|
Post by M1104 on Dec 31, 2022 16:00:04 GMT
I must say I LOVE¹ the performance outcome of all the work you have put into VLA176, especially having just seen one of the YouTube clips (headphones on)... youtu.be/9tFZqe2ezOwFrom just after 02:34 the kickdown on your 250bhp unit is my 'ultimate best' B7TL thrash...and without the fan kicking in too. I especially love how it almost seems like it's at maximum acceleration at the top end of 4th gear only to then have 5th come in as if to say, "peek a boo, here I am!!" lol By chance is your engine fan of the electric variant that was tried out on a few London examples? ¹ - I don't usually shout my words but this bus deserves it
|
|
|
Post by 6HP502C on Jan 1, 2023 5:22:28 GMT
I must say I LOVE¹ the performance outcome of all the work you have put into VLA176, especially having just seen one of the YouTube clips (headphones on)... youtu.be/9tFZqe2ezOwFrom just after 02:34 the kickdown on your 250bhp unit is my 'ultimate best' B7TL thrash...and without the fan kicking in too. I especially love how it almost seems like it's at maximum acceleration at the top end of 4th gear only to then have 5th come in as if to say, "peek a boo, here I am!!" lol By chance is your engine fan of the electric variant that was tried out on a few London examples? ¹ - I don't usually shout my words but this bus deserves it Thanks! Yes it’s very nippy now and it has a full set of gearhold buttons which have a practical function going up hills, particularly on motorways. Yes, it has electric fans - they rarely come on and it never overheats!
|
|
|
Post by 6HP502C on Jan 4, 2023 12:45:53 GMT
Not very much to report now, other than things are changing direction and I'm going to downsize the fleet. However I am on the hunt for another good value Citaro, preferably not a knackered one so if anyone sees anything please let me know!
Fleet updates
23065 - work ongoing at the workshop.
SPV1 - New air drier and airbag successfully fitted. Some attention to be given to the alternators/batteries, a bit of a complicated arrangement there! A nearside Citaro mirror has been procured, hope to have that fitted in the near future.
TA23 - stored unserviceable, to be assessed by travelling engineers shortly.
VLA170 - on hire to another operator
VLA176 - on hire to another operator
VNW32423 - VOR with engine in terminal condition.
That's all for now.
|
|
|
Post by SouthLondonBuses on Jan 6, 2023 23:38:21 GMT
Hmm well there's an MEC sitting outside Camberwell garage not being used. I think it's MEC13 I feel like u could get it but I visited the garage recently and the the front of the MEC has been taken off for parts and yeah that's all I could think of really but I'll try have a look
|
|
|
Post by allentc on Jan 7, 2023 11:51:45 GMT
Thanks for the latest update Urbanite, this thread is one of the ones I enjoy reading the most on the forum. Will post any Citaros I see for sale.
|
|
|
Post by 6HP502C on Jan 7, 2023 11:59:51 GMT
Hmm well there's an MEC sitting outside Camberwell garage not being used. I think it's MEC13 I feel like u could get it but I visited the garage recently and the the front of the MEC has been taken off for parts and yeah that's all I could think of really but I'll try have a look Thanks. I suspect that one would be more of a project than I’m looking to take on, if it’s being used for parts
|
|
|
Post by 6HP502C on Jan 7, 2023 12:02:40 GMT
Thanks for the latest update Urbanite, this thread is one of the ones I enjoy reading the most on the forum. Will post any Citaros I see for sale. Thank you
|
|
|
Post by SouthLondonBuses on Jan 7, 2023 12:16:41 GMT
Hmm well there's an MEC sitting outside Camberwell garage not being used. I think it's MEC13 I feel like u could get it but I visited the garage recently and the the front of the MEC has been taken off for parts and yeah that's all I could think of really but I'll try have a look Thanks. I suspect that one would be more of a project than I’m looking to take on, if it’s being used for parts Yeah man possibly or you could try preserve one of the 108 MECs when they go or possibly the training MECs but that'll cost a lot of money! I'm surprised u ain't looking for Dennis darts etc.
|
|
|
Post by 6HP502C on Jan 7, 2023 15:50:15 GMT
Yeah man possibly or you could try preserve one of the 108 MECs when they go or possibly the training MECs but that'll cost a lot of money! I'm surprised u ain't looking for Dennis darts etc. There are no current plans to take on any more vehicles for preservation or acquire any midibuses.
|
|
|
Post by SouthLondonBuses on Jan 7, 2023 16:51:03 GMT
Yeah man possibly or you could try preserve one of the 108 MECs when they go or possibly the training MECs but that'll cost a lot of money! I'm surprised u ain't looking for Dennis darts etc. There are no current plans to take on any more vehicles for preservation or acquire any midibuses. Oh I see fair enough bro also are you on Rail replacement tomorrow?
|
|
|
Post by LK65EBO on Jan 7, 2023 18:28:24 GMT
6HP502C out of all your buses which would you say has costed you the most (maintenance and repairs)
|
|
tts
Conductor
Wished he got all Tridents driven like how he got TN33186 driven!
Posts: 93
|
Post by tts on Jan 7, 2023 19:22:45 GMT
May I ask, what operators have what VLA's if both are on loan?
|
|
|
Post by Luxway Buses on Jan 7, 2023 22:22:48 GMT
May I ask, what operators have what VLA's if both are on loan? compass bus i believe
|
|
|
Post by 6HP502C on Jan 8, 2023 0:20:55 GMT
6HP502C out of all your buses which would you say has costed you the most (maintenance and repairs) The VLAs because they're the primary workhorses. From day 1, I decided I wanted to look after the fleet properly. No bodge jobs, which would include disabling/bypassing warning lights, plugging air leaks with bits of cloth, waiting for breakdowns to occur before resolving developing problems etc. And to be fair I've not had one break down in service - all of the buses drive into the workshop rather than being towed. Faults detected, no matter how minor result in rapid referral to the workshop and mobile specialists. The two VLAs have had a lot of work done on them and parts replaced - refurbished wheelchair ramps, airbags, suspension brackets, pipework, air dryers, air tank valves, fuel tanks, electrics, heating, fuel injectors, brakes, bushes, callipers, turbochargers, exhaust manifolds, alternators, belts, ECUs, transmission repairs, boost hoses, boost pumps etc plus software programming that had to be put right. It's not cheap but they give as good as they get, never sitting down. Both of them are due attention inside the engine block which will be the biggest expense of all.
|
|
|
Post by 6HP502C on Jan 8, 2023 0:25:27 GMT
May I ask, what operators have what VLA's if both are on loan? VLA176 is back now and will be out today, but no further work is to be booked for it for the foreseeable future.
|
|