James Penton ) gurgled happily, sounding much like
they were saying :

1. Windows that open at the front of the upper deck.

Agreed - this should have been catered for on recent designs. Easy to
fix if en wants to, surely?

I'd imagine that the windows are all hermetically sealed on modern buses to
stop people opening them and letting the aircon out. However, they've been
ordered without aircon for London, of course...

9. Aluminium construction ensuring less weight, i.e. less wear & tear
on roads.

Is this really much of a problem? I have no idea?

Less weight also equals less fuel used. It's a very big difference between
the 7.5ton of an unloaded RM and the 17ton of a Bendibus Citaro... That's
ten ton of metal that's got to be moved around. Which takes fuel.

As has already been stated - all the RMs were re-engined to fit modern
emission regs a few years ago.

I reckon this is an age thing (no offence Marc, I of course don't know
how old you are!). Older people like the buses they saw when they were
younger, whereas today's younger people like more modern designs,

Hmm. I'm 33, and miss the RM already.

From what I've read, the Wright Eclipse Gemini seems to be considered
one of the best looking buses around.

By the salesmen? Never mind what you've *read* - what do you think? I've
googled, found an image, and - ewww. One of those.

"Adrian" wrote in message
.4...

As has already been stated - all the RMs were re-engined to fit modern
emission regs a few years ago.

I understand that there is at least one still operating with an AEC engine.
--
Terry Harper, Web Co-ordinator, The Omnibus Society
75th Anniversary 2004, see http://www.omnibussoc.org/75th.htm
E-mail:
URL: http://www.terry.harper.btinternet.co.uk/

Terry Harper ) gurgled happily, sounding
much like they were saying :

As has already been stated - all the RMs were re-engined to fit
modern emission regs a few years ago.

I understand that there is at least one still operating with an AEC
engine.

OK, virtually all.

"Adrian" wrote in message
.4...

From what I've read, the Wright Eclipse Gemini seems to be
considered
one of the best looking buses around.

By the salesmen? Never mind what you've *read* - what do you think?
I've
googled, found an image, and - ewww. One of those.


Sorry, should have made myself clearer - I think it's a great design
too, I'd say certainly one of the most striking bus bodies ever. And
it's not the salesmen that sing its praises. 'Buses' magazine seems
particularly taken by the Gemini, and I'm sure I remember reading
somewhere that people have been overheard commenting on the looks
(favourably).

I also think that the operators are latching onto this too - look at how
London General put Geminis onto the 11 to replace RMs, this being rather
a flagship route.

Does anyone know if the same sort of debate occurred when RMs came out,
e.g. comparing them to RTs?

James

James Penton wrote:

Sorry, should have made myself clearer - I think it's a great design
too, I'd say certainly one of the most striking bus bodies ever. And
it's not the salesmen that sing its praises. 'Buses' magazine seems
particularly taken by the Gemini, and I'm sure I remember reading
somewhere that people have been overheard commenting on the looks
(favourably).

It certainly looks very striking, but why does it have a handrail on the
near side upper deck?

--
John Ray, London UK.

John Ray wrote:
James Penton wrote:

Sorry, should have made myself clearer - I think it's a great
design too, I'd say certainly one of the most striking bus bodies
ever. And it's not the salesmen that sing its praises. 'Buses'
magazine seems particularly taken by the Gemini, and I'm sure I
remember reading somewhere that people have been overheard
commenting on the looks (favourably).

It certainly looks very striking, but why does it have a handrail
on the near side upper deck?

Protection from overhanging branches of roadside trees.
--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)

It certainly looks very striking, but why does it have a handrail
on the near side upper deck?

Protection from overhanging branches of roadside trees.
--
Richard J.

Funny, that's what I had surmised, but never knew for certian till now. Thanks.

Marc.

why does it have a handrail on the
near side upper deck?

--
John Ray, London UK.


A number of modern double-deckers have this: I too would like to know why!

Marc.