Leyland Victory Mark 2

Last updated

Leyland Victory Mark 2
Guy Victory At The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum - geograph.org.uk - 3119166.jpg
Preserved China Motor Bus Victory Mark 2 in Scotland in September 2012
Overview
Manufacturer Leyland
Production1978-1981
Body and chassis
Doors2
Floor typeStep entrance
Powertrain
Engine Gardner 6LXB
Transmission Voith DIWA 851
Self-Changing Gears GB350
Dimensions
Length9.7 metres
Chronology
Successor Leyland Olympian (indirect)
A Kowloon Motor Bus's Leyland Victory 2 Air-Conditioned design KMB G544 CM3879.png
A Kowloon Motor Bus’s Leyland Victory 2 Air-Conditioned design

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 (hilly roads and one-person operation with a farebox) in Hong Kong.

Contents

The chassis was developed from the Guy Victory J, which was also chosen by Bus Bodies (South Africa) for the development of its own double-decker. Four examples were delivered to Kowloon Motor Bus for evaluation. [1] It could be fitted with Gardner 6LXB engine and Voith D851 gearbox, but one Victory Mark 2 for China Motor Bus had been experimentally fitted with Self-Changing Gears GB350 gearbox.

Almost all Leyland Victory Mark 2s built for Hong Kong were fitted with Alexander bodywork, but the last 20 buses built for China Motor Bus were fitted with Duple Metsec bodywork.

Elsewhere, single-deck versions of the Guy Victory were also operated in Southeast Asian cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang. [2]

Operators

Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) introduced 540 Victory Mark 2s between 1979 and 1983, including one unsuccessful air-conditioned coach which later had the air-conditioning unit removed. [1] [3] China Motor Bus (CMB) purchased 167 Victory Mark 2s between 1979 and 1982. [4] [5] [6] New Lantao Bus (NLB) also purchased nine between 1980 and 1983, with a further six buses acquired from KMB in later years. In 1993 NLB sold 10 of its Victory Mark 2s to Citybus which took over 26 routes from CMB on 1 September 1993. [7]

This model of double-decker bus has served nearly all regions in Hong Kong, including New Territories, Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, and Lantau Island.

All NLB and Citybus's Victory Mark 2s were withdrawn in the mid-1990s. KMB withdrew its last Victory Mark 2 in early 1998. CMB operated Victory Mark 2s until the takeover of its routes and vehicles, by New World First Bus on 1 September 1998, the ex-CMB Victory Mark 2s were gradually replaced by new low-floor buses, the last Victory Mark 2s were withdrawn on 31 August 2000.

Four Citybus Victory Mark 2s became service vehicles after withdrawal, whilst some withdrawn KMB/CMB Victory Mark 2s were sold on for use in rescue training.

Accidents

The Leyland Victory Mark 2 has a notorious reputation as an unsafe bus, mainly due to its soft suspension and high centre of gravity, which makes it prone to overturning.

Major accidents involving Victory Mark 2
DateCompany &
Fleet number
RouteAccident
type
Location
29 August 1980CMB LV114 rollover Pok Fu Lam Road near Pok Fu Lam Tsuen
1 December 1980KMB G21770rollover junction between Nathan Road and Waterloo Road, Kowloon
23 August 1981KMB G9466Mcollision & fire Tuen Mun Road near Sham Tseng
24 November 1981KMB G5845rolloverjunction between Fat Kwong Street and Chung Hau Street
25 January 1982KMB (unknown)36Mrolloverjunction between Castle Peak Road and Wo Yi Hop Road
17 August 1982KMB (unknown)85rolloverLion Rock Tunnel Road
12 October 1982KMB G44248rolloverjunction between Tai Wai Road and Lion Rock Tunnel Road
14 November 1982KMB G44060MrolloverTuen Mun Road near Siu Lam
2 February 1985KMB G20882Mrolloverjunction between Lion Rock Tunnel Road and Tai Chung Kiu Road
10 April 1985KMB G22472rollover Tai Po Road near Caldecott Road
5 November 1986KMB G47061Arolloverjunction between Ming Kum Road and Shek Pai Tau Road, Tuen Mun
17 March 1990CMB LV2194rollover Ap Lei Chau Bridge (exit at Aberdeen side)
9 October 1991KMB G49343Xrolloverentrance of Tsuen Wan Ferry Pier bus terminus
25 July 1993KMB G30569Mrolloverjunction between Hung Tin Road and Ping Ha Road
June 1996KMB G15976KderoofSan Tam Road
28 February 1998CMB LV3566collisionUnknown

Preservation

Some of the ex-China Motor Bus Victory Mark 2s have been saved for preservation. LV2, LV30 and LV158 are preserved in Hong Kong, LV36 was donated to Scottish Vintage Bus Museum. [8]

Trivia

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">Citybus (Hong Kong)</span> Bus operator in Hong Kong

Citybus Limited is a bus company which provides both franchised and non-franchised service in Hong Kong. The franchised route network serves Hong Kong Island, cross-harbour routes, North Lantau, Hong Kong International Airport, Kowloon, New Territories, Shenzhen Bay Port and Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge Hong Kong Port. The non-franchised routes serve mainly City One Sha Tin. It also provides bus rental services and staff bus services for some large companies, such as TVB and China Light and Power.

<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>

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">Mercedes-Benz O305</span> Single deck, double deck and articulated bus type

The Mercedes-Benz O305 was a single deck and articulated bus manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in Mannheim, West Germany from 1969 until 1988. It was built as either a complete bus or a bus chassis and was the Mercedes-Benz adaptation of the unified German VöV-Standard-Bus design, that was produced by some different bus manufacturers including Büssing, Magirus-Deutz, MAN, Ikarus, Gräf/Steyr, Heuliez, Renault, and Pegaso. The O305 was designed for use as a single-decker bus, however it was later redesigned to accommodate double-decker bodies.

<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">Leyland Olympian</span> 2-axle and 3-axle double-decker bus chassis manufactured by Leyland

The Leyland Olympian was a 2-axle and 3-axle double-decker bus chassis manufactured by Leyland between 1980 and 1993. It was the last Leyland bus model in production.

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

Dennis Trident 3, 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">Leyland Atlantean</span> Rear engined double decker bus

The Leyland Atlantean is a predominantly double-decker bus chassis manufactured by Leyland Motors between 1958 and 1986. Only 17 Atlantean chassis were bodied as single deck from new.

<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">Dennis Dragon</span> Three-axle step-entrance double-decker bus

The Dennis Dragon is a three-axle step-entrance double-decker bus manufactured by Dennis in England between 1982 and 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daimler Fleetline</span> British rear-engined double-decker bus chassis

The Daimler Fleetline is a rear-engined double-decker bus chassis which was built between 1960 and 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Network 26</span>

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.

References

  1. 1 2 Hong Kong Buses Part 3: Kowloon Motor Bus Fleetline issue 249 July 1997 page 112
  2. York, Michael; Davis, Ron; York, FW (2005). Singapore Buses Volume 1 Singapore Bus Service Part 1. DTS Publishing. ISBN   9781900515757.
  3. All due credit Commercial Motor 15 September 1978
  4. Tradition wins CMB 'Commercial Motor 30 March 1979
  5. Leyland for Hong Kong Commercial Motor 10 November 1979
  6. Hong Kong Buses Part 1: China Motor Bus Co Fleetline issue 247 March 1997 page 50
  7. Hong Kong Buses: Part 2 Citybus Limited Fleetline issue 248 May 1997 page 93
  8. Victory towcar shipped to Britain Buses issue 769 April 2019