tgp-photos-unlimited

The Bridport Jolly 6th November 2005

2012-02-11T14:03:00.001Z

At the time I owned three ex Southern National VRTs. So we decided to have some fun !

We came from Winkleigh and Exeter in my ex-Hookways Leopard. Already it was starting to rain ! Meanwhile others came in 1159 and 1163 from Dorchester where they were then based.

The final arrival was 1122 from her base at that time, near Guildford. So we had my three VRTs together. I decide it made more sense to just use two for most of the day. Before though we did take all three down to West Bay.

West Bay Next stop Lyme Regis

Lyme Regis after turning and before starting the run to Axminster !

Axminster. Setting off for Seaton and Beer.

Seaton on the outward run to Beer.

Beer.

As out timings were now well out we met the FHD Scania on the X53 at Beer. We had ensured we were out of his way.

By the time we had returned to Seaton, darkness was falling and so back to Bridport and the buses back to their bases !

E&OE

More Pebble Dash

2012-01-30T12:08:00.001Z

Chippel Bay, Lyme Regis

January 2012

Shoreline

2012-01-27T11:11:00.001Z

Chipple Bay, Lyme Regis

Pebble dash

2012-01-21T15:17:00.001Z

Red Mercia Mudstone of Triassic desert origin. Seaton Hole, Devon.

The Tilling PD1s

2012-01-11T10:21:00.001Z

After the Second World War, Bristol Motor Construction Works was not able to produce enough chassis for the needs of the Tilling Group of Companies. Leyland though had the capacity to provide chassis for the Group. Leyland supplied 200 chassis in 1947 and 1948, There were 150 PD1 and 50 PS1 chassis.

The 150 Titans were either PD1 or PD1A. The PD1A was introduced in 1946. The difference to the standard PD1 was only in the fitting of Metalastik rubber bushes instead of metal bushes on the spring shackle pins.

Early PD1s had pressed steel shell instead of the more normal cast aluminium shell.Some of the pressed steel shells were chromium plated whilst others were painted. All were fitted with the Leyland E181 7.4 litre 100 bhp diesel engine with a four speed constant mesh gearbox and vacuum operated brakes.

Hants & Dorset PD959 (1145) PD1A with ECW L27/26R body

Bristol C4019 PD1 with ECW H30/26R body.

Of the 150 engine and chassis delivered to the Tilling Group in 1947/8, 100 of them were equipped with low-bridge ECW bodywork, and sent to 7 different Tilling Group Company’s the other 50 were equipped with high-bridge bodies and went to Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company (Bristol Omnibus Company from 1957).

BOC PD1 50 Highbridge H30/26R 25 ECW 25 BBW

(some of the BBW bodies were constructed or finished by Longwell Green.)

C4000 – C4009 KHW 241 – KHW 250
C4010 – C4020 KHW 621 – KHW 631
C4021 – C4031 KHY 390 – KHY 400
C4032 – C4049 LAE 1 – LAE 18

The bodying was fairly random, but generally the fleet numbers and registrations followed the chassis numbers.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/5942491356/in/set-72157615192670478

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/5941930869/in/set-72157615192670478/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jncarter1962/2048242254/sizes/o/in/photostream/

These are also listed as PD1A

Crosville PD1A 34 Lowbridge L27/26R ECW

M521 - M540 GFM 906 - GFM 925
M541 - M555 HFM 63 - HFM 77

http://www.flickr.com/photos/63109091@N05/5768571225/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Eastern Counties PD1A 20 Lowbridge L27/26R ECW

AP346 - AP365 GPW 346 – GPW 365

Eastern National PD1 18 Lowbridge L27/26R ECW

3975 - 3992 MPU 36 - MPU 53

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricardo4eyes/4550801907/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45726467@N02/4327560569/

Hants & Dorset PD1A 7 Low-bridge L27/26R ECW

PD959 – PD960 GLJ 957 – GLJ 963

http://www.flickr.com/photos/richwall100/5035842335/

Lincoln 4 PD1A Lowbridge L27/26R ECW

689 – 692 DFW 566 - DFW 569

Southern National PD1A 4 Lowbridge L27/26R ECW

2930 - 2933 JUO 990 - JUO 993

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bristol_passion/5721042829/

Western National PD1A 12 Lowbridge L27/26R ECW

2918 - 2929 JUO 945 - JUO 956

To complete the story the 50 Tiger PS1s that Tilling bought were bodied by Willowbrook as B35R buses with a modified standard Willowbrook body. All went to United Automobile Services Ltd.

E&OE

The River Exe in flood.

2012-01-06T11:07:00.001Z

Exeter, 5th January 2012

Steam on !

2012-01-02T09:53:00.001Z

Mid Hants Railway, Arlesford 2nd January 2012

Some Classics from FOKAB

2012-01-01T22:19:00.000Z

Winchester 1st January 2012

AEC Regal III with Burlingham C33F, was supplied new in 1948 to Burnham's of Worcester. Following a period in the heritage fleet of Quantock Motor Services, it is now part of the Roger Burdett Collection, and sports the original Burnham's livery.

Eastbourne 42 an AEC Regent III with East Lancs designed but built by Bruce H30/26R body new 6/1951.A marvellous bus to ride particularly with the original worn leather seats !

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/steve.wright50/cpptdpages/AHC442.htm

Richard Newman's fine example of the breed. LD6G ECW H33/27R. Southern Vectis were the pioneers of shortening the front wings to allow more air to get to the brakes

Northern Counties Leyland Titan PD3, new 4/1965 as Southdown 278

http://hampshirebuses.weebly.com/her-majestry-queen-mary---buf-278c.html

New to Southern National December 1967. Although painted in Royal Blue livery and used by them it was not part of the Royal Blue Fleet. Now with the Stroud RE Group.

http://www.stroudregroup.org.uk/

Farewell 2011

2011-12-31T09:03:00.001Z

The Red River

2011-12-27T21:37:00.001Z

The Red River, which runs into the Hayle estuary, marks the boundary of Gwithian and Godrevy. Until the late 20th century, the waters of the river were coloured a distinctive red. In the past the Red River had been affected by the mining industry at Tuckingmill, Pool, Redruth, and Camborne.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_River,_Cornwall

http://www.harveysfoundrytrust.org.uk/hohpfiles/TinStreamsMap.pdf

The tin originally came from the Red River which took the tailings run-off from the gravity concentrators upstream and was extremely fine particles moved onto the beach area by the tidal currents and concentrated by the wave action,

Times gone by as written in the rocks.

2011-12-12T16:31:00.001Z

Retaining wall of Dawlish Railway Station.

Dawlish Water

2011-12-11T15:53:00.001Z

http://www.devon-online.com/towns/dawlish/dawlish.html

The Gee Gees come to town.

2011-12-10T17:14:00.001Z

Exeter, 10th December 2011

Going, going,………gone

2011-12-06T16:16:00.001Z

Sunset over Newlyn, November 2011

Nature’s Canvas

2011-11-25T08:41:00.001Z

I still promise myself that one day I will create paintings from these images.

Seaton, Devon November 2011

A square metre and one tree stump !

2011-11-23T14:49:00.001Z

Seaton, Devon 22nd November

Exeter Nocturnal 2011

2011-11-17T07:34:00.001Z

13th November 2011

Canon EOS 50D with Sigma 30mm f1.4 lens

EDVard goes west

2011-11-14T15:00:00.001Z

As a complete surprise Terry B and I took the SUL down to West Penwith. Saturday was the day chosen to take my son’s partner out for lunch as it was her 40th birthday during the week. So we drove down on Friday taking the opportunity to visit Sennen Cove and Land’s End before we returned back to Hayle for our overnight stay.

Some moments are indeed timeless ! It was a great experience driving up to the cottage and seeing all the astonished looks ! So off we went for lunch at the Halestown Inn.

http://www.halsetowninn.co.uk/

Take a look at their menu and you will see why we choose this. Absolutely superb !

Bowing out before the party games, we returned for some more shots before returning to Hayle for our second overnight stay.

All in all a great weekend which was only possible to Terry Bennett for driving us out and back along the coastal road !

TGP Nationals

2011-10-22T11:47:00.001+01:00

I have had two Leyland National operational and both still survive as such.

2813 HTA 844N was re-engined with a DAF unit when with Red Bus at Barnstaple.A real pleasure to drive.
2820 MOD 820P was very original inside complete with the screens where the second door would have been if she was a dual entrance example. She has recently been fitted with another engine (510) and is running again. I sold both a few years ago.

I also purchased two for spares. Both are long gone now !

E&OE

Edvard’s test run.

2011-10-21T13:37:00.001+01:00

336EDV, my Bristol SU4A ECW C33F coach suffered a major problem a few weeks ago when the pinion shaft broke.

Within the hour another suitable differential was located and after some phone calls it was confirmed that the diff from this BMC FG axle would be suitable, but as the wheel on the FG were smaller then the diff would have higher ratio when fitted to the SUL.The SU was built using a BMC (Austin) rear axle.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22420011@N05/2650656494/

Peter replaced the diff and 1202 was again mobile.

I spent several days driving her locally before deciding that a longer run was required. So a hastily agreed plan saw Terry B and I take her for over 60 miles up and down some 20% hills. If anything she is a better drive with her replacement diff.

E&OE

King Longs 509–512 & 514

2011-10-17T15:52:00.001+01:00

Nearly 5 in sequence

Virtu Ferries

2011-10-16T11:58:00.001+01:00

http://www.virtuferries.com/

Virtu Ferries have been operating a high speed ferry service between Malta and Sicily since 1988. The JEAN DE LA VALETTE, 800 passengers, 156 vehicles including trailers, makes over 500 round trips every year between Valletta and Pozzallo (90 minute) and Catania (3 hours) effectively making Malta part of mainland Europe.

Venezia Lines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Virtu Ferries, has since 2001 run a six month seasonal service between Venice and eight Adriatic ports in Slovenia and Croatia. The high speed passenger ferries SAN FRANGISK and SAN PAWL, both with a capacity of 317 passengers, are deployed on this service. SAN GWANN, 427 passengers and 21 vehicles, operates between Bari, Italy and Durres in Albania.

All the companies vessels fly the Malta Flag, are classed by Det Norske Veritas and are certified to the highest international and EU safety standards.

Jean de la Valette

Maria Dolores

San Pawl (inside) and San Frangisk

San Marco (inside) and San Pawl

Full throttle – Jean de la Valette opens up as she makes the exit of the Grand Harbour.

Disembarking after the 90 minute crossing from Pozzallo.

E&OE

The LH Coaches

2011-10-11T14:40:00.001+01:00

JFJ 498N Greenslades 318 LH6L Plaxton Panorama Ellite III 7ft 6inches wide.
Guernseybus 159 31909
Body scrapped mechanical units sold.

JFJ 504N Greenslades 324 LH6L Plaxton Panorama Ellite III 7ft 6inches wide.
Guernseybus 161 31911
Body scrapped mechanical units sold.

JFJ 500N Greenslades 320 LH6L Plaxton Panorama Ellite III 7ft 6inches wide.
Guenseybus 167 31917
Note this was not re-registered back to its original registration.
Body scrapped mechanical units sold.

AFJ 739T Western National 3319 LH6L Plaxton Supreme Express 7ft 6inches wide.
This was the only one that I used for several years before corrosion set in.
Body scrapped mechanical units sold.

AFJ 742T Western National 3322 LH6L Plaxton Supreme Express 7ft 6inches wide.
Body and engine scrapped other mechanical units sold.

PTT106R Western National 3406 Bristol LH6L Plaxton Supreme Express.
Body scrapped mechanical units sold.

The Derwents.

2011-10-09T18:28:00.001+01:00

Plaxton supplemented its chief manufacturing of coaches with service bus bodies. This was undertaken after the busy summer season demand for coaches. The first to bear the type name Derwent was built in the 1960s and 1970s. It had strong BET influence with it’s double curvature windscreen and rear window and peaked domes. The windows were rubber mounted and the headlamp/ grille panel was influenced by the Panorama coaches built in the 1960s.

DBY543 (ex LUG 524P, is a Leyland PSU4C/4R which tells us that when it was built it had a 680 engine Pneumatic gearbox (i.e. semi-auto), air brakes. The 4 R signifies a chassis that was right hand drive and built for a coach body. The chassis number 7504473 tells that it was built in 1975. Plaxton Body no is 7610LB804. This in turn gives us the build season 76, the length 10 (m), chassis type L (Leyland) B for bus and finally that it is the 4th bus in the bus series 804.

DBY 451 (ex D136 XVW) is another Plaxton Derwent, but this is the Derwent 3000 (Derwent II)
Bedford YMQ HT101506 Plaxton 8710MQD1B703

So again looking at the chassis number this bus would have had, when new, a Bedford 8.2 litre turbo 206 bhp mid mounted underfloor engine. The body number gives an 87 season build MQ signifying Bedford YMQ / YMT D1 for Derwent 3000, B for bus and that it was the 3rd body built in the series.

In the second photo you can just make out the door for the passenger lift that was fitted. It was subsequently removed and panelled over.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaxton_Derwent_3000

Plaxton Derwent 3000

The Plaxton Derwent 3000 was a bus body built by Plaxton. It was introduced in 1986, and is not related to the earlier Plaxton Derwentbody which was built between 1962 and 1977.

Around 250 were built, almost four times as many as its predecessor, the Plaxton Bustler, over a similar number of years.

It was built mainly on mid-engined chassis, although a small number of Scania K93 rear-engined chassis were also bodied. The most common chassis was the Leyland Tiger, largely due to orders from the UK military for over a hundred, some of which were left-hand drive. Other chassis were the Volvo B10M (including short wheelbase examples); some of the last Bedford Y-Series to enter service; Dennis Javelin; and around fifteen secondhand Leyland Leopard chassis being rebodied.

The Derwent 3000 was superseded by the Plaxton Verde from 1991.

Body numbering

In the pre-1989 system of body numbers, the Derwent 3000 initially took the code D1B. This later became L2B, presumably to avoid confusion with the Paramount 4000, which also used the letter D. For military vehicles, MOD was used instead.

In the post-1989 system, the letters E and F identified the Derwent.

Naming

The number 3000 in the model's name refers to its approximate height in millimetres (like the Paramount 3200, 3500 and 4000).

The model was initially launched as the Derwent II, even though the numeral II had already been used for the previous Derwent model between 1966 and 1977.

E&OE

Swifts # 3

2011-10-06T11:57:00.001+01:00

EGN 274J Rebuilt and refurbished in 2008

EGN 243J Rebuilt with high floor, flat 2-piece windscreen and small grille .

AML 11H Nearly original.

EGN 275J High floor and flat screens

EGN 280J Rebuilt
…. a rear mounted DAF210 which fits neatly into the spot where the old AH505 had been. (Thanks Mick)

E&OE

The Big Cats

2011-09-30T05:38:00.000+01:00

Over the next couple of months I shall be posting photos of all the buses I have owned. This first post features the Leyland Big Cats.

The Leopards

YNW 33X Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4R Plaxton Supreme IV C53F new 3/82. Cobham 2006 after repaint.Still in preservation.

AFH 186T Leyland PSU5C/4R Duple Dominant II C57F new 8/98. Fitted with a DAF engine. Dolton Beacon. Still in preservation.

The Tigers

A620 ATV Leyland TRCTL11/3RH Plaxton Paramount I 3200 new 10/83 Winkleigh. Scrapped.c 2009

B405 UOD Leyland TRCTL11/3RH Duple Laser 2 C53F with a 320 grille new 1/85 . Michaelswood Services . Scrapped c 2008

I bought this Laser bodied Tiger but eventually decided to let it go for scrap. She had been cannibalised and was not a runner, but she did have the correct seats for B405 UOD. However as it turned out the seats were not required and B201 REL was left to be scrapped.

E&OE

Swifts #2

2011-09-29T05:17:00.000+01:00

DBY 321, Y-0321, M-1520, EGN 152J London Transport SMS152. Photo 2007

EBY 534, Y-0534, Y-1235, A-2492, EGN 572J London Transport SMS572. Photo 2007

EBY 576, Y-0576, Y-1277, A-2621, AML 60H London Transport SMS60. Photo 2007

FBY 744, Y-0744, Y-1445-A-3315, EGN 258J London Transport SMS258. Photo 2008

FBY 763, Y-0763, Y-1464, A-3339, AML 34H London Transport SMS 34. Photo 2008

E&OE

The Green Era # 1

2011-09-28T09:39:00.001+01:00

Y-0341 (857) Docks (Baileys Channel) of 1964 with a Brincat B36F body of the same date. Originally fitted with a Deutz 6L514 engine.

Y-0342 (876) ex Royal Navy 1942 Dennis Max I chassis with a 1950 Vella B36C rebuilt by Debono in the 1960s.

Y-0368 (1306) Reo 1939 chassis with a 1955 rebuilt body by Sammut of Mosta.

Y-0372 (1403) Ford ET7 chassis new 1953 with body by BMC Garage, Gzira rebuilt 1970 to forward control.

Y-0398 (1803) 1961 Baileys chassis frame with Bedford units with a Brincat body of the same date.

E&OE

The Leyland Dennis or Super Comet !

2011-09-27T12:21:00.000+01:00

Exported Leyland PSU1/15 arriving in Malta 1970. Body built in 1973 by Schembri.retaining the central entrance

New to Ribble as FCK 402 last operated by contractors Wimpey.

http://www.old-bus-photos.co.uk/wp-content/themes/Old-Bus-Photos/articles/seagull/seagull_p1.php

Brincat 2

2011-09-26T05:01:00.000+01:00

Francis Brincat 86 Luqa Rd., then from 1964 92A Dockyard St., Paola’
69 bodies recorded. Also assembled some chassis.

DBY 318
Y-0318, Y-1019, A-0236, 236
Bedford SL (Malta) new 1972 with a Brincat body built at that date.

DBY 338
Y-0338, Y-1594, A-7054, 7054
Albion Chieftan of 1967 with a Brincat 1976 body

DBY 468
Y-0468, Y-0908, Y-1608, A-2139, 2139
Bedford SB of 1956 with Brincat 1972 body

EBY 517
Y-0517, Y-1218, A-2425, 2425, 44 BS 63
Bedford SBG of 1956 with Brincat 1974 body

FBY 669
Y-0669, Y-0911, Y-1611, A-2674, 2674
Bedford SB of 1957 with a Brincat body of unknown date.

All photos taken May 2011

E&OE

DBY368 over the years.

2011-09-25T05:27:00.000+01:00

A firm favourite this one !

1992 Valletta

2003 Valletta

2007 Sliema

2008 Valletta

2011 Valletta

This vehicle started life in 1939 as a new Reo Speedwagon normal control with a 26 seat body. In 1955 it was rebuilt to forward control by Carmel Sammut of Mosta and seated 34, later increased to 36. Since 1970 it has had two Perkins engines.

E&OE

EBY 632–a close look.

2011-09-24T05:51:00.000+01:00

Y-0632, Y-1333, A-2879, 2879
Imported Bedford SL lorry chassis dating from 1956 with Zammit 1966 body.

May 2011

Malta - ERF E10 Trailblazers

2011-09-23T05:40:00.000+01:00

We in the UK, as their home nation, were never treated to ERF buses and coaches. Normally one would have had to travel to the African continent to witness their PSV products at work, but in the late 1990's several examples began to appear in Malta.

LCV 948 ERF E10 Trailblazer with Unicar body new in 1995 (2003 photo)

LCV 949 ERF Trailblazer with Unicar body new 1995 (2003 photo)

LCV 949 ERF Trailblazer with Unicar body new 1995(Rebuilt) 2011 photo

ACY 981 ERF E10 Trailblazer with Unicar body new 1995 (2003 photo)

ACY 981 ERF E10 Trailblazer with Unicar body new 1995 (Rebuilt) 2011 photo

ACY 985 ERF E10 Trailblazer with Camo body new 1996. (2003 photo)

E&OE

Insides

2011-09-22T05:06:00.000+01:00

DBY 305 AEC Swift / Park Royal

DBY 325 Bedford SBO / Schembri / Grech

EBY 381 AEC Mercury / Brincat

DBY 403 BMC Falcon / BMC

EBY 482 Dodge T110L / Aquilina

EBY 505 Bedford YRQ / Plaxton

EBY 537 Ford ET7 / Micallef

EBY 544 Bristol LH6L / ECW

EBY 576 AEC Swift / Park Royal

EBY 591 Bedford YLQ / Plaxton

EBY 622 Leyland PSU1/16 / Aquilina

FBY 745 Volvo B7RLE / Saracakis

FBY 763 AEC Swift / Marshall

Photos taken May 2011

E&OE

Barbara 2

2011-09-21T05:43:00.000+01:00

Michael Barbara, 86 New St., Luqa built bodies from 1932 to 1973. It is believed that about 130 were built with the PSV Circle having recorded 106.

Y-0465, Y-1166, A-2164, 2164, NGY 743
Imported Bedford SB chassis dating from 1955 with the Barbara body being built in 1966. Front rebuilt in 1975.

Y-0730, Y-1431, A-3297,602
AEC Mercury chassis of 1969 with the date of the Barbara body unknown.

Y-0736, Y-1437, A-3307, 3307, 97 RN 69
Bedford SB1 ex Royal Navy chassis dating from 1960 with a 1973 Barbara body.

Y-0770, Y-1471, A-3347, 3347
Leyland TS chassis dating from 1939 with a Barbara 1958 body.
The front has been rebuilt (when the seating was increased from 36 to 40 in 1986 ?)

Y-0803, Y-1504, A-5576, 5576
Bedford SLCO lorry chassis ex War Department dating from 1960. Barbara body dates from 1974
All photos taken May 2011

E&OE

DBY 450

2011-09-20T05:24:00.000+01:00

Y-450, Y-0894, Y-1594, A-2625, 2625

AEC Mercury. The chassis is listed as being new in 1958 and it was imported into Malta in July 1964, by Lawrence Zammit of Zebbug who acquired it from Bill Monks in London. A 36-seat Aquilina built body was completed by 1966. Leyland 420 engine (RS)

The front was rebuilt with a Duple windscreen fitted c.1970. Rebuilt with longer side windows by 11/2000 (MF)

E&OE.
Photographed May 2011

Brincat 1

2011-09-19T05:55:00.000+01:00

Francis Brincat 86 Luqa Rd., then from 1964 92A Dockyard St., Paola. 69 bodies have been recorded. He also assembled some chassis.

Y-0349, Y-1050, A-0983, 983, HFC 413
AEC Regal chassis dating from 1939 with a 1960 Brincat body.

Y-0381, Y-1082, A-1604, 1604
AEC Mercury chassis of 1965 assembled by Zammit, Zebbug with a 1967 Brincat body.

Y-0502, Y-1203, A-2337, 2337, 32AC75
Bedford SBG chassis ex RAF dating from 1956 with a 1970 Brincat body.

Y-0555, Y-1256, A-2570, 2570
AEC Mercury chassis dating from 1957 and bodied by Brincat in 1967. Underfloor engine fitted between axles.

Y-0701, Y-0855, Y-1555, A-2743, 7243
GMC c 1945 chassis with Brincat dating from 1961.

E&OE

1992 still some normal control vehicles in use.

2011-09-18T05:15:00.000+01:00

Y-0399 (1804) Fordson ET7 with unknown B36C body

Y-0562 (2587) Fordson ET7 with Aquilina B36C body.

Y-0606 My records show this as 2821 a Fordson ET7 with an unknown B36C body.

Y-0704 (3252) Austin K4 Brincat B36F

Y-0781 (3359) Bedford OL Barbara (1951) B36F

Y-0783 (3424) Bedford OL Casha B36C

Details are based on my records that are being updated.

E&OE

Coaching in 2003

2011-09-17T05:46:00.000+01:00

There was nothing like the amount of coach trips available in 2003 and the fleet was not that easy to catch at any one time. Mdina would produce about half a dozen as would Cirkewwa. Here are a few of the more unusual vehicles of the Unscheduled Bus fleet.

ACY 854 Bedford YMT with Unicar C53F body new in 1979 as EBC 567T
Replaced in 2005 with a Vo B10M-62 / Plaxton originally R412 FWT

KCY 898 Bedford YMT with Plaxton C53F Garden of Eden new in 1978 as CRW 517T

BCY 934 Leyland TRCL103ARZM Plaxton C53F new 1991 as J47 SNY
Plaxton 321 was the Duple 320 as built by Plaxton after their take-over of Duple.

LCY 952 Scania K93CRB with Plaxton C53F new 1991 as H921 DRJ
The more unusual Paramount 3200 with the lower driving position.

ACY 981 ERF Trailblazer with Unicar C53F body new 1995 to Joseph Grima, Mehliehha

E&OE

From the archives : Western National Lynxes

2011-09-16T05:59:00.000+01:00

Hino

2011-09-15T05:48:00.000+01:00

Hino Motors, Ltd. (日野自動車株式会社, Hino Jidōsha, TYO: 7205 ), commonly known as simply Hino, is a manufacturer of diesel trucks,buses, and other vehicles, based in Hino, Tokyo, Japan. Since 1973 the company has been the leading producer of medium and heavy-duty diesel trucks in Japan.It is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation.

The Hino BT51 bus chassis was fitted with a Hino DS60 engine.

Y-0840, Y-0888, Y-1588, A-2362, 2362
Hino BT51 chassis imported by 1974. Bodied by Debono, Zebbug in 1977.
AEC AV505 engine fitted.

Y-0840 photo taken in 1992
FBY 028 photos taken in 2008.

Y-0823, Y-1254,A-3017, 3017
Hino BT51 chassis imported in 1974. Debono, Zebbug 1976 body, Entered service 1978 as there were length issues for operating in Gozo.
AEC AV505 engine fitted.
Refurbished with new front 2007.
FBY052 photographed in 2008

E&OE

The Malta Bristol LH buses

2011-09-14T05:27:00.000+01:00

When new these were powered by Leyland O401 engines. Several in Malta would appear to have had Perkins engines fitted thus making them LH6Ps ! Many have had instrumentation altered with at least one running with Swift instruments.

In addition to the buses featured here there was an LH coach on Malta and a coach and bus on Gozo. These will be shown at a later date.

Y-0303, OCA 630P
New to Crosville SLL 630P 1976, coming to Malta from Dragon Mechanical Services, Pembroke Dock (XCW) by 7/87

Y-0304, PTT 606M
New to Western National 16061974, coming to Malta from Mobil Oil, Coryton (XEX) by 10/86
Extensively rebuilt.

Y-0352, HBX 948N
New to Davies, Pencader 97 1975 coming to Malta10/86
Rebuilt front lower panel.

Y-0360, Y-0705, NFJ 596M
New to Western National 1596, 1973, coming to Malta from Devon County Council, Exeter by 1/93

Y-0422, NLJ 523M
New to Hants & Dorset 3523 1973, coming to Malta by 3/86
Replaced by King Long DBY 422 10/03

Photographed 2003 with what looks like an RE lower front panel.

Y-0469, GDV 464N
New as Devon General 107 1974 coming to Malta from Southern National by 9/85
Rebuilt front.

Y-0470, GDV 458N
New to Western National 1609 1974, coming to Malta by 8/86

Y-0476, GLJ 487N
New to Hants & Dorset 3555 1975, coming to Malta from Invincible Mobile Museum, Southsea by 3/90
Photographe January 1992

Y-0520, OCA 626P
New to Crosville SLL626 1976. Coming to Malta from Jones, Login by 7/87

Y-0523, Y-1224, GLJ 489N
New 1975 as Hants & Dorset 3557, coming to Malta by 11/84

Y-0524, GLJ 479N
New 1974 as Hants & Dorset 3547, coming to Malta by 9/85

Y-0542, Y-1243, NLJ 592M
New as Hants & Dorset 3515 1973, coming to Malta by 11/84. Photographed in January 2003.
Replaced 7/03 by BMC Falcon EBY542

Y-0544, GDV 460N
New to Western National 1611 1974, coming to Malta by 8/86

Y-0592, OCA 635P
New to Crosville SLL635 1976. Coming to Malta from Jones, Login by 10/86

Y-0714, Y-1415, GLJ 485N
New to Hants & Dorset 3553 1975 coming to Malta 1/85

All photos taken May 2011 unless otherwise noted.

Two LH6Ls escaped my camera !

The fate of the LH, formerly JHW 119P, that operated as Y-0532 is not currently known – it is not known to have seen any other use.MF Note – photographed running as Y-0532 in May 1993. I have not yet located a photo of this vehicle.

The other LH bus was used for a while in Malta. This was GVH 373, former Western National Omnibus Co Ltd,., POD 802H. Photo here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45726467@N02/4612695515/in/photostream/

E&OE

Plymouth Citybus–the black days.

2011-09-13T05:21:00.001+01:00

In October 1986 Plymouth Citybus adopted a new livery. It was described as flame red, white and black.

Gozo 1992

2011-09-12T05:11:00.000+01:00

In 1992 there were only about 28 vehicles( Y-0808 to Y-0834 plus one unregistered) in Gozo.

Y-0814, 1948 withdrawn by 1993
O54 1948 AEC Q f/c (AEC) Aquilina 1957 B36F 8/57
OF1 Y-0814 Leyland FEC Aquilina B36F 1939 8/57
Ex London Transport TF class coach. Identity required.

http://www.countrybus.org/TF/TFa.html#fleet

Y-0816, Y-1517, A-2296, 2296 (FBY042)
Reo chassis dating from 1933 rebuilt 1953 with a reconditioned body by Borg, Birkirkara rebuilt in 1962 to forward control and rebodied by Zammit, Hamrun.

Y-0828, Y-1529, A-3126, 3126 (FBY040)
Bedford SBO chassis new 1956 with an Aquilina body of the same date.

Y-0834, Y-1533, C-1506, 31506 (FBY044) withdrawn by 2008
Bedford SB8 chassis dating from 1961 with a 1962 Aquilina body. Withdrawn 2008

Y-0835 31504 (FBY 051)
Bedford SB8 chassis dating from 1961 with a 1962 Aquilina body.

Photographs taken July 1992
E&OE

Debono 1

2011-09-11T05:23:00.000+01:00

Variety !

Michael Debono built about 90 bodies at Zebbug from 1953 to 1977.

Y-0320, Y-0887, Y-1587, A-0699, 699
Chassis frames imported by Zammit of Zebbug in 1965. Believed to be from either Bedford SL or AEC Mercury lorries. (RS)
Body built by Debono 1970.

Y-0617, Y-1318, A-2839, 2839
New Bedford SB3 chassis of 1957 with a 1958 body

DBY 312, Y-0312, Y-1013, A-0158, 158, GNY 764
AEC Regal chassis imported 1961. Debono body built in 1963.

Rhondda No.64 (GNY 764), a 1948 AEC Regal III. Originally with a Longwell Green B34F body, it passed to Thomas Bros., Port Talbot in 1958

Photo of a 1954 Regal III with Longwell Green body here

Y-0766, Y-1467, A-3342, 3342, 39RN96
Bedford SBG chassis of 1955 with a 1968 body. Debono of Luqa (?) RS
Chassis from the Royal Navy.

Donor bus would have looked like this

Y-0804, Y-0662, Y-1562, A2482, 2482, NPW 473
Bedford SB chassis dating from 1967 with the Debono body also from 1967.
Chassis was new in 1952 as NPW 473 with a Gurney Nutting C38F body (MF)

Photo of her here in original condition in the UK

E&OE

Gauci

2011-09-10T05:45:00.000+01:00

Emanuel Gauci of Rabat was one of three body builders I have recorded.

The others were
Mike Gauci, Qormi
Spiro Gauci, Tarxien.

The five Gauci bodies that are illustrated here are all confirmed from the official records as built by Emanuel Gauci of Rabat

Y-0329, Y-1030, A-0557, A-2059, 2059
Bedford OB chassis dating from 1947 originally with a UK Duple body. Chassis lengthened and altered to normal control in 1964. Body rebuilt by Gauci at the same date. The front was rebuilt in 1972.

Y-0336, Y-1037,A-0777, 777, 7054
Bedford QL lorry chassis ex RAF in 1958. The Gauci body was built in 1959. The front was rebuilt in 1976.

Y-0560, Y-1261, A-2583, 115GMY
Bedford SLD chassis imported 1964. The Gauci body was built in 1967.

Y-0565, Y-1266, A-2590, 2590
Malta chassis (frame) built at Bailey Channels with other parts from second hand vehicles. The chassis was fitted with Bedford 7-ton front & rear axles.
The Gauci body was built in 1962.

Y-0603, Y-1304, A-2814, 2814, 32511
AEC Matador chassis (1951 ?) purchased 1963 from the RAF. Gauci body built 1965.

My thanks to Richard Stedall who has researched the official records so thoroughly and has made them available to us.

E&OE

A closer look at 1440

2011-09-09T08:01:00.000+01:00

FBY 742 was one of a number of Bedford QL buses that Paramount operated, and is now stored “preserved” by the company.

1440, A-1440, Y-1077, Y-0376, Y-0462 and Y-0742

Photo of 1440 as Y-0462 here

http://maltabuses.piwigo.com/picture?/215/category/2-350_399

E&OE

EBY 629, Y-0629, Y-1596, A-3334, 3334

2011-09-08T05:26:00.000+01:00

Commer Avenger IV chassis imported to Malta in 1960. The chassis was not bodied until 1969 when Michael Debono, Zebbug built a 36 seat body.

By 2006 the vehicle had been taken out of service and was noted outside the Scarnif factory with the body stripped to the frames, the front axle moved back about a metre and the engine moved to a between axles location. As at early 2008 no further work had been carried out, and by March 2009 the vehicle had been returned to its owner for storage, and the likelihood of any further work being out is remote. (RS)

E&OE

Rear ends

2011-09-07T05:10:00.000+01:00

EBY 522 (2435) Bedford SB Debono 1968

EBY 537 (2501) Ford ET7 with 1953 Micallef body.

FBY 688 (3196) Bedford SB with Brincat body

FBY 720 (2790) Maltese Docks f/c with Schembri body

FBY 777 (3354) AEC Mercury with 1965 Falzon body.

FBY 792 (4757) Maltese Docks with Tonna 1974 (?) body.

2458, A-2458, Y-1299, Y-0528, EBY 528 Where are you now ?

2011-09-06T05:07:00.000+01:00

Chassis assembled by Zammit, Zebbug in 1967 with imported frames. Debono B36F body built 1969. The reference to AEC is due to two of the five engines known to have been used were AEC AV505. (The others were two Leylands and a Perkins) By 2003 the front axle had been replaced by what looks like a heavier and wider one. The body does not appear to have changed since she was 2458 (B&C p145)

1992

2003

2007

2008

2011

E&OE

Barbara

2011-09-05T05:19:00.000+01:00

Michael Barbara, 86 New St., Luqa built bodies from 1932 to 1973. It is believed that about 130 were built with the PSV Circle having recorded 106. The selection in this post are those built in the 1960s, early 1970s.

Y-0384, Y-1085, A-1643, 1643
Baileys (Malta) chassis new in 1968 with a 1968 body.
B&C This looks almost as when built.

Y-0435, Y-1136, A-2003, 2003
AEC Mercury chassis assembled by Zammit, Zebbug, new 1965 with body built 1966.
B&C This looks almost as when built.

Y-0463, Y-0459, Y-1160, A-2135, 2135
Bedford SBO chassis of 1955 with a 1956 body that was rebuilt in 1968 and again in 1988 when it was lengthened.

Y-0530, Y-1231, A-2474, 2474
Earlier (pre OG501 gives Y-0530, Y-1231, A-2484, 2484) Is this 2484 ?
PSV Leyland TS of unknown origin dating from about 1939
RS Leyland chassis imported 1958.
The Barbara body dates from 1958. B&C This looks almost as when built.

Y-0616, Y-1317, A-2838, 2838
Zammit, Zebbug (Malta) 1968 assembled chassis with body of same date.
B&C This looks almost as when built.

Y-0666, Y-1367, A-3082, 3082
Leyland Comet 14SC a 1964 lorry chassis with a 1970 body.
RS The IER gives Debono, Luqa as the body builder.
B&C This looks almost as when built.

Y-0667, Y-1368, A-3083, 3083
RN Bedford SB chassis dating from 1955 with body built 1964. Body lengthened in 1988.
Lower front modified.

Y-0709, Y-1410, A-3268, 3268
Bedford SB1 new in 1959 with the Barbara body.
B&C This looks almost as when built.

Y-0725, Y-1246, A-2390, 3290
AEC Mercury lorry chassis dating from 1964 with a 1968 body. RS notes show the body as built by Debono.
B&C show a very similar body attributed to Barbara.

RS – Richard Stedall
B&C – Bonnici and Cassar

The Dodges

2011-09-04T05:19:00.000+01:00

At deregulation Plymouth Citybus , as Plymouth City Transport had become, found itself with 84 Dodge S56 buses with B23F bodies. The were built by Reeves Burgess and by Plaxton at Scarborough to the same design. Six were fitted with high back seats (DP23F)

The first four arrived in 1985 and were delivered as automatics but 48 was one that reverted to the normal manual gearbox. These were numbered 45 – 48 and carried the registrations B345 VTA – B348 VTA.

The rest arrived in 1986 and carried the fleet numbers 1 – 44, 49 – 84 with registrations D101 LTA – D144 LTA, D149 LTA – D184 LTA. They have carried various liveries including all over advertisements. Withdrawal started in 1991 and continued through to 1993. Most found second use.

Life after Plymouth

Lathalmond August 2011 #1

2011-09-03T05:30:00.000+01:00

Scottish Vintage Bus Museum

Alexander (Midland) MRM100 B100 PKS MCW Metrobus DR132/6 Alexander 'RL' H45/44F seen here as Kelvin Scottish (which absorbed Kirkintilloch depot) 1669.

Alexander (Midland) MRM105 B105 PKS MCW Metrobus DR132/6 Alexander 'RL' H45/33F

China Motor Bus LV36 CH 3399 (ESF 64W) Leyland Victory with double-deck Alexander body, developed specifically for the Hong Kong market in the late 1970s. The Victory chassis was actually developed by Guy but after Leyland took over everything was badged as Leyland even although the chassis of LV36 was built at the Guy Motors plant at Wolverhampton.

Central SMT AH23 LHS 747Va Volvo Ailsa B55-10 with Alexander AV H44/35F body.

A1 Service PSJ 825R Volvo Ailsa B55-10 / Van Hool-McArdle H44/31D

E&OE

Aquilina 1

2011-09-02T05:57:00.000+01:00

Frank Aquilina, 27 Carradino St., Paola is believed to have built around 300 bodies dating from the 1920s to 1975. 211 have been recorded by the PSV Circle.

The 1950s and 1960s styling.

EBY 482, Y-0482, Y-1183, A-2247, 2247, 5541
Dodge T110L lorry chassis of 1942 with body built 1955
Seen here with rebuilt lower front.

EBY 556, Y-0556, Y-1257, A-2571, 2571
Bedford chassis assembled by the original owner dating from 1963 when the body was built.
Seen here with rebuilt lower front

FBY 716, Y-0716, Y-1417, A-3280, 3280
Leyland Tiger TS chassis dating from 1939. Body built 1958. Possibly TS7 AWX 763.
Seen here as rebuilt by Aquilina

FBY 774, Y-0774, Y-1745, A-3351, 3351 AEC Mercury lorry chassis dating from 1958. Body built 1965.
Seen here with modified lower front.

E&OE

Restored

2011-09-01T08:49:00.000+01:00

Scottish Vintage Bus Museum, Lathalmond, August 2011

W.Alexander & Sons Ltd B23 AWG 623 AEC Regal Mk1 with Alexander C30F 1947

W.Alexander & Sons Ltd A52 AWG 639 AEC Regal I, built 1946, with W.Alexander/Brockhouse, C35F single deck coach body, built 1946

Glasgow Corporation 111 Leyland Titan TD1, built 1928 with Leyland L27/24R0, built 1925 (reconstructed 1988/89).

W.Alexander & Sons Ltd. P63 Leyland Tiger TS2 of 1927 with Alexander B32F, built 1934

Wigan Corporation 81 Leyland Tiger TS4 Santus B32R 1932

Under restoration

2011-08-31T09:35:00.000+01:00

Scottish Vintage Bus Museum, Lathalmond, August 2011

RU 8678, 1929 Leyland PLSC3/ Leyland B--F, Hants & Dorset 268

W Alexander & Sons E11 FWG 846 Bristol LS6G ECW B45F

SMT H110 WS 4522, 1935 Leyland Tiger TS7/Cowieson B34RD,

A and C McLennan FGS59D Bedford SB with Mulliner B36F body, new 1953 to Royal Navy.

LIL9929 (ex CJU998T) 1979 Bedford VAS5 Plaxton C29F National Blood Transfusion Service.

More details here

http://www.busweb.co.uk/svbm/Workshop.htm

Alexander T Types

2011-08-30T10:49:00.001+01:00

The T type was a high floor version of the Y type with larger side windows. The Y type front was retained but a higher roof line gave the uncomfortable look of the T type. In 1983 it was face-lifted and became the TC, TE and TS. These bore little resemblance to the original T.

Leyland Leopard

Seddon Pennine

Leyland Leopard

Seddon Pennine

Leyland Leopard

Scottish Vintage Bus Museum, Lathalmond August 2011

http://www.busweb.co.uk/svbm/Home.htm

Some Alexander Y types.

2011-08-28T16:32:00.001+01:00

The Alexander Y-type was the standard body for single deckers in Scotland for 20 years.They were mostly built on Leyland Leopard chassis, but some AECs, Albions, Fords, Seddons and Bristols with single examples of Dennis and Volvo, were also constructed. .

From 1971 it became the AY Type (with the A signifying alloy construction) or AYS Type (with the S signifying service bus specification), although in common usage all are referred to simply as Y Type

Leyland Leopard

Seddon Penine

Leyland Leopard

AEC Reliance

Albion Viking

Scottish Bus Museum, Lathalmond, August 2011

Four Friends and Edvard

2011-08-24T12:38:00.008+01:00

I have long nurtured the idea of taking one of my buses to Lathalmond to visit the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum for the rally in August. So when we were out in my Bristol SUL4A with ECW C33F body we hatched the plan. Last Thursday the four of us ( Terry B, Ken, Woody and I ) set out for a six day trip with over a thousand miles of driving.

The first day saw us set off at 9am from 1202’s base at the WETC Winkleigh and with several meal stops we finally arrived at our overnight in Lancaster about 12 hours later.

Day two was to be an easier day of some 200 miles of driving, so we took the opportunity of visiting the Old Blacksmiths at Gretna Green. I was able to fulfil one of my ambitions of driving the SUL over the Forth Road Bridge. ( I had in the past driven OT VRT VDV 143S over the bridge.) We arrived at Lathalmond about 4pm, so had a couple of hours to inspect the Museum’s collection

Sunday saw us undertake the 12.30pm free bus service to and from Dunfermline with a full load. Dennis Strange was able to shoot the remaining footage for a forthcoming SU DVD.

Three classics in the first shot !

The journey down was again going to be two days. As the first day down to Lancaster was only about 200 miles we planned on some diversions !

First we visited South Queensferry to view the two bridges. Then it was on to drive through Edinburgh particularly Princes Street. This was a long held ambition of Terry B !

The next and final stop was to be a spot of train spotting. What better location than the site of the old Scout Green Signal box ? Woody was delighted by driving along the central reservation of the M6. (Northbound and Southbound lanes are separated here and the Scout Green road passes along the space)

View Larger Map

What luck ! – a Black Five on a downhill trip.

The final day was always going to be a long and rather flat three hundred miles of motorway driving. It was not helped by a two hour closure of the M6 where we crept forward on a stop and start regime. Still the sign I placed in the SU caused a few wry smiles.

However by seriously curtailing the time at our stops, we arrived almost on time at 5.30pm. Here the spare driver, Ken, takes the final few hundred yards from the airfield gate.

So over a thousand miles when dear old EDVard did not miss a beat. She cruised steadily at 40 mph returning about 25mpg. I did manage once to get her into the middle lane to overtake an artic that was definitely not clocking 56 !!

My thanks go to my friends, Terry Bennett and Robin “Woody” Woodcock for doing a larger part of the driving and to Ken Baker for providing us with five evenings of mirth and merriment and did show us how to enjoy a diet.

Light Horizontal Short – The Bristol LHS

2011-08-14T19:27:00.000+01:00

All seen here at Penzance October 1991

1556 FDV 766V Bristol LHS6L ECW B35F 1979

1565 KRL 444W Bristol LHS6L Wadham Stringer B35F new 1981 from Grenville, Camborne 1988

1566 PCV 178R Bristol LHS6L Marshall B34F new 1977 from Grenville, Camborne 1988

1568 HDL 414N Bristol LHS6L ECW B35F new 1975 from United Automobile 1988

1569 PNU 389R Bristol LHS6L ECW B35F new 1975 from United Automobile 1988

The Maltese Optimals

2011-08-13T03:52:00.000+01:00

BCY 861 new 10/01– believed to be an imported reconditioned Leyland Tiger chassis.

KCY 884 CHMP4315101MP new 9/01 the chassis is described as being a new “Leyland Tiger Replica”. Now with a Volvo engine

LCY 923 FAJ 773 OPT9804002 119804SCA004 ERF Cummins L10

Oxford Singles

2011-08-12T05:38:00.000+01:00

Lynx

2011-08-11T05:28:00.001+01:00

FBY 315 new as G168 EOG West Midlands PTE 1168 arriving in Malta 6/06 and entering service 2/08

FBY 379 new 3/89 as F213 YHG Preston 213 arriving in Malta 3/07 and entering service 2/08

FBY 398 new 3/98 as F211 YHG Preston 211 arriving in Malta 3/07 and entering service 3/08

FBY 703 new 2/90 as G221 EOG West Midland PTE 1221 8/07

FBY 792 new 12/89 as G183 EOG to West Midlands PTE 1183, coming to Malta 2/08 from S & A, Marden (HW)

Adaptation to make the Lynx wheel-chair accessible (FBY 703)

Believed to be H26 YBV Preston 226

E&OE

The Gozoan Scarnif Optimals

2011-08-10T05:38:00.001+01:00

Local Malta manufacturer Scarnif from Luqa used mechanical units from imported ERF trucks and including them into new build coaches calling them Optimal. They mostly had Cummins L10 engines. Eight were used in Gozo, whilst three more were on Malta.

FBY 012 (BAG 849) OPT9709001 119709SCA002 ERF

FBY 070 , FAJ 758, H622 FNB OPT9805003 119805SCA005 ERF

FBY 071, FAJ 762, H619 FNB OPT9806004 119806SCA006 ERF

FBY 074, FAJ 761, H197 DDB CHMP5828H98 119808SCA007 ERF

FBY 075, FAJ 759, H193 DDB CHMP5830H98 119808SCA008 ERF

FBY 077 EAH 079, G847 LCW CHMP5850K98 119811SCA009 Leyland –DAF DAF 11.6 litre

FBY 078, FAJ 757, H194 DDB CHMP5852H98 119812SCA010 ERF

FBY 079, FAJ 775, H195 DDB CHMP5853L98 119812SCA011 ERF

FBY012 and FBY077 had chassis that were supplied to owners in Gozo. The rest came from the Tibbett and Britten Group of Enfield in 5/97 via Burmurrad Commercials.

Tibbett and Britten details here.
. http://www.hayesanderson.com/tibbett-britten/mainon3.php

E&OE. Any further information welcome.

Oxford Deckers

2011-08-09T05:29:00.000+01:00

Some Supremes

2011-08-08T05:28:00.000+01:00

Y-0334, RUT 390R
Bedford YLQ new 2/1977, Nu-Venture,Maidstone from Camping, Brighton (ES) 4/86

Y-0385, RBO 669R
Bedford YLQ new 4/1977, Hills,Tredegar from Williams, Cwmdu (CW) by 1/87

Y-0405, VYC 869M
Ford R192 new 3/74 to Andrews,Trudoxhill from Andrews, Marshfield (SO) by 9/85

Y-0437, SUO 247T
Ford R1014 new 8/78 to Lovering,Combe Martin. From Evans, Tregaron (CW) by 1/87

Y-0706, Y-1407, PGW 683L
Bedford YRQ new 5/73 from Kirkbright, Colne (LA) by 3/85

Valletta May 2011

The Scarnif low-floors 2002 - 2004

2011-08-07T05:00:00.000+01:00

With the need to modernise the buses at attempt to produce a locally built low floor low emission vehicle was made by Frans Attard a builder of bodies at a worshop at Il-Kalakku. Known as Scarnif (an anagram of Francis) they had built eleven Optimals, coaches with most using ERF mechanicals. (See a later post for details)

In all seven were completed two on Volvo chassis and five on MAN

New 2/04 Volvo B7RLE
Owned by Vella, Zeitjun
Replaced DBY 332 (Y-0332, Y-1033, A-708, 708) Dodge f/c Schembri B40F

New 6/03 MAN 14.220 owned by Joseph Mallia, Lija
Replaced DBY 399 (Y-0399, Y-1100, A-1804, 1804) Ford ET7 Casha B40F

New 2/04 MAN 14.220 chassis Scarnif body number LF0401SCA030
Owned by Mifsud, Mgarr
Replaced EBY 483 ( Y-0483, Y-1184, A-2253, 2253, 3117) Docks f/c Barbara B40F

New 12/02 MAN 14.220 chassis Scarnif Body number LF0212SCA024
Owned by Buhagiar, Dingli
Replaced EBY 488 (Y-0488, Y-1189, A-2272, 2272) Docks f/c Tonna B40F

New 12/04 MAN 14.220 chassis
Replaced EBY 561 (Y-0685, Y-0866, Y-1566, A-7053, 7053) Bedford f/v Debono B45F

New 3/03 MAN 14.220 Scarnif body number LF012SCA025
Owned by Caruana, Mosta
Replaced by EBY 639 (Y-0639, Y-1340, A-2920, 2920, 3293) Federal f/c Aquilina B40F

New 5/02 Volvo B6BLE chassis. This was the first vehicle produced
Owned by Salvu Vella, Zeitjun
Replaced FBY 727 (Y-0727, Y-1428, A-3292, 3292) Dodge f/c Aquilina B36F

The launch of the first Scarnif low-floor bus here
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20020504/news/minister-tells-bus-owners-to-go-for-low-floor-buses.176343

Unfortunately the lack of any volume of production, (considering at least at that time (2002) there was thought a need for 250 such vehicles), ensured no further building.

More on Frans Attard here

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101122/local/not-all-diamonds-last-forever.337279

E&OE. Any further information welcome.

The 1997 low-floor “sample” vehicles.

2011-08-06T05:01:00.000+01:00

Five British low floor sample vehicles were introduced into Malta in 1997. They had easy access, “greener engines” and DIPTAC yellow on black blinds. The blinds soon went out of use and the traditional route numbers appeared in the windscreen !

The Optare Excel arrived in February 1997 and was unique.

Transbus supplied two Dennis SLF Darts with Plaxton Pointer bodies in May 1997

They were equipped with air suspension, manual gearboxes and of course much smaller wheels !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEE7yL4l5tc&feature=related

In March 1997 two Dennis SLF Darts with East Lancs Spryte bodies arrived.

Unfortunately these vehicles were always going to be too costly so no orders followed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEKXxBJeGDs

Scarnif Swift

2011-08-04T17:09:00.000+01:00

Whilst on a visit to Scarnif with the MTN tours in 2007 & 2008 I took photos of this vehicle. As my memory has faded with age I would appreciate comments.

What I think I remember that it was a Swift and that it was to have a different engine and be fitted with a new front. The Scarnif front was there but I have no idea if this was the intended front.

The engine fitted would seem to be an AV505 so already the engine has been altered. Didn’t Swifts have the AH505 ?

Keith Till has identified this as FBY 797

EGN 194J Y-0797/ FBY 797

Seen here in 1992 it would seem to have an AEC AH505 engine. It is believed that this was replaced with a mid mounted vertical engine (AV505 ?)

The Green Swifts

2011-08-03T05:05:00.000+01:00

EGN 180J M-1516

EGN 276J M-1512

EGN 180J M-1516 inner EGN 276J M-1512 outer

EGN 602J M-1519

Pembroke 2007 or 2008

More swifts–Purple or Blue

2011-08-02T05:02:00.000+01:00

EGN 259J, M-1522 Valletta January 2003

EGN 259J, M-1522 March 2007

EGN 356J, M-1521 Valletta January 2003

EGN 337J, M-1525 Pembroke April 2008

EGN 259J, M-1522 Pembroke April 2008

Pulizija Ivecos

2011-08-01T05:13:00.001+01:00

Six Fiat 59-12 (Iveco) with Marshall B25F were acquired from Arriva East Herts & Essex in February 2003.

2360 N740 AVW

2345 M725 UTW

2361 N741 AVW

2091 M151 RBH

2341 M721 UTW

2364 N744 AVW

Freedom Square, Valletta, April 2008

Swift variety - 1

2011-07-31T15:01:00.001+01:00

EGN 427J A-1952 / Y-0420 / DBY 420
AEC Swift Park Royal
New 4/71 as London Transport SMS427 (as B33D) becoming SMD427 when altered to B42D. Former UK owner was Leybourne Grange Hospital, West Malling. Into Malta 6/81 and altered to B46F. Believed to have a DAF engine when photographed.

Rebuilt with underfloor AEC AV505 engine, equal depth side windows with sloping down front corners, Plaxton rear and Paramount grille.

AML 15H A-1971 / Y-0426 / DBY 426
AEC Swift Marshall
New 6/70 as London Transport SM15 as B42F. Into Malta 6/81 and altered to B46F. Believed to have a Cummins engine when photographed.

I believe this was exported to Malta for spares

EGN 292J A-2709 / Y-1290 / Y-0589 / EBY 589
AEC Swift Park Royal
New 1/71 as London Transport SMS292 as B33D. Into Malta by 10/81. Converted to B46F.
Plaxton Paramount grille fitted.

EGN 212J A-2882 / Y-0634 / FBY 634
AEC Swift Marshall
New 3/71 as SMS212 as B33D. Into Malta by 8/81 and operated with the centre door before being converted to B46F.
Rebuilt with high floor and underfloor engine. Plaxton Paramount grille fitted.

AML 9H A-3309 / Y-0738 / FBY 738
AEC Swift Marshall
New 1/70 as London Transport SM9 as B42F. Into Malta 5/81. Converted to B46F
Rebuilt with high floor, underfloor engine and Plaxton Paramount 3 grille

Fuller information and bus histories here

http://www.countrybus.org/merlswft/swift.html#top

E&OE. Any further information welcome.

Go North..National Express Variety

2011-07-31T05:15:00.000+01:00

Marble Arch, June 2011

Arriva Midlands 3202 YJ54CFE VDL DE40XSSB4000, Van Hool T9 Alizee C49FT

Siverdale, Nottingham Scania K340EB4 Caetano Levante C49FT

YN08MOA Scania K340EB4, Irizar Century 12.35 C49FT Peter Godward Coaches, Basildon

This coach is interesting because it was a Scania demonstrator Irizar Century bodied YN08MOA proclaiming itself a "New wheelchair accessible vehicle" .

Park's of Hamilton Volvo B12B(T) Plaxton 'Accessible' Panther

Selwyns Travel, Runcorn 153 Volvo B9R Plaxton Elite C48FLt 01/03/2011

Gone but not forgotten - 3

2011-07-30T10:00:00.001+01:00

Five more that quietly passed away !

3209, A-3029, A-1900, Y-1116, Y-0415
Dodge f/c with Aquilina body of 1968
Owned by Stephen Zammit, Siggiewi
Naxxar, January 2003
Replaced with King Long DBY 415 11/03

2269, A-2269, Y-1188, Y-0487
Bedford SBO of 1955 with 1956 Aquilina body
Owned by J Bonavia, Zabbar
Valletta, January 2003
Replaced with King Long EBY 487, 7/03

2877, A-2877, Y-1331, Y-0630, Y-0711
International f/c of 1933 with 1949 Aquilina body
Owned by Charles Farrugia, Paola
Valletta January 2003
Replaced with King Long FBY 711, 9/04

2790, A-2790, Y-1616, Y-0916, Y-0720
Maltese Docks f/c Schembri
Owned by Charles Farrugia, Paola
Valletta January 2003
Replaced with FBY 720 Volvo B6-50 Alexander body of 1995 originally registered M125 VAK, 2/08

3298, A-3298, Y-1432, Y-0731
Ford ET7 of 1953 with an Aquilina body of the same date.
Owned by Horace Vella, Qormi
Valletta January 2003
Replaced with BMC Falcon FBY 731 4/03

E&OE Any further information always appreciated.

Solaris Valletta

2011-07-29T17:58:00.001+01:00

Solaris Bus & Coach is a bus manufacturer located just north of Poznań, Poland, exactly between two European capitals: Warsaw and Berlin. Solaris ranks well amongst the leading players in the European bus industry and manufactures a wide range of modern city and suburban buses, trolleybuses, buses for special applications and trams.

The first "Valletta" was produced in late 2002 and early 2003 's , for ATP (Assocjazzjoni Trasport Pubbliku) from Hamrun , destined for the capital of Malta . Only 3 buses were bought and put into service.

They were adapted to right-hand drive (RHD) in Malta (?). They use Iveco NEF F4AE0681B Euro 3 engines with a swept volume of 5.9 dm 3 and the maximum power of 176 kW (240 hp) with 3-speed automatic gearbox Voith Diwa 851.3 There was an option DAF PF 183C with a maximum power 183 kW (250 hp) power unit . I presume the three in Malta have Iveco engines.

The engine is mounted on the rear overhang along the axis of the vehicle, power is transmitted to the classic rear axle ZF A-132. The front suspension uses a ZF RL 85A axle. The frame of the bus and its outer skin are made of stainless steel. The front panel is made entirely of plastic reinforced with glass fibres, The split windshield is bonded. The rear windows are bonded directly into the body structure and there is an aluminium engine cover. 41 rigid Astromal seat placed on pedestals, 4 of the seats in the low-floor area are folding. This allows a space intended for a wheelchair. Under the seat platforms are fuel tanks and compressed air tanks. Above the right wheel is the panel wiring. The dashboard has been greatly simplified. To provide ventilation inside there are sliding roof and side windows. There are no heaters.

DBY 313 into service 5/03. It replaced Ford ET7 / Casha 159.
Owned by Camillera, Mosta.
Seen here in May 2011 by which time the electronic display was not in use.

EBY 433 seen in Dingli on the 24th January 2003 shortly after entering service. The registration had been out of use for some years.
Owned by Mifsud, Mgarr.

FBY 752 seen here in Valletta on the 12th March 2007
Owned by Mifsud, Mgarr.
Replaced Diamond T / Barbara 2350

http://www.solarisbus.pl/en/about_us.html

http://www.solaris-club.com/solaris-valetta.php

E&OE Further information welcome.

Variations on a theme 1

2011-07-28T10:50:00.001+01:00

Bedford YRQ of 1973 new as LBU 153L to B & BG Barlow of Lichfield coming to Malta in 1988

Bedford YLQ of 1976 new to Parry, Pwllheli as VNT48S coming to Malta 1986

Bedford YRQ of 1974 new to Tourist, Figheldean as SMR 662N coming to Malta in 1985

Bedford YLQ new 1976 to Wainfleet,Nuneaton as ODU 251P coming to Malta in 1986

Bedford YRQ of 1974 coming to Malta in 1985 from Williams, Cwmdu. OHB 470N

E&OE Further information always welcome.

Gone but not forgotten - 2

2011-07-26T05:45:00.000+01:00

Little did I know that these only had a few more months in service before being replaced.

143, A-0143, Y-1509, Y-0808, FBY 034, DBY 342
Bedford SB8 with Aquilina B36F body new in 1962.
Owned by Joseph Polidano, Kirkop
Valletta, January 2003
Replaced with King Long DBY 342 7/03

1767, A-1767, Y-1094, Y-0393, DBY 393
Bedford SBG ex Ministry of Supply dating from 1955 with a 1962 Casha B40F body
Owned by ?
Valletta, January 2003
Replaced by King Long DBY 393 4/03

2596, A-2596, Y-1271, Y-0570, EBY 570
Ford ET7 with Sammut B36F body
Owned by Saviour Zahra, Rabat
Rabat, January 2003
Replaced by BMC Falcon EBY 570 5/03

2789, A-2789, Y-1299, Y-0598, EBY 598
Bedford QL chassis dating from 1945 with a Vella body of 1955 that was rebuilt at a later date.
Owned by Phillip Caruana, Zebbug
Rabat, January 2003
Replaced with Saracakis Vo B7RLE EBY 598 7/03

3674, A-3674, Y-1489, Y-0788, FBY 788
Chassis built by Maltese Docks with Schembri B40F body
Owned by Francis Bugeja, Zabbar
Valletta, January 2003
Replaced by King Long FBY 788 6/03

E&OE Any further information always appreciated.

Bursting with ideas…..

2011-07-25T18:48:00.001+01:00

Malta January 2003…………….a passing method of boosting income.

Gone but not forgotten -1

2011-07-23T10:28:00.001+01:00

1517, A-1517, Y-1078, Y-0377
1960 Magirus-Deutz forward control chassis with Sammut body. Originally fitted with a Deutz F6L613 Air-Cooled diesel engine, it ended its days with a Perkins 8.36 litre engine.
Owned by Victor Mifsud, Mgarr
Replaced by King Long DBY 377 6/03
Golden Bay, January 2003

1803, A-1083, Y-1099, Y-0398
1961 Baileys (Dockyard) locally assembled frames with Bedford axles fitted with a 1963 Brincat body.
Owned by Francis Abela, Fgura
Replaced in 2008 by Leyland Lynx DBY 398 (Preston 211 F211 YHG)
Valletta, January 2003

2573, 2402, A-2402, Y-1215, Y-0514
Ex MOD 1951 Bedford SB with a 1970 Schembri body.
Owned by Michael Camenzuli, Marsaskala
Replaced with King Long EBY 514 11/03
Valletta, January 2003

4759, A-4759, Y-1495, Y-0794
1957 Mercedes Benz chassis and engine(believed to be a lorry chassis) with a Sammut body. Withdrawn in April 2003 by which time it had a Leyland 411 engine.
Owned by Andrew Sciberras, Qrendi
Replaced with BMC Falcon 5/03
Zurrieq, January 2003

2507, Y-1507, Y-0806
1958 locally built (H M Dockyard) chassis and originally fitted with Magirus engine,(believed to be air cooled). The Zammit body dates from 1960. A Leyland 411 was the engine in use at time of withdrawal in 2003.
Owned by Victor Muscat, Mosta
Replaced by King Long FBY 806 10/03
Valletta, January 2003

E&OE Any further information always appreciated.

tgp-photos-unlimited

The Bridport Jolly 6th November 2005

More Pebble Dash

Shoreline

Pebble dash

The Tilling PD1s

The River Exe in flood.

Steam on !

Some Classics from FOKAB

Farewell 2011

The Red River

Times gone by as written in the rocks.

Dawlish Water

The Gee Gees come to town.

Going, going,………gone

Nature’s Canvas

A square metre and one tree stump !

Exeter Nocturnal 2011

EDVard goes west

TGP Nationals

Edvard’s test run.

King Longs 509–512 & 514

Virtu Ferries

The LH Coaches

The Derwents.

Body numbering

Naming

Swifts # 3

The Big Cats

Swifts #2

The Green Era # 1

The Leyland Dennis or Super Comet !

Brincat 2

DBY368 over the years.

EBY 632–a close look.

Malta - ERF E10 Trailblazers

Insides

Barbara 2

DBY 450

Brincat 1

1992 still some normal control vehicles in use.

Coaching in 2003

From the archives : Western National Lynxes

Hino

The Malta Bristol LH buses

Plymouth Citybus–the black days.

Gozo 1992

Debono 1

Gauci

A closer look at 1440

EBY 629, Y-0629, Y-1596, A-3334, 3334

Rear ends

2458, A-2458, Y-1299, Y-0528, EBY 528 Where are you now ?

Barbara

The Dodges

Lathalmond August 2011 #1

Aquilina 1

Restored

Under restoration

Alexander T Types

Some Alexander Y types.

Four Friends and Edvard

Light Horizontal Short – The Bristol LHS

The Maltese Optimals

KCY 884 CHMP4315101MP new 9/01 the chassis is described as being a new “Leyland Tiger Replica”. Now with a Volvo engine

Oxford Singles

Lynx

The Gozoan Scarnif Optimals

Oxford Deckers

Some Supremes

The Scarnif low-floors 2002 - 2004

The 1997 low-floor “sample” vehicles.

Scarnif Swift

EGN 194J Y-0797/ FBY 797

The Green Swifts

More swifts–Purple or Blue

Pulizija Ivecos

Swift variety - 1

AML 15H A-1971 / Y-0426 / DBY 426 AEC Swift MarshallNew 6/70 as London Transport SM15 as B42F. Into Malta 6/81 and altered to B46F. Believed to have a Cummins engine when photographed.

AML 9H A-3309 / Y-0738 / FBY 738AEC Swift MarshallNew 1/70 as London Transport SM9 as B42F. Into Malta 5/81. Converted to B46FRebuilt with high floor, underfloor engine and Plaxton Paramount 3 grille

AML 15H A-1971 / Y-0426 / DBY 426
AEC Swift Marshall
New 6/70 as London Transport SM15 as B42F. Into Malta 6/81 and altered to B46F. Believed to have a Cummins engine when photographed.

AML 9H A-3309 / Y-0738 / FBY 738
AEC Swift Marshall
New 1/70 as London Transport SM9 as B42F. Into Malta 5/81. Converted to B46F
Rebuilt with high floor, underfloor engine and Plaxton Paramount 3 grille