Slowbus 2018 (33404)
Posted: 11:20 Sunday 7th January 2018
As many of you will remember, the First Midland Red Heritage double-deck, fleet number 33404, had problems with a gearbox oil leak last summer. The problem came to a head in August when it had to limp home from the Gaydon Buses Festival, although that did give the passengers a nice scenic ride rather than the boring motorway route.
On its return it was taken off the road and the gearbox was swapped with the one from fleet number 33042, which had been withdrawn about six weeks previous with engine failure. Unfortunately, the gearbox in 33404 was a five-speed unit, and the one in 33042 was a four-speed one.
A few days after 33404 went back on the road I transferred to the new "Herefordshire rota" which was set up to work the new contracts won from Herefordshire Council, and as there isn't any double-deck work on this rota I have not had a chance to see what the bus is like after the changes. Until now.
Earlier in the week I found myself driving 33404 to Evesham on a morning Service X50, and I'm sorry to say it isn't looking too good for this years show season. When I drove it to Showbus 2015 it was a superb motorway cruiser, sitting at 55mph all day long and nudging 60mph down the hills, which is very good for a service bus. However, with the new four-speed box fitted the very best you can hope for is about 46mph, down the hills.
So while I'm sure 33404 will still be out and about this year, I'm guessing we will have to set our alarm clocks for an early start... or maybe take something a bit more green!
On its return it was taken off the road and the gearbox was swapped with the one from fleet number 33042, which had been withdrawn about six weeks previous with engine failure. Unfortunately, the gearbox in 33404 was a five-speed unit, and the one in 33042 was a four-speed one.
A few days after 33404 went back on the road I transferred to the new "Herefordshire rota" which was set up to work the new contracts won from Herefordshire Council, and as there isn't any double-deck work on this rota I have not had a chance to see what the bus is like after the changes. Until now.
Earlier in the week I found myself driving 33404 to Evesham on a morning Service X50, and I'm sorry to say it isn't looking too good for this years show season. When I drove it to Showbus 2015 it was a superb motorway cruiser, sitting at 55mph all day long and nudging 60mph down the hills, which is very good for a service bus. However, with the new four-speed box fitted the very best you can hope for is about 46mph, down the hills.
So while I'm sure 33404 will still be out and about this year, I'm guessing we will have to set our alarm clocks for an early start... or maybe take something a bit more green!
