Super rare! I drive TWO Atkinson buses. I still ache... 

As a bus enthusiast, I can’t help but notice that it doesn’t matter the year or country of origin, all interiors rattle the same. Buses aren’t a single moving object, they are more like a collection of loose parts that travel at roughly the same speed.

You've definitely un-earthed a star in David. He's an absolute natural orator - please get him 'on-board'.....more often! Fascinating stories, to two fascinating vehicles. I think the folk at Hooton Park Hangers might need to make sure they have plenty of buses available for use at the next running day, as - due to these excellent videos - I think they could be quite busy!

I'm watching Ian driving old buses. What am I doing with my life 😂😂

I could listen to David, and watch footage of his and his friend’s buses, until the cows come home! Another charming video, expertly taken by Ms Hubnut! Top work.

Ultra-geeky history point - the leather straps were made by Clayton of Chesterfield. They also made the straps for tube trains. I miss hanging from a leather strap - much better than a cold metal handle.

My local independant bus company, Venture Transport (Consett) bought 24 of these Atkinson Alphas in four batches of 6 between 1955 & 1957, sadly, none survive Ps Sunderland's three Alphas were the last to enter service. Number 47 sat in a scrapyard for many and only succumbed to the breakers torch around 10 years ago

Just the sound of those Gardners was evocative enough to take me back decades. I'd never have thought as a child that years later I would be looking at video of old buses and reminiscing about the different engine noises!

Love the thro flow ventilation with the shaft. I note the, "Spitting Strictly Prohibited" sign, reminds me of a limerick. There was a young man from Ealing Who caught a bus to Dealing It said on the door Don't spit on the floor So he stood up and spat on the ceiling.

Those wipers that look like they came off a Land Rover are definitely fitted to tick the box of being there rather than serve much functional use. Presumably the gutless 1950’s motor would be overworked with a longer blade, though at least they are both located at the points of the screen the driver probably wants the least rain present on. Guess that fits the overall theme of making driving possible not easy.

David is so easy on the ear....great listening to him with his vast knowledge.

The local bus operator near where I live ran a few Atkinson Alphas the fully seated type were always on the Aspull to Westhoughton, via Hindley run. Known locally as the "Flyer" , The other version with fewer seats were known as "standees" and mainly used on worker services in and out of Trafford Park, A relative of mine used to live on the route of these 5 cylinder single deckers and I can still remember the sound as they rounded the corner by my Aunties house. Thank you for refreshing good memories when things were much simpler (I am quite old) and happiness was a bag of chips as we walked home.😋

I’ve ridden on that bus many a times the 24 seaburn to Thornley close close. Magic

I drive one time Seddon-Attkinson bus with Gartner engine in Greece at 1986... it was nice...😊

These old school bus drives take me back to my youth when things like these were not unusual

"Do you know how fast you were going there sir?" "Er..."

Did a tour of Atkinson's from school in 1969. They had some unusual products, including an airport fire tender which could do 0-60, fully loaded, in 11 seconds. 😀

Wonderful tour of oldskool bussage. Lovely of Hooton to share (and Miss Hubnut for filming so expertly). These were the era of buses my 80 year old parents used. Ergonomics have come a long way, the earlier bus looks so awkward to pilot.

I know nothing about buses, but in my childhood seeing all these beautiful buses make me smile. Please look after our heritage.

Hi from Preston, the home of Atkis, didn't know they made bus chassis, now I do. Know a few old bods that worked there, another big employer that went in the early 80's.

I think I've enjoyed these recent bus videos of yours more than the car ones, if I'm honest - they've been great fun and your host is just so informative I could listen to him for ages. More,please! One small point though: on the later bus, was that gauge with the randomly-flailing needle the speedometer?! If so - EEEK! If you ever head over to the East Midlands again, do try and get to the Delaine Heritage Trust Museum in Bourne. They also do bus rides.

I remember back in the 90s when I drove an MAN 19.240 dump truck with Eaton Fuller tranny. No syncromesh, double clutching as well and hard to operate. My knees are still aching ! 😂😂

"Shop at Binns" brings back fond memories. Although I would rather walk where possible than suffer the foetid, smoke-laden air of public transport vehicles of the time, I have probably been a passenger in that bus.

Absolutely brilliant video Ian miss hubnut ❤👍what a beautiful piece of history brilliant

👍 for Miss HubNut's moving soliloquy.

Good mirror observation but you'd probably fail your PCV on 'palming' the steering when straightening up.😀

I could feel your pain there, driving position on the older one looked horrible, I'd have wanted to be much closer to the wheel, at least no triangle of doom (but possibly a desert of disappointment?), thanks so much for a classic piece of Hub Nuttery !!!!

Brilliant Video Ian and Carly and thanks to David and John for allowing you to drive these two rare buses.

Excellent video and listening to David is a real pleasure.

I thought you drove those two old buses very well. I know how hard they could be. I was possible to do clutchless gear changes, with a bit of practice, this actually made the workload a little less. Kind regards Dave Barnes from Southend on sea

Love the random speedo on the second bus !!! 😂

I do enjoy these bus reviews and in the 1950s the bus drivers must have been fit but people were tougher back then

Used to love the old style Pnemocyclic gear changes on the old Midland Red Leopards.

That was excellent! More of these.

Your videos just keep on giving, I hope you soon see 200k subs and well beyond. The down-to-earth, easy-going approach you take to mechanics, engines and the fact that you prominently also feature a woman Miss HubNut makes this content even more enjoyable and relatable. Keep it up team!

I drove the Commer with the engine in front. That was heavy too. But it has a pre-select gearbox. I have also driven a modern Volvo, what a difference! Thanks for the video it brings back a lot of memories.

In Africa definitely in Zimbabwe what was Rhodesia, many Bus operators still have and operate the old AVM Bedford busses. I think they were from the 70s Watching you handle that bus and how it was vibrating the bones out of you. Reminded me Of those busses. Unfortunately I don’t know their actual model names/ numbers…

Fascinating stories and driving experience videos as always with these old buses 👍🏻

A few made it to Australia with local bodies and the A badge. The newer one sounded like a muffled Leyland Leopard or Royal Tiger Worldmaster and even had the square dials. I notice they have three bolt holes to fit an AEC style nut guard ring if you want. It would look good. Years ago there was a twin steer four axle Atkinson flatbed truck I used to see sitting on a compound next to a train line in Sydney. It looked to be late 60s early 70s vintage.

Who needed gyms in those days! Nice to see around my neck of the woods.

Here in the North East the slogan "Shop at Binns" always sounded more like a command than an advert.

Looks like hard work. Imagine having to drive that and deal with passengers all day too! In 1990, my school bus was some sort of early 70s Bedford. It had a manual gearbox and no power steering. It looked a very physical thing to drive.

Hooton not far from me. I'll have to go and see them. when the rain stops.

Excellent video, its great these busses are kept in driving condition and looking so tidy. Top stuff, best wishes.

13:15 Ahh the old Lucas lighting, with its three positions of off, dim or blown.

Brilliant, really enjoy these bus videos 👍

buses buses buses. old buses. I love old buses. having spent 2004-2013 in Thailand I can tell you the Hino equivalent of these old gems were the backbone of cheap transport around Bangkok. many a night with the wife just riding around on them going nowhere enjoying the ride. and I remember buses like these in the 70s run by the Provincial Bus Company down here on the South Coast. real nostalgia trip Ian.

As a kid I would have ridden all the SHMD buses you have featured, especially this XLG which ran along the end of my road. Thank you.

Thank you both for the video.Thanks to David and John for the history and allowing you to drive them. Bet you were tired afterwards

lovely old busses .

I loved every bit of that Ian and you sure got a good workout. Love the sound of that Gardener engine. I must try visit one of the Hooton bus open days, don't live that far from there. Thanks for the video to you both.

I’m so loving these bus videos Ian and total respect for your driving which looked very tough. Also great camerawork from Miss Hubnut!

Occasionally drove for a coach operator based in Wembley who had an Atkinson coach, a 1972 experiment. A Ford chassis, Cummins engine coupled to a 10 speed Allinson auto box, a Plaxton body for a Ford with a slightly higher floor at the front so didn't need a dome over the engine and angled steps gaining an extra seat row but 4 steep steps. Had numerous issues as had the Ford air over hydraulic brakes not designed for an auto box, overheating and fade a problem, a 12/24v electric system resulting in often only half the batteries fully charging if the 12v interior lights on for a long time. The auto box designed for US trucks had various settings such as missing out alternate gears or just using a set range. It was a one-off thankfully that Atkinson had sold off as not a viable coach chassis. The operator got it for Peanuts 1 year old.

I love the old Sunderland one as I’m from there

David's passion is infectious. That five-pot Gardner has a gorgeous warble!

What a great video again 😄 Yes, powersteering is nice thing to have in heavier stuff like buses and trucks... 😅

In his book about North Western, Peter Caunt describes the Atkinson Alpha as the fastest Coal lorry on the road.

Love the flappy speedo.. oh you're doing about.... between 0 and 30 mph

Wonderful video and buses. Exhausted me watching you drive though 😂😂

Forcing poor Grannie up and down those steep steps with her shopping bags and all… what were the designers thinking?

Fabulous to see, some work out, brilliant to see these machines surviving, being well cared for and running on the road

Great video Ian - love your bus adventures

Brilliant ,two rare Atkinson buses,there is also a haif cab Atkinson decker based at the Manchester transport museum

The driving technique on the older bus 108 reminds me very much of the all-manual Leylands operated by Leicester Corporation. Very different from Midland Red buses which had pre-selector boxes with a stubby little gear selector and I think they had power steering and a brake servo as well. The red and black moquette seat covering on the Sunderland bus does look rather like that used on LT buses from the same period. And the slatted hardwood floor covering looks very similar to that used on LT RT and RM buses and older tube trains built up to the fifties.

The Gardiner engines sound so lovely, and so very nice to see you driving around our beautiful Wirral, even if it's the Cheshire bit! Thanks for the oainful experience, love to see these old buses.

Well I found a 1948 Reel Mower in the bin and said, "Well this will clean up nice!" After one or two runs up through the grass I was knackered and said the same thing. Men were men.

More content like this please 🙏

Still got the metrobus and bova to do ...definatly visiting there when they next have an open day

Hooton station is a good point to turn a bus with no power steering. Loving these bus videos Ian ☺

That's still a creditable survivor rate when you consider there are just two out of two hundred ex WMPTE (MCW bodied) Bristol VR's preserved - and those are 20 years younger!

As a bus enthusiast and a driver in the West Midlands Ian it's about time you made a new channel called BusNut I think

Lovely old buses Ian. Remind me of when I was a lad.

Synchronistically, of course I was just watching a 1969 episode of On the Buses. Love these examples and respect the work that has gone into preserving them. Also realised one should never cross the road in front of a Bus when it's raining. Wiper deficient.

Wonderful! Love these bus drives!

So to get fit all you need is a old bus with a manual transmission and no power steering. Those buses are lovely old things and beautifully restored.

Those Atkinson engines sound so delicious. I learned to drive I the army on Bedford RLs with no syncromesh gears, manual steering and air brakes, I was a 17 year old kid who had to wear lead boots in windy weather. The wagons were classed as HGV3 back then. The licence was a black passbook sized book, in 1972.

wow, very surprising kind of bus for the UK. Barring the amount of seats it is remarkably similar that what Italy had in the '50s and '60s.

Great video. Great workout!

The Sunderland Leyland Panthers had the same shade of blue ceiling, perchance to suggest the sea.

Excellent and very well done. Plus many thanks to David and colleagues who keep these jems going.

You should drive an old Seddon Atkinson truck, same as driving a bus but heavier when fully loaded, best eat ya Spinach beforehand 😂

Well done Ian, great bit of driving,I love those old buses....bet you enjoyed that. Carly great filming too.

Thoroughly enjoyed watching this Ian! Great to see you having to muster the demands of driving not one but two Atkinson buses in a day. Early in the video it was mentioned that Atkinsons were better known for making lorries...with that I was wandering whether you could make a video of driving an old lorry. Just an idea🙂

The speedi on the second bus was dancing a bit! David is a natural and his passion just oozes out of every word. A great video and what could be the makings of a new channel!

Love it! Attempt at split screen, excellent comedy editing. I could smell those buses!

Cracking video. The old SHMD bus would be the bus of my dad's childhood, travelling regularly to Ashton, having grown up in Mossley before moving to Blackpool in 1960. The Sunderland bus is very reminiscent of the Marshall bodied AEC Swifts of my own childhood, owned by Blackpool Corporation Transport, along with their Metro Cammell bodied Leyland PD3 Titans and East Lancs bodied Atlanteans

This is fabulous! Thank you for giving us a tour and drive of both buses. They're fascinating.

Fabulous stuff!

Great videos of these old buses, explaining about their history and then driving off in them. Love it !!

Micklehurst, near Mossley, Tameside, Greater Manchester, on the Destination Board. The vehicle has a Cheshire number plate (LG), the badge confirms it to be one of the SMHD (Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley and Dukinfield) fleet. Yet another SHMD bus with a central entrance/exit, similar to the SHMD Daimler double decker featured previously by Ian and David. Most single deckers of the 50s and 60s had a front entrace.exit, meaning the vehicle could be one man operated. Until an Act of Parliament was passed in 1966, prior to that it was illegal for a double decker bus in the UK to be one man operated. After the Act was passed, the first double decker bus specifically designed for one man operation was the Mancunian, introduced in 1968 in Manchester, it featured separate entrance and exit doors similar to the Sunderland bus featured

Lovely old buses they don't make them like that anymore another great video has always Ian and Carly miss/mrs hubnut and hublets and hubmutt 👍

I really enjoyed this - thank you all the Hubnuts! As someone who went to school on Gardener powered busses I must say the 5 is rather gnarly, but the 6 is so sonorous. I’ve always liked 6es.

Excellent, I really loved the industrial sound of the five cylinder - especially on the downshift😁

What amazing buses!! It’s lovely to see people restoring these old buses, so that they can be seen, heard and driven!!! A lot more evolved than the modern buses I’ve been driving for the last 5yrs!!! Great video!! Keep up the great work!! Take care.. Loving the bus content!

Very tiring work!, but I am glad the bus didn’t also get tired and have a lie down😅.

"Shop at Binns", I remember seeing that on many buses in Newcastle at one time😎

Great to see. When you want to show what a bus is like - a suggestion, please, when on board, show us a start from rest or two, so we can appreciate the sounds nicely - WBR bowling along on an A-road doesn't really convey that. Nice video, thanks for sharing.

Got to love that super accurate speedo in the second bus 🤣😂

Loving the recent bus content 👍

Loving the bus content Ian. Bravo David.

The 'rhotic'' Lancashire accent is sadly disappearing. I'm a generational example but it takes me back and feels homely.