Leyland600:
Hi Lawrence, the coach on the left GPT 390 is certainly a Bedford OB with coachwork by Plaxton OBB 343 I think is a Leyland Tiger PS 1, not a Bristol. The Leyland wheelnut guards are of Leyland design, Bristols of that era do not have any means of fixing nutguards As you say 1949 or perhaps early 1950… OBB 600 was a Bedford OB new to Beeline, Newcastle in August 1950. I cannot identify the coachwork as yet.
Cheers, Leyland 600.
Hi “Leyland 600” Thanks for the info, I missread the Reg on the Bedford Its a 1946 Durham No, Which makes sence as the O model wasn’t in production in the 30s Regards Larry.
“Hey Wor Lass fetch me another bottle of Grouse from the garage, I’m slippin’ a bit on me reg nos.”
Dennis Im just having drink of Cardhu Single Malt, & you a correct my mem buds are not as good as they were, Of course im getting bloody old, But im not in bad shape for a hard worked oldie, , How are you doing your good self,?, Regards Larry.
Sorry all - I know its been asked before, but…
I’ve been trying to upload some photos, but they are all upside down in the preview - how do I correct this please?
kmills:
Sorry all - I know its been asked before, but…
I’ve been trying to upload some photos, but they are all upside down in the preview - how do I correct this please?
Hi kmills, in your photo editing software you find anti-clockwise, clockwise arrows(circular) to click on. I use Picasa, tried others, I find Picasa sooooo easy to work. If you download it, it will search your system for images and videos(also music if you want it to) when all images are in Picasa, select one, double click on it, a editing window now appears and you can choose what to do e.g. turn them, crop them, enhance them and add your name(copyright) you then go to top left File, click, scroll down, select Save as, give it a title and choose your Pictures folder as a destination. Then back to your post onTrucknet and select upload attachment, click on browse, select Pictures Folder, click on photo, then on Open, the file should now show in your post, click add file, hope this works for you
Oily
I met an old coach driver at the weekend, who was parking a 1952 Leyland Royal Tiger in my street, and we got onto non-power steering. We both agreed that it was largely a matter of technique rather than brute force - well, on buses and lighter commercials anyway!
However, he mentioned that back in the '50s many coach drivers would set up a small header tank with a little tap to drip-feed the steering mechanism to keep it constantly lubricated. He maintained that this made a big difference, but that you had to remember to turn the tap off when you parked to avoid puddles of oil forming on the road. I’ve not come across this before. Was this common practice among lorry drivers with ‘armstrong’ steering in that period? Robert
here goes - Thanks to Oily for the instructions, I would never have got there without them - scanning photos and uploading them is easy by comparison.
I took this picture last Saturday night - my boss has just bought this K200 so I thought I would take it for a spin instead of the Kenworth 904 that I usually drive. The K200 (biggest clue is the rounded grill) is a big improvement over the 100’s - its probably on a par with an early 80’s B series ERF - its that much better than the K100 lol. I’m not a fan in case you can’t tell. It’s a good spec on paper - all modern & up to date, but a bit like the old British wagons,they seem to forget that someone is going to drive it for hour after hour. Anyway, at least it does have a manual 18sp Road Ranger box - it’s saving grace I think. There are not many manuals around now - personally, they make all the difference to me. I don’t work for Collins - they are friends with my boss, we just do weekend work for them, as they have the same driver shortages as in the Uk - but Collins are a pretty good firm to work for, 100 % legal, and good equipment all kept well maintained and absolutely spotless.
I took the pic at the Nhill trailer change park - halfway between Adelaide & Melbourne, having changed over with one of their Melbourne drivers.
Hi Gordon, Morris Cowley,from mid '50s early '60s, Roller behind, Triumph Vitesse(6cly 2litre)'60s/'70s and a Landy can’t date that, cheers for the pics
Hi Gordon, Morris Cowley,from mid '50s early '60s, Roller behind, Triumph Vitesse(6cly 2litre)'60s/'70s and a Landy can’t date that, cheers for the pics
robert1952:
I met an old coach driver at the weekend, who was parking a 1952 Leyland Royal Tiger in my street, and we got onto non-power steering. We both agreed that it was largely a matter of technique rather than brute force - well, on buses and lighter commercials anyway!
However, he mentioned that back in the '50s many coach drivers would set up a small header tank with a little tap to drip-feed the steering mechanism to keep it constantly lubricated. He maintained that this made a big difference, but that you had to remember to turn the tap off when you parked to avoid puddles of oil forming on the road. I’ve not come across this before. Was this common practice among lorry drivers with ‘armstrong’ steering in that period? Robert
Hi Robert, for heavy steering and bum twitching brakes, the Leyland Royal Tiger coaches took the biscuit, for me anyway, the big steering wheel took a bit of hanging on to. My one and only experience was holidaymakers from Edinburgh to Perth, empty not too bad, full compliment of passengers and luggage, a different story. I was last in a convoy of 4 or 5 and the “lead” old hand driver took it steady, all part of the learning curve under the strict discipline that was applied in them days.
Oily
oiltreader:
Hi Gordon, Morris Cowley,from mid '50s early '60s, Roller behind, Triumph Vitesse(6cly 2litre)'60s/'70s and a Landy can’t date that, cheers for the pics
I could never remember the difference between a Morris Cowley and an Oxford-but I’m pretty sure that the Triumph is a Herald.Didn’t the Vitesse have twin headlights?
Brilliant thread btw,thanks .
kmills:
here goes - Thanks to Oily for the instructions, I would never have got there without them - scanning photos and uploading them is easy by comparison.
I took this picture last Saturday night - my boss has just bought this K200 so I thought I would take it for a spin instead of the Kenworth 904 that I usually drive. The K200 (biggest clue is the rounded grill) is a big improvement over the 100’s - its probably on a par with an early 80’s B series ERF - its that much better than the K100 lol. I’m not a fan in case you can’t tell. It’s a good spec on paper - all modern & up to date, but a bit like the old British wagons,they seem to forget that someone is going to drive it for hour after hour. Anyway, at least it does have a manual 18sp Road Ranger box - it’s saving grace I think. There are not many manuals around now - personally, they make all the difference to me. I don’t work for Collins - they are friends with my boss, we just do weekend work for them, as they have the same driver shortages as in the Uk - but Collins are a pretty good firm to work for, 100 % legal, and good equipment all kept well maintained and absolutely spotless.
I took the pic at the Nhill trailer change park - halfway between Adelaide & Melbourne, having changed over with one of their Melbourne drivers.
Nice one kmills thanks look forward to many more. One from Inverness, bit of a toy compared to your machine.
Oily
oiltreader:
Hi Gordon, Morris Cowley,from mid '50s early '60s, Roller behind, Triumph Vitesse(6cly 2litre)'60s/'70s and a Landy can’t date that, cheers for the pics
I could never remember the difference between a Morris Cowley and an Oxford-but I’m pretty sure that the Triumph is a Herald.Didn’t the Vitesse have twin headlights?
Brilliant thread btw,thanks .
Hi Sir+ the Cowley was basic, the Oxford a bit more fantoosh( scottish for fancy in terms of adornment ) the main distinguishing factor was extra chrome on the Oxford e.g chrome covered windscreen surround. The Triumph in servo’s pic doesn’t look quite the finished article, defo Vitesse bonnet, the Herald had prominent eyebrow shroud headlamps. We used to ferry them and Spitfires from Coventry to Honeybourne Airfield.
Oily
Hi again Sir+… back wringing cloth cap in hand and full of apology I’ve had a look on Google and there was a Herald model like the one in servo’s pic. off to count me marbles
Oily
robert1952:
I met an old coach driver at the weekend, who was parking a 1952 Leyland Royal Tiger in my street, and we got onto non-power steering. We both agreed that it was largely a matter of technique rather than brute force - well, on buses and lighter commercials anyway!
However, he mentioned that back in the '50s many coach drivers would set up a small header tank with a little tap to drip-feed the steering mechanism to keep it constantly lubricated. He maintained that this made a big difference, but that you had to remember to turn the tap off when you parked to avoid puddles of oil forming on the road. I’ve not come across this before. Was this common practice among lorry drivers with ‘armstrong’ steering in that period? Robert
Hi Robert, for heavy steering and bum twitching brakes, the Leyland Royal Tiger coaches took the biscuit, for me anyway, the big steering wheel took a bit of hanging on to. My one and only experience was holidaymakers from Edinburgh to Perth, empty not too bad, full compliment of passengers and luggage, a different story. I was last in a convoy of 4 or 5 and the “lead” old hand driver took it steady, all part of the learning curve under the strict discipline that was applied in them days.
Oily
Thanks Oily! Yes, those Leyland buses were renowned for their heavy steering. I owned a 1963 double-deck Titan PD2 for a couple of years and it was a joy to drive but heavy on the old steering. However, I’m still wondering if the practice of the self-styled auto-lube was used among truckers of the day. Robert
Hi oily and Robert, you and I must be classed as old coach drivers I drove a number of Ribble Royal Tigers with Leyland coach bodies built in 1952 on Carlisle - Glasgow expresses work in 1964 no M74 then. These coaches were very similar in appearance to the Alexanders Coronation class you are pictured with. I don’t recall the steering being particularly heavy but then we were used to it but the vacuum brakes tended to be a bit slow in coming into operation consequently you had to send a telegram to the brake department when you were preparing to stop. I remember a James McKelvie artic with a very long extendable trailer pulling right across the road exiting the Mossband Cafe at Gretna in front of me as I decended from Mossband railway bridge. This occurred about 4.30am on a dark morning, the trailer had one side marker lamp about as bright as a ■■■ end, this resulted in me virtually standing up trying to reign in the Royal Tiger, I am sure those passengers never closed their eyes again until I reached Edinburgh on that particular journey. With regard to the original thread to this story I have never heard of an oil drip feed to the steering mechanism other than various automatic chassis lubricators Tecalamit being one of the first. The only alternative to easy steering was plenty of grease from a grease gun applied by lying on your back in all weathers sometimes two to three times a week particularly with twin steer lorries.
Cheers, Leyland 600.
BIG mistake using that word ROF. The alarm bells and lights are flashing in MI6 or whatever they’re called nowadays. David Cameron has been called back to the house. The SWAT team is heading your way. Better switch off the computer and deny all knowledge!
‘But it’s the name of a car from the 1960s’ won’t wash with those guys. Hope you’re ready for waterboarding.
Leyland600:
Hi oily and Robert, you and I must be classed as old coach drivers I drove a number of Ribble Royal Tigers with Leyland coach bodies built in 1952 on Carlisle - Glasgow expresses work in 1964 no M74 then. These coaches were very similar in appearance to the Alexanders Coronation class you are pictured with. I don’t recall the steering being particularly heavy but then we were used to it but the vacuum brakes tended to be a bit slow in coming into operation consequently you had to send a telegram to the brake department when you were preparing to stop. I remember a James McKelvie artic with a very long extendable trailer pulling right across the road exiting the Mossband Cafe at Gretna in front of me as I decended from Mossband railway bridge. This occurred about 4.30am on a dark morning, the trailer had one side marker lamp about as bright as a ■■■ end, this resulted in me virtually standing up trying to reign in the Royal Tiger, I am sure those passengers never closed their eyes again until I reached Edinburgh on that particular journey. With regard to the original thread to this story I have never heard of an oil drip feed to the steering mechanism other than various automatic chassis lubricators Tecalamit being one of the first. The only alternative to easy steering was plenty of grease from a grease gun applied by lying on your back in all weathers sometimes two to three times a week particularly with twin steer lorries.
Cheers, Leyland 600.
Nice post ‘Leyland 600’ and yes, my Titan had the engine of your namesake, the 0.600 9.8 litre in it. Superb engine: always pulled well. I drove it to Wales, Cornwall, Brittany in France, Belgium and anywhere I fancied (as I’d turned it into a caravan). The only trouble I had with it was the fuel system. If left standing for more than a few days I had to bleed the diesel through; so I always ‘ran her up’ regularly. Robert
Hi Robert, what are the details of your Titan ? I had Rawtenstall 18 a Leyland bodies PD2/12 way back in 1976 which I took to numerous rallies. This bus has just come back on the presevation /wedding hire guise this summer down in Somerset after being virtually unused since I sold it back to Rawtenstall in 1982.
Cheers, Leyland 600
Leyland600:
Hi Robert, what are the details of your Titan ? I had Rawtenstall 18 a Leyland bodies PD2/12 way back in 1976 which I took to numerous rallies. This bus has just come back on the presevation /wedding hire guise this summer down in Somerset after being virtually unused since I sold it back to Rawtenstall in 1982.
Cheers, Leyland 600
PCW 946, re-registered RFP 687B just before it was withdrawn from service. Titan PD2A/27 (so ‘St Helens’ style LAD-cab cowl). Chassis L01545. Leyland 0,600 engine with manual gearbox. Built 1963. Body was (No. 5871) was a highbridge 64-seat (37/27) Northern Counties with electric front entrance. Owners: Burnley Colne & Nelson; Burnley & Pendle; Hornsby, Scunthorpe (dealer); Stephensons of Uttoxeter; then I bought it 26 years ago, swept the previous day’s tickets off the floor and converted it into a caravan. I sold it to the bus place in Lydney, Glos after which it was rumoured to have become a playbus in Bradford. Robert
from the garage, I’m slippin’ a bit on me reg nos.”
