I've finally realised a childhood ambition!

[Leyland Worldmaster]

I've driven a BRISTOL VR; bit not any old Bristol VR, but a former Maidstone and District example that my family and I regularly travelled on when it was in service! Was on a parade in Detling, so was videotaped and photographed- and I'd never driven one before- and I was on my own! Loved every minute of it! This reminded me why I like buses!

[suzublu]

When you use to drive them every day for 12 years,the novelty soon wears off Stuart

[Ken]

Originally Posted by suzublu

When you use to drive them every day for 12 years,the novelty soon wears off Stuart

Couldn't agree more as they were slow, the mirrors vibrated at any speed and they replaced real buses like the Bristol Lodekka

Having said that I can understand why Leopard wanted a go as it seems like a childhood dream to him.


The first Lodekka I drove in service in 1972 is now being preserved and I have been promised a drive next year so looking forward to that

[suzublu]

Mind you,i used to love the Bristol RE's we had,& the National's.We also had a couple of old round fronted Leopards,can't remember the model numbers etc,only drove them

[windrush]

No Dennis lowlines then Stuart

[Ken]

Originally Posted by suzublu

Mind you,i used to love the Bristol RE's we had,& the National's.We also had a couple of old round fronted Leopards,can't remember the model numbers etc,only drove them

We had Panthers but no Leopards as far as I can remember. The best RE's were the old flat fronted type

[Leyland Worldmaster]

Originally Posted by windrush

No Dennis lowlines then Stuart

I took some pictures of Dennis vehicles with you in mind Derek, if you want I can email them to you (or anyone else who wants some)

[2Diesels]

Just had the old PS1 in for mot last week........................passed with flying colours

[Leyland Worldmaster]

Originally Posted by suzublu

When you use to drive them every day for 12 years,the novelty soon wears off Stuart

I see what you mean Ronnie; when people give me envious looks about driving Omnicity Double Deckers, I say the same sort of thing! It's just that the Bristol VR started and fostered my interest on buses... As my enthusiasm has been at something of a low ebb, this was a much needed boost! I found the VR instantly easy to get on with; O felt "at one" with the machine; I feel I could drive one all day where I work! Although modern buses may seem like a somewhat clinical experience, they do still have their idiosyncrasies! Brake blending technology for example is still something which requires more development work; on our MAN 14.240 buses, the braking still needs to be carefully modulated- the buses are fitted with six gear auto' 'boxes! They go though all the gears as one slows down! The four speed Scania Omnidekka types that we have however are much better in this respect!

[Roverowner]

My dad drove the Bournemouth Corporation Transport buses for many years. He was always taking photos and was the only one alowed by the manager to line them up when he fancied. Here is one of his from the 60s...