I worked as a driver on the 251 out of Wood Green from (about) 1977 to 1980. I remember that fleet number 2800s were crash box, and 2900s were semi-auto (Self Changing Gears mounted on the steering column). If you broke down coming into Brentwood you'd end up with one of the old crash boxes, or if you were lucky, you might get an RE or a VR. At Brentwood High Street we used to sit in the bus laybye to let them cool down, after topping up the radiator with a watering can scrounged from the Eastern National travelshop on the corner. The hill into Brentwood off the A12, with a bus stop halfway up, was hard work. I went onto OMO on the 251 in a VRT3 (only one shift out of WG in the morning and one in the evening) and the 400 from London King's Cross to Southend. Anyone remember the Central Bus Station in Southend. Went on to driving coaches and then lorries, moved to France 20 years ago and retired 3 years ago. Graham Faulds.
I think I know the Driver, he is a top man, smooth as silk driving. I believe Reg Varney trained on one of these so he could drive the "On the Buses" outside shots. I never worked for Eastern National, but older colleagues who had, told me that the stick FLF's were known as "conker boxes", and the semis were "screamers" One fellow told me that he could not get the hang of the gearbox until one day a car cut him up in Ferry Lane on the 251 route, he was so angry that he tried to catch up with the car, only to realise that he was making nice clean gear changes. He forgot about the car and thought, "cheers mate", RIP Ian Gordon, Eastern National Wood Green, LT Tottenham Garage, and Capital Citybus, Dagenham Dock.
Passed my C1 Crosville/Macclesfield mid 80,s test at Chester Crane Wharf. This is real driving no Popmaster/LBC or Jeremy Vine in the background more like Read the Road deal with it/give yourself time. When you watch any videos or TV programmes like this Respect the Brute because if you do they will look after You,if you don,t theres only one winner and it won't be you.
My word, this takes me back. I remember driving CF2850 at Chelmsford back in the late '70s. What a treat. Thanks!
very good driving, not a single crunch, credit to the profession!
I worked as a driver on the 251 out of Wood Green from (about) 1977 to 1980. I remember that fleet number 2800s were crash box, and 2900s were semi-auto (Self Changing Gears mounted on the steering column). If you broke down coming into Brentwood you'd end up with one of the old crash boxes, or if you were lucky, you might get an RE or a VR. At Brentwood High Street we used to sit in the bus laybye to let them cool down, after topping up the radiator with a watering can scrounged from the Eastern National travelshop on the corner. The hill into Brentwood off the A12, with a bus stop halfway up, was hard work. I went onto OMO on the 251 in a VRT3 (only one shift out of WG in the morning and one in the evening) and the 400 from London King's Cross to Southend. Anyone remember the Central Bus Station in Southend. Went on to driving coaches and then lorries, moved to France 20 years ago and retired 3 years ago. Graham Faulds.
I passe my test on a Leyland PD decker. Best lesson I ever learnt...
I think I know the Driver, he is a top man, smooth as silk driving. I believe Reg Varney trained on one of these so he could drive the "On the Buses" outside shots. I never worked for Eastern National, but older colleagues who had, told me that the stick FLF's were known as "conker boxes", and the semis were "screamers"
One fellow told me that he could not get the hang of the gearbox until one day a car cut him up in Ferry Lane on the 251 route, he was so angry that he tried to catch up with the car, only to realise that he was making nice clean gear changes. He forgot about the car and thought, "cheers mate", RIP Ian Gordon, Eastern National Wood Green, LT Tottenham Garage, and Capital Citybus, Dagenham Dock.
This guy really can drive it! Excellent!
Passed my C1 Crosville/Macclesfield mid 80,s test at Chester Crane Wharf. This is real driving no Popmaster/LBC or Jeremy Vine in the background more like Read the Road deal with it/give yourself time. When you watch any videos or TV programmes like this Respect the Brute because if you do they will look after You,if you don,t theres only one winner and it won't be you.
Must have been a tough job working shifts driving that old brute back in the day. Great video enjoyed it very much
Bollocks!! that FLF is a fat old pussycat , drive Joan FHU 59D an Ex BOC FLF with an attitude problem.
Yes they were really nice to drive, I like the old gate crash boxes.
Gardner 6LW and David Brown symphony - lovely 😊
The North Western Dennis Lolines had terrible rattles on the sliding doors.
Still no power steering?
You had to have arms of steel in order to turn them. Coach drivers today never had it so good!!
Idle way too fast