What a wonderful 'W'
After finally being removed from it's long term lodgings at Crewe Heritage Centre, Ex PMT Alexander 'W' Type single deck Fleetline is finally on it's way to returning to the road. The above picture was taken yesterday after some work to repair burst air and fluid throttle pipes ... complimented by a good wash off. It was taken in Lower Ash Road, Kidsgrove a route occasionally worked by the type as they plodded between Butt Lane and Mow Cop on the lightly loaded 147 service lost around the time of the NBC's MAP project.. Mow Cop's 'folly' castle can be seen lit by the sunlight on top of the hill in the background.
PMT's call for such as BEH 147H came about as a result of the operator cancelling their order for more Roadliners, though ultimately these Fleetlines ended up being sold off with little more 'in service' time under their belts. Matters may have been influenced however by PMT's increasing dislike of dual door buses (or 'standees' as the type were referred to) rather than reliability issues. The batch as a whole had something of a reputation for being 'pedestrian' in their performance and heavy on the handle-bars, but to be honest, 147 displays neither trait.
What a wonderful 'W'
After finally being removed from it's long term lodgings at Crewe Heritage Centre, Ex PMT Alexander 'W' Type single deck Fleetline is finally on it's way to returning to the road. The above picture was taken yesterday after some work to repair burst air and fluid throttle pipes ... complimented by a good wash off. It was taken in Lower Ash Road, Kidsgrove a route occasionally worked by the type as they plodded between Butt Lane and Mow Cop on the lightly loaded 147 service lost around the time of the NBC's MAP project.. Mow Cop's 'folly' castle can be seen lit by the sunlight on top of the hill in the background.
PMT's call for such as BEH 147H came about as a result of the operator cancelling their order for more Roadliners, though ultimately these Fleetlines ended up being sold off with little more 'in service' time under their belts. Matters may have been influenced however by PMT's increasing dislike of dual door buses (or 'standees' as the type were referred to) rather than reliability issues. The batch as a whole had something of a reputation for being 'pedestrian' in their performance and heavy on the handle-bars, but to be honest, 147 displays neither trait.