Dennis Dragon

Last updated

Dennis Dragon
DA5634@26.jpg
Kowloon Motor Bus Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Dragon in c. 2001
Overview
Manufacturer Dennis Bus
Also calledDennis Condor
Production1982–1999
Body and chassis
Doors1, 2 or 3
Floor type Step entrance
Powertrain
Engine Gardner
Cummins
Capacity65 to 128 seated
Transmission Voith
ZF
Dimensions
Length9.9m, 10.3m, 11m, 12.0m
Width2.5m
Height4.2m or 4.3m
Chronology
Successor Dennis Trident 3

The Dennis Dragon (also sold as the Dennis Condor) is a three-axle step-entrance double-decker bus manufactured by Dennis in England between 1982 and 1999.

Contents

History

The Dennis Dragon was originally built for Kowloon Motor Bus. In Hong Kong there is an area known as "Kowloon" which translates into English as "Nine Dragons". Buses of this type were also built for China Motor Bus' but were named "Condor" to differentiate the two purchasing companies. All were built for the overseas market, although some were later repatriated. [1]

Dennis had registered the Condor name in the 1950s for a lightweight haulage chassis.

Design

Kowloon Motor Bus Dennis Dragon 9.9m in Kwun Tong in October 2006 GU563.png
Kowloon Motor Bus Dennis Dragon 9.9m in Kwun Tong in October 2006

The Dennis Dragon/Condor chassis was developed from 2-axle Dennis Dominator, with two separate wheels fitted in front of the rear axle. [2] It was fitted with both Gardner or Cummins engines coupled to a Voith or ZF gearbox. The Cummins engine was initially available as an option, but it gradually replaced the Gardner engine as standard

All Dennis Dragons/Condors, except four out of five prototypes, were fitted with Duple Metsec bodywork. In Hong Kong, this made Dennis Dragon/Condor easy to differentiate because most of the other bus models at the same period (such as Leyland Olympian, Volvo Olympian, Scania N113, etc.) were bodied with Alexander bodywork.

Hong Kong

Kowloon Motor Bus

In 1982, Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) purchased three 12-metre non air-conditioned Dennis Dragons with Alexander bodywork for evaluation. KMB purchased 188 Duple Metsec bodied 12-metre Dennis Dragons. These had three doors (one for boarding and two for alighting).

Between 1986 and 1994, KMB purchased the first of 370 11-metre non air-conditioned Dennis Dragons for the bus services of New Territories. Fifty had a closed back, which was originally reserved for installation of air-conditioning, but this was never fitted. All the non air-conditioned Dennis Dragons were withdrawn in 2012.

In 1990, KMB purchased an 11-metre air-conditioned Dennis Dragon for testing. In following years up to 1999, KMB introduced totally 765 air-conditioned Dennis Dragons, including 235 9.9 metre buses, 360 11-metre buses and 170 12-metre buses. [3] The last Dennis Dragon [Fleet number ADS235 (JD4215)] was retired on July 6, 2017, which means that there are no more white KMB buses and Dennis Dragons in Hong Kong. [4]

China Motor Bus

New World First Bus Duple Metsec bodied Condor in August 2008 NWFBRouteM590.jpg
New World First Bus Duple Metsec bodied Condor in August 2008
China Motor Bus Very Unique Duple Metsec bodied Condor Press Photo CMB Dennis Condor DL1.png
China Motor Bus Very Unique Duple Metsec bodied Condor Press Photo

In 1982, China Motor Bus (CMB) received two 12-metre (39-foot) non-air-conditioned Dennis Condors for evaluation, one of them was fitted with Duple Metsec bodywork, and the other one with Alexander bodywork.

Because of the opening of MTR's Island line in the 1980s, CMB did not buy many Dennis Condors. Between 1989 and 1997, CMB bought only 46 12-m non-air-conditioned Condors, 28 11-metre non-air-conditioned Condors and 92 11-metre air-conditioned Condors. It was rumoured that CMB's last ten air-conditioned Condors were bought due to unpredictable delivery time of the Dennis Trident 3s ordered. All the CMB's Dennis Condors were sold to New World First Bus (NWFB) when CMB-lost its franchise in 1998, three of the 12-m Condors were subsequently converted to training buses.

In 1999, NWFB converted one 11-metre Dennis Condor to an open-top bus (DM6), it was superseded by an air-conditioned Dennis Condor on 25 January 2008 and was withdrawn again on 29 September 2014 (DA66). The DLs were retired earlier by October 2000 and was sold out. DL1 & DL2 were sold to private preservationists in Hong Kong. Some of them were shipped back to the UK and converted to open-top in 2002 for the Big Bus Company., [5] after withdrawal in London, most of these went to Big Bus Company's New York operation with one converted to electric drive in 2018. [6]

The DMs were retired by August 2002 and sold out, with an 11-m non-air-conditioned Dennis Condor (fleet number DM28) regarded by NWFB as its last "hot dog" ("hot dog" is a nickname in Hong Kong for non-air-conditioned buses). DM18 and DM22 has been under New World First Travel (as open-top buses, later sold to Citybus and were withdrawn on 11 February 2014). DM9, DM12 and DM25 has been sold to Citybus as training buses, while DM17 was sold to 3 preservationists in the UK.

The DAs were also retired beginning January 2004 for the 22 buses, followed by 38 buses until 2012. All the remaining buses have been retired on 2 September 2015.

Citybus

Citybus Duple Metsec bodied Dragon with adopted Alexander R-Type front design CTBrt006.jpg
Citybus Duple Metsec bodied Dragon with adopted Alexander R-Type front design

Citybus started to order air-conditioned Dennis Dragon in 1993. The Duple Metsec bodywork for Citybus's Dragons, which were assembled by Salvador Caetano in Portugal, were different from those supplied to KMB/CMB in that the frontal design resembled with those used on Alexander R-type body and a wider front door was used.

Between 1994 and 1998, Citybus introduced 80 12-m Dennis Dragons and 40 10.3-m Dennis Dragons. [7] In 2000, Citybus rebuilt a 10.3-m Dragon (fleet number 701) as the world's first 3-axle double-decker air-conditioned trolleybus.

One of Citybus's 10.3-m Dennis Dragon (fleet number 713) had been prematurely withdrawn in 2002 due to fire damage. All of the Citybus Dennis Dragons were withdrawn in 2015.

HACTL

In early 1996, Hactl received four Dennis Dragons for use as staff buses. They were similar with Citybus's 12-metre Dragon in appearance but with no route indicators and narrower seats were fitted so as to increase the seating capacity.

All these buses were acquired by New World First Bus after Hactl ceased to operate its staff bus routes in September 1999. They re-entered service in 2000.

Kenya and Malawi

Magic Bus Duple Metsec bodied Dragon in Manchester in March 2008 Stagecoach Magic Bus M691TDB.jpg
Magic Bus Duple Metsec bodied Dragon in Manchester in March 2008

In 1992, Stagecoach introduced ten Dennis Dragons in Malawi. The company also introduced twenty Dennis Dragons in Kenya between 1995 and 1996.

Later, all the Dennis Dragons in Kenya were shipped back to England and allocated to Stagecoach Manchester's Magic Bus fleet. They re-entered service between 1998 and 2000 where they would stay in service with the company until 2010.

Replacement

After finishing the last orders, the Dennis Dragon was superseded by the Dennis Trident 3.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New World First Bus</span> Bus operator in Hong Kong

New World First Bus Services Limited (NWFB) was the third-largest bus operator in Hong Kong. Established by NWS Holdings and FirstGroup in September 1998, it took over 88 China Motor Bus services in Hong Kong Island. From 2020 until its merger with Citybus in 2023, it was a subsidiary of Bravo Transport, the owner of Citybus. The NWFB brand was retired on 1 July 2023 with operations merged into Citybus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of bus transport in Hong Kong</span>

The history of bus transport in Hong Kong began with the introduction of the first bus routes in Hong Kong in the 1920s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Dennis Enviro500</span> Three-axle double decker bus

The Alexander Dennis Enviro500 is a three-axle double-decker bus built by Alexander Dennis in the United Kingdom. It was unveiled in 2002 and is one of the Enviro-series bus models made by TransBus/Alexander Dennis. The bus was sold on diesel or hybrid-electric powertrains and on Volvo chassis as a bodywork.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo Super Olympian</span> 1998 low-floor double-decker bus

The Volvo Super Olympian was a low-floor double-decker bus manufactured by Volvo. It replaced the 3-axle version of Volvo Olympian. The chassis had the designated manufacturer code B10TL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAN 24.3x0</span> Low-floor 3-axle double-decker bus chassis built for right-hand drive markets

The MAN 24.3x0 HOCLNR-NL was a series of low-floor 3-axle double-decker bus chassis built for right-hand drive markets, as indicated by the R in the designation. It was designed by MAN Truck & Bus, a subsidiary of Triton based on Munich. Unlike other low-entry double-decker buses in Hong Kong, there are steps in the lower deck aisle after the rear exit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo B9TL</span> Low-floor double-decker bus built by Volvo

The Volvo B9TL is a low-floor double-decker bus built by Volvo from 2002 until 2018. It superseded the Volvo Super Olympian and the Volvo B7TL. The 2-axle version has been superseded by the Volvo B5TL in 2014 and the 3-axle version has been superseded by the Volvo B8L in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China Motor Bus</span> Former Hong Kong bus operator and property developer

The China Motor Bus Company, Limited, often abbreviated as CMB, is a property developer in Hong Kong. Before its franchise lapsed in 1998, it was the first motor bus operator in Hong Kong, and was responsible for the introduction of double-decker buses to Hong Kong Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MCW Metrobus</span> Two and three-axle double-decker bus

The MCW Metrobus is a two and three-axle double-decker bus manufactured by Metro Cammell Weymann (MCW) between 1977 and 1989, with over 4,000 built. The original MkI was superseded by the MkII which had a symmetrical windscreen with an arched top in 1981, although production of the original MkI continued for the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive and London Regional Transport until 1983 and 1985 respectively. The Metrobus was conceived as an integral product manufactured completely by MCW, but Alexander and Northern Counties also bodied some examples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Dominator</span> Motor vehicle

The Dennis Dominator was Dennis's first rear-engined double-decker bus chassis, it was launched in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander ALX500</span> Low-floor double-decker bus body

The Alexander ALX500 was a low-floor double-decker bus body built by Alexander in Falkirk, Scotland between 1997 and 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Trident 3</span> Low floor tri-axle double-decker bus

Dennis Trident 3(the 3 standing 3-axle), is the first low floor tri-axle double-decker bus chassis built by Dennis in the United Kingdom, with a large number purchased by bus companies in Hong Kong, Singapore, the United States and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duple Metsec</span>

Duple Metsec was a bus bodywork builder based in West Midlands of England in the United Kingdom. It usually supplied body kits for bus assembly overseas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo B10M</span> Bus chassis

The Volvo B10M was a mid-engined city bus and coach chassis manufactured by Volvo between 1978 and 2003. It succeeded the B58 and was equipped with the same 9.6-litre horizontally mounted Volvo diesel engine mounted under the floor behind the front axle. An articulated version under the model name Volvo B10MA was also offered, as was a semi-integral version known as the C10M, with the engine in the middle of the chassis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Jubilant</span> Motor vehicle

The Dennis Jubilant was a front engined double decker bus chassis manufactured by Dennis between 1977 and 1981. It was specifically designed for contemporary operating environment in Hong Kong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo Olympian</span> Double-decker bus chassis from Volvo

The Volvo Olympian was a rear-engined 2-axle and 3-axle double decker bus chassis manufactured by Volvo at its Irvine, Scotland factory. The first was built in 1992 and entered production in March 1993, replacing the Leyland Olympian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leyland Victory Mark 2</span> Motor vehicle

The Leyland Victory Mark 2 is a front-engined double-decker bus chassis manufactured by Leyland between 1978 and 1981. Like its competitor the Dennis Jubilant it was specifically designed for the contemporary operating environment in Hong Kong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Lance</span> Single-decker bus

The Dennis Lance was a single-decker bus chassis manufactured by Dennis between 1991 and 2000, replacing the Dennis Falcon. Its low floor variant, the Dennis Lance SLF was built between 1993 and 1996. Between 1995 and 1998, Dennis also built its double-deck variant, the Dennis Arrow, as the replacement of the Dennis Dominator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Network 26</span> Network of 26 franchised bus routes on Hong Kong Island

Network 26 is a network of 26 bus routes on Hong Kong Island, which were previously operated by China Motor Bus (CMB) before being annexed to Citybus by the Government of Hong Kong on 1 September 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Dennis Enviro500 MMC</span> 3-axle double-decker bus

The Alexander Dennis Enviro500 MMC is a low-floor, three-axle double-decker bus produced by the British bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis since 2012, replacing the Alexander Dennis Enviro500. The Enviro500 MMC is available powered by either Euro VI diesel or hybrid-electric and later fully-electric powertrains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo B8L</span> 3-axle bus chassis manufactured by Volvo

The Volvo B8L is a 3-axle bus chassis, for double-decker buses, manufactured by Volvo Buses since 2016, with pre-production batches being produced as early as in 2016. It is powered by a 6-cylinder, 350hp 7.7 litre Volvo engine.

References

  1. Dennis Dragon Bus Fleet Lists on the Web
  2. Air-conditioned CMB Condor returns to Hong Buses issue 781 April 2020 page 67
  3. Hong Kong Buses Part 3: Kowloon Motor Bus Fleetline issue 249 page July 1997 page 116
  4. KMB retires last Dragon, adopts new livery Buses issue 750 September 2017 page 20
  5. The Big Bus Company Archived 2014-11-12 at the Wayback Machine Open Bus Tours
  6. Big Bus trials new and repowered electrics Buses issue 765 December 2018 page 21
  7. Hong Kong Buses Part 2: Citybus Limited Fleetline issue 248 May 1997 page 94

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Dennis Dragon at Wikimedia Commons