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Post by VWH1414 on Mar 4, 2017 22:12:56 GMT
Just thought this would be a good idea, seeing how the DAFs seemed very popular and they are fading fast, thought it would be a good place to post your expiriences with them and favourites, sorry in advance if there is already a thread for this.
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Post by snoggle on Mar 5, 2017 0:44:30 GMT
My abiding memory is being on a rather knackered DLA that couldn't make it to the top end of Forest Road on the 123. It expired at Beacontree Avenue. I crossed the road and got the bus home. Unfortunately we got a cross section of the "nearly dead" DLAs from AR on the 123 for many months which doesn't really help anyone develop a positive view of any bus type. The VLAs were always preferable. Being more generous then the DLAs on the 34 were a decent batch of vehicles and I've had plenty of nice rides on them - often the whole way from Barnet to E17. Never had any real issue with those ones. I didn't really experience the early DLAs regularly because they weren't on my local routes. The Wright bodied ones for the 19 / 137 were also decent enough buses but again rides on them were relatively infrequent. Although we aren't really talking about the second generation of DWs I do find them to be decent buses if they've not had their engines strangled. They are pretty smooth, the Wright bodies are airy and spacious. The only irritants are the silly staircase handrail design (common to many newer types) and the hump on the upper deck nearside floor over the centre door. Really annoying as you can't place your feet evenly on the floor if you have a window seat. Why Wrightbus couldn't design that out I don't know.
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Post by vjaska on Mar 5, 2017 0:57:53 GMT
Just thought this would be a good idea, seeing how the DAFs seemed very popular and they are fading fast, thought it would be a good place to post your expiriences with them and favourites, sorry in advance if there is already a thread for this. My first experience of them were when TH received some of the S reg examples for the 109/250 and they were certainly strange at the time being the first low floor double deckers in Brixton. Notable examples came about years later - DLA9 & DLA10 were absolute beasts whilst DLA2 & 3 made strange noises but still ran well. DLA4-8 were also decent runners. Sadly, DLA40-49 & the infamous DLA63 were heaps - DLA63 is still the slowest decker I've ever been on but I actually remarkably liked it, shame it got scrapped. DLA58 was another notable one in that it always changed gear at a lower gear ratio for some odd reason I also had them as my school bus on the 468 - the X reg were my favourites of all TC's DLA's as they had the same bell sound as Connex's Y reg Tridents and they had a nicer sounding whine. Seeing Travel London's sole DAF DB250 was always a treat but sadly I never rode it.
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Post by M1104 on Mar 5, 2017 2:24:26 GMT
Just thought this would be a good idea, seeing how the DAFs seemed very popular and they are fading fast, thought it would be a good place to post your expiriences with them and favourites, sorry in advance if there is already a thread for this. My first experience on a DB250 was with the SP class Spectras London Central had for the 3/N3, with AL eventually getting SP2* for a while on the 280. Two things I wasn't too keen on, the fact that they didn't have centre doors for the exit and no lower deck window at the back. Performance-wise however I loved those workhorses and their power blind displays were somewhat ahead of its time as they're almost identical to what TfL spec today. When the E40Hs were still on the 3 looking at it from the rear reminded me of the SPs as their rare route blinds are in the same position. Loved the performance of those early London DB250s as they had excellent kickdown which pushed the revvs up to 2200rpm in each gear. Also loved the musical tune of the ZF box, especially the whining noise it would make following the torque break during 1st gear. Whenever I had spare time I would ride them on the 3 at night between Brixton and Crystal Palace, with a guarantee of a driver thrashing it along Croxted Road, South Croxted Road and up the College Road incline. I sadly never got to travel on SP2 whilst on the 280 but did travel on her once when Q got her where she was then on the 35. At the time I was at London General and had wished the buses were based at SW with dual doors for the 133. Was sad when the buses finally departed from the 3 although the NVs were just as superb a replacement....as well as the Connex TAs after them. When I first saw the DLAs on the 250 I was actually driving a VC on the 133. I was actually surprised how much slower they were in comparison to the SPs. Was also surprised that it was on the Voith box. I had assumed the buses were performance restricted partly because of the new concept where buggies can be boarded and kept unfolded, but then when Firstbus and Connex got their quicker Trident versions my assumption on that theory went out the window. Nevertheless I did love the ride on those DLAs as well as the engine tones and it's Metrobus like performace, even though a good Metrobus was still a bit quicker. I remember when I first travelled on the 48 with its new TAs thinking they were DLAs as they look identical to me at the time. It wasn't until I heard the engine noises being totally different and initially thought that DLAs came with two different engines options. It wasn't until I came off at Walthamstow where I checked the bus idents from the outside to realise I'd just been formally introduced to a Dennis Trident. It was from that point onwards that I had to double check on which companies bought which manufacturer of buses under which bodies, double-checking it with LOTS publications. When the 52/03 reg DLAs entered service from Thornton Heath that's where I actually fell in love with the DLAs with its much more prompt pullaway and punchier performing and sounding euro3 engines, these buses actually being a match for Connex's TAs. I was even more gutted by then that London General never ordered any DB250 deckers, not even so much as a demonstrator. Then when the DWs came about I loved them even more so and was so happy that all were based south of the river. ;D the only thing I didn't really like about them were the loud request bells that were easy to press by mistake.... but I would have put that irritation aside if it meant I could drive a DW. I still hope to drive one in future, even if it's just around the block. I shall surely miss the breed once they leave TC. Until then I am at least happy that one of my local routes (264) still use them. * - the only decker in the SP1-25 batch that was rightfully dual-doored
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Post by redexpress on Mar 5, 2017 4:47:16 GMT
Favourite DB250s have to be the 05-reg DWs that were on the 19. Lovely buses, smooth and powerful, and always very well driven in the days when the 19 was still run from BA (and N). I think the staff went out of their way to look after the 05-reg ones. Things went downhill when the 19 moved into BN proper, and the 05- and 04-reg batches started to be mixed a bit more.
The step-entrance DB250s were pretty good too; I remember being particularly impressed with the R-reg Palatine IIs on the 85.
At the other end of the scale, the early long-and-low DLAs always seemed dreadfully underpowered. The W3 pretty much fell to pieces when it was transferred to LV with tatty old DLAs in 2011. I think the batch that Capital Logistics used (eventually) on the 60 had uprated engines, which made a difference, although they weren't looked after very well.
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Post by ServerKing on Mar 5, 2017 6:43:25 GMT
My abiding memory is being on a rather knackered DLA that couldn't make it to the top end of Forest Road on the 123. It expired at Beacontree Avenue. I crossed the road and got the bus home. Unfortunately we got a cross section of the "nearly dead" DLAs from AR on the 123 for many months which doesn't really help anyone develop a positive view of any bus type. The VLAs were always preferable. Being more generous then the DLAs on the 34 were a decent batch of vehicles and I've had plenty of nice rides on them - often the whole way from Barnet to E17. Never had any real issue with those ones. I didn't really experience the early DLAs regularly because they weren't on my local routes. The Wright bodied ones for the 19 / 137 were also decent enough buses but again rides on them were relatively infrequent. Although we aren't really talking about the second generation of DWs I do find them to be decent buses if they've not had their engines strangled. They are pretty smooth, the Wright bodies are airy and spacious. The only irritants are the silly staircase handrail design (common to many newer types) and the hump on the upper deck nearside floor over the centre door. Really annoying as you can't place your feet evenly on the floor if you have a window seat. Why Wrightbus couldn't design that out I don't know. Tottenham weren't bad for DLAs, though I remeber DLA231 and her broken silencer as we roared down Bruce Grove to Seven Sisters on the 243. DLA156 was my favourite during the W3's "Antiques Roadshow" phase where the oldest, most tired out batch were on the route, with knackered engines, blinds and everything else. I remember one driver having to get out of DLA144 and kick the ramp back in after letting off a disabled passenger in Northumberland Park Only bad memory was getting hospitalised on DLA106 after the driver was racing a van down Shoreditch High Street and hit the kerb and I was thrown down the length of the bus and dislocated my shoulder (was getting ready to get off so was holding the grab rail)... still they paid me out £3k which was nice ) The Arriva Kent Thameside ex 160 batch that appeared on the 370 were entertainment as the combination of poor maintenance and high speed (especially crossing a hump bridge at 50 where the road narrows, hoping nothing comes the other way) 1st gen DWs were not common in North London apart from the 19 and 258 so when Enfield got hold of some it was nice to have them on the 349 after the excitement of re engined DW411 wore off
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Post by VWH1414 on Mar 5, 2017 9:44:55 GMT
Just thought this would be a good idea, seeing how the DAFs seemed very popular and they are fading fast, thought it would be a good place to post your expiriences with them and favourites, sorry in advance if there is already a thread for this. My first experience of them were when TH received some of the S reg examples for the 109/250 and they were certainly strange at the time being the first low floor double deckers in Brixton. Notable examples came about years later - DLA9 & DLA10 were absolute beasts whilst DLA2 & 3 made strange noises but still ran well. DLA4-8 were also decent runners. Sadly, DLA40-49 & the infamous DLA63 were heaps - DLA63 is still the slowest decker I've ever been on but I actually remarkably liked it, shame it got scrapped. DLA58 was another notable one in that it always changed gear at a lower gear ratio for some odd reason I also had them as my school bus on the 468 - the X reg were my favourites of all TC's DLA's as they had the same bell sound as Connex's Y reg Tridents and they had a nicer sounding whine. Seeing Travel London's sole DAF DB250 was always a treat but sadly I never rode it. I think my first experience was on the 52 reg DLA batch at GR or on the 221s DLAs or DLPs. In more recent years I've had the joy of being able to ride DAFs often as on the 642 it's always 55 reg VLA, 55 reg DW, 52 reg VLW and the streetdecks DW190 or 1 and T199, and was originally DLAs until last year when they were withdrawn which was a shame cause they were a great batch, but I had the pride of riding the last batch of DLAs in London service. I hope DLA622 (6022) is preserved being the last in the 'cowhorn' livery.
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Post by VWH1414 on Mar 5, 2017 9:52:11 GMT
Just thought this would be a good idea, seeing how the DAFs seemed very popular and they are fading fast, thought it would be a good place to post your expiriences with them and favourites, sorry in advance if there is already a thread for this. My first experience on a DB250 was with the SP class Spectras London Central had for the 3/N3, with AL eventually getting SP2* for a while on the 280. Two things I wasn't too keen on, the fact that they didn't have centre doors for the exit and no lower deck window at the back. Performance-wise however I loved those workhorses and their power blind displays were somewhat ahead of its time as they are almost identical to what TfL spec today. When the E40Hs were still on the 3 looking at it from the rear reminded me of the SPs as their rare route blinds are in the same position. Loved the performance of those early London DB250s as they had excellent kickdown which pushed the revvs up to 2200rpm. Also loved the musical tune of the ZF box, especially the whining noise it would make following the torque break. Whenever I had spare time I would ride them on the 3 at night between Brixton and Crystal Palace, with a guarantee of a bus driver crashing it along Croxted Road, South Croxted Road and up the College Road incline. I sadly never got to travel on SP2 whilst on the 280 but did travel on her once eventually when Q got her where she appeared on the 35. At the time I was at London General and had wished the buses were based at SW with dual doors for the 133. Was sad when the buses finally departed from the 3 although the NVs were good replacements as well as the Connex TAs after them. When I first saw the DLA on the 250 I was actually driving a VC on the 133. I was actually surprised how much slower the DLA were in comparison to the SP. Was also surprised that it was on the Voith box. I had assumed the buses were performance restricted partly because of the new concept where buggies can be boarded and kept unfolded, but then when Firstbus and Connex got their quicker Trident versions my assumption on that theory went out the window. Nevertheless I did love the ride on the DLAs as well as the engine tones and it's Metrobus like performace, even though a good Metrobus was a bit quicker. I remember when I first travelled on the 48 with its new TAs drinking they were DLA as they look identical to me at the time. It wasn't until I heard the engine noise being totally different and initially thought that DLAs came with two different engines. It wasn't until I came off at Walthamstow where I checked the bus from the outside to realise I have just been formally introduced to a Dennis Trident. It was from that point onwards that I had to double check on which companies bought which manufacturer of buses, double checking it with LOTS publications. When the 52/03 reg DLAs entered service from Thornton Heath that's where I probably fell in love with the DB250s with its much more punchier performing and sounding euro3 engines, these buses actually being a match for Connex's TAs. I was even more gutted that London General never ordered any DB250 deckers, not even so much as a demonstrator. Then when the DWs came about I loved them even more so and was so happy that all were based south of the river. ;D the only thing I didn't really like about them were the loud bangs that were easy to press by mistake.... but I would have put that aside if it meant I could drive a DW. I still hope to drive one one day even if it's just around the block. I shall surely miss the DB250s once they leave TC. Until then I am at least happy that one of my local routes (264) still use them. * - the only decker in the SP1-25 batch that was rightfully dual-doored I will miss the DWs at GR, the last at the garage have enjoyed getting on them (Although some like DW136 are very knackered), it's why I'm happy GR provides my school route as I can get some interesting things turn up.
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Post by M1104 on Mar 5, 2017 11:59:14 GMT
The step-entrance DB250s were pretty good too; I remember being particularly impressed with the R-reg Palatine IIs on the 85. At the other end of the scale, the early long-and-low DLAs always seemed dreadfully underpowered. The W3 pretty much fell to pieces when it was transferred to LV with tatty old DLAs in 2011. I think the batch that Capital Logistics used (eventually) on the 60 had uprated engines, which made a difference, although they weren't looked after very well. I forgot about the Palantine II bodied DB250s used on the 85, possibly because I literally only traveled on one once for about 20 minutes between the Kingston Hill area and Putney Heath. They were indeed very punchy and just as quick on the Voith as the older ZF boxed Sectras on the 3/N3. The DB250s on the 60 were indeed uprated with 270bhp* but many of them didn't feel that way. The Spectra bodied ones were much quicker when some ended up on the 13, remembering when one pulled away DW style on Regent Street. The one Plaxton President that was acquired by Travel London as TA21 was very sluggish when used on the 157... and on a few occasions back on its original route 60. Why they bonneted her as TA21 I am not 100% sure, considering it's neither a Trident nor with an Alexander body. Suppose it was just easier for the firm.
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Post by vjaska on Mar 5, 2017 12:00:08 GMT
Favourite DB250s have to be the 05-reg DWs that were on the 19. Lovely buses, smooth and powerful, and always very well driven in the days when the 19 was still run from BA (and N). I think the staff went out of their way to look after the 05-reg ones. Things went downhill when the 19 moved into BN proper, and the 05- and 04-reg batches started to be mixed a bit more. The step-entrance DB250s were pretty good too; I remember being particularly impressed with the R-reg Palatine IIs on the 85. At the other end of the scale, the early long-and-low DLAs always seemed dreadfully underpowered. The W3 pretty much fell to pieces when it was transferred to LV with tatty old DLAs in 2011. I think the batch that Capital Logistics used (eventually) on the 60 had uprated engines, which made a difference, although they weren't looked after very well. I'd say things went downhill when the 109 was off loaded to BN as before that, BN's maintenance was excellent and the 04 & 05 reg DW's were in good health. Then the 109 moved in and TH & BN seemingly swapped maintenance quality at the same time - BN going downhill and TH seemingly improving.
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Post by vjaska on Mar 5, 2017 12:03:22 GMT
The step-entrance DB250s were pretty good too; I remember being particularly impressed with the R-reg Palatine IIs on the 85. At the other end of the scale, the early long-and-low DLAs always seemed dreadfully underpowered. The W3 pretty much fell to pieces when it was transferred to LV with tatty old DLAs in 2011. I think the batch that Capital Logistics used (eventually) on the 60 had uprated engines, which made a difference, although they weren't looked after very well. I forgot about the Palantine II bodied DB250s used on the 85, possibly because I literally only traveled on one once for about 20 minutes between the Kingston Hill area and Putney Heath. They were indeed very punchy and just as quick on the Voith as the older ZF boxed Sectras on the 3/N3. The DB250s on the 60 were indeed uperated with 270bhp* but many of them didn't feel that way. The Spectra bodied ones were much quicker when some ended up on the 13, remembering when pullaway very quickly on Regent Street. The one Plaxton President that was acquired by Travel London as TA21 was very sluggish when used on the 157... and on a few occasions back on its original route 60. * - Why they bonnet ed it as such I am not 100% sure, considering it's neither a Trident nor with an Alexander body. Suppose it was just easier for the firm. I only rode one of those R CKO Palatine II's as well and not even in London - there were three with Arriva Kent & Sussex and I rode one on the 7 in 2009 along NSL sections between Tunbridge Wells & Maidstone - it absolutely flew along.
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Post by John tuthill on Mar 5, 2017 12:25:21 GMT
The step-entrance DB250s were pretty good too; I remember being particularly impressed with the R-reg Palatine IIs on the 85. At the other end of the scale, the early long-and-low DLAs always seemed dreadfully underpowered. The W3 pretty much fell to pieces when it was transferred to LV with tatty old DLAs in 2011. I think the batch that Capital Logistics used (eventually) on the 60 had uprated engines, which made a difference, although they weren't looked after very well. I forgot about the Palantine II bodied DB250s used on the 85, possibly because I literally only traveled on one once for about 20 minutes between the Kingston Hill area and Putney Heath. They were indeed very punchy and just as quick on the Voith as the older ZF boxed Sectras on the 3/N3. The DB250s on the 60 were indeed uperated with 270bhp* but many of them didn't feel that way. The Spectra bodied ones were much quicker when some ended up on the 13, remembering when one pulled away DW style on Regent Street. The one Plaxton President that was acquired by Travel London as TA21 was very sluggish when used on the 157... and on a few occasions back on its original route 60. Why they bonneted her as TA21 I am not 100% sure, considering it's neither a Trident nor with an Alexander body. Suppose it was just easier for the firm. This will happily jog your memeory From Ian Armstrong's bus route page Attachment Deleted
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Post by redexpress on Mar 5, 2017 13:21:14 GMT
Favourite DB250s have to be the 05-reg DWs that were on the 19. Lovely buses, smooth and powerful, and always very well driven in the days when the 19 was still run from BA (and N). I think the staff went out of their way to look after the 05-reg ones. Things went downhill when the 19 moved into BN proper, and the 05- and 04-reg batches started to be mixed a bit more. The step-entrance DB250s were pretty good too; I remember being particularly impressed with the R-reg Palatine IIs on the 85. At the other end of the scale, the early long-and-low DLAs always seemed dreadfully underpowered. The W3 pretty much fell to pieces when it was transferred to LV with tatty old DLAs in 2011. I think the batch that Capital Logistics used (eventually) on the 60 had uprated engines, which made a difference, although they weren't looked after very well. I'd say things went downhill when the 109 was off loaded to BN as before that, BN's maintenance was excellent and the 04 & 05 reg DW's were in good health. Then the 109 moved in and TH & BN seemingly swapped maintenance quality at the same time - BN going downhill and TH seemingly improving. Fair enough - I didn't mean to question BN's maintenance, I agree the DWs remained in good nick until the end (of the 19s). It was more a comment on the operation of the 19, which seemed to drop a bit (from very high standards) when it moved. I wonder whether BN suffered from just having too much work when the 109 moved in. Might explain why standards slipped.
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Post by Green Kitten on Mar 5, 2017 13:45:17 GMT
I miss Arriva 34s
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2017 4:45:18 GMT
I forgot about the Palantine II bodied DB250s used on the 85, possibly because I literally only traveled on one once for about 20 minutes between the Kingston Hill area and Putney Heath. They were indeed very punchy and just as quick on the Voith as the older ZF boxed Sectras on the 3/N3. The DB250s on the 60 were indeed uperated with 270bhp* but many of them didn't feel that way. The Spectra bodied ones were much quicker when some ended up on the 13, remembering when one pulled away DW style on Regent Street. The one Plaxton President that was acquired by Travel London as TA21 was very sluggish when used on the 157... and on a few occasions back on its original route 60. Why they bonneted her as TA21 I am not 100% sure, considering it's neither a Trident nor with an Alexander body. Suppose it was just easier for the firm. This will happily jog your memeory From Ian Armstrong's bus route page View AttachmentGreat buses. Used them quite a few times on the R70 am peak run operated by LU.
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