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NEWS PLUS6

The latest news from the world of bus preservation and beyond.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT WYTHALL PART 112

In a two-part feature, PHILIP LAMB takes a look at some of the latest developments at the Transport Museum, Wythall starting with the completion of West Bromwich 101, an MCW-bodied Daimler Fleetline.

RETURN JOURNEY: West Bromwich revisited16

Ordered for delivery in May 1967 were 14 Daimler Fleetlines with MCW lowheight bodywork. These were followed by a further seven with
ECW lowheight bodies. We take a look …

ON THE ROAD18

DAVID JUKES presents an active selection of older buses and coaches
across England in early-2019.

ORIGINAL AND BEST22

NICK LARKIN looks at the thorny question of originality by paying
tribute to four very different vehicles, including one of his favourite
preserved coaches.

RUNNING DAY CONSIDERATIONS28

SIMON GILL looks at the substantial effort of organising and operating running days and explores what needs to be considered to ensure their survival.

NUNEATON REVISITED32

We take a look at how Nuneaton’s bus station and garage have survived
and pay tribute to days gone by . . .

DEWSBURY SPRING RUNNING DAY36

PHILIP LAMB takes a look at some of the highlights of this premier
West Yorkshire running day

COACHING CLASSICS37

The German coachbuilder Auwarter’s distinctive and easily recognisable coaches first appeared on our roads in 1981 and have outlived all of our home-grown double-deck coaches by some years.

TRACCO E PROGRESS40

Restoration work on the bodywork of former Aldershot & District
Dennis E D235 (OT 8902) has started as DAVID JUKES finds out.

CAB, BLIND BOX AND CANOPY CAPERS!44

GRAHAM BROWN provides a restoration progress report of his
former W Gash & Sons Roberts-bodied Daimler CVD6.

THE OPULENT OMNIBUS50

ASHLEY BLACKMAN starts our new Survivor Series with an omnibus
many will recognise – former Brighton Corporation FUF 63, a 1939
AEC Regent.

THE MODEL PAGE54

Atlas Editions Great British Buses — a review by NIGEL APPLEFORD.

OFF ROUTE58

Leyland PD3s and trams permanently on display in a Leicester bus station, legislation nostalgia and a Scottish mystery. Over to NICK LARKIN

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REAL ALE GUY

After more than 15 years absence, A Guy Arab III prepares to return to
the rally scene.

RETURN JOURNEY:
BURTON REMEMBERED16

This month we visit Burton-upon-Trent when Daimlers and Guys were
the order of the day.

ON THE ROAD

DAVID JUKES once again delves into the B&CP archive to present this month’s round up.

Bedford’s special journey

A preserved 1981 Bedford YMT made a surprise 200-mile journey
back to the depot where it was based for 35 years to perform a very
special duty. NICK LARKIN reports.

Olympians live on

One Leyland and three Volvo Olympians are continuing to work
indefinitely at W. H. Fowler thanks
to its responsibility.

LION STILL ON TRACK

JASPER PETTIE continues the restoration story of former W Alexander & Sons P705 (WG 3260), a 1935 Leyland LT5A with 1946 Alexander bodywork.

THE VOITH INFLUENCE

Most South Yorkshire’s Transport Leyland Atlanteans were fitted with
Voith automatic gearboxes. SIMON GILL explains why and examines
1790 (JKW 290W), recently restored to SYT livery.

RETURN JOURNEY: DONCASTER DELIGHTS

A pre-1974 visit to Doncaster

CAB HAPPY

ASHLEY BLACKMAN discusses cab restoration and how to be cab happy.

THE MODEL PAGE

NIGEL APPLEFORD considers the Original Omnibus Company’s
Crossley DD42

OFF ROUTE

NICK LARKIN visits a transport museum library with a difference and Poundland.

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FROM WRECK TO RICHES12

A Bedford VAL seemingly a total wreck has been transformed into a magnificent example of its kind today. PHILIP LAMB reports.

COACHING CLASSICS: The Bedford VAL16

We couldn’t resist another round-up of Bedford VALs, so here goes . . .

ON THE ROAD18

DAVID JUKES dips into the B&CP archive to assist this month’s round up
of active mature buses and coaches.

‘TOY BOX’ TALE22

Essex Bus and Coach Operator Lodge’s of High Easter now houses its
classic vehicle collection in ‘The Toy box.’ NICK LARKIN pays a visit to
find out why.

AFTER THEY WERE FAMOUS: Carrying on Coaching28

Over the years former coaches have turned up in a variety of roles.
Here’s a small selection.

STANDARDS AND NEW LOOKS30

JASON SHRON, the founder and president of Rapido Trains Inc, has
many bus and rail-based interests including a preserved General Motors
New Look bus, as DAVID JUKES discovers.

ON THE ROAD EXTRA:
New Year 201937

The Oxford Bus Museum in
association with B&CP provided free bus rides alongside its regular attractions on 1 January as
illustrated by DAVID JUKES

A STORY OF SURVIVAL & REVIVAL PART 24I

In this, the second part of the story, ROB HANDFORD looks at the restoration of remarkable survivor Metro-Cammell-bodied Birmingham
AEC Regent. 486 (OV 4486).

A DUTIFUL DOMINATOR46

SIMON GILL looks at former Leicester CityBus Dennis Dominator
FUT 240V which returned to the road last year.

RETURN JOURNEY:
Looking Back at Leicester City Transport51

This month we visit Leicester for a
look back in time.

THE MODEL PAGE54

NIGEL APPLEFORD brings us an overview of available Wallace Arnold
coach models.

OFF ROUTE58

A Southdown trolleybus (!), RT tributes, unusual Bedford OBs and a tasty snack are all among NICK LARKIN’S Off Route discoveries this month.

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FOUR LEYLANDS AND A DENNIS12

Stagecoach South is proud to celebrate its heritage through the retention
of five historic vehicles as DAVID JUKES discovers.

RETURN JOURNEY: Stagecoach Portsmouth18

We look at this short-lived operation from the purchase of Portsmouth
Citybus to divestment and sale to Transit Holdings.

ON THE ROAD22

DAVID JUKES presents this month’s round up of mature buses still in
action on the UK’s roads.

ENSIGNBUS RUNNING DAY26

MARTYN HUNT and CALUM MACLENNAN capture the action in
Essex, East London and North Kent
on 1 December.

PENNINE RUNNING DAY29

CHRIS WHITEOAK reports on a glorious celebration of a much missed North Yorkshire operator.

WEST YORKSHIRE 90 AT THE SKIPTON RUNNING DAY32

This year’s Aire Valley event included a gathering of West Yorkshire
vehicles. Words and pictures by CHRIS WHITEOAK.

COACHING CLASSICS: Western MW36

Western SMT DT1327 (LCS 207) was one of a batch of 52 Alexander-
bodied Bristol MW6G coaches new in 1958.

PRESERVATION UPDATE: A Tiger and a Regent42

SIMON GILL provides an update on the major restorations of former
Sheffield JWE 416 and OWE 116 at the South Yorkshire Transport Museum.

RETURN JOURNEY: Sheffield Regents47

A round-up of some AEC Regents from the Sheffield ‘A’ and ‘B’ fleets
caught on film mostly in the 1970s.

55 YEARS ON (AND
WORKING UNDER) BUSES50

David Powell has been everything
from a Ribble apprentice to part-
owner of Maidstone & District.
NICK LARKIN meets him!

TALKIN’ ‘BOUT MY DESTINATION54

‘Who said that?’ we ask as ASHLEY BLACKMAN looks at destination
blinds in the latest instalment of his restoration series.

THE MODEL PAGE58

NIGEL APPLEFORD examines Oxford Diecast’s 1:76 scale Plaxton
Panorama coach.

OFF ROUTE62

Mystery National Bus Company subsidiaries, an extremely unusual
private hire vehicle and searching for a bus song. Over to NICK LARKIN.

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NEW LIFE FOR SALFORD PD210

Salford PD2s are a popular preservation choice with one recently
changing hands.

ON THE ROAD14

This month’s round up examines several older vehicles extending their working lives in foreign climes and the UK. DAVID JUKES presents.

DELAINE REUNION18

Two contrasting vehicles are the only preserved former Delaine of
Bourne vehicles to have seen service with another operator. NICK LARKIN finds them back home.

MIDLAND RED TWINS REUNITED!22

Well non-identical twins! The Leicester Transport Heritage Trust’s
TREVOR FOLLOWS takes up the story . . .

RETURN JOURNEY: The S23 in service26

The BMMO S23 was to be found throughout the vast Midland Red area,
with some passing to West Midlands PTE in 1973 as a result of the transfer
of Midland Red services within its area. Here’s a selection . . .

DIVERTED DORCHESTER28

SIMON GILL reports on the restoration of former South Yorkshire’s Transport 76 (B674 GWJ); one of the few surviving Dennis Dorchesters.

DOUBLE TOP34

The 3238 Preservation Group owns two restored Dennis Darts that
regularly attend bus events across London and the south-east.
DAVID JUKES reports..

RETURN JOURNEY: London’s DTs45

We look at London Buses’ first Dennis Darts in the capital and with subsequent operators elsewhere in the UK.

PART OF THE FAMILY48

Three generations of one family have been involved with JUB 29, an
Eastern Counties-bodied Leyland Titan TD1, as ASHLEY BLACKMAN discovers.

RETURN JOURNEY: WEST YORKSHIRE52

We look back at West Yorkshire across three eras — BTC, THC and NBC.

AFTER FAMOUS: OK You Guys56

Fewer Guys found their way into the non-PSV world than other makes.
Here is quite literally what we have…

THE MODEL PAGE60

NIGEL APPLEFORD studies Creative Master Northcord’s Plaxton
Pointer-bodied Dennis Dart MPD bus models.

OFF ROUTE64

NICK LARKIN is truly shocked by one of the most unusual bus workings
in London of recent times and pays tribute to South Shields.

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THE LONE ABERDONIAN12

A recently restored East Yorkshire Albion Aberdonian neatly fits the
unique description as SIMON GILL reports.

ON THE ROAD18

DAVID JUKES presents a selection of mature buses and coaches still
doing what they do best.

SCANIA WITH A STORY22

A low floor Whippet Scania may be one of the newest vehicles in preservation but, now superbly restored, it has an important history as
NICK LARKIN explains.

LOWHEIGHT IN WINCHESTER26

The Friends of King Alfred Buses Twilight Running Day began early with
an opportunity to compare four different lowheight buses. SIMON GILL
was there.

SHOWBUS 201828

The 46th Showbus International display took place at Donington Park on
30 September as SIMON GILL illustrates.

BLACKPOOL ROCKS34

The Blackpool Tramway was substantially rebuilt but several of the old
trams remained to form the Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours fleet.
DAVID JUKES reports.

FLEETLINE FANTASTIC46

The Stagecoach Heritage Fleet’s lone Fleetline was sold last year for
private preservation; its new owner GRAHAM LORD explains how and
why he acquired it.

RETURN JOURNEY: A visit to Grimsby and Cleethorpes 50

Seaside fun and fish — yes there’s plenty of variety when it comes to
these two Lincolnshire towns! We look back . . .

‘AD’ TO YOUR RESTORATION54

It is time to decide if you would like period advertisements recreated on
your vehicle’s exterior. ASHLEY BLACKMAN explains.

THE MODEL PAGE58

NIGEL APPLEFORD examines Exclusive First Edition’s London Transport RC-class AEC Reliances, which proved somewhat disappointing in full-sized form.

OFF ROUTE62

A search for a distinctive Reliance, a little bus nostalgia in Spain, and a nostalgic look at 1970s Manchester. NICK LARKIN reports.

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NEWS PLUS 6

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PRESERVING READING’S TROLLEYBUSES 12

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Reading trolleybus system’s closure. Six of the town’s trolleybuses have been preserved, as
DAVE HALL describes.

REMEMBERING READING TROLLEYBUSES 18

The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft hosted a special event to recall
Reading’s trolleybus system. DAVID JUKES reports.

ON THE ROAD 22

DAVID JUKES presents this month’s collection of older buses and
coaches at work on the UK’s roads.

PRESERVATION PACKAGE 26

An innovative new service for preservationists is offered by a
Cambridgeshire concern. NICK LARKIN meets the man who made it happen.

RESHAPING AND BEYOND 30

The Epping Ongar Railway gathered many of the surviving vehicles from London Transport’s Reshaping Plan as NIGEL APPLEFORD and
KEITH VALLA illustrate.

COACHING CLASSICS: LONDONLINK32

A brief look at Alder Valley coaches in the 1980s.

MERCEDES-BENZ RARITY 36

A rare low-floor Mercedes-Benz O405N has quickly become a popular addition to the rally scene owing to its ease of access. SIMON GILL reports.

RETURN JOURNEY: O405Ns42

A look back at West Midlands Mercedes-Benz O405Ns.

SOUTH HAMS SUNSHINE 46

The Kingsbridge Running Day featured a wide selection of preserved
vehicles representing local and neighbouring operators, plus others from further afield.

A DAY OUT WITH PROVINCIAL 432 48

A former First Provincial Leyland National 2 revisited some of its former haunts with NIGEL APPLEFORD.

RETURN JOURNEY: First’s South-Hampshire National 2s 52

Examples of the Leyland National 2 could be found working for First
Group from Havant to Southampton in the late-1990s and early-2000s.

FROM WALSALL TO LICHFIELD 54

National Express West Midlands (NXWM) held a heritage bus running
day to celebrate the launch of a newly-extended service. SIMON GILL recorded the event.

THE MODEL PAGE 56

Exclusive First Edition’s Pointer-bodied Dennis Dart SLF single-door bus
is studied by NIGEL APPLEFORD.

OFF ROUTE 60

Goodies from the Goodwood Revival, how the National Bus Company
tried to get youngsters on its side, and some pictures of drivers with a difference. NICK LARKIN reports.

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PRESERVING READING’S TROLLEYBUSES12

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Reading trolleybus system’s closure. Six of the town’s trolleybuses have been preserved, as
DAVE HALL describes.

REMEMBERING READING TROLLEYBUSES18

The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft hosted a special event to recall
Reading’s trolleybus system. DAVID JUKES reports.

ON THE ROAD22

DAVID JUKES presents this month’s collection of older buses and
coaches at work on the UK’s roads.

PRESERVATION PACKAGE26

An innovative new service for preservationists is offered by a
Cambridgeshire concern. NICK LARKIN meets the man who made it happen.

RESHAPING AND BEYOND30

The Epping Ongar Railway gathered many of the surviving vehicles from London Transport’s Reshaping Plan as NIGEL APPLEFORD and
KEITH VALLA illustrate.

COACHING CLASSICS: LONDONLINK 32

A brief look at Alder Valley coaches in the 1980s.

MERCEDES-BENZ RARITY36

A rare low-floor Mercedes-Benz O405N has quickly become a popular addition to the rally scene owing to its ease of access. SIMON GILL reports.

RETURN JOURNEY: O405Ns42

A look back at West Midlands Mercedes-Benz O405Ns.

SOUTH HAMS SUNSHINE46

The Kingsbridge Running Day featured a wide selection of preserved
vehicles representing local and neighbouring operators, plus others from further afield.

A DAY OUT WITH PROVINCIAL 43248

A former First Provincial Leyland National 2 revisited some of its former haunts with NIGEL APPLEFORD.

RETURN JOURNEY: First’s South-Hampshire National 2s52

Examples of the Leyland National 2 could be found working for First
Group from Havant to Southampton in the late-1990s and early-2000s.

FROM WALSALL TO LICHFIELD54

National Express West Midlands (NXWM) held a heritage bus running
day to celebrate the launch of a newly-extended service. SIMON GILL recorded the event.

THE MODEL PAGE56

Exclusive First Edition’s Pointer-bodied Dennis Dart SLF single-door bus
is studied by NIGEL APPLEFORD.

OFF ROUTE60

Goodies from the Goodwood Revival, how the National Bus Company
tried to get youngsters on its side, and some pictures of drivers with a difference. NICK LARKIN reports.

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any bus-related item.

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SEAFORD HERITAGE12

Much has changed since B&CP previously profiled the fleet and operations
of East Sussex-based Seaford & District, as DAVID JUKES discovers.

ON THE ROAD18

DAVID JUKES presents an assortment of senior vehicles at work in this country and beyond.

‘MR CROSSLEY’ AT NINETY!22

NICK LARKIN meets TONY MELIA who joined Crossley Motors as an apprentice in 1942 and has more recently co-restored two important examples of the marque.

AFTER THEY WERE FAMOUS: STOCK CAR TRANSPORTERS28

Old buses and coaches proved popular for the transportation of stock
cars from the 1960s onwards as MIKE GREENWOOD explains.

BUSES Festival 201832

SIMON GILL presents this selection
of heritage buses and coaches at the
fifth BUSES Festival at the British
Motor Museum, Gaydon.

WICOR WONDERS34

The City of Portsmouth Preserved Transport Depot held an open day
at its Portchester home on a glorious 24 June, as DAVID JUKES illustrates

THE SPIRIT OF STRAWS36

SIMON GILL reports on a once highly-respected independent coach operator, Straws of Leicester, recreated by a newly-restored Plaxton-bodied AEC Reliance.

RETURN JOURNEY: STRAWS AT THE BRITISH COACH RALLY 44

For such a small company, Straws of Leicester enjoyed notable success
with a number of its entries into the British Coach Rally.

WET & WILD!48

DAVID JUKES braved the elements at this year’s Worthing Bus Rally and Running Day.

TAMWORTH 9050

Arriva Midlands’ Tamworth bus garage celebrated its 90th birthday with numerous visiting buses, as photographed by SHANE ROSS.

A LICK OF PAINT52

ASHLEY BLACKMAN describes his passion for coach painting and
provides invaluable advice to help achieve that perfect finish.

THE MODEL PAGE56

NIGEL APPLEFORD examines the Exclusive First Editions BET
Federation six-bay single-deck model.

OFF ROUTE60

Buses with unusual names 90 years apart, an AEC RT on a toffee tin and
a Confidence of Leicester Leyland Olympian sends NICK LARKIN into
time orbit!

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LOOKING SMART12

The Eastern Transport Collection Society has attended to former
Eastern Counties LS789 (5789 AH),
a 1959 ECW-bodied Bristol MW5G,
as DAVID JUKES reports.

ON THE ROAD16

This month’s selection of mature buses and coaches on Britain’s highways
is presented by DAVID JUKES.

267 HITS 5020

Northampton Daimler CVG6 JVV 267G is about to celebrate its 50th
anniversary as NICK LARKIN discovers.

RETURN JOURNEY: Northampton26

A nostalgic look back at this much-missed one-time municipal operator.

ROYAL BLUE RUN30

The 18th Royal Blue and Associated Motorways Coach Run took place
on 15-17 June 2018. SIMON GILL describes the planning and action.

ALTON 201836

This year’s Alton Bus Rally and
Running Day provided a bumper turnout of vehicles, some of which were photographed by STEPHEN WREN and DAVID JUKES.

BUSES IN THE LANDSCAPE38

A Bristol LWL on Dartmoor.

GOING STATESIDE40

The Hershey, Pennsylvania-based Museum of Bus Transportation’s 2018 Spring Fling was held on 2 June, as MIKE GREENWOOD reports.

EASTERN PROMISE44

The Eastern Transport Collection Society will next year celebrate the
50th anniversary of its founding as the Eastern Counties Omnibus Society.
DAVID JUKES finds out more.

RETURN JOURNEY:
Eastern Counties49

A selection of poppy red Bristols
with which to reminisce.

RETURN TO
DEREGULATED OTLEY52

A former West Yorkshire Road Car Company Bristol VRT/SL3 has
recently returned to action as described by ASHLEY BLACKMAN and SIMON WILES.

THE MODEL PAGE56

Oxford Diecast has produced several bus operator support vehicles
in 7mm, 4mm and 2mm scales, as defined by NIGEL APPLEFORD.

OFF ROUTE60

A magnificent scrapyard, a wedding surprise and some Northampton
humour — and Hampshire’s longest serving bus. NICK LARKIN reports.

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WHO’S THAT LADY?12

Iconic Ribble Leyland Atlantean coach restored and returned to the road. PHILIP LAMB reports.

COACHING CLASSICS: Stripey Ribble16

Ribble initially adopted a two-tone blue and later a grey and red ‘stripey’
era coach livery. There was also a red and gold Kingfisher version for
touring coaches. We take a look at them all . . .

ON THE ROAD18

DAVID JUKES presents this month’s selection of active senior buses.

MAUDSLAY . . . OR MAYBE NOT!24

A unique Maudslay Regal has finally been restored — though you
might just be forgiven for calling the vehicle an AEC. NICK LARKIN
sorts it out.

UNITED COLOURS28

SIMON GILL reports on two colourful Bristols within the Aycliffe &
District Bus Preservation Society’s collection.

BARRY BEAUTIES32

HUGH JONES visits this year’s Barry Festival of Transport.

OPEN DOORS AT ACOCK’S GREEN35

National Express West Midlands opened its doors to the public on
Saturday 23 June.

LYNXES AT LARGE37

The Cardiff Transport Preservation Group now has two former Cardiff Leyland Lynx in its collection. PHILIP LAMB reports.

RETURN JOURNEY: Cardiff Variety Pack42

Cardiff Corporation Transport specialised in variety. Here we have
Crossleys, AECs and a Bristol. Add to these the undertaking’s penchant
for Leylands, Guys and Daimlers, and you have almost a full set!

PRESERVING SOUTHAMPTON’S HERITAGE44

The Southampton & District Transport Heritage Trust has recently
relocated to the Bursledon Brickworks Museum as DAVID JUKES
discovers.

RETURN JOURNEY: Southampton Sojourn48

We look back at Southampton’s half-cab era taking in its small fleet of
single-deckers new in the 1950s.

IT’S ELECTRIFYING52

ASHLEY BLACKMAN discusses bus and coach electrical restoration
with electrical guru MALCOLM GREEN.

THE MODEL PAGE56

The Original Omnibus Company’s 4mm scale models of Roe’s
traditional-styled post-1957 bodywork features several chassis variants
as NIGEL APPLEFORD explains.

OFF ROUTE60

An ironic message on a dead Daimler, and what happened when a
future king dropped unexpectedly into Delaine’s depot. NICK LARKIN reports.

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any bus-related item.