Tell us something really trivial about your life (vol 25)
Discussion
I'm not daft, I have been on other buses in the past but this one was much, much harsher over potholes etc. Almost like the suspension had been deleted entirely
Doogz - buses are great fun to drive - I used to regularly drive a single decker that was used a mobile control base on an airfield. Preselector auto box and air brakes are fun to try out and easy to use - the only tricky bit was rearward vision when trying to reverse the thing around a corner in between hangars!
Doogz - buses are great fun to drive - I used to regularly drive a single decker that was used a mobile control base on an airfield. Preselector auto box and air brakes are fun to try out and easy to use - the only tricky bit was rearward vision when trying to reverse the thing around a corner in between hangars!
doogz said:
Air brakes are fun to try out and easy to use? Did you think they were going to be tricky to use?
I'd heard tales from HGV drivers that due to a complete lack of pedal feel with air brakes, it's very easy to end up headbutting the windscreen the first few times one tries to use them
doogz said:
Cool picture.
I've never driven a double decker. I'd like to, chalk it off the list.
Easy things to drive, but you do have to think in 3D. Most car drivers only think in 2D - what's ahead/behind, and what's left/right of them. With a decker you really need to think vertically too, not just for low bridges, overhanging trees, buildings that stick out etc, but also factor in that an inch of lean at drivers eye level can become six inches at the top corner of the top deck. I've never driven a double decker. I'd like to, chalk it off the list.
Once you figure out steering it (bear in mind the front axle is behind you), and all about tailswing, the actual driving bit is easy. Power steering, gearbox retarder-assisted air brakes, air hand brake, etc.
As for Dennis, cheap nasty chassis, they've never been great from a driver or comfort viewpoint. Give me a nice Volvo anyday.
Or a lovely big Bristol:
SWTH said:
As for Dennis, cheap nasty chassis
That's probably why my local Arriva line have just bought 36 of the bloody things (according to the advert on the side of the one I had today).....Is there anything stopping the new BorisMaster buses spreading out into the rest of the country? the original Regent and Routemaster buses were operated all over the place by various lines, not just in London by LT.
SWTH said:
CC, was it a proper pre-select (three pedals on the floor), or was it a semi-auto (two pedals)?
Semi-Auto with 2 pedals. I have, however, driven a 3 pedal pre-select in a Daimler Ferret (select gear then stamp on clutch) and an Alvis Spartan (see-saw sequential selector pedal in place of clutch). Both took some getting used to but were massive fun 
Edited by ChemicalChaos on Monday 25th May 18:23
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