Leyland National 1 - Wythall Transport Museum - NOE544R

Views of various bus ‘shunting’ operations around the museum then a ride out to Wythall station on Midland Red West liveried Leyland National NOE544R. 7th August 2021.

[@johno4521]

It's like hearing an old song you haven't heard since you were a kid......

[@kirankarthik0909]

That enging humming sound tempting me alot ......nice memories

[@johnfrancis8901]

That old original leyland national engine is music to my ears I could listen to that engine all day every day given the chance from John in kidlington in oxfordshire

[@Igloo3471]

Had these operating in Hobart, Australia from 1976 to circa 1990/91. The old rattlers. Loved em.

[@nickharding91]

I've no doubt I travelled on this bus as a kid, 144 route from Bromsgrove to Northfield with my Mum. The sound on these things is ingrained in my psyche, brilliant memories. As a youngster I remember some of the nationals didn't sound 'right', but didn't know why - years later I realised these were the DAF/Volvo engined ones.

[@abc-ni9uw]

That classic turbo whine melts my heart at every spool

[@vincentharriman3283]

Wonderful sound, like a National should sound.

[@judyharding4073]

The sound of the bus is brilliant, the bumpiness of the seats, swaying of the carriage, brilliant. We’ll have to arrange a trip on one. Ha.

[@jonmilligan8069]

Sounds and looks beautifully looked after… Nice gentle driving too! What a machine! 😍

[@seansands424]

Brings back memories use to go to school on them as well as the RE,s and the MW,s

[@jonniejam-shovel6405]

A very nice collection of motors you have there. As for the Leyland National single decker, I was employed by London Transport and we received a little fleet of these buses new from Chiswick works. Our Nationals were put to work on route 108 through the Blackwall Tunnel to Eltham. This must have been early 1980s I think. The buses were very reliable and the heating and ventilation system was very good. I think the other bonus for us inside staff engineers, was the none detachable cylinder heads on these buses. (All one engine casting, as I remember.) We hated changing the heads and gaskets on our older 36ft Merlins. A real back aching job. Well done to everyone who keeps these vehicles running. Kind regards.👍

[@AndreiTupolev]

Ah, those much-loved Leyland National vinyl seats

[@dbrailways]

Yes, great in temperatures of 30 degrees ! Stuck to them

[@valcook7447]

Had a little laugh as the driver "adjusted" the windscreen wipers. I remember a spanner was an essential part of the drivers kit to tighten up the splined nut when they worked loose. Lovely gearchange if you were detailed a good one, but a beast if it was a bit worn!

[@dbrailways]

Yes, it looked like the bus equivalent of Arkwrights till spring clip !

[@EM-yk1dw]

Beautiful machine! 😜

[@cidertom5140]

Sounds very healthy!!! Proper driver too no slamming the gears through!!!

[@dbrailways]

Yes, he said he drove them years ago but hadn’t driven one for a while until that trip.

[@markhyde1714]

Was that bus based in Shrewsbury for a while as the registration rings a bell when I used to go to college love them buses midland red ran them into the ground

[@grahamemmett]

Sounds like building the air up for the brakes at first very nice, then great engine noises and great interior

[@dbrailways]

Thanks, yes I used to travel on Ribble and Cumberland Motor Services Leyland Nationals in the 80’s. It was great to go on one again at Wythall !

[@justin7809]

when I were a teen in secondary school.. there'd be a national mk2 Luton & dunstable (gag) waiting for the pupils.. id ride it just for being on a national and get off on the furthest stop not even 20 mins later 😂

[@alisonjones9089]

Caught the essence of the bus in regular service Could have been 1982!

[@skylined5534]

I wish it still was! I remember the PM PMT Leyland Nationals dropping us off at Critchlow's Corner just a short walk from our house, the noise as the bus pulled away! Magic times!

[@ABCDEF-yf4yu]

I remember travelling on a NOE R registered National in the 1990s but don't think it is this one, 544.

[@justin7809]

I loved the trashing towards the end hearing the 510 scream (turbo or not? 🤔) tòk me back to my childhood riding in nationals nobody could talk until in villages along routes but I didn't care I loved the national whine.. no Gardner engine 🙉 though last case scenario.. Gardner on my towns "instructor bus" mark 2 national.. Google mk metro national.. tah dah! last time I rode that were 2002.. woman driver (no offence) she hated driving it but I used my daily ticket for nostalgia of riding a national 👌

[@crazyleyland5106]

The Leyland 510 engine was turbocharged. The upright "headless wonder," the 501, as fitted in a number of VRs, was naturally aspirated.

[@justin7809]

I thought it were the Leyland 0 680 tgat were in VRs according to Scatmancraig thrash in a badgerline VR only 30 had that engine but the glorious whine

[@justin7809]

engine sounds so similar buy nit as good 🖒

[@crazyleyland5106]

@@justin7809 series 3 from P reg to S reg, and probably T reg got the 501 if they didn't get the Gardner.

[@scotty6346]

Leyland National, A great looking bus spoilt by the whiney, Gutless, Smoky, Shitty Leyland 510 engine! I should know as i used to drive them, Daf and Volvo re-engined ones were so much better.

[@skylined5534]

They sounded awesome! Actually a very good engine and also used extensively for rail.

[@crazyleyland5106]

​@@skylined5534I don't know of the Leyland 500 type being used for trains, except for the one off Lev. But the BUT engines fitted to a lot of diesel multiple units were in effect Leyland O680s- as found on National 2s.

[@crazyleyland5106]

The 510 is the sound of my teens. I particularly like the tickover sound. But I never liked the clag. I was concerned about the air pollution way before other people were. Now Crosville fitted some of their Nationals with my favourite make of bus engine - Gardners.

[@ClintonBaptiste.Clairevoyant]

Cristal Palace FC used to have one as a team coach.