Hi i'm viatron from Sheffield again, but I remember one rear engined single deck bus was integral via using an M.C.W. single deck bus body & a Scania running unit also mounted at the rear & it's known as the Metro-Scania which a few of them operated in the Midlands such as Merseyside P.T.E. in Liverpool in the mid-70s what also includes a Scania 2-speed fully-automatic gearbox & I hope you will make a Classic Bus Histories video on my new bus subject. Thank you for your co-operation on this very special insite into the Metro-Scania integral single deck bus from David Viatron Esquire of crookes in Sheffield.
The Panther had the radiator at the front like the RE, while the Swift had the radiator at the rear end on the offside, where you see a small grille. The Panther and Swift had the engine horizontal and longitudinal at the extreme rear, with the gearbox between engine and the rear axle. The RE had the engine, horizontal and longitudinal, close behind the rear axle, with a shaft leading forward to the gearbox ahead of the rear axle, and a final shaft leading back! This allowed RE coaches to have a small rear boot for luggage, where the engine was on a Swift or Panther.
Loved driving RE's drove them at Eastern Counties,Alder Valley and Reading Transport, the later we known as 'cattle trucks ' by locals due to their standing area in the middle. Liked driving Nationals as well.Drove more modern Volvos but they had no character like the old ones
Our 340 or so Panthers in Brisbane, Australia, ran very well with some making 30 years in service. They also had front radiators. I think after decades in service the Brisbane City Council could cope with anything that the Panther threw at them!
The Roadliner had its longitudinal enine cantilevered too far rearward of the back axle, which caused flexure of the chassis rails. It also had poorly placed radiators under the body ahead of the rear axle. Remember the prototype Routemaster experiment?
Being a Sheffield lad, I was used to Swifts and leopards, so I only ever encountered RE’s operator by Lincolnshire, whilst on the annual ‘pilgrimage’ to Skegness. I remember that they had different rear ends - was this due to different coach builders, operators requirements or just changes in the bus design? Thank you.
The Merlin/swifts lasted over 10 years on the red arrow before the national 2 came along not bad really but that work was suited to them better I believe they were on the 91 Wandsworth bridge to Hounslow West for a while I was 6 and always remember the strong smell of diesel at the rear and the illuminated advert panel hanging from the ceiling 😊did any XMS buses get preserved Cheers 😊😊
I never drove a Bristol, but I drove Nationals leopards, and unfortunately, Lynx! The Lynx was a retrograde step, they rattled worse than ancient Nationals, even when new!
Be kind to the AEC Swift as 75 of the type were the backbone of St Helens bus operations for St Helens Corporation and Merseyside PTE The last nine never wore the St Helens livery being delivered to the MPTE early in 1975 given the former Bootle GEM registration s. Otherwise they were built to St Helens requirements They faithfully served the town from 1968 until 1987. After the awful deregulation bus services in 1986 the type was to be phased out but bus shortages meant the final 1975 batch were lent to Merseybus until 1987. These operated intended MINIBUS services as they were the next size up! Give me an AEC Swift over the awful Renault S56 or Freight Rover Sherpa any day! St Helens Corporations intentions were for the town to go all single deck but St Helens succumbed to the MPTEs Leyland Atlantean preferences as Swifts/Bristol REs and Leyland Nationals didnt have capacity for school bus needs. One or two AEC Swifts are now preserved.
Great video 👍 In my humble opinion as a retired PSV driver, the Bristol RE was the best single decker ever in looks and performance.
Thank you. Yes I do tend to agree. I think Bristol RE then AEC Swift for me.
The bristol re was always my favourite bus to drive
Hi i'm viatron from Sheffield again, but I remember one rear engined single deck bus was integral via using an M.C.W. single deck bus body & a Scania running unit also mounted at the rear & it's known as the Metro-Scania which a few of them operated in the Midlands such as Merseyside P.T.E. in Liverpool in the mid-70s what also includes a Scania 2-speed fully-automatic gearbox & I hope you will make a Classic Bus Histories video on my new bus subject. Thank you for your co-operation on this very special insite into the Metro-Scania integral single deck bus from David Viatron Esquire of crookes in Sheffield.
Very fast and smooth buses!
The Panther had the radiator at the front like the RE, while the Swift had the radiator at the rear end on the offside, where you see a small grille. The Panther and Swift had the engine horizontal and longitudinal at the extreme rear, with the gearbox between engine and the rear axle. The RE had the engine, horizontal and longitudinal, close behind the rear axle, with a shaft leading forward to the gearbox ahead of the rear axle, and a final shaft leading back! This allowed RE coaches to have a small rear boot for luggage, where the engine was on a Swift or Panther.
another fine episode jake
Thanks Chris
Loved driving RE's drove them at Eastern Counties,Alder Valley and Reading Transport, the later we known as 'cattle trucks ' by locals due to their standing area in the middle. Liked driving Nationals as well.Drove more modern Volvos but they had no character like the old ones
I remember Birmingham ct had a batch of Ford R192’s with Strachan bodies. The fastest yet uncomfortably noisy bus I have ever been on
@@nigelrichards3522 Nobody seems to like the Ford's at all no matter what they're bodied with or who they run for.
Great video as always 👍
Thanks Martin
Our 340 or so Panthers in Brisbane, Australia, ran very well with some making 30 years in service. They also had front radiators. I think after decades in service the Brisbane City Council could cope with anything that the Panther threw at them!
@@pauljcampbell2997 fine buses too! It's a shame the Swift didn't go for a front radiator.
The Roadliner had its longitudinal enine cantilevered too far rearward of the back axle, which caused flexure of the chassis rails. It also had poorly placed radiators under the body ahead of the rear axle. Remember the prototype Routemaster experiment?
How can I see the Panther video?
That slipping flywheel makes for some exquisite gearbox melodies.
The Panther video is work in progress.
It sounds a lot like an AEC with that laggy fluid flywheel.
Being a Sheffield lad, I was used to Swifts and leopards, so I only ever encountered RE’s operator by Lincolnshire, whilst on the annual ‘pilgrimage’ to Skegness. I remember that they had different rear ends - was this due to different coach builders, operators requirements or just changes in the bus design? Thank you.
Seddon RU?
The Merlin/swifts lasted over 10 years on the red arrow before the national 2 came along not bad really but that work was suited to them better I believe they were on the 91 Wandsworth bridge to Hounslow West for a while I was 6 and always remember the strong smell of diesel at the rear and the illuminated advert panel hanging from the ceiling 😊did any XMS buses get preserved
Cheers 😊😊
Sorry, it was me 😭
🤣🤣🤣
😂 Glad you resolved it.
I never drove a Bristol, but I drove Nationals leopards, and unfortunately, Lynx! The Lynx was a retrograde step, they rattled worse than ancient Nationals, even when new!
Be kind to the AEC Swift as 75 of the type were the backbone of St Helens bus operations for St Helens Corporation and Merseyside PTE The last nine never wore the St Helens livery being delivered to the MPTE early in 1975 given the former Bootle GEM registration s. Otherwise they were built to St Helens requirements They faithfully served the town from 1968 until 1987. After the awful deregulation bus services in 1986 the type was to be phased out but bus shortages meant the final 1975 batch were lent to Merseybus until 1987. These operated intended MINIBUS services as they were the next size up! Give me an AEC Swift over the awful Renault S56 or Freight Rover Sherpa any day!
St Helens Corporations intentions were for the town to go all single deck but St Helens succumbed to the MPTEs Leyland Atlantean preferences as Swifts/Bristol REs and Leyland Nationals didnt have capacity for school bus needs.
One or two AEC Swifts are now preserved.
I do love the AEC Swift. I'm custodian of one myself. 100% better than a Renault!!
No sound or is it just me 🤔🤔