I remember driving this on service. Probably my favourite decker. I don't remember it having a low ratio rear axle. By the way, excellent use of the gearbox.
Great sounding buses. Love driving them too but sadly not many opportunities these days. I found you needed at least half a load to get the springs working. Empty they don’t half bang and rattle on rough roads which is about all of them nowadays.
Tickover sounds like a 501. The O.600 in VRs is not a sound I'm familiar with, as most of the VRs I knew with Eastern National had Gardner engines, with around 15 501s on new VRs, and one or 2 in secondhand South Wales VRs. The 3 S reg ones were converted to Gardner.
Ah a Leyland 680 engine, thought it sounded a bit Atlantean-y! Aren't most fitted with a Gardner 6LXB engine? I am guessing they sound more rumbly than this and certainly less noisy than the Leyland 500 series engine.
We had some Series 3 VRs on Hastings and District (originally Maidstone and District) Fitted with the Leyland 501 engine. Sounded like a bag of nails in the lower saloon but went very well. Unfortunately they still had the same braking system as the slower 6LXB engined version and you had to be sure that you had sufficient braking distance at speed. But certainly a good version to drive.
As far as I know, all Eastern National VRs had the higher ratio gearboxes. The 15 or so with Leyland 501 engines were particularly lively (none remain) but, Leyland or Gardner, they could all get up a good turn of speed. None of the Series 3s had slow gearboxes.
What? This is exactly how it should sound. I drove these occasionally on the 729 "Regency Route" and more frequently on the 712 Brighton - Eastbourne route. When the older VR's were replaced on the 729 with "T" reg, our usual car was 652 which had express seats and a high ratio back axle.
Engine sounds sweet rob nice work and well done too
Sounds so nice. Sounds very much like an Atlantean minus the fan drive.
Never had a ride on an 0680 VR until now. Thanks for the experience.
I remember driving this on service. Probably my favourite decker. I don't remember it having a low ratio rear axle. By the way, excellent use of the gearbox.
Sounds beautiful Rob, thanks!
Great sounding buses. Love driving them too but sadly not many opportunities these days. I found you needed at least half a load to get the springs working. Empty they don’t half bang and rattle on rough roads which is about all of them nowadays.
Tickover sounds like a 501. The O.600 in VRs is not a sound I'm familiar with, as most of the VRs I knew with Eastern National had Gardner engines, with around 15 501s on new VRs, and one or 2 in secondhand South Wales VRs. The 3 S reg ones were converted to Gardner.
I’d turn the tick over down a bit more
Drove that one and 274 and 276 for many many miles on the 700s out of Chichester. A shame the 0.680 engines in the other two were replaced with 6LXBs
Both sound great
What camera did you use to record it? The sound quality is excellent.
It was my Samsung Galaxy S8+, wedged against the toolbox on the back seat
Ah a Leyland 680 engine, thought it sounded a bit Atlantean-y! Aren't most fitted with a Gardner 6LXB engine? I am guessing they sound more rumbly than this and certainly less noisy than the Leyland 500 series engine.
A few VR's had 0.680's then got re engined with Gardner's. I think there's only a couple of VR's left with 0.680's.
We had some Series 3 VRs on Hastings and District (originally Maidstone and District) Fitted with the Leyland 501 engine. Sounded like a bag of nails in the lower saloon but went very well. Unfortunately they still had the same braking system as the slower 6LXB engined version and you had to be sure that you had sufficient braking distance at speed. But certainly a good version to drive.
The Gardners were smooth, but the 680 mated extremely well with the gearbox. They were a pleasure to drive.
Did VR's have high ratio back axles too?
Yes, there was a choice of three ratios, this being the lowest.
Did most operators go for the 2nd ratio back axle? a lot of VR's can do 50mph.
As far as I know, all Eastern National VRs had the higher ratio gearboxes. The 15 or so with Leyland 501 engines were particularly lively (none remain) but, Leyland or Gardner, they could all get up a good turn of speed. None of the Series 3s had slow gearboxes.
Engine sounds rough and idle too fast
It’s how a Leyland 680 should sound
The soundtrack of the 0.680 Leyland! Sounds like a bag of spanners but still sounds awesome!
@@43155 it sure is!!
What? This is exactly how it should sound. I drove these occasionally on the 729 "Regency Route" and more frequently on the 712 Brighton - Eastbourne route. When the older VR's were replaced on the 729 with "T" reg, our usual car was 652 which had express seats and a high ratio back axle.