Bus breakdown experiences

[wilmotm (Matt Wilmot)]

1553 still in merry hill at 1938

https://fbcdn-photos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1391752_10151885383348116_880344244_n.jpg

It seems like the Fiesta is moving the bus to a better angle to allow the tow truck to line up straight to the front of 1553 to hook up to it. The tow truck can not hook up and higher the boom at an angle can it?

Could a car like the Fiesta pictured be able to tow a bus a short distance?

I would have thought so on the flat at least anyway, and would imagine it would have a diesel engine which would help

[mranon]

a bit off topic, but i once broke down in a coach on the aston expressway, coming out of b'ham with a full load luggage n all. (think the pump gave up). it wouldnt start again, so i pulled it to the side using 1st gear on the starter. i was on phone for help, when 2 police officers turned up. they said they would tow me to a safer bit. i asked what with, they pointed to a rangerover. i said that wont pull this, it will, now get the front off mate and ill get set up. well, i was gob smacked, i did!!!!!!! with ease. wouldnt risk it with my own motor. i have seen a none runner being moved around by a forklift too!

[Liverpool Street]

Even small diesel engines produce enough torque to move large, freewheeling heavy objects.

[notepanel]

1553 still in merry hill at 1938

https://fbcdn-photos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1391752_10151885383348116_880344244_n.jpg

Presumably the angle has been why it's been there all day, to avoid closing off the whole bus station and disrupting many services whilst connecting it up to the tow truck.

[richie]

a bit off topic, but i once broke down in a coach on the aston expressway, coming out of b'ham with a full load luggage n all. (think the pump gave up). it wouldnt start again, so i pulled it to the side using 1st gear on the starter. i was on phone for help, when 2 police officers turned up. they said they would tow me to a safer bit. i asked what with, they pointed to a rangerover. i said that wont pull this, it will, now get the front off mate and ill get set up. well, i was gob smacked, i did!!!!!!! with ease. wouldnt risk it with my own motor. i have seen a none runner being moved around by a forklift too!

The engineers always used to use forklifts to move buses years ago, PN had a 276 stuck in snow on Thorns Road a couple of years ago with an engineer driving and a bloke pulled him free in a defender.

[wilmotm (Matt Wilmot)]

Big diesels can be immensely powerful, got a LDV with a 2.5 Transit diesel and with the vehicle empty it could pull almost anything, not very fast mind but would do it

[the trainbasher]

1553 just left on tow from merry hill at 2004. Looking at the rear display it may have been on the 297

1553 last night before departure on its tow truck

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1269439_10151886706468116_1675020517_o.jpg?dl=1

[wilmotm (Matt Wilmot)]

1553 just left on tow from merry hill at 2004. Looking at the rear display it may have been on the 297

1553 last night before departure on its tow truck

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1269439_10151886706468116_1675020517_o.jpg?dl=1

Hmm wonder if 1553 will see service again, must have been something fairly serious if engineers couldn't get it started and moved, won't be long before the remaining Mercs become unviable to repair after a breakdown etc...

[Trident 4609]

5512 taken out of service on the 59 today (After one trip after leaving the garage) replaced by 4554.

Also 4591 has appeared on the 59 tonight so another bus has been replaced

[nitromatt1]

5512 taken out of service on the 59 today (After one trip after leaving the garage) replaced by 4554.

Also 4591 has appeared on the 59 tonight so another bus has been replaced

Pretty sure it was 4554 it replaced as the other 3 buses on the 59 tonight are B5's 5510/13/14 :)

[John]

A Hansons Dart broken down in Merry Hill. Breakdown van in attendance.

Also a Diamond Dart on the 226 nearly broke down, on the corner where the Ring and Ride buses pick up in Merry Hill. The engine stalled and the driver could not restart. Starter motor was going but the engine would not fire. Two other Diamond drivers opened the bonnet and it finally started. I think it was either 20533 or 20534. A 51 plate MPD with the side display at the bottom of the window

[the trainbasher]

Would have been 20543 as I caught that earlier (about 18 down into Wordsley merry hill bound this morning)

[Trident 4609]

5512 taken out of service on the 59 today (After one trip after leaving the garage) replaced by 4554.

Also 4591 has appeared on the 59 tonight so another bus has been replaced

Pretty sure it was 4554 it replaced as the other 3 buses on the 59 tonight are B5's 5510/13/14 :)

Thanks Matt :) Never saw the 4th bus last night so icouldn't tell if 5514 or 4554 was replaced

[nitromatt1]

Wouldn't have been 5514 as that was the bus we were on. 5513 was the bus you didn't see :)

[Trident 4609]

Wouldn't have been 5514 as that was the bus we were on. 5513 was the bus you didn't see :)

Oh of course :) You can tell i need rest ;D

Today the driver on the 59 told me he has been instructed that if a certain light comes on the dashboard on 4552 (bus i was on) that he would have to take it straight back to Park Lane. Apprantly it has been reported with the same defect on several occasions now!