Fleetline 4535

[Tony]

As some of you may be aware 'Mad' Ronnie, owner of this bus is seriously ill after a fall at Hamstead Station. Things are not looking too good for him and the buses he owned are having to be moved from Oldbury where they were kept. His family are looking to sell 4535 for £1200 for further preservation. If anyone one is interested in helping save 4535 send me a PM and I will pass you details on to someone who is looking find a new owner or consortium to look after this bus. The bus itself is in reasonable condition for its age

[Tony]

4535 has now gone to Willenhall Commercials for scrap, shame because of untrue rumours about it putting people of buying it. I find it a shame when a rarer vehicle goes for scrap because of the addiction with Metrobuses of most preservationists in this area.

For those who don't know, as well as Ronnie's fall he has also suffered a heart attack and it not looking good at all. His family are selling most of his collection now as those who visited Wythall know. I am going to make them an offer for his unsold photo collection this weekend to try and keep that intact.

[winston]

I noticed 6832 parked in Oldbury yesterday is looking a little worse for wear. All the cream roof coving panels are green, I assume it may just need a decent clean?

[PM]

I guess this example does raise the issue of who will actually want a lot of these privately preserved vehicles? Obviously museums such as BaMMOT will continue to want to preserve older vehicles but for younger people like myself who were only just born when fleetlines were in service in significant numbers and who don't remember them, they are not going to be the buses they wish to preserve. Generally someone in their 20's would be more likely to want to preserve a b10b/lynx/metrobus/b6/b10l/dart than they are a fleetline... I do agree it is a shame though.

Hope you manage to keep his photo collection together though Tony and obviously fingers crossed for him.

[Tony]

I noticed 6832 parked in Oldbury yesterday is looking a little worse for wear. All the cream roof coving panels are green, I assume it may just need a decent clean?

6832 is not in too bad condition. It has had two offers of a new home, hopefully one will turn into a purchase. It will survive. It is 'drivable' and does move, but needs a levelling valve for the suspension before venturing out onto the road so will probably have to be towed to a new home

[winston]

I noticed 6832 parked in Oldbury yesterday is looking a little worse for wear. All the cream roof coving panels are green, I assume it may just need a decent clean?

6832 is not in too bad condition. It has had two offers of a new home, hopefully one will turn into a purchase. It will survive. It is 'drivable' and does move, but needs a levelling valve for the suspension before venturing out onto the road so will probably have to be towed to a new home

I must just be algae etc on the roof with is not having moved for a while. Does Ron also own 2957 that parks next to it?

[Tony]

I noticed 6832 parked in Oldbury yesterday is looking a little worse for wear. All the cream roof coving panels are green, I assume it may just need a decent clean?

6832 is not in too bad condition. It has had two offers of a new home, hopefully one will turn into a purchase. It will survive. It is 'drivable' and does move, but needs a levelling valve for the suspension before venturing out onto the road so will probably have to be towed to a new home

I must just be algae etc on the roof with is not having moved for a while. Does Ron also own 2957 that parks next to it?

2957 is now in the ownership of the other part owner, it is taxed and will be attending rallies this year

[Isle of Stroma]

4535 has now gone to Willenhall Commercials for scrap, shame because of untrue rumours about it putting people of buying it. I find it a shame when a rarer vehicle goes for scrap because of the addiction with Metrobuses of most preservationists in this area.

For those who don't know, as well as Ronnie's fall he has also suffered a heart attack and it not looking good at all. His family are selling most of his collection now as those who visited Wythall know. I am going to make them an offer for his unsold photo collection this weekend to try and keep that intact.

Much as I'm gutted about 4535, I'm more troubled about Ron himself. I had the 'privilege' of working with him for 6 months a dozen years ago or so, fingers crossed for him.

I hope you get the photo collection. Having seen just a small part, I have a feeling that the content will way outweigh what you pay for it.

[4130Quinton]

Very sad that yet another batch of Fleetlines has now gone extinct. Living where I do it would have been very difficult to do anything myself but I was seriously considering it until I gave up in sheer frustration at all the rumours and counter rumours about it and whether or not seats had been removed or not etc. I agree with Tony about Metrobuses, I like them don't get me wrong but it seems like everybody wants to preserve them at the expense of other types.

I don't know Ronnie personally but sad to hear of his serious health issues.

[Tony]

Very sad that yet another batch of Fleetlines has now gone extinct. Living where I do it would have been very difficult to do anything myself but I was seriously considering it until I gave up in sheer frustration at all the rumours and counter rumours about it and whether or not seats had been removed or not etc. I agree with Tony about Metrobuses, I like them don't get me wrong but it seems like everybody wants to preserve them at the expense of other types.

I don't know Ronnie personally but sad to hear of his serious health issues.

It had a full set of seats, these were removed before sale to Willenhall commercials, so at least they can be used on 6832 or any other fleetline