What about buses?

[Perseverant]

In a previous life, around 40 years ago, God help us, I had a bus licence for a bit before circumstances changed and I went to University. In one of these weird things that happen, not far from us is an alternative cafe and a beautiful workshop where the proprietor is restoring a Bristol "Lodekka", very similar to the one I learned to drive. Driving buses was great fun though the hours were not! I drove a variety of buses during this time : Leyland "leopard cubs", various other Leylands and diabolically underpowered Albions (it was a hilly area in Central Scotland) as well as the aforementioned Bristols. So I was pretty slick with double declutching and wrestling with non power steering, and sometimes wonder if it was really me.

[iva cosworth]

PH member "Cliftonite" owns an old bus.

Search him out and fill yer boots.

[interloper]

I have an odd thing for certain old buses. I would love to have a crack at driving a route master or something older. I wouldn't want to be a bus driver, the bloody passengers would drive me nuts!

Here's a fairly pH bus/coach fact... Back in the eighties the owner of Berkshire based Horseman coaches (Keith Horseman) used to rally a Manta 400 in full company livery. It was quite a site!

[weeredmetro]

Perseverant, assuming you're still in Scotland, have a look at www.gvvt.org
We have two Central Lodekkas, who knows, maybe even one you've driven.

If you fancy getting a shot of some old buses, join the GVVT and come for a visit. Once you get to know folk, they might let you have a go of their pride and joy.

[Perseverant]

Thanks for reply from GVVT especially! The Lodekkas I drove, for Midland, were rear entrance for the learner buses and forward entrance Eastern Coachwork versions for the few still in service. Bus driving came back to me when I owned a Rover 110 for a few years - a surprisingly spritely vehicle for the brave or foolhardy! I'm "up North" now, just S. of Fraserburgh.