Classic Bus Histories : MCW Metrobus Part 1

[@BAGGIES6677]

Glad you did the metrobus becauae it was a staple of my childhood, I grew up in the west midlands and west midlands travel had the largest fleet of these, around 1100 I believe, they were slow and quite noisy BUT I think the oldest versions were probably over 25yrs old by the time the last ones left service so were obviously a decent workhorse and you rarely saw one broken down tbf although it always puzzled me how they only had a 3sp box. Also I'm far from a bus nerd but i can still remember a lot of the reg groups of the wmpte ones even now.

[@colineccles6113]

Chassis number MB5002 was the Test shell never registered for road use, TOJ592S MB5003, the single decks were mid engined high floor

[@JakeSCOC]

@@colineccles6113 Are there any pictures of the single deckers anywhere? I didn't realise they existed until I did research for this video.

[@unclenolly3207]

I loved the metrobus - The single, inward facing seat, upstairs, behind the stairwell was my seat of choice.

[@JakeSCOC]

@@unclenolly3207 I can't remember if we had those on our mk2s at East Kent.

[@stuartn3522]

I remember wondering why the Voith transmission was so noisy! The local operator had two versions; Gardener and Rolls Royce Eagle powered examples. I preferred the sound of the RR powered units. I preferred travelling on the Bristol VR, although when I travelled on a Leyland Titan... Wow... What a difference! Childhood memories! 😅

[@JakeSCOC]

@@stuartn3522 I'd have loved to have travelled on a Rolls Royce one. Even just have a look under the bonnet would be great!

[@discogareth]

As a boy from Washwood Heath and of Metrobus age, this video was very much appreciated. Looking forward to part 2.

[@JakeSCOC]

@@discogareth Good to hear from a local! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@fonzypop]

Did you know Northern General had a batch of 11 with tinted glass, 6LXDT engines coach seats and carpeted walls with luggage racks? They were 3779-89, C779-789OCN. I believe these were the only U.K. buses fitted with the LXDT

[@JakeSCOC]

@@fonzypop I bet they went like the clappers.

[@fonzypop]

@@JakeSCOC yep 😂 4 speed too

[@lucythemoggy1970]

I passed my test in a MCW metrobus when I applied to work for London Transport. M271 BYX 271V. I have very fond memories of the metrobus, and it holds a very special place in my heart. I would love to drive one again!

[@JakeSCOC]

@@lucythemoggy1970 I used to operate 247,250 and 290 at Eastonways in Ramsgate. They were all BYXs too. Great buses.

[@markcf83]

One of the most successful buses in my lifetime.

[@JakeSCOC]

@@markcf83 Same here 👍🏼

[@ViatronTumpington]

Hi i'm viatron from Sheffield again, since the early days of the Metropolitan integral double deck bus together with Scania running units which it's something similar to the old A.E.C. BRIDGEMASTER version via only have one lowhight double deck bus body provided by Park Royal at the time. The M.C.W. METROBUS was a semi integral just like the A.E.C. RENOWN lowhight double deck bus via it can be bodied by other coach builders. But also in G.M.P.T.E. with the local bus body builder Northern Counties with their G.M. Standard Mk.ll double deck bus body for G.M. BUSES back in the mid-80s just before deregulation had set in. Thank you for your co-operation on this very special M.C.W. METROBUS subject from David Viatron Esquire of crookes in Sheffield.

[@JakeSCOC]

@@ViatronTumpington Thanks David. Good to hear from you!

[@ronkessler1219]

Hi i started driving for London buses at Cricklewood Garage and we had the first MCWs M1 to 5 from memory, i drove all of them each one had something designed differently but i enjoyed driving them. I then went to Barking Garage and the Titans not so enjoyable. Ove your videos Ron.

[@JakeSCOC]

@@ronkessler1219 Thanks Ron. Great to hear from you. I was the other way around. Drove Titans then Metros

[@peterjohnson9865]

hull corporation blue and white mcwmetrobus 78 to81 also bought 6 from mersyside pte in 83

[@ianclaproth3675]

Tyne and Wear PTE operated a total of 5 units. Fleet numbers 415 to 419, all stabled at Slatyford depot.

[@JakeSCOC]

@@ianclaproth3675 When you think of the Metropolitans they had that's surprising isn't it?

[@ianclaproth3675]

@@JakeSCOC yes and no mate. They tried a couple of Scania 112s but then went for a large batch of Olympians for the next additions. They did have a lot of Metropolitans, but many more Atlanteans, as well as Leopards; seems like they preferred to go with Leyland, or maybe were encouraged or instructed to stay with Leyland. The gearboxes in the Metrobuses proved their superiority though, and it was all Voith 851s on Gardner 6LXB engines for the Olympian fleet.

[@markcf83]

All five were sold to London Buses and were numbered M1481 to 1485.

[@keystonedriving8180]

I used to encounter Metrobusses on the 221 between Turnpike Lane and Finchley. I can honestly say that they were the least comfortable double deck vehicle I have ever ridden in. It seemed that it was impossible to get smooth gear changes and and the suspension was nothing to write home about either. A trip to east London showed that the Titan was a superior in all respects, from a passenger point of view. Metrobus? The best way to convince passengers to find a different mode of transport!

[@JakeSCOC]

@@keystonedriving8180 I always found the Metro comfortable when driven properly. But like any bus of the time, it certainly got a bit choppy at speed.

[@falafel4618]

What's that next to the bus at 7:40? A speak your weight machine?! As a Metropolitan addict I detested the arrival of the Metrobus but have to admit, with hindsight, that it was a very fine vehicle. Nice video Jake and look forward to Part 2.

[@JakeSCOC]

@@falafel4618 Glad you enjoyed the video. I've got a feeling that is a clocking machine (think that's what they're called!) . Used by bus crews to stamp a card to show they arrived at a terminus and left on time. Was popular with municipal fleets I think so was probably left over from the pre PTE days.

[@micks61]

Ex Reading Transport driver, and to my mind, the Mk1 Metrobus was just utterly perfect for the job. Everything in the cab was where you needed it, the steering was great and the brakes superbly powerful yet progressive. The warning lights had actual writing on them too, for whatever the problem was - No trying to figure out daft hieroglyphyics there! We town drivers were lucky enough to get our hands on the ex London Line MCWs too when they went over to coaches - an extra gear in the box and a turbocharger I believe - whatever, proper flying machines they were! The Scania Metropolitans were good too, but a tad bouncy for my liking. The Leyland Titans we had I hated with a passion! The original hydraulic brakes were terrible (later converted to air brakes and so vastly improved) but the slow lumbering progress, the truly horrible steering, the 'spangle' door buttons partially hidden under the steering wheel, the inability to see the destination blinds from inside the vehicle (I mean... who thought that was a good idea?!) and their annoying habit of losing their gears all made them just utterly unpleasant things. I'd have happily parked each and every one of them in the River Kennet given half a chance! The Leyland Olympians in contrast were great - no issues with them at all. But the Mk 1 MCWs were just an absolute pleasure to spend a working day in. We had some ex Harrow Mk 2s but they seemed a bit gutless in comparison. We had some Optare Spectras just before I left which were supposed to be a modern version of the Metrobus, and they were alright, but the handbrake was slightly behind the driver, travelled through a tiny arc and could trap your little finger against the side of the cab. Little details like that matter when you're stopping and starting all day long! Thanks for this - Looking forward to the next episode!

[@JakeSCOC]

@@micks61 Thanks Mick. Loved reading your comments. As much as I love the Titan I must admit it was a dated compared to a Metro. And a bit of a plodder too. The Metro was a lovely bus to drive. I know what you mean about the Spectra, although I've never driven them. But some of the older Darts had the handbrake slightly behind the seat. Always made you feel like you just wanted to serve stops on the footbrake!

[@KellinoRail]

Even 176? Heard that was a bit of a dog...

[@micks61]

@@KellinoRail I don't remember anything about 176, but 152 could be slow picking up the throttle when pulling away from a standstill, so the trick was to pump the throttle a couple of times until the revs 'caught up' before letting the brakes off. Thinking about it, the brakes on the MCWs could occasionally pull to one side, something I hadn't noticed other makes doing, so there was presumably something in the way they were made or set up that could go out of adjustment or whatever, but other than that, I loved driving them!

[@KellinoRail]

@@micks61 my memories of 176 were way before I was even old enough to drive. Reading was my local big town and it always seemed to be on tow or you would hear drivers bitching about it. Then it had a crash on a housing estate I recall, into a brick wall. Always avoided riding on Metrobuses at the time if I could, a VR, Metropolitain or Titan was much nicer as a passenger.

[@micks61]

@@KellinoRail The MCWs were a noisy ride for the passengers who got the full effect of the MCW whine! I don't remember 176 having a smack during my time there but that 152 I mentioned hit the gate at Denefield school end on and did a chunk of damage to the front end. We all hoped the throttle lag would be fixed while it was off the road but no... Whatever the cause was, the workshop seemed unable to fix it for some reason! Titans did run very quietly, I'll give them that, and also very dead, not much bouncing about. Another issue I remember with them was the wipers would sometimes meet in the middle of the screen and tangle, which wasn't too clever. The Scania Metropolitans had the nearside mirror beside the entrance door, where they picked up a lot of filth in bad weather, presumably off the front wheel. The MCWs had them pointing forwards and were viewed through the nearside screen, and avoided all the clag getting chucked about - another good point for the MCW 😂 Oh... wait... a bad mark for the MCW! 😲The cab floor could get uncomfortably hot in summer, I was told due to the coolant pipes running to and from the radiator passing beneath the cab floor. Whatever it was, a driver's feet would get a tad too toasty for comfort in hot weather!🥵

[@YggYhhj-bu9hq]

Malaysia state melaka brought one MCW registered as LAT 505V (Malaysian plate) is MBM 1957 it was converted into a open top bus unfortunately years later that bus was left to rot with a Leyland Olympian due to insufficient parts and expenses

[@joemoriarty3539]

Hanging the engine off the body was a ridiculous idea. WMPTE and its successors had no end of issues with the movement of the bodywork at the rear of the buses. It was not unknown for the engine to break free from the body! The Mk2's were even flimser. Shame, they are nice-looking buses and I enjoyed them. Particularly, the Rollls-Royce engined examples😊.

[@JakeSCOC]

@@joemoriarty3539 Yes I've heard of a former East Kent Mk 2 that had the engine fall out.

[@jadeboswell-rz2ly]

Hi Jake great video. P.s Dad(known as Buz), lifted out of his chair when he saw the Swanley SNB. He also remarked he still thinks the Metrobus was great vehicle and having driven one or two, thought that they we're the easiest bus he'd ever driven. Somewhat off topic, Dad said if you have time check out SNC158(HH), SNC168(MA).. they had non standard liveries applied much to the dismay of Reigate ho ho.

[@JakeSCOC]

@@jadeboswell-rz2ly Thanks Jade. Glad he liked the video. I'll certainly check those out.

[@Francis292]

I remember them in Coventry.

[@Simonfd777]

Good and interesting video, looking fwd to part 2, remember when these metrobuses arrived in Manchester in early 80s that they seemed a lot more modern than the Atlanteans in use, I always preferred the metros myself. The trans lanc express metrobuses arrived I think in 86?, were used on the 500 service after deregulation between man airport -Stockport and Bolton , lasted into the 90s that service, always seemed nice to ride on anyway!

[@JakeSCOC]

@@Simonfd777 glad you liked the video. I remember as a teenager visiting the Manchester Museum Of Transport and buying a poster of the GM Express buses... Sad eh?

[@NiallWardrop]

I remember when Midland Scottish got Metrobuses to replace their older Fleetlines. They seemed to me noisier and less refined than the Fleetlines, it felt and sounded as if the transmission was fighting the brakes when slowing down. Maybe it was just the way they were driven - I should try to sample preserved examples of both.

[@zebedep]

Great video - looking forward to the second instalment!

[@JakeSCOC]

@@zebedep Thanks. Glad you liked it.

[@DarrenSaw]

very enjoyable, one of my favourite vehicles!

[@JakeSCOC]

@@DarrenSaw Glad you enjoyed it

[@MetroTitanD78]

I grew up in Romford and we had a real mix of Metrobuses from allover the Country between 1988 and the mid 2000s. Mk1s operated were LT, WMPTE, WYPTE, GMPTE, SYPTE,Newport,Bristol,Derby,Leicester and Midland Scottish. Mk2 Ensignbus had some 2door examples new, Reading, SYPTE, Northern,WMPTE, Harrow. London Pride just up the road in Rainham had most of the KHCT examples too. I have a gut feeling I've missed something but there was also all the CMB tri axel Metrobuses mk2 that Ensignbus imported one of which they used briefly.

[@JakeSCOC]

@@MetroTitanD78 Wow yes there were various hot spots for Metrobuses wasn't there? You sound like you were living in one.

[@MetroTitanD78]

@JakeSCOC if you take other vehicle types in too it was a very interesting place to be.

[@fjtpersian6566]

@@JakeSCOCCity bus operated Metrobuses in the Romford area .

[@Dreamweaver787]

Up here in Manchester mid to late 80s I think we had loads of MK 2 Metrobuses, and some Northern Counties Express Metrobuses. I personally thought they were better looking from the tranche of the Leyland Atlantean's or Olympians but were very noisy from a passenger perspective. However the Northern Counties Express ones were quiet and less rattly and far more grunt with them, not to sure what they were powered by but they were a nice bus.

[@JakeSCOC]

@@Dreamweaver787 I remember the Express ones in the pinkish livery. I've got one in the next installment. First time I saw one I thought it was an Olympian - but then I was only young 😂

[@discogareth]

Obviously I’ve heard of the test bed, I’ve even seen a photo of it. But the registration is indeed new information to me!

[@JakeSCOC]

@@discogareth You beat me. I didn't know of the test beds until I did my research.

[@ROCKINGMAN]

MCWs seemed to run mainly in North/West London for LT, for some reason. Seemed like a hybrid between DMS' and MDs. Always wondered if Metro-Cammell and Weymann were the old body-builders who merged to form MCW. Wasn't keen on the MCW, rather a shapeless box and unexciting. The Scania as a new beast had a bit more character. Remember when all were placed in the new Plumstead Garage 1981. Nice video. Will watch part 2.

[@JakeSCOC]

@@ROCKINGMAN Glad you liked it. Yes London was very divided wasn't it?

[@markcf83]

Titans were delivered when new to garages in and around Romford and Barking when new.

[@craigsibley8161]

Good stuff 👍👍👍 You sold yourself short on the 20 mins. We could just about have suffered it lol. Still, looking forward to part 2...

[@JakeSCOC]

@@craigsibley8161 🤣Thanks Craig. I didn't want to be held liable for deafness.

[@michaelkeen5010]

Great video.👍

[@JakeSCOC]

@@michaelkeen5010 Thanks Michael 👍🏼

[@marksinthehouse1968]

Hi Jake as I’ve told you a million times the metro was my daily stead when I worked for London transport (London United ) mk1s some we had were ex Airbus with the four speed gearbox and high speed axle great for running light back from Camden via the west way 😊,LT took two mk2s as M1441-1442 but M1443 was going to be a mk3 metrobus so I’m thinking when optare took over the rights was the spectra a hint of what the mk3 would of looked like mmm me thinks this need a bit of detective work my bus driver chum 😂 Always a pleasure Mark (proud to been a metro driver ) 😊😊😊😊

[@NextSound170]

It was my staple bus growing up riding on one was a day out. Buses today aren’t the same. But glad to of had vivid and fond memories of riding on these, at speed

[@JakeSCOC]

@@marksinthehouse1968 Hi Mark. Great to hear from you. I've always fancied a drive of an old Airbus. I remember them in service and they certainly stood out. The only London ones I drove topped out at about 45mph. But still nice buses and very modern for their day. Glad you liked the video and it was worth the wait.

[@JakeSCOC]

@@NextSound170 The buses I drive in my day job have proper engines in them so imagine E400 sounding like it's powered by an L10! They actually remind me a bit of the East Kent Cummins Metros I used to drive - although the gear ratios badly let the E400 down.

[@marksinthehouse1968]

@@JakeSCOCgot 70mph out of M1020 running back light from Camden one Christmas Eve those ex airbuses could move I went via the west way 😊overtook and Audi 😊😊

[@daviestewart2510]

Tayside Regional Council experimented with the Metrobus Mk1, taking BLS 278V on trial, it didn't prove popular in Dundee and was sold on to Stevensons of Utoxeter within a few years, I lived in Birmingham from '89 to '92 when the Matrobus ruled the road and thought they were excellent buses

[@JakeSCOC]

@@daviestewart2510 They certainly were brilliant buses.

[@russb2286]

Grt vid

[@JakeSCOC]

@@russb2286 thank you

[@NextSound170]

Hallelujah, been looking forward to this one as the Precursor metropolitan with Scania was interesting as well! Your videos go nicely with a big kebab. 😎

[@JakeSCOC]

@@NextSound170 Glad you liked it. Enjoy your kebab.

[@TheNikvansta]

Thankyou

[@JakeSCOC]

@@TheNikvansta Pleasure. Glad you liked it.

[@Suprahampton]

I passed my PCV in a mk1 in 1998 with London General, fond memories although the retarder was sharp & useless heating

[@JakeSCOC]

@@Suprahampton I'll agree with you about the heating. Double socks and long johns in the winter on rail replacement!

[@Suprahampton]

@@JakeSCOC I meant the retarder was sharp not shart

[@axtonhaltjoshua6361]

after you've finished this two parter, do you think a history of the Plaxton pointer 2 could be done?

[@JakeSCOC]

I've a few more on the list but the Dart is definitely going to feature!

[@KellinoRail]

Probably my least favourite of all the deckers I've driven, certainly if you exclude low-floor buses (the Dennis Trident being the competition for the coveted spot!). Apart from all the whining from the back, they were pretty slow, in fact because the ones we had had an active retarder they actually slowed down going downhill... (joy). I'm not a boy racer, but I do like a bus that will get above 40 mph when operating country routes, and have the ability to move faster than a snail when pulling across a country A road at a junction. The ones we operated were actually given to us by a dealer as he had loads of them and no where to put them! (lol)

[@JakeSCOC]

@@KellinoRail I think I can guess the dealer....

[@a11csc]

😊😊👍👍❤❤

[@JakeSCOC]

@@a11csc Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏼

[@CharlesTimothy-en7to]

I drove these Buses when I worked for Capital Citybus around Romford in 1992 to 1995. Good to drive but not as good as the Leyland Olympian.

[@JakeSCOC]

@@CharlesTimothy-en7to I'd happily drive either nowadays! :)

[@christopherdalton9171]

In my eyes, the MK1 Metrobus for London Transport and the later MK2 version was just a functional vehicle, nothing else the M type bus did the job and was a reliable machine , obviously a better performer than the dreadful DMS it replaced on a large number of routes. It is not quite the classic as is the Routemaster RM or the RT bus, having stated that, the Metrobus definitely wasn't the worst of the bus types!

[@JakeSCOC]

It definitely did the job well.