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29/3/2011

Titan Graveyard

Ok, following on from my previous post, here are some pictures taken back in August 2009 when we visited London Truck and Bus with a view to taking on former East Kent 7001 (JJG1P) and ECW bodied Leyland Atlantean. Although impressed with 7001, the asking price was a tad high and we decided to sadly walk away from this one. The yard where 7001 was resting was Titan ( and Metrobus) heaven as you will see from the pictures.

28/9/2010 0 Comments

New Vehicles Joining our Fleet!

We have some new arrivals in the Bamford Sealy fleet. New to East Kent Leyland National EFN178L which was owned by Fiends of the East Kent until earlier this month. 1178 was saved and restored by Carl Underwood after working in the Nottingham area for GK Kinch as a mobility bus. She is currently restored in the 'de-reg rhubard and custard' livery the same as 7980. 1178 needs a new drivers side windscreen and a few electrical jobs done and she should be fit for an MOT. We're hoping to get her out and about this year - something she's sadly missed out on for about 4 years. We also have a limited run of shares available in her if your interested in becoming a part owner. CONTACT ME for more information on this.
Today Bernard and me picked up new to London Transport Leyland Titan T553 (NUW553Y, HIG5681) which was really off the radar and somewhat out of the range of our collection you may think? Well, no not really. NUW worked for Stagecoach when she left London and was converted to single door and 'provincial' style destination panel so as she stands she is more Stagecoach than London and makes a very tidy bus. These Titans worked everywhere in the Stagecoach network when they left London, from Bluebird in Scotland to East Kent and everywhere in between! We may use a little 'artistic license' here, after all, the Stagecoach stripes aren't really a classic enough livery for a preserved bus! NUW will be appearing in a 'heritage livery' of a Stagecoach subsidary that operated the ex London Titans, and no, it's not the old East Kent livery! NUW laterly served with Roberts Coaches of Wingham who of course ran former T953 as HIG5682. This was subject of a recent NEWS post so I won't recap apart from saying NUW was VERY close to heading off to the scrap yard too. In fact only a last minute phone call at 0715 that morning saved her from being driven off to scrap at 1000. They don't get closer than that! NUW comes with an MOT and is ready to roll. She needs a damn good clean out thugh having spent 6 or 7 years taking the local cherubs to and from school.
Both buses bring new technology into our fleet, air suspension and dodgey electrical systems (7681 please take note!) so this should be an interesting learning curve. Look out for new webpages on the site for both buses coming soon to this site.

EFN178L at her current location in Kent

T553 leaves Roberts Coaches Wingham yard for the last time earlier on today.

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24/9/2010

Madness!

All the years that I have been working in the industry and involved with bus preservation it never fails to amaze me when perfectly good buses go for scrap. This Wednesday (22/09/10) I encountered former Roberts Coaches Leyland Titan T953 (HIG5682) heading to the local scrap yard. After work I went over to the yard. There she sat, engine ticking over, hazard lights flashing, interior lights on as they started smashing the windows prior to breaking her up. What was even more mad was that this was no MOT faliure or time expired bus but one with a current class 6 MOT that was still capable of going out in service and doing a days work. Fortunately I managed to salvage a few seats that will fit DMS550 and after a phone call to London bus guru Stuart Boxall, the engine and gearbox which he could use as spares. The people at the yard were very helpful even suggesting we save the tyres too. I know we can't save everything but to me this did seem total madness!