I worked for Stagecoach Lancaster between 2001 and 2006, we had Cumberland 427, 431, 435 and Ribble 2024. Officially they were for schools duties but were regularly allocated to the X2 University shuttle and local stage duties as necessary. I once managed to keep 2024 out until last bus on a Saturday night which was 01:08 X2 University to Morecambe Battery. They were withdrawn in late 2003 (2024 had already succumbed to a destroyed gearbox) but 431 managed to be reinstated and eventually repainted into beachball colours having been moved to the Preston depot. It had to be given a new numberplate PHH149W as its original KRM435W plate had been sold and it carries the PHH plate to this day in preservation. The Leyland Titans were similarly intended for schools duties but also found work on the X2 and were occasionally allowed to stray as far as Preston or Blackpool on stage carriage work. They were gradually withdrawn with some converted to open top for the Lake District while the rest were stripped for parts, sold for scrap and a few made it into preservation. T56 was initially preserved but I believe this is no longer the case. The unique Voith transmission T684 is preserved restored to dual door layout.
@@eight-two Thank you so much for that! 👍 I'm sure I saw the occasional one lined up for a Kirkby Lonsdale trip. Pity I missed one of those.
As a kid I remember the early VRTs having a distinctive wailing sound in top gear. It was like they were singing. So from the age of about 7 or 8 they had me hooked. I managed to spot almost all of the Southdown fleet before i became a teenager and gave myself totally to trainspotting. I have never really lost my love for the buses of my childhood though and I'm so pleased that I have subbed to this channel. Cant wait to see if you do the old Leyland Titans (not the 1980s one) We had the old Queen Marys (pd3/4) and I miss being bounced down the road in one of them. Thanks for posting these videos.
Glad you liked it and it brought back some good memories.
I was the same, from a similar age. We were transported to an from school daily on the Bristol VR series 3. And I totally understand your point of the gears whinging. I was actually obsessed with the buses and my friends grandparents owned a small bus company and we got to manoeuvre them around the yard to clean them for pocket money. Being mechanically minded, I was able to tell if a driver was taking care when driving, where there were other drivers driving absolutely ruthlessly. Not rev matching the engine with the gearbox speed and consequently a very jerky ride. I knew this was wrong before I was 10 years old. We had lots of Crossvile VR’s here around North Wales. The Gardner engine and the gearbox whinging was like music to my ears. Where is there a museum holding these VR’s ? Id love to see one again. I remember my school bus driver allowing me to change the gears, probably because he could see my enthusiasm
All that time I thought I was wierd as nobody I knew liked buses, I felt like the odd one out. Now it seems everyone is into buses today as YT is full of bus spotting videos, I got left behind as I have no idea what any of these modern buses are, the industry has changed beyond recognition and I get confused all the time by the new buses, they all look the same haha. @@MrTech1210
Recently I went on the Buses website, and by chance I cast my vote in their Top 10 favourite buses poll. I voted for the Leyland National as it is my favourite. But I was disappointed that VRs weren't on the list - my 2nd favourite sort of bus - and also REs weren't on the list. They did have a vote for your own favourite option.
Sounds like a set up to me not having a VR on the list 😉
Another excellent video .. growing up & living in High Wycombe throughout the 60’s/70’s/80’s & 90’s .. had not only the LT Country Area Garage HE but also 2 Thames Valley Garages in Desborough Road & on the London Road at Micklefield… by 1970 they had been replaced by a new bus station/garage at Newlands when the first VR’s were coming into service .. we also had some of those ex Scottish ones (FLF’s going north of the border). That distinctive destination screen was soon replaced by a more standard one though! by 1972 when they merged with Aldershot & District to form Alder Valley these were soon replaced by VRT2’s and they had lots of series 3’s too .. wearing various liveries as the NBC split up after deregulation … but my most remembered time was during the winter of 1984 .. when my car was off the road & I was working in Maidenhead.. had to get the 320 bus to work and in the morning it usually was a Maidenhead Depot ex Hastings & District VR .. that was always freezing inside with ice on inside of the windows! My other memory is on holiday travelling on several of Hants & Dorset’s convertible VR’s between Bournemouth & Swanage via the Sandbanks Ferry; and down in Devon & Cornwall riding through those beautiful counties on the top deck of a VR. Happy Days
Thanks David. Glad you enjoyed the video and it brought back happy memories.
I think the first examples were delivered to Eastern Scottish and very nice they were. They proved unreliable and were exchanged for Lodekkas.
That's right Christopher
Interesting video. I remember riding on the Bristol VR when it was owned by Stevensons of Uttoxeter. My friend used to drive it in the 80s and it was a very quick bus. They also had a fleet of Atlanteans. I do wonder if any of them were preserved when Stevensons closed down.
I think UVT49X was the only one unfortunately.
Just found your channel and it's got great content! I love old buses, having been a bus driver for many years, from NBC days and after the disaster of deregulation. I worked for West Yorkshire Road Car, United, Northern General then Go Ahead Northern, Lothian Buses and London Northern. Of all the buses I've driven my favourite bus was the legendary Bristol RE, with the Routemaster a close second!
Glad you're enjoying it. Those are good companies to work for, an impressive pedigree. Bristol RE is up in my top 5 buses too.
I remember the first Scottish VRs introduced by Eastern National in exchange for Lodekkas. When they first entered service they were still painted blue with acute trapezoid shaped destination boards. If I recall correctly, their registration numbers all began OWC, although this may have been a later batch.
I remember reading that they were used on the Southend to London service.
That's correct. They also ran the 26 route to Romford which ran along the A127 Southend arterial road.
AEC powered ones would have been very interesting in this layout. We may have seen some emitting the roar of an AH760.
It would be an interesting project to recreate one. Certainly would be an amazing sound.
I recall seeing a Devon General liveried VR in Vancouver in 1998, still with its Devon reg plate. The first VR I recall seeing was a flat screen version in Looe Cornwall in 1970.
Love the old flat screen VRs.
I remember that Western National from Taunton used VRT's, as did Southern Vectis on the Isle of Wight.
I remember the Vectis ones.
The curved window variants always made me think of Darth Vader.
I cam see that. Especially if it was gloss black...
@@JakeSCOC you'll never unsee it now.
@@neiloflongbeck5705 😂
I assume you mean the windscreen shape. To me the front dash design made VRs look worried, rather like Boxer dogs. It's the ridges above the headlights.
@@crazyleyland5106 that and the overhanging upper deck.
East Midlands used to run this type of bus way back when I was a nipper. They were affectionately known as 'the old boneshakers'
Very bumpy and bouncy especially the front upstairs seats!
2 of them made into the Whoniverse. Although the one that went into the dessert got left in that country due to being damaged on unloading.
Yes one had a container accidentally dropped on it didn't it?
Thank you for this, fingers crossed and looking forward to the Fleetline episode.
Glad you liked it Graham
Very interesting video. Learnt a few things I never knew before. Many thanks 🙂
Glad you liked it.
Loving this series 😁. Having been used to single door VR’s, I only discovered that 2 door versions were made a few years ago. These must be very rare now.
Yes they're in penny numbers now the duel door buses.
Great episode, hope you have time to do an episode on the Leyland Titan (B15)
Thanks. Glad you liked it. I will most certainly be doing the Titan. One of my favourites.
I remember as a kid watching a Western SMT (Scottish Bus Group) Bristol VR, the 60s, going up in smoke in my home town after that they disappeared, my next encounter was as driver for Brighton & Hove back in 84, they had a few without power steering, they retro fitted some kind of air assisted steering, weirdest thing I ever drove.
Autosteer. Was vague wasn't it?
@@JakeSCOC I can still hear the sound it made as you turned lol.
i remember solent blue line in southampton ran these bristol vr's
A fair amount of those were Southern Vectis ones weren't they? And some highbridge ex Ribble ones too.
I wish I could get down to the bus event. I'm in the midlands now but grew up in east Kent. I used to love going on EK Vrs and would often go on the 604/5/6/7 services during the 80/90s.
They're all Canterbury routes aren't they Robert?
Yea was the circle routes to Whitstable and Herne bay@@JakeSCOC
I worked for the BET Group which became part of the National Bus Company and drove all three models of the VR. The Mk 1 was in all respects very heavy to drive, with a very hard-to-push throttle pedal and really heavy steering, as well as being slow and ponderous with the Gardener engine, the Mk2 came with the air throttle, power steering and the Leyland 501 power plant and bore little resemblance to the Mk1, they were almost a joy to drive, then the Mk3 arrived, again it bore little resemblance to its predecessor, it retained the power steering and air throttle, but had a Gardner engine again, this time though it was a powerful and responsive unit that became my favourite.
That hydraulic throttle can be a bit of pain when hill climbing if it's not properly pressurised can't it? I have to occasionally pump 809's throttle.
I often thought that for the time these buses could have been much better than they were, we had the Leyland National Mk 1 which after sorting the body roll out and adding some "Feel" to the steering was a nice bus to drive, and I thought the Bristols were much too heavy and ponderous. I had forgotten about having to "Pump up" the throttle to get full revs, I can remember the rough choppy ride though, they didn't ride the bumps, they more or less flattened them out. But driven right they would take you anywhere even in 6" of snow, and they were much better than the Daimler Fleetlines with their lacklustre performance, vague steering and poor brakes.
@@daveA2024 unfortunately most were designed in the 1960's so it wasn't until the advent of the Titan, Olympian and National 2 that things really started to improve.
I quite agree, we had some Volvo Olympians delivered well after the demise of Leyland, maybe four or five years later, and everyone was excited at the prospect of the arrival of new buses, what a letdown that was, apart from a fully auto gearbox and a Volvo engine they drove and performed like the old Olympians, apparently Volvo did little or nothing to update the original design, it was only when we started getting Scania buses that things really got better. Now wherever you look it`s got a MAN badge on the front.
I passed my test in a Bristol VR, with Wilts and Dorset.
Was that a series 2 or 3 Phil?
@@JakeSCOC Well, I took my test in 1990, so I assume it was a later model.
Bristol VR = Bad Gearboxes.
I think the gearbox is OK if it's used correctly. The real weak spot is the mitre box or angle drive. Uses the same thin oil as the gearbox.
@@JakeSCOC Actually, you're quite right, but, dear god, did they make some horrific transmission noises when hill climbing! Unless that was specifically an NBC West Riding/Yorkshire Woollen problem, of course.
@@robertwilloughby8050 they could be a bit whiney, some more than others. In fact most Bristols with the SCG semi auto gearbox did (Lodekkas and RELLs spring to mind).
passed my psv in a w reg 1
Which company was that with?
@@JakeSCOC yorkshire woollen
Once rode on the PMT Cummins engined VR! Absolutely hellfire!
I'm envious Mark. I'd have loved to have seen and heard that.
The Bristol Verity is one of the few historic busses I really miss! I remember about twenty years ago there was one working for First (formerly Western National) which broke an air reservoir tank whilst driving off the Torpoint ferry at low tide. The ferry backed out leaving the bus behind to wait for a fitter to arrive. It was a sorry sight to see as the tide came in and rose up around the back of the aforementioned bus!
I bet that was a shame. I wonder if it was repaired or bit the dust.
@@JakeSCOC I believe she was repaired....an old but reliable workhorse and well used on a busy route.....a quick patch and weld for an air tank wouldn't be too much trouble for an 'in depot' fitter.