Well, I admit I was pretty doubtful when the first couple of people gave me news that K803 would return to service. Everything seemed to be against her surviving any longer after such a horrific engine malfunction without even considering her age. Sure enough though more and more reliable sources sprung up saying K803 was coming back. I still wasn't totally convinced. Surely they could find a working bus somewhere in the empire to fill her place I thought? But no, I was wrong, and here she is! K803 ORL has returned to service with First Devon and Cornwall, with a new engine stuck in her, and back operating prime routes within the city, today out on Ugobus services including the 2, 6 and 7. This brings the count for surviving K-ORLs back up to 2 of the original 4. My question to you though is, is the engine that has now been fitted to K803 the original type, or is it some old lump that was lying around? It certainly didn't quite sound the same, so I have therefore made a comparison video and posted it below, showing clips of the engine noise before and after. The turbo and gearbox make it quite hard to distinguish the difference, but the idle tickover certainly appears to be different. Possibly a ride on her would settle this dispute, but for now, the jury is out!
Yes it is still a Volvo engine. It is in fact the engine that was removed from K804ORL and rebuilt by an engine builder then remitted by the great staff at First's, Chelson meadow workshop
Yes it is still a Volvo engine. It is in fact the engine that was removed from K804ORL and rebuilt by an engine builder then refitted by the great staff at First's, Chelson meadow workshop. The different note is the difference between an old wheezing engine that had driven over 5 hundred thousand kilometers and one that has been given a new lease of life and is still running in.
thats a cummins L10 engine m8.
ReplyDeleteI think along side CityBus's new bus launch, the return on K803 ORL is the biggest plymouth bus story of the week! Certainly First's best news!!
ReplyDeleteI cant tell that much diffrence but I see where your coming from. Just glad shes back!
ReplyDeleteWNM
K801 ORL is running on X81 Torquay to Dartmouth service today
ReplyDeleteAnd also on the 93.
ReplyDeleteYes it is still a Volvo engine. It is in fact the engine that was removed from K804ORL and rebuilt by an engine builder then remitted by the great staff at First's, Chelson meadow workshop
ReplyDeleteYes it is still a Volvo engine. It is in fact the engine that was removed from K804ORL and rebuilt by an engine builder then refitted by the great staff at First's, Chelson meadow workshop. The different note is the difference between an old wheezing engine that had driven over 5 hundred thousand kilometers and one that has been given a new lease of life and is still running in.
ReplyDelete