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Ant Poulton
Приєднався 17 кві 2020
X688XJT - a new project
My latest project is something that most preservationists would either laugh at or shake their heads in disbelief; an Optare Solo. A trendsetting and innovative vehicle at its launch in 1998, it derived its name from having an entrance that is "so low" from the floor, namely 200 mm (8 in) with kneeling suspension. The first examples went to Wilts & Dorset who had extensive input into the design of them as the company wanted a modern, low floor midibus to replace its fleet of Metroriders, in total taking 88 brand new over a two and a half years and then later on taking even more second hand examples. Sadly, of those 88 only a handful are known to survive with many succumbing to that Optare plague - box section rot although later examples had much improved protection. 2688 is in superb condition in that regard with only superficial surface rust in places and nothing that needs any attention at this time although will obviously will be kept a close eye on. This video gives a short overview of her in service and the early weeks of her preservation, with more updates to follow.
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Відео
GLJ681N Luccombe to Blandford 24th July 2021
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An onboard ride my MK1 Leyland National, GLJ681N from her home base near Milton Abbas, down into Winterborne Whitechurch and then along the A354 into Blandford St Mary. Excuse the dodgy gear changes as we leave Winterborne, shes not very good n hills and I was trying to find the balance between revving the nuts out of her and labouring the engine and not really succeeding . . .
THX160S onboard ride from Blandford to Sutton Waldron, 25th July 2021
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The third installment of THX160S drive around the Dorset countryside, this section starts off where the previous one left off in Blandford town centre, where we then head westwards briefly out to Blandford St Mary and turn at the Tescos there, before retracing our steps through the town centre and then heading through Whitecliff Mill hill to rejoin the A350 passing through the many twists and t...
THX160S Shaftesbury to Stourpaine ride 25th July 2021
Переглядів 4623 роки тому
A good long ride savouring the sounds of a Leyland 0420 in a bus which was a rare combination anyway and these days is probably almost unique, and definitely when coupled with an Allison automatic transmission. This is my Leyland National THX160S, new to London Transport in 1978 as a standard dual doored 510 engined machine that was converted by Chase Buses to her current configuration in 1996....
THX160S Stourpaine to Blandford Forum 25th July 2021
Переглядів 5403 роки тому
An onboard ride on my unique Leyland National THX160S, latterly with Chase Buses but new to London Transport in 1978. She was converted by Chase in 1996 to have a Leyland 0420 from a Leyland Freighter recovery lorry and an Allison MT650 fully automatic gearbox similar to that used in Dennis Darts, but this one came from a dustbin lorry!! As you can hear, she has a very unique sound to her . . .
Bristol RE UEL564J at Stroud rally, 11th July 2021
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A video of a ride onboard former Hants & Dorset Bristol RELL UEL564J n a town circular route at the Stroud Running Day on the 11th of July 2021. Apologies for the shakiness of this but sitting at the rear was bumpy to say the least!!
Leyland National GLJ681N interior ride 18th July 2021
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A ride inside my Leyland National MK1 where I just placed my camera on the engine access hatch on the floor at the rear of the saloon, fully expecting it to vibrate away or go flying the first corner I came to!! It didn't though thankfully so heres a shortish 8 minute journey onboard - enjoy!
THX160S look at the underside 11th June 2021
Переглядів 2,1 тис.3 роки тому
On the 11th of June thanks to LMS Commercials, I managed to get THX over a pit and had a good look underneath to see what sort of condition shes in after her 43 years. I'll let the pictures do the telling but basically, a fair amount of surface rust but nothing of any concern at all. Tyres in good, if old condition, brakes all good with plenty of life in them, oily in places but no major leaks,...
THX160S start up and walkround 7th June 2021
Переглядів 2,6 тис.3 роки тому
A short video of THX160S starting up and a brief walkround, as you can see, she starts much easier than GLJ does although in fairness, it was warm that day anyway.
THX160S enters active preservation 6th June 2021
Переглядів 3,9 тис.3 роки тому
So my regular viewers will be well aware of my pet, Leyland National GLJ681N who has featured in a few videos on here! Well, she now has a friend in the shape of something that is National shaped, but is about as modified as could be without being made into a Greenway. More details later on as the project progresses but eagle eared viewers will discern she does not have a Leyland 510 engine in ...
GLJ681N startup in the warm 28th May 2021
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A quick vid from today showing just how easily she starts when the weather is warmer in comparison to the struggle when its cold. There would have been more footage today but things did not go to plan sadly . . .
Optare Spectra L127ELJ MOT 27th April 2021
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Something a bit different from me - I had the pleasure of assisting my good friend Darren taking his preserved Optare Spectra L127ELJ for its MOT on this day, which I'm pleased to say she passed with flying colours. New to Wilts & Dorset as their fleet number 3127, I have a strong connection with her as she was new to Lymington depot and as I was based there for ten years, I did many, many mile...
A pictorial tribute to Chase Buses
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A small montage of photos of Chase Buses, an independent well known for operating a large fleet of Leyland Nationals which even more surprisingly mostly retained their Leyland 510 engines whereas most other operators re-engined their examples. Most photographs in this collection were taken by myself on various visits, but a few of the older ones have been acquired over the years.
GLJ681N start up 7th of April 2021
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Just a short video of her being started earlier today on the 7th of April - you can tell the temperature has plummeted since the last video as to say she struggled to start would be an understatement sadly . . .
GLJ681N blind wind
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A full wind from end to end of my National GLJ681N's destination blind done way back on the 25th of July 2019. Its a genuine Hants & Dorset Poole depot with part of a later Salisbury depot blind tacked on which has had some custom destinations created by myself for rallies - no prizes for guessing which ones!! And yes, my arm did ache by the time I'd finished . . .
GLJ681N exterior walkround 21st March 2021
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GLJ681N exterior walkround 21st March 2021
GLJ681N walkround interior 21st March 2021
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GLJ681N walkround interior 21st March 2021
GLJ681N start up and move out 21st March 2021
Переглядів 8 тис.3 роки тому
GLJ681N start up and move out 21st March 2021
GLJ681N reverse out 2nd January 2021
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GLJ681N reverse out 2nd January 2021
GLJ681N 10th June 2019 Winterbourne to Blandford
Переглядів 1,3 тис.3 роки тому
GLJ681N 10th June 2019 Winterbourne to Blandford
Leyland National GLJ681N cold start 2nd January 2021
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Leyland National GLJ681N cold start 2nd January 2021
T272EWW full blind wind 2nd August 2020
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T272EWW full blind wind 2nd August 2020
T272EWW mobile again 2nd August 2020
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T272EWW mobile again 2nd August 2020
MK1 Leyland National GLJ681N Blandford drive round
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MK1 Leyland National GLJ681N Blandford drive round
Leyland National MK1 GLJ681N short drive in Blandford 7th August 2019
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Leyland National MK1 GLJ681N short drive in Blandford 7th August 2019
Leyland National MK1 GLJ681N startup 3rd May 2020
Переглядів 3,4 тис.4 роки тому
Leyland National MK1 GLJ681N startup 3rd May 2020