‘Six leggers’ ‘Scene’ at Showbus 2014

I have always had an attraction to 6 wheel buses and coaches. Its something about their size and the power that they convey.

I am too young to remember the pre war Leyland Gnu which like the Bedford VAL which I can remember from the 1960’s had the extra axle at the front. 

I also remember 6 wheel trolleybuses in both Rotherham and London in the 1950’s so maybe its the nostalgia that draws me to them.

Whatever the reason, there was plenty to enjoy at last years Showbus.

 

M1 PCV

 

A coach guaranteed to catch anyone’s eye.

An Ayats Bravo A3E/BR1 of ‘Barkerbus’ who are a long established operator operating out of Harlow in Essex.

Ayats are a Spanish coachbuilder building the Bravo range of double deck coaches to order in a variety of lengths ranging from 12m up to 15m.

 

B8 AWE

 

A Setra S 416 GT-HD from Eastons Coaches of Stretton Sawless, Norwich.

 

The registration cherished by ‘Eastons’ has previously been used on a Van Hool T9 Acron bodied vehicle.

 

A964 HVN

 

A much earlier Kassbohrer Setra being a S228DT with a body seating 74 passengers in coach style.

 

Operated by ‘Kings Luxury Coaches’ of Middlesborough, it looks to have been very well looked after during its 30 year career so far.

 

YN14 FXX

A Scania K440EB with 77 seat VDL bodywork owned by ‘Fords of Althorne’ who are based in Chelmsford, Essex.

 

DB64 RJB

A VDL Bova Synergie of ‘Brookline’. They operate this 83 seater from their base at West Malling in Kent.

 

WLT 868

An Optare Olympus bodied coach working for ‘Go-Coach’. It was formerly with ‘Classic Coaches’ of Anfield Plain, Stanley, County Durham.

 

The registration is interesting in that it was originally carried by Routemaster RM868 which after its service in London was reportedly exported to Sweden in 1998. It was further reported that it was repatriated in 2013.

 

 

L15 TBC

A  Neoplan Starliner of ‘Theobalds’ who are a long established operator in the Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire area’s.

 

MT60 WKA

Another Neoplan product. This time a Tourliner again working for ‘Theobalds’. At one time it worked in a white colour scheme for ‘Weardale’ of Stanhope in the North East.

 

P563 MSX

A Volvo B10MA with Plaxton bodywork in the livery of ‘Ensignbus’ (Eb). Formerly operated by ‘Stagecoach West Scotland’ where it carried a branded livery for that companies X76 service.

‘Eb’ are the operating arm of the well known bus dealership of that name who are based in Essex. Because if its high passenger capacity it is regularly used on railway replacement work.

 

 

X14 BUS

A Volvo B9TL with East Lancs bodywork operated by ‘Morton Travel’ of Tadley near Basingstoke in Hampshire. The passenger capacity I believe is 106.

 

C21 BUS

Another Neoplan Starliner. This time working for ‘Coniston Coaches’ of Stourport on Severn. 

 

The partially faired in rear wheels is a touch unusual.