[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Midland Red West: Mercedes-Benz L608D - Miscellaneous

Silly Stuff!

 
“Know Your Old Tonka” taken from the unofficial Midland Red West (Worcester depot) news letter.

The cab of the old Tonka

As we seem to be acquiring the old Nationals back at Worcester garage, we feel that it won’t be long before we start getting the old Tonkas back as well. So for the benefit of the new drivers who have never driven them, here is the Whinge guide to the old Tonka (First published in the November 1995).

1. Fuel Gauge: A stedy needle indicates you have run out of diesel.

2. Fuel Warning Light: Lights up 35 miles from the garage.

3. Speedometer: Needle moves automatically to the left on sight of a police car, and to the right on your last trip.

4. Clock: Tells you what the time was two and a half minutes ago.

5. Brake Warning Light: Reminds you that the brakes may fail at anytime.

6. Indicator Switch: Push up as you approach a stop, and down as you leave a stop. (Rota 2 drivers only).

7. Horn Button: To frighten the shit out of old grannies, can also be used on sight of an attractive member of the opposite sex.

8. Fresh Air Fan: Produces an alarming hum.

9. Ignition Switch: For turning on the lights.

10. Windscreen Wiper Switch: Produces a monotonous squeak or throb.

11. Windscreen Washer Knob: Squirts water jets over pedestrians and/or roof of bus.

12. Ashtray: Not used as smoking is not allowed in the cab. Flick your ash out of the window like everybody else.

13. Unlucky Fleet Number: For some.

14. Defroster Vent: Fills the cab with fresh pollution.

15. Gear Lever: Produces an ear-splitting screech and/or amusement to passengers.

16. Brake Pedal: Throws passengers violently forwards.

17. Clutch Pedal: Throws passengers violently backwards.

18. Accelerator Pedal: Produces a large smog cloud to the right of the bus.

19. Hand Brake: Produces a smell of burning and poor engine performance.

20. Rear View Mirror: Foor looking up the skirt of the school girl sat on the back seat.

21. Off-Side Mirror: Creates a nasty blind spot when approaching roundabouts.

   

22. Near-Side Mirror: For hitting pedestrians on the head.

23. Heater Controls: Keeps you cold in the winter, and hot in the summer.

24. Windscreen Wipers: For smudging dirt over the windscreen.

25. Reversing Horn: Lets everybody known you've gone the wrong way and have to turn around.

26. Cash Tray: For holding cans of pop and bags of crisps.

27. Cab Door Lock: Press down on approach to Dines Green.

28. Door Master Switch: Produces a false sence of security.

29. Steering Wheel: Shakes Violently at 32.6 mph.

30. Engine Start Button: Use only in emergencies.

31. Power Socket: For re-charging your shaver.

32. Destination Blind: Ignored by everybody.

33. Destination Blind Handle: To make you scrape your knuckles on the roof.

34. Ticket Machine: Stops working five minutes after you have left the bus station, and starts working again as soon as you demonstrate the fault to a despatch clerk.

35. Tilt Light: Tells you the bus is about to fall over.

36. Battery Light: Goes out when the battery is flat.

37. Saloon Light Switch: Produces a nasty reflection on the windscreen.

38. Cab Light: Only works during the hours of daylight.

39. Door Close Switch: To keep the buggers out.

40. Door Open Switch: Useful for getting rid of the smell.

41. Glove Box: Hold two empty pop cans, old sweet wrappers and an empty fire extinguisher.

42. Hazard Warning Lights: Use when you're about to drive past a stop forcing the poor bastard behind to do all the work.

43. Engine Stop Button: For resting your radio on.