Hi From redd9
 

Hi All
as you can see from my user name I am a bus nut....well some has to be!
I have a fotopicpage
http://johnbird1408.fotopic.net/
which has loads of photos and card models on it.

Welcome redd9 looking forward to you posting comments and photos from all the staff at Truck and Bus

Ian

Hello John and welcome to the forum, feel free to post has many photos has you like on our gallery, enjoy and all the best.

Welcome to the forum redd9 and please join in anywhere.

Does your username mean that you are a Midland Red enthusiast?

You got that right, G-CPTN:)

In which case we expect you to inform us about Midland Red in their heyday (I'm talking about the motorway express coaches) . . .

Well where to start???????

That's for you to know and us to find out . . .

Did you know that the CM5T was the first large Vehicle to be allowed on to the banked track at Millbrook?
there is also a story that as the C5 was pounding around the track, it passed a car several times....The car was the E-Type Jag!!!
Oh and thank you all for the welcome, Great fourm!

Tell me more . . .

Nah! There's no way a diesel bus will pass a Jag!! (No matter what type of Jag it is!!);):):)

I'm also sceptical about the claim to be the first large vehicle to use the banked track. What definition of 'large' (and what date)?
If you mean 'above the line' then I can maybe accept your claim - especially if large means double-decker.

The C5 Prototype was under development from 1958 to 1959.
The C5 was the first coach to be allowed on the banked track, In fact I have a photo of it "Over the Line" at full chat.
What you have to remember is that this was the worlds first coach designed to travel at sustaind high speeds.
Midland Red asked Greyhound of the USA for help, but their Fleet was restricted to 55mph, the C5 was to maintain 60 and above.
The tyres had to be sourced from the Aircraft industry, again no one made them for the loads expected.
The CM6T was Reputed to have lapped the E-Type 3 times, and I do say reputed.
This November Marks the 50th of the C5 and DAVideo will be producing a DVD with footage filmed By Midland Red (They had their own film unit) of the C5 under development and in use.
I will let you know what the DVD is like when I see it, but if it is like any of the other DAVideo productions it will be excelent.
Watch this space!

Joking aside, this sounds really interesting, please keep us informed.

Millbrook didn't open until 1969.
I think you are confusing Millbrook with MIRA.

I don't denigrate in any way the achievement of the C5 - in fact I'm impressed - in fact I'd rather drive at Millbrook than at MIRA - the severity of the MIRA banking is greater than that at Millbrook (which is larger in diameter).
I've driven continuous regular laps at over 135 mph at MIRA - and it 'concentrated the mind'. The same test at Millbrook could be done 'hands off' (due to the design of the track profile - the plan is circular, whereas MIRA is basically triangular with straight sections).

Sorry my bad:o
My fingers must have been on an away day at the time, it should have read MIRA.