Bendy Bus - dead. Routemaster to return.

[nopanic - neil]

An few ideas of the CA bus.





just need a respray, but a start

[Leftie]

An few ideas of the CA bus.





just need a respray, but a start

How much?

[Lorry]

........How much?

Isn't that a line from the Whos "Magic Bus"

As somebody who works in London, those bendy buses are a pain in the @r$e.  The take ages to walk round when they stop on a zebra crossing.  They're part of Ken's Oyster card miracle.  It fails as all the yobs just get in the rear section and don't pay.

Routemasters failed the first time as the driver can't sell tickets.  Well thats all over now.  The rear platform is dangerous, compared with doors, but it was dead handy for jumping on between stops.

The Routemaster was built by the bus company to work well and to be easy to maintain, quite unlike anything else since.  They cut most of them in half, and put another section in so that they could take another row of seats - and we think that stretched limo's are something new.  And its built of rivetted aluminium, like a Spitfire or a D Type.  I rest my case.

And the £25 congestion charge has gone already.  Perhaps Boris isn't as daft as we think

[Robbo SPS]

Good idea Steve. 
Us East Anglians have been having fairly serious thoughts about a team bus for a couple of years now.  The current idea is an old coach capable of carrying a car within the rear.  We have someone licensed to drive it, a place to store it and convert it, now all we need is a suitable vehicle and some dosh.  Maybe LM 2009?

I looked at this some time back, but found the idea very expensive. £5k to get an old coach - very old. £400 a year for MOT, then 10 mpg. Plus comercial rates on ferry, as it was designed for that purpose. Plus getting it re-plated as a heavy motor car from psv.....
then getting it kitted out.....

[Steve Pyro]

We've also considered all those things Phil. 
Ferry isn't a problem as we have an ex-P&O employee / retiree in our mob who is entitled to special rates.
£3-5k spilt across 4 'investors' is probably dooable.
Between us, we have the stills / tools / facilities to carry out a conversion.
We have two drivers with HGV licences.  If we find a small coach / bus over 30 years old and under 7.5 tonnes, carrying around 4 people, a PSV licence is not required (car licence will do).

[nopanic - neil]

Design outline:

Whole-bus class entries must include a number of key features:

A double-decker bus with one or more internal staircases
An open-access platform at the rear near-side corner (similar to that on the old Routemaster)
It must have at least one other entrance or exit with double doors
Allow for a second crew member
It must be fully accessible and comply with the Vehicle Specification Guidelines
It must be red!

Looks like they are going back to the good old days, service over cost. i.e second crew member - Good old "Clippy"

Next they will be remaking "On the Buses" - may be a big hollywood block buster.

[Leftie]

I just loved them. They are iconic and an integral part of London.

http://routemasterbus.home.att.net/history.htm

[nopanic - neil]

OK if you want to get a Routemaster, the one to get is one of the old BEA ones.

THe reason listed below, the 2nd one is the best.

The RMF trials seem to have been successful, as BEA now ordered a fleet of sixty-five, together with 88 trailers (by Marshall). The RMAs differed from RMF1254 in various ways: 

They were of the standard Routemaster length, 27ft 8in.
They had the standard engine but were geared for 70mph motorway operation.
They were equipped with paraffin heaters to keep the interior warm during the sometimes lengthy waits at terminals.
The destination displays were eliminated (as passengers knew where they were going)
An illuminated panel above the front entrance advertised the airline, as did a matching panel on the offside.
The drivers front window was of the single pane non-opening variety.

[chop456]

Here's one on eBay in Alabama, USA.  A bit spendy, but it's already tastefully decorated and comes with a limosuine for those trips to Super U.

LINK

velvety velour interior, too many comforts to list and wired to support 120V AC power, on board and with external power supplies.  We know that the driveline was rebuilt and the vehicle is in good running condition.  There is an unbelievable sound system and entertainment package installed, including a Jacuzzi, Large Flat screen Plasma TV, DVD player, CD Changer, Complete Mixer/amplifier subwoofer sound system through out both levels, 3500watt inverter, sound drivers, auxiliary power sources, upstairs Bar and Concession stand, loungers, recliners, neon lights and much more!

[Steve TTTD]

An few ideas of the CA bus.





just need a respray, but a start

Then there's the old Smoke City Wheeler's roof chopped party bus...
http://www.aspects.net/~aelliott/bus.htm

[Bob U]

Here's the ultimate party bus. Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters.

[Steve Pyro]

or ................

The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers Whiteline Cannonball Express

[Bob U]

Steve. You are getting less predictable as you get older. I would have bet money that you'd have posted your old standby magic bus picture by now

[Steve Pyro]

Steve. You are getting less predictable as you get older. I would have bet money that you'd have posted your old standby magic bus picture by now

I was just teasing you Bob 

[nopanic - neil]

One for BobU and Steve - I'm sure one of you remind me of ones of the kids.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7Etul2mGxU




Not sure which one.