Masochists?
A popular call on our Eastward bound Omnibologists days out was a small coach firm based a stones throw from the M1 near Leicester, in the village of Markfield. Again, the reason for the draw was the presence of that illusive beast, the Daimler Roadliner. Stapleford Bros. were unusual however, in that instead of the more usual one or two in a fleet, their fleet was almost entirely made up of these Ex Black & White Motorways refugees. I'm not exactly sure how many they possessed, but by it's own admission, UAD 318H was number four. The last two batches of ex B&W Motorways coaches were more conventional than those we'd grown accustomed to in the Potteries. They were Perkins V8 powered (not Cummins V6), their suspension was by steel leaf, and practically all as per Fleetline thereby eliminating their other Achilles heel, the Metalastic toggle link rubber suspension.
Looking around their yard at the time, it was apparent that the family were keen enthusiasts of the 'two stroke' Commer TS3 engine. One Roadliner had received some impromptu TS3 lettering... we never did find out whether this was someone's sense of humour, or whether there actually was such a unit retro fitted! (?)
Masochists?
A popular call on our Eastward bound Omnibologists days out was a small coach firm based a stones throw from the M1 near Leicester, in the village of Markfield. Again, the reason for the draw was the presence of that illusive beast, the Daimler Roadliner. Stapleford Bros. were unusual however, in that instead of the more usual one or two in a fleet, their fleet was almost entirely made up of these Ex Black & White Motorways refugees. I'm not exactly sure how many they possessed, but by it's own admission, UAD 318H was number four. The last two batches of ex B&W Motorways coaches were more conventional than those we'd grown accustomed to in the Potteries. They were Perkins V8 powered (not Cummins V6), their suspension was by steel leaf, and practically all as per Fleetline thereby eliminating their other Achilles heel, the Metalastic toggle link rubber suspension.
Looking around their yard at the time, it was apparent that the family were keen enthusiasts of the 'two stroke' Commer TS3 engine. One Roadliner had received some impromptu TS3 lettering... we never did find out whether this was someone's sense of humour, or whether there actually was such a unit retro fitted! (?)