MidlandRed.net

My transport on the 42 from Kidderminster to Redditch was Dennis Dart KX06 LXO which decided to lose the gears on the large roundabout on the inner ring road just below SVR Kidderminster station. The driver stopped the engine, restarted and we continued, however it was obvious the bus was stuck in third gear and didn't exceed 33 or so MPH with high engine revs all the way to Bromsgrove. The engine was again stopped and restarted in the bus station and all four gears seemed to work perfectly from Bromsgrove all the way to Redditch; I never experience this fault on a Dart, though the Allison gearbox often seemed to stick somewhere between second and third gear with lots of snatching and jerking. Momentarily taking the foot off throttle usually restored normal progress!

The Stratford Blue Heritage bus is by far the best one there.

AdamH wrote: ↑

06:59 Saturday 31st August 2019

The Stratford Blue Heritage bus is by far the best one there.

I haven't been out much this year (can't get rid of right leg sciatica!), but seem to strike lucky at Redditch with the Stratford Blue heritage bus!

On another topic I didn't expect to see a Diamond Mellor Strata mini-bus working the 53 hence the shots from both sides and the rear. I have been on the internet trying to find out the technical details of this type. It is obviously based upon the Mercedes Sprinter, but how is the low-floor achieved? I ask this question as I can only assume the bus is front wheel drive (where would a prop fit on a rear wheel driveline), but if that is so why the need for twin rear wheels - surely singles would be sufficient on a vehicle of this diminutive size?