All Your Favourite Buses Past & Present

[Mike K]

Did the rolls Royce metros sound much different to the standard one? I always wanted a ride on 7006/7 with the fleetline interior but never managed to get one

They had a similar characteristic high pitched whine to the standard Metrobuses but were noticeably different in engine noise, to enthusiasts at least. Not sure the general public would have noticed the difference. Don't know if it was my imagination at the time but they also felt slightly quicker. Used to ride on the AG batch 2226-2245 and 7006/7 regularly on the Outer Circle to and from school as a kid.

[Steve3229vp]

My favourites were:

Daimler Fleetlines that were fitted with Leyland engines instead of the usual Gardner (4530-4579 and 6301-6420), I loved the sound they made, I remember as a 8 year old being fascinated by them while traveling on the 63xx batch on routes 125/126 along the Hagley Road in 1978 and in 1980ish when 6313, 6314 and eventually 6315 were at Lea Hall, I used to see them where I lived in Bordesley Green on routes 28 (Small Heath-Great Barr), 98 (City-Marston Green) and 99 (City-Chelmsley Wood North). I remember going home from my nans in Tile Cross on the 97 (then based at Coventry Road Garage) on 6313 which had been brought out from Lea Hall to cover a breakdown ...... Happy Days !!!!

[Niall]

First buses I remember were metros and B10s. I used to like the metros because of the bell along the roof downstairs in some of them (I thought that was great at the time!) although please don't moan if that wasn't the metros (I just remember them as 'the blue and white ones'), plus they have a great engine noise. Haven't been on them since I was a kid though, although one did turn up on the 9 about 2005/6ish when I was on the way home from school to the anger of people with pushchairs (despite being repeatedly told there was another bus minutes behind).
No idea why but I used to think of 1375 as one of my favourites, when the B10s used to operate on the 241 (probably because it was in blue and white for so long, and it was the only number I seemed to take any notice of). I remember getting a B10B on the 241 up long lane from blackheath after we'd bought a pushchair, it wouldn't fit any further down the bus than the drivers cab, so after 2 stops we got off and walked because people couldn't get on or off. Another great engine noise.
Also quite like the darts, used to get them on the 441 on my way home from school, they have a great whiny engine noise, plus they were always empty and 9 was always packed, although I think now they are unbearably rattly (after going on one last week for the first time in about 5 years). I used to enjoy when a spectra turned up on the 9 as well, probably just because it was something different.
My favourite buses at the moment (that I've been on) are probably the leather enviros that were new to PB. Probably the comfiest bus I've been on.

[JB93]

I love the Lynxes, I remember always catching them on the 14 as a kid. I loved the sideward facing seats as you walked on to your right.

[Gareth]

My favourites were
2595, 2909, 3049,3050
6488(my thumbnail photo), 6666, actually all ex WH fleetlines.
I liked the Nationals and Lynxes but never really had a favourite.

Ailsa 4773 was a favourite as well. Always a pleasure getting that on the 94 with Tame Valley.

I don't really have any favourite modern buses, but for some reason I always smile when I spot 4471 and 4474. Always had a soft spot for 4001. Out of the modern fleet, I have always like the ex new to LH buses, but none of them really stand out as favourites.

[Kiewii]

Shouldn't hurt to put my favorite NXD buses, right?

Volvo B7RLE: 2033
Volvo B7TL: 7003
Volvo B10L: 7151
Volvo B10BLE: 7161 & 7171
E400H: 5430
Solo: 7344

Speaking of the Volvo Ailsa, two WMT examples appeared at the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum.

4527: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kiewii/9541698930/
4738: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kiewii/9541671534/

[lynx1103]

My favourites were
2595, 2909, 3049,3050
6488(my thumbnail photo), 6666, actually all ex WH fleetlines.
I liked the Nationals and Lynxes but never really had a favourite.

Ailsa 4773 was a favourite as well. Always a pleasure getting that on the 94 with Tame Valley.

I don't really have any favourite modern buses, but for some reason I always smile when I spot 4471 and 4474. Always had a soft spot for 4001. Out of the modern fleet, I have always like the ex new to LH buses, but none of them really stand out as favourites.

Gareth if you've got £2750
2595 on sale on eBay

[Stuharris 6360]

Stourbridge Fleetline 6360,  & Fleetline 6956

D9    4981

s23   5929

[Liverpool Street]

My favourites were
2595, 2909, 3049,3050
6488(my thumbnail photo), 6666, actually all ex WH fleetlines.
I liked the Nationals and Lynxes but never really had a favourite.

Ailsa 4773 was a favourite as well. Always a pleasure getting that on the 94 with Tame Valley.

I don't really have any favourite modern buses, but for some reason I always smile when I spot 4471 and 4474. Always had a soft spot for 4001. Out of the modern fleet, I have always like the ex new to LH buses, but none of them really stand out as favourites.

Gareth if you've got £2750
2595 on sale on eBay

Gah what have they done to that!!

[j789]

Favourite West Mids buses are:
Metros 2039 (seemed to survive longer than any other v reg Metro and often on the 11c), 2222 (for the number!), 2468 (this bus was made into a corgi model which I have had for 20+ years - also good when it came from Cov to AG and used on the 11A, think it then went to Wolverhampton), 2893 (don't know what was different about this bus but so powerful - when it was at BC I caught it a lot and whilst on a 139 will not forget the time it overtook a President going UP Mucklow Hill - absolute beast!), 2886 (because of that Silver!!)

I also liked the Noc - R Fleetlines at Quinton garage.

Best bus I have driven is First midland Lance 67234 and current Tridents 33401-5

[BU07 LGO]

No prizes for guessing my favourite hehe

[CL]

In my childhood, i used to ride the 8A & 8A VERY Frequently... The bus i used to see oftenly was 1664 - 1668 (Merc O405N)

Also, during school, Metrobuses were very common on the only route. My favourites were the wider rear windows series (30**)

Currently, my favourite buses are:
- 4912 ~ Enviro 400
- 4241 / 4242 ~ ALX400
- All Hybrid Buses - E400H & Volvo B5LH

[Sh4318]

My favourite Metrobuses were the MK1s, you'll never get a bus like that again

[Gareth]

My favourites were
2595, 2909, 3049,3050
6488(my thumbnail photo), 6666, actually all ex WH fleetlines.
I liked the Nationals and Lynxes but never really had a favourite.

Ailsa 4773 was a favourite as well. Always a pleasure getting that on the 94 with Tame Valley.

I don't really have any favourite modern buses, but for some reason I always smile when I spot 4471 and 4474. Always had a soft spot for 4001. Out of the modern fleet, I have always like the ex new to LH buses, but none of them really stand out as favourites.

Gareth if you've got £2750
2595 on sale on eBay

I'd love to have 2595. Unfortunately I have nowhere to store her, or the expertise and finance to carry out restoring her. :-( hope she finds a good home.