Aaron Donohoe - Latest Comments in Busy Few Weeks

Re: Busy Few Weeks

mark grimes — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:35:27 -0000

who owns kr 9 tell the truth

Re: Busy Few Weeks

aarondonohoe — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 10:59:22 -0000

Appologies, it's been a long few days!

They're the 'M' class Leopards, based off a Leyland PSU5/4R chassis, with bodywork by CIÉ, Inchicore. There have different modifications to the bodies, the one to the far right has the original fibreglass mouldings, and the two beside that had the modified sheet-metal front -- which replaced fibreglass following a fire at the fibreglass workshop in the 70's. They had a variety of engines, mostly they had the Leyland 0.680 engine with a semi-automatic gearbox (M class), others included DAF powered units with auto-boxes (MD class), and Detroit Diesel units with auto-boxes (MG class). Most ended their service lives on school work, being bashed around country lanes by part-time school bus drivers (farmers), and were reclassified as the (MS class). Surprisingly there is a plentiful supply of survivors in private hands -- but sadly none on the show circuit as restoration is difficult with the lack of spares for the bodies and the buses being in ribbons prior to withdrawal by CIÉ/Bus Éireann.

Re: Busy Few Weeks

Robert — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:18:17 -0000

I already knew the Van Hool!

The ones to the right of the Van Hool are the ones I'm trying to identify!

Re: Busy Few Weeks

aarondonohoe — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:12:04 -0000

She's a Van Hool alright, with a Cummins L10-185 engine and Voith Auto box. They were the first proper coaches acquired by Bus Éireann.

We have one up in the yard at the moment, CVH1 (SI 2001) which was the first proper coach delivered to Bus Éireann. We also have one of the Bus Éireann Bombardiers, the first of its kind preserved in the country - http://www.youtube.com/watc... - look out for it in 'Sensations'!

We have another 400 or so vintage coaches and buses in our yard down in Cork. Great fun so it is!

Re: Busy Few Weeks

Robert — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:57:56 -0000

You've been busy!

Quick question for you. In this picture what is the model of Bus Eireann bus to the right of the Van Hool? It's wrecking my head because I can't remember. AFAIK they are powered by Leyland engines.

http://tec-ireland.fotopic....