First Manchester Metrobus d317lnb.wmv

Sound only. in the early to mid 90s I was fortunate enough to have regular journeys on very rare metrobuses - the unique Northern Counties bodied batch GM Buses had bought in the mid 80s. They were regulars on the 400/401 (trans lancs express) and the 180/183/184 Manchester-Saddleworth services. I only have one recording from that period of the a cummins engined example (5201-5210) but sadly it is of so poor quality that it wouldn't be worth uploading.

When I returned to the North West in 2004, First were still running most of the Gardner engined batch (5301-5319) although they had got rid of the 10 cummins buses. I presume this was for ease of engine maintenance all the ex Yorkshire and Glasgow buses were also gardner examples. By this time the trans lancs had gone already and although the 180, 183 and 184 were still running, it wasn't that usual for these buses to turn up on them (the 80 and 425 were the almost guaranteed routes at the time) so was pleased to catch this one running on the 180 from Oldham into Manchester (and with the photo to prove it!)

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

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• MCW
• Metrobus
• First
• Manchester
• Northern
• Counties
• d317lng
• gardner

[AndrewParkerTV]

The sound takes me back