Volvo
No's 201 - 268
1981 - ????
Chasis Volvo B58
Hawke B40D body work (201 - 233)
Coachwork International B40D body work (234 - 268)
Electrics by Brown Boveri
Motor 175bhp
Fully electronic control; driver's foot pedal operates electronic logic circuits which control D.C. choppers which then feed current to traction motor.
Braking system combines air-operated wheel brakes with Telma electro-magnetic retarder.
These buses had a painful introduction due to various problems. Although the chassis and traction equipment were ordered from top European manafacturers, there was significant problems with the installation of ancillary equipment. These problems took a while to resolve and the requirement to incorporate substantial modifications into completed vehicles delayed the delivery of the buses. Eventually the contract came to a halt due to the bankruptcy of Dalhoff and King Ltd which was the contractor responsible for the assembly and supply of these chassis. Buses 234 - 268 were redisigned and built to a new standard. By the time construction resumed, the body builders Hawke, had merged with NZMB to form Coachwork International. The bodies were built by the same factory in Auckland with the last deliveries being made in 1986.
Body wise there is little difference between the two batches of vehicles. The most notable feature is the location of the pole retrievers at the back. The later batch featured more carpet inside as opposed to the formika / vinyl interiors of the Hawke bodies.
In the mid 1990s, Stagecoach, the buses new owner, spent around one million dollars renovating these vehicles which they now hope will last into the next century.
At the time of writing, May 1998, No.202, 203, 205 and 267 have been laid up. No.215, 228, 230 and 231 have been withdrawn completely and stripped for parts. No. 267 was laid up due to accident damage. It is unlikely that any of these buses, apart from maybe 267, will see service again.
A Volvo in Stagecoach colours
at the Kilbirnie depot May 1998.
more pictures
Stonem@ihug.co.nz
This page hosted by
Get your own Free Homepage