Older Bus Photographs from David Beilby http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/ 16 rows en-gb 60 1973 Rochdale Motorcade http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c940223.html This was the last of the Rochdale Motorcades organised by Transiclub of Rochdale (which by this time had merged with the Crossley Omnibus Society). It also co-incided with local government re-organisation and as a result a special effort was made to obtain municipal vehicles from all the local councils. One of the films used ended up over-developed and as a result the negatives are dense and a bit grainy. Consequently I never printed them and they are only now being seen for the first time. Sunday 19 August 1973: This was the last of the Rochdale Motorcades organised by Transiclub of Rochdale (which by this time had merged with the Crossley Omnibus Society). It also co-incided with local government re-organisation and as a result a special effort was made to obtain municipal vehicles from all the local councils. One of the films used ended up over-developed and as a result the negatives are dense and a bit grainy. Consequently I never printed them and they are only now being seen for the first time.

This playbus used to be Manchester C. T. 3582 (UNB 582) and was one of two that originally had Cave-Brown-Cave heating. Although later modified as standard, the interior at the front upstairs remained different. This Bedford VAS with Plaxton body was owned by Rochdale Social Services. Used as Rally Control for the day was former Bolton Crossley SD42/7 8 (DBN 978). It was still in its later configuration as a front-entrance welfare bus and was not rebuilt to original condition until a couple of years later. A rally stalwart then and now is Geoff Lumb's Llandudno Guy JC 5313. Owned at the time by Vernon Wood was this Alexander PS1 PA133 (CMS 201). Blackburn provided a new Atlantean with (of course) East Lancs bodywork. Huddersfield 217 (CCX 777) is a Daimler CWA6 which spent a lot of its service life working for West Bridgford U. D. C. An unusual vehicle was theis East Lancs-bodied Seddon RU from Accrington Corporation. Keith Jenkinson's TD1 JUB 29 was a regular on the rally scene at the time. Painted in the livery of Keighley-West Yorkshire it has a complex history. I know very little about this Bedford OB OPK 510. This AEC Regal III from Florence of Morecambe has been another rally stalwart but at the time was a newcomer on the scene. JTE 546 was a Regent III with Park Royal body that operated for Morecambe and Heysham. If I recall correctly it was working as a publicity vehicle at the time. It is now in very active preservation. SHMD 76 (VTU 76) was one of the unique batch of centre-entrance Daimler CVG6s with Northern Counties bodies. Acquired for preservation the previous year, the repaint into the original dark green livery did not progress beyond the silver roof for quite some time! The vehicles eventually made their way to Rochdale town centre and some of the buses are seen lined up here. This Bedford TK was 329 in the Rochdale Corporation fleet. Working for the Engineer's and Surveyor's department it was carrying a display for the Rochdale Road Safety Committee. Meals On Wheels in a mini-van. Not much more to be said! This Leyland gully emptier was owned, I believe, by Whitworth Urba District Council. A typical Shelvoke and Drewry refuse vehicle of the time was this example from Whitworth U. D. C. Littleborough U. D. C. Street Lighting department provided this Bedford TK. The Halifax registration implies it may not have been new to them. From Heywood Urban District Council Cleansing Department was this more unusual Karrier refuse vehicle. Rochdale 336 was a tower wagon based on a Ford D-series chassis. Head-on view of a JCB, also from Rochdale Corporation. The smallest vehicle present was this Ransomes mower. Even a tractor can look distinguished whne embellished with the Rochdale coat-of-arms. Most definitely not municipal was this stock car advertising events at Stoke Stadium. Number 271 carried Dave Helliwell's name and was advertising ball pens at 4p, rosettes for 20p and keyfobs for 10p. Rochdale's Cleansing department was represented by this Ford D-series. Another Ford from Rochdale was this skip carrier, so new it was still on trade plates. Rochdale also provided a Karrier refuse vehicle. Yet another Rochdale D-series was this road-sweeper. This ambulance based on a Ford Transit was state of the art at the time. Somewaht less sophisticated was this ambulance for Rochdale Civil Aid. Rochdale's Litter Bin Service provided an unusual Reliant three-wheeler. Another Civil Aid vehicle was this quite elderly ambulance. Another stock car. This Volvo ambulance I suspect was for motorway work, the nearby M62 having recently opened. The Jaguar XJ6 made for a potent Police car. This Bedford I have noted as a mobile library. This Dennis Ace was used on trade plates in the factory at Guildford prior to restoration and as a result this rather incongrous registration is actually the first it received. A Ford pick-up attracts a lot of interest from the male visitors but complete indifference from the female! Representing an earlier generation of commercial three-wheelers is this Reliant. A Riley. The Whitworth U. D. C. refuse vehicle demonstrates the capabilities of its compactor body. TF 8790 is an Alvis. DHL 999 was a Merryweather pump escape that served Wakefield Fire Brigade. 999 registrations were popular with fire brigades and RBU 999 is a more modern water tender from Oldham. The business end of a Morgan three-wheeler. The classic lanes of an MG. The Littleborough hydraulic platform is one of several vehicles displaying their capabilities in a way which is sadly discouraged these days. The ubiquitous Austin 7. A general view of the rally site.

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]]> Sun Aug 19 1973 Brief Irish Interlude, August 1969 http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c743508.html My only visit to the Emerald Isle so far has been a short visit in August 1969. The photographs are taken either at the station yard at Sligo or Coyningham Road depot in Dublin. Wednesday 20 August 1969: My only visit to the Emerald Isle so far has been a short visit in August 1969. The photographs are taken either at the station yard at Sligo or Coyningham Road depot in Dublin.

CIE R608 amongst similar vehicles in Dublin. The vehicle on the right is showing the destination The PD3/2s with seven-bay bodies and three windows upstairs looked positively archaic to my eyes, but were fascinating vehicles. Ooh to be able to drink Red Barrel again.....!! Still active in Sligo was this PS2/14 with CIE body. A temporary shortage of vehicles led to the acquisition of a batch of UTA Leyland PS1s, which kept their original livery and fleet number. The sticker in the destination blind says CIE School Bus. This bus had been new to the NIRTB in 1946 and had their own body. A selection of vehicles at Sligo, including the new Bedford school buses being introduced at the time. You have to make your own mind up which is the front and which is the back! C149 was a Leopard PSU3/4R. However, despite the designation it was a thirty-foot vehicle and all up to C182 were so designated before the more usual PSU4 designation was applied. The chassis were assembled in Broadstone depot and Metal Sections body framing kits were assembled on the chassis at Spa Road. The result was an elegant and rather timeless product. CIE U55 is a Royal Tiger PSU1/13 with a CIE body that was originally rear-entrance. It is seen in Dublin. Dublin elegance. The Leyland-derived body on this OPD2 combined with Birmingham style livery made for an attractive fleet. I found these Metal Sections bodied Atlanteans rather striking and of course they were unique to Dublin.

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]]> Wed Aug 20 1969 Early days of bus preservation - 3 http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c740173.html A further selection of Instamatic photographs from my collection showing buses at rallies in the late sixties and early seventies. Sunday 1 January 1967: A further selection of Instamatic photographs from my collection showing buses at rallies in the late sixties and early seventies.

County 70 in as withdrawn condition. At the very first Crich Transport Extravaganza on 1st September 1968 is County 70. Next to it is a far more interesting Guy, Huddersfield 191 which was a 27 foot long Arab IV with exposed radiator, 6LX engine and semi-automatic gearbox. An awesome beast! The Douglas pre-war AEC Regent bought for preservation by Roy Marshall, seen by the arches in Huddersfield on 19th October 1968. I think the Huddersfield utility seen behind still lives there! County 70 is here posed in its native territory in what looks to me like Emley village, home of the TV mast that fell down. Roath Dock was not a a County destination, more a Cardiff one! West Riding 995 was still in service when photographed at Sandtoft on 12th September 1971. It was new to County Motors, who were partly owned by West Riding. Chesterfield were big Crossley users and their saloons worked some very interesting rural routes. Still owned by Alan Smalley now as it was at the Robin Hood rally on 11th July 1971 is 8 (NRA 708). Notionally, at least, the last true Crossley chassis belonged to Rotherham 213 which is still preserved, but has not been an active vehicle at all. Unfortunate, for such a historic vehicle. A new vehicle at the Huddersfield rally in 1969 was Leeds 159 (PUB 159G), a Daimler Fleetline with the Roe body that became the Leeds standard. After sale by Red and White, this PS1 was converted for Cheshire Homes, with wheelchair lift and other features. It was later bought for preservation and restored to Red and White livery as seen here. This vehicle is still active. Beatifully repainted by Oldham Corporation was this Southdown PD2/Leyland 381 (JCD 81). How can such a magnificent vehicle end up being scrapped? This was one of its first outings at the 1969 Huddersfield event. Wigan 81 is a Leyland Tiger TS4 with now-unique Santus bodywork. Happily still very active is this AEC Regal III 0962 JTB 749, seen on a visit to Crich. County 70 meets another Guy Arab in the form of Darlington 86 (OHN 496), an Arab III with Roberts body. This vehicle is a Dennis 2-tonner fitted with a replica 19-seat charabanc body. It is presumed the chassis was originally a lorry. Thanks to Andrew Colebourne for providing this information. Seen at the 1971 Crich Extravaganza is Midland Red 4830, next to Ashton PD2 LTC 767, which sadly only survived in preservation a few years. The 1976 Crich Extravaganza sees SHMD 61, a Daimler CVD6/Northern Counties, next to a former Glasgow AEC Regent V SGD 497. The SHMD Daimler requires a lot of work to get it roadworthy, the Glasgow Regent was never preserved. York Pullman 66 has unusual Barnaby bodywork on its AEC Regal III chassis. The Blue Bus Daimler COG5/40 with Willowbrook body takes a rest at an unknown location, 3rd November 1968. Seen in 1972 is this Royal Blue Bristol LS coach 1291. This Doncaster lowbridge Regent is 135 and seen at the St. Leger Run on 3rd June 1973. Huddersfield 217 shares reminiscences with West Bridgford Regent III 21, as the Huddersfield CWA6 spent many years working for that small UDC near Nottingham. A very well-known but still striking vehicle is Midland Red 3301, a 1948 C1 with Duple C30C body. This Daimler CB was rebodied by Barton in 1954. Happily, the style chosen was a replica of their first charabanc. The chassis is as early as 1912 and is seen at the Robin Hood rally on July 11th 1971. Arriving at the Robin Hood run in Nottingham on 11th July 1971 is this Eastern National Bristol L 3900 (KNO 603) which doesn't seem to be with us any more. No Heart of the Pennines Rally was complete without Halifax Regent III 277 (BCP 671), seen here in 1973.

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]]> Sun Jan 1 1967 Plumtree - an early attempt at a transport museum http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c739929.html The East Midlands Transport Society leased the goods yard of the former Plumtree station (south east of Nottingham) in the 1960s with the intention of establishing a transport museum there. Limitations of the site saw the project eventually fail and most of the trolleybuses went to Sandtoft. It would have been an interesting venue as immediately adjacent is the old BR Research test track (now an Alstom test track) and visitors to the museum would have been able to see the prototype APT on high-speed test and more recently the Virgin Pendolino fleet. Monday 1 January 1968: The East Midlands Transport Society leased the goods yard of the former Plumtree station (south east of Nottingham) in the 1960s with the intention of establishing a transport museum there. Limitations of the site saw the project eventually fail and most of the trolleybuses went to Sandtoft. It would have been an interesting venue as immediately adjacent is the old BR Research test track (now an Alstom test track) and visitors to the museum would have been able to see the prototype APT on high-speed test and more recently the Virgin Pendolino fleet.

Sadly, I do not believe that this Midland General Regent III currently survives in preservation. This West Bridgford utility Daimler is seen at Plumtree, with the track used for testing the protype (gas-turbine powered) APT in the background. A mystery Bedford OWB serves to prop up the sign indicating the workshop and small exhibits section in the goods shed (nowadays a restaurant), 15th April 1968. Nottingham 493 is a BUT 9611T with Roe body. Nottingham 493 is seen The same Vulcan seen on the same date (8th September 1968). Behind is a Grimsby Guy Arab II 72 (JV 8699). This Lytham Lion is still active and for most people is the only gearless Leyland they have ever experienced. Nottingham's 502 is a six-wheel BUT 9641T with a Brush body. One of fifteen six-wheel Crossley trolleybuses built after the war, Manchester 1250 now resides under cover at Boyle Street, Manchester. This is believed to be a Vulcan which once ran at Skegness. It is carrying an interesting contraption but what exactly it is is unclear. Midland General 175 is an attractive Weymann-bodied AEC Regal III which still makes occasional and welcome appearances. Only seven months after the system was abandoned, three Derby trolleybuses stand together on 14th April 1968. This Leyland TD4 started life with Cumberland and was rebodied by ECW. It has now been restored to Cumberland livery. Seen at Plumtree on 8th September 1968. There are only two Daimler COG5 saloons in preservation. This one ran for Blue Bus and has a Willowbrook body.

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]]> Mon Jan 1 1968 Early Trans-Pennine Runs http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c737196.html The Trans-Pennine Run was the northern equivalent of the Brighton Run and grew to become as important. In the early days buses were in the majority but more recently it has become predominantly commercial vehicles. Sunday 10 August 1969: The Trans-Pennine Run was the northern equivalent of the Brighton Run and grew to become as important. In the early days buses were in the majority but more recently it has become predominantly commercial vehicles.

Manchester 3166 can be seen today at the GMTS museum at Boyle Street. It was bought as a replacement for 3095, the original preservation candidate, which turned out to have a serious chassis defect. The West Bromwich Dennis E en route to Harrogate in 1970. This Jersey Leyland Titan TD1 was decorated as an early Halifax bus at the time, although the J-suffix registration it carried for some time didn't help the image! It has since been restored to JMT livery, complete with Mary Ann advert. To qoute the programme notes A very busy car park in 1972! Seen on the Stray in Harrogate, West Riding 733 looks particularly smart. This Standerwick TS7 was originally fleet number 79 and was rebodied with this Duple coach body in 1950. This bus is still active but has lost its original registration. Seen on the first run in 1969 is Blackburn PS1/Crossley 7 (BCB 340). This former Western/Southern National Bristol LL was not preserved, but operated by a Harrogate builder and looked very smart. Although many Bristol Ls from these fleets survive, no standard ECW bodied examples do, surprisingly. Lymer's of Tean (Staffordshire) entered this Harrington-bodied AEC Regal III for the first event. This open-top Regent V from Oxford appeared as a substitute for the original entry, Regal III 703, in 1969. Taking a rest in the bus park above Crossfield Bus Station in Halifax is the LVVS-owned (and liveried) Trent SOS. Red and White's Guy Arab IIIs with Duple bodies were elegant and long-lived. Starting life as 42, it became L17.49 and eventually passed to Graham's at Paisley before being purchased for preservation. It has recently re-appeared after a successful restoration. This shows how crowded things could be on the Royal Hall car park and the move to the Stray in 1973 created a lot more space. RF10 is one of the very first RFs which were shorter than the remainder and equipped as tour vehicles for the Festival of Britain.

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]]> Sun Aug 10 1969 Rochdale Motorcades http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c737104.html The last Rochdale Motorcade was as long ago as 1973, but prior to that it had been an important event on the local rally scene, with preserved and operational vehicles attending. Wednesday 1 May 1968: The last Rochdale Motorcade was as long ago as 1973, but prior to that it had been an important event on the local rally scene, with preserved and operational vehicles attending.

This smart West Bridgford Regent III has lowbridge Willowbrook bodywork. This batch of Blackburn Crossley-bodied Guy Arab IIIs was the last of this traditional Manchester style of bodywork in service. 131 was particularly smart in 1970 as it had just had its body rebuilt (using the upper deck of 128) following a low bridge accident. Most undertakings would have scrapped a twenty year old accident victim! This Jersey PLSC Lion had been dressed up as an Edinburgh bus for a part in the film Although I believe it was preserved for a while, this West Yorkshire Bristol LWL has not been with us for many years. Stockport 361 never got preserved, although many Stockport PDs did. It is owned by SELNEC in this 1970 view but there is little evidence of the fact. Stockport 295 was still in service with SELNEC when this picture was taken at the 1970 Motorcade. Another view of Stockport 295. County 70, a Roe rebodied Arab II, rests in the shade of Rochdale's magnificent town hall. The famous first production Atlantean, well before it was preserved. It is seen here in 1969 before it came under the control of Merseyside PTE.

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]]> Wed May 1 1968 Stratford Bus of Yesteryear Rally, 31st May 1970 http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c737013.html An event that seems to be well-remembered after so many years, it saw vehicles arriving from all parts of the country. Sunday 31 May 1970: An event that seems to be well-remembered after so many years, it saw vehicles arriving from all parts of the country.

ECW-bodied PD1s were quite common after the war, but most of them did not survive too long as they were timber-framed and only poor quality wood was available. Fortunately Hants and Dorset 1145 (GLJ 957) still survives. Wigan 70 is a more conventional TD7 with Leyland's own body and that ubiquitous blind display. Burton's 63 is a Guy Arab III with Guy's own coachwork. It was still in daily use by the Education Department at this time. Exeter 73 (JFJ 873) is one of two members of this batch of Weymann-bodied Daimler CVD6 saloons to have been bought for preservation. Another vehicle which has been prominent on the rally scene during the intervening years is this Ribble TD5, rebodied by Alexander in 1949. London Transport TF77 is the only survivor of this unique batch of Leyland Tiger FECs, with underfloor engine. It has a Chiswick-built body. Crossley built the first buses with Birmingham's Silver Service have left a legacy of some fine vehicles in preservation. This Regal I with Willowbrook body has recently returned as a PSV in the colours of Burton's of Alfreton. This Wallasey TD7 (which was new with a torque convertor) had the Metro-Cammell body rebuilt in an unusual way by the Police, who ran it for some years. It has been repainted in a livery similar to that originally used by Red and White, who had similar style bodies on prewar Regals. Gilfords were never common but had a certain cachet. This is a 168OT model that was new to Ealing Direct Coaches. Another Hants and Dorset vehicle was this standard Bristol K6B with ECW body. Cardiff 46 spent most of its life working the routes from Cardiff to Merthyr and Tredegar, very long routes for Crossley double-deck operation. It has an Alexander body supplied by Scottish Commercial, which caused a lot of confusion in earlier days.

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]]> Sun May 31 1970 Stanford Hall Rally, 10th September 1967 http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c732822.html This was a very early rally to have a sizeable bus content and was reported on in the November 1967 issue of BUSES, which featured an almost-new Southdown PD3 on the cover! To put it in more precise historical context, Derby trolleybuses finished the day before the rally and Samuel Ledgard's still had another month to run before being swallowed by West Yorkshire. It is quite remarkable how far vehicles travelled to this event, which was organised by the HCVC. A total of twenty-four vehicles took part, most of which are illustrated here. This gives a good snapshot of the bus preservation movement at this time when it was just starting to gain momentum. Sunday 10 September 1967: This was a very early rally to have a sizeable bus content and was reported on in the November 1967 issue of BUSES, which featured an almost-new Southdown PD3 on the cover! To put it in more precise historical context, Derby trolleybuses finished the day before the rally and Samuel Ledgard's still had another month to run before being swallowed by West Yorkshire. It is quite remarkable how far vehicles travelled to this event, which was organised by the HCVC. A total of twenty-four vehicles took part, most of which are illustrated here. This gives a good snapshot of the bus preservation movement at this time when it was just starting to gain momentum.

This Albion SPLB41 has 14-seat coachwork and was new to a convent in Glasgow. It came second in the light PSV class. Mulley's 5 (DX 9547) is a rare Gilford AS6 with Eaton B20F body. It does not feature the prominent Gruss air springs on the front axle which were such a feature of most Gilfords. A classic pre-war London RT was RT44 (FXT 219). This general view allows you to see some of the entrants not otherwise shown, including Michael Dryhurst's ex-Brighton Regent 63 (FUF 63). This bus was a very common sight at rallies up to the mid-seventies, but is out of the limelight now. It combines the chassis of Glasgow Leyland Titan TD1 72 (GE 2407) with a former Keighley-West Yorkshire Eastern Counties body that were put together by Wallace Arnold and re-registered just after the war. Lytham's 44 (BTF 24) is a rare example of a torque converter Leyland that was not subsequently modified. It is an all-Leyland Lion LT7c. The other example from West Brom was the well-known Dennis E with Dixon body, 32 (EA 4181). West Bromwich also had two vehicles attending. 156 (FEA 156) is a Daimler CVG5 with Metro-Cammell body. London T792 is an AEC Regal with Mann Egerton body. It came second in the postwar PSV class. The only surviving complete Daimler COG is this distinctive Birmingham example 1107 (CVP 207) which came first in the (prewar) heavy PSV class. Still active today on the preserved vehicle circuit is this unique Roe-bodied Bristol K5G from Keighley-West Yorkshire, one of two examples from that fleet at the event.

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]]> Sun Sep 10 1967 Oldham Instamatic Photos http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c728788.html As the fleet with which I grew up, Oldham has to have its own special collection, although it has to be said some of these negatives are a bit thin. An Instamatic doesn't take good pictures inside a garage! Saturday 1 January 1966: As the fleet with which I grew up, Oldham has to have its own special collection, although it has to be said some of these negatives are a bit thin. An Instamatic doesn't take good pictures inside a garage!

466 was bought from Sheffield and was the last of this particular quartet to survive, seen here in March 1969. Tiger Cub 111 gained fame by making a trip to Kranj in Yugoslavia (Oldham's twin town). This shot in the garage in February 1966 is before it acquired an AA badge on the front, a relic of that trip. East Lancs-bodied Atlantean 132 was brand-new when seen here in February 1966. This was the first sighting of the new pommard and devon cream livery. This line-up at the back of the garage in February 1966 includes a withdrawn Crossley-bodied Daimler CVD6. A blurred Pennine-bodied Tiger Cub passes the Grotton Hotel on its way to Mossley, August 1966. 400 in traffic on Oldham Road Grasscroft in the very early days of SELNEC, December 1969. Panther 177 goes through the site of the Manchester Street roundabout at the end of the by-pass. Construction work was still taking place and the following day traffic followed the roundabout and traffic could no longer run on this bit of raod, April 1970. Heading down Manchester Street on the same day as 177 is Atlantean 170. 408 was one of the ill-fated Crossley-bodied PD2s. After overhauling 409 the cost was found to be prohibitive and the rest of the batch saw no more than ten years service, July 1968 246 was, and is, a survivor, running into SELNEC days. It was twenty-two years old when it was painted into the pommard and devon cream livery from the crimson seen here in July 1968.

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]]> Sat Jan 1 1966 Vintage Bus Miscellany http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c728777.html This is the remainder of my Instamatic photos that don't fit into other collections. It includes my very first bus photo of a Douglas AEC Regent V, taken when the last pre-war example was still in service! They're scattered around the country so hopefully you can find something of interest. Sunday 1 August 1965: This is the remainder of my Instamatic photos that don't fit into other collections. It includes my very first bus photo of a Douglas AEC Regent V, taken when the last pre-war example was still in service! They're scattered around the country so hopefully you can find something of interest.

Liverpool L20 at an unknown location in 1966 Birkenhead 105 at Woodside Ferry, 1966 Brighton 14, April 1968 Liverpool L572 at Pier Head, 1966 Wallasey 43 at Seacombe, 1966 Birkenhead Massey-bodied Tiger Cub 94 at Woodside Ferry, 1966 Bournemouth 86 in its home town, 1966 United BH22 in Sunderland Bus Station, July 1967 Durham District DL8 in Sunderland Bus Station, July 1967 Northern General 2149 in Sunderland Bus Station, July 1967 Luton REs 130 and 128 stored pending resolution of a dispute, August 1969 Luton PD2 with hideous Orion lowbridge body, August 1969 Old and new Luton 123 at the depot, August 1967 A Luton Dennos Loline by the station, August 1969 United UT21 in Leeds Wellington Street coach station, July 1967 United UE595 in Leeds Wellington Street coach station, July 1967 Douglas 5 on the seafront in Douglas, August 1965. My first bus photograph. Northern General 1682 in Sunderland, July 1967. Sunderland 55, July 1967. The remains of Trans-United bodied Crossley coach JTF 489 near Mossley, July 1967. This had finished its life towing an Sunderland District 304 in Sunderland Bus Station, July 1967 Ezra Laycock 76 at the Barnoldswick depot, April 1970. An Ezra Laycock Regent V, originally with City of Oxford, at the Barnoldswick depot, April 1970. PMT SN723 at Hanley depot, 10th May 1970 PMT L510, new to Baxter's, at Hanley depot, 10th May 1970

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]]> Sun Aug 1 1965 Early Brighton Runs in colour http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c722156.html These photographs are originals in my collection and show a selection of vehicles on this event in the period around 1970. Wednesday 1 May 1968: These photographs are originals in my collection and show a selection of vehicles on this event in the period around 1970.

This is a D. J. Davies bodied Dennis Lancet which started life with Forse of Cardiff, who were taken over by Western Welsh. Silcox had only just withdrawn this ex-United Bristol K when it appeared on the 1970 Brighton Run. It has since been restored to United livery. The dorsal fin on this Harrington-bodied AEC Regal III is not visible on this picture. It was more recently painted in the livery of Scarlet Pimpernel coaches of Minehead. Bolton Leyland Titan TD1 WH 1553 carrying the incorrect fleet number 53 - it was actually 54 and is now restored as such. Roberts built the bodywork on Colchestr 4 (OHK 432), a Daimler CVD6 London Transport built their own bodies on these diminutive rear-engined Leyland Cub RECs. Another Provincial in Leicester also seemed to get their money's worth out of their vehicles. JF 2378 is an 1931 AEC Regal 662 with Burlingham body Alexander (Northern) NPB 10 is an unusual Leyland Tiger OPS2/1 with Alexander body Whereas Southern National 262 (ETT 956) is older than it looks as the chassis is prewar (1938) but was lengthened and rebodied around 1955. Southdown's 813 (UF 4813) is a 1929 Leyland Titan TD1 with Brush body that looks even older due to being open-top Not an SLF model, TF 836 is the original Dennis Dart with Duple body. Pretty new at the time of the event was this Oxford Bristol VR 902 (OFC 902H) with standard ECW bodywork in a non-standard livery Aldershot and District 178 (HOU 904) Dennis Lancet J10 with Strachan body Eastern National's 2102 (LEV 917) started life as City's LD1 and has an Alexander body Postwar Tilling-Stevens were rare, Altonian's GOU 732 is a K6MA7 model with equally unusual Scottish Aviation body BEAs airport coaches were immortalised by the Matchbox model. MLL 747 is an AEC Regal 9822E with Park Royal body Provincial 35 had a long life even by Provincial's standard. A 1936 AEC Regent with Park Royal body, it saw service until the late sixties. Tim Stubbs has now owned this Dennis Lance for over twice as long as Aldershot and District! An interesting bus with a long preservation history, including once being kept in an old engine shed. These Hants and Dorset open-toppers gave sterling service and were unusual in having bodies older than the chassis. The Bristol K6A chassis was new in 1944 but the Brush full-front body was built in 1938. See my early South Wales collection for a picture of one of these in service in Merthyr Tydfil two months after this rally. A standard Bedford OB with Duple body, new to Kirby's of Bushey The only surviving BMMO S12 is 3750 (NHA 750), bodied by Metro-Cammell The GS class were known by Guy as the NLLVP and had ECW bodies. GS67 is one of nearly twenty of the eighty-four strong class preserved LUT 202 (TF 818) carries an earlier design of Roe body CMG 30 is a Bedford WLB with Duple C20R coachwork LUT 114 (CTF 423) is a Leyland Tiger TS8 with Roe body Birkenhead's livery looks very smart on this Guy Arab II which was rebodied by Massey in 1957 Southampton were one of a few fleets (like Salford) that built up a very standardised fleet after the war. 222 (GTR 484) is one of their many Guy Arab IIIs with Park Royal bodies. Provincial 35 is seen in Battersea Park the evening before the event Wigan 70 (JP 4712) is a typical prewar all-Leyland product. The current owner would like to reclaim the original destination blind displayed here as this distinctive destination did not appear on any more modern ones. County 70 is a rebodied Guy Arab II with Roe lowbridge body and is seen in Battersea Park the evening before the run. This Reading Crossley used to be a frequent sight but has not been on public view for a long time. 85 is a DD42/8 with lowbridge Crossley bodywork featuring rear doors. London STL2093 which needs little introduction, leaving more time for admiration of a superb restoration job. Eastbourne AEC Regal III/East Lancs had originally been numbered 11 and was still in service at the time this picture was taken. Bournemouth's 44 had latterly been numbered 86 and is a Leyland Tiger PS2/1 with a Burlingham full-front body. There is a picture of it in service in the Vintage Bus Miscellany collection.

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]]> Wed May 1 1968 Instamatic Bus Pictures from Yorkshire http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c714606.html Instamatic Bus Pictures from Yorkshire Sunday 1 January 1967: Instamatic Bus Pictures from Yorkshire

Bradford 795 (BDJ 83) was an East Lancs-bodied BUT formerly with St. Helens and is seen from the Great Northern Railway bridge near Clayton, July 1968. Two of Bradford's indigenous Weymann-bodied BUTs in Thornbury depot, July 1968. A West Yorkshire Bristol LS in Leeds Wellington Road coach station, July 1967. 2050 WY was owned by (and new to) A.Wray & Son Ltd., Summerbridge and was a Bedford SB1 with Duple Super Vega C41F new in 1961. It was working on hire to West Yorkshire in Leeds Wellington Road coach station, July 1967. Thanks to David Simpson for identifying this vehicle for me. Hull 218 (JRH 418E) is one of the fleet's Roe-bodied Atlanteans with the unusual flat one-pice screen, January 1968. The East Yorkshire livery sat well on the AEC Renown. 781 is in the bus station in Hull in January 1968. I believe this is East Yorkshire 613 (NRH 654), an unusual Windover-bodied Leyland Royal Tiger in the depot in January 1968. East Yorkshire 622 is a Tiger Cub with very unusual rear-entrance Willowbrook bodywork, also in the Hull depot, January 1968. Heading towards Clayton is Bradford 589 (HNU 828) a former Notts and Derby AEC 661T, July 1968. Bradford 835 (LHN 785) had formerly run for Darlington and Doncaster. It is seen at the original Clayton terminus in 1968 - this route was truncated slightly before abandonment in 1971. West Riding 642 (BHL 684) was a Leyland PD2 which had been relegated to driver training when this picture was taken at Castleford depot in May 1970. West Riding 1008 (BHL 359C), one of the last batch of Wulfrunians, rests at Castleford depot, May 1970. Two West Riding Fleetlines at Castleford depot, May 1970. West Riding Leyland Panther 149 (KHL 649F) outside Castleford depot, May 1970. West Riding 811 is an AEC Reliance with attractive Roe bodywork, next to an ex-Lincolnshire long apron front Lodekka bought to replace the unsuccessful Wulfrunians. At Castleford depot, May 1970. The engine on a Wulfrunian. Castleford depot, May 1970. An elegant PS2 with Roe body is West Riding 735 (EHL 346). Half-cabs in major fleets were a rare sight by the time this shot was taken at Castleford depot, May 1970. West Riding 254 (THL 254H) was fairly new when photographed turning into Wheldon Road, Castleford in May 1970. I recall these having black mouldings even though West Riding had stopped the practice on repaints some time before. Pity you can't tell from the photo! West Riding 745 (FHL 111) is an all-Leyland PD2/12 at Featherstone depot, May 1970. Todmorden 3 (GWW 39) rests in the bus station, April 1970. Todmorden 24 (KWX 17) waits to depart for Hebden Bridge in April 1970. A very rare sight to the left is the preserved Southport Crossley 116 (GWM 816) on one of its very few trips in preservation.

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]]> Sun Jan 1 1967 Early days of bus preservation - 2 http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c712182.html These are more pictures taken with an Instamatic (126) format camera, which was not of brilliant optical quality. The film iteslf was also usually poor quality but not so with colour slides. I didn't take any of these shots and cannot therefore always be specific on dates and locations - I welcome feedback. Wednesday 1 January 1969: These are more pictures taken with an Instamatic (126) format camera, which was not of brilliant optical quality. The film iteslf was also usually poor quality but not so with colour slides. I didn't take any of these shots and cannot therefore always be specific on dates and locations - I welcome feedback.

Two of this batch of East Lancs-bodied Regent IIIs were preserved, 234 and 243. One of them was fitted with an exghaust brake, but I can't remember which. This open-top Regent III from Morecambe (61) may still have been in service when this photo was taken. This AEC Regal III was later restored in Grey Cars livery. This Gaerlochhead Foden with Scottish Aviation body also appears in the original collection on the early days of preservation, but in black and white. Birmingham PD2 1685. This was (and presumably still is) a magnificent restoration job. Birmingham Daimler CVD6 2707 (JOJ 707) London Transport Q83 (CGJ 180) which is currently in red livery at Cobham. The Albion chassis of this Cheltenham and District bus is a legacy of the fleet's ownership by the Red and White group A general view of the Crich site showing vehicles entered in the 1976 Grand Transport Extravaganza County had two Guy Wulfrunians which, like most of their brethren, ended up with West Riding. This one survived to be preserved but I believe was still in service when this photograph was taken. This is a rebodied Bedford OWB and not an OB as might be supposed. This coach is currently a PSV. This Dennis Mace or 'Flying Pig 652 (WAT 652) was East Yorkshire's last bus with the full Beverley Bar profile, later vehicles were lowheight and had a less extreme profile. This Deiniolen Bedford OB has not been active for a long time but still survives in the museum at St. Helens Another one that is sadly not still with us is this Rossie Motors CVD6 saloon, apparently converted to a caravan but nonetheless at a rally. Bluebird Leyland Royal Tiger/Plaxton Venturer NKH 46 which ran most of its life for Morby's of Droylesden until they were taken over by Mayne's in 1975 (approx). This Bradford Leyland-bodied PD2 used to be a familiar sight on the rally seen but is now all but forgotten Huddersfield 217 survived into preservation as it was sold for further service to West Bridgford UDC, who ran it for many years. Never preserved, but attending the 1971 Robin Hood rally, is this former Maidstone and District vehicle in the smart livery of the Wallace School of Transport. They were based in Nottingham but also kept vehicles in the bus garage in Oldham. Alexander Northern PS1 NPA 133 at Crich Doncaster 375 (CDT 636) at Sandtoft.

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]]> Wed Jan 1 1969 Manchester Area Instamatic photos http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c696788.html A collection of photographs mainly taken by myself and all taken using an Instamatic camera. Not technically perfect but an interesting record. I hope you enjoy them. Saturday 1 January 1966: A collection of photographs mainly taken by myself and all taken using an Instamatic camera. Not technically perfect but an interesting record. I hope you enjoy them.

SELNEC 6204, the first Rochdale Regent V in orange heads into Manchester along Oldham Road, April 1970 Bolton 203 chassis and cab in a quarry in Springhead, May 1968 The body of Manchester Crossley Mancunian 2727 in a quarry in Springhead, May 1968 SHMD 113 in Mossley, August 1967 Ashton 67 in Mossley, August 1967 North Western 714 at Diggle Station, August 1966 North Western 145 (?) on Oldham Road, Grasscroft, December 1969 Manchester 7 on Parrs Wood Road, 1966 Stockport 400 at Heaton Lane depot, 31st August 1969 Bolton 15 at the side of Shifnal Street depot, August 1969 Ashton 83 at Audenshaw, 1966 Manchester BUT and Oldham PD2 in Stevenson Square, 1966 Ashton 83 in Piccadilly, 1966 Manchester BUT in Chester Square, Ashton, 1966 Ashton 82 heads onto Ashton Moss, 1966 A Manchester BUT passes what seems to be a miner cycling home from Bradford colliery, 1966 Manchester 1315 at Ashton Market, 1966 Manchester 50 in Parrs Wood Road, 1966 The rear of the body of Manchester Crossley Mancunian 2727 in a quarry in Springhead, May 1968 Machester 1336 at Audenshaw, 1966 LUT 127 outside Swinton depot, September 1969 Front view of Manchester 2152 in Boyle Street, 17th December 1967. Manchester 42 withdrawn at Hyde Road garage, 15th March 1969 Manchester 3494 with the body off 3363, at the back of Parrs Wood garage, 15th March 1969 Manchester 2152 on the Buckley Wells Bus Enthusiasts last Manchester Crossley tour, days before it was the last of the make withdrawn. Other shots of this bus are on the same tour. In Boyle Street, 17th December 1967. Manchester 2152 at Trafford Bar, 17th December 1967 Manchester 2152 in Middleton, 17th December 1967 Manchester 4055 withdrawn at Hyde Road garage, 15th March 1969 Manchester 2152 on Corporation Street, 17th December 1967 Manchester 2152 at Moston Gardener's Arms, 17th December 1967 LUT 4 in Leeds Wellington Street coach station. July 1967. Despite the destination, it continued to Newcastle. Manchester 4166 at Moston Gardener's Arms, 17th December 1967 Manchester 4574 in Piccadilly, 15th March 1969 Bolton 278 in Shiffnal Street depot, August 1969 SHMD 105 in the yard at Tame Street depot, August 1967 SHMD 70 in the yard at Tame Street depot, August 1967 SHMD 16 in the yard at Tame Street depot, August 1967 SHMD 61 and 66 in the yard at Tame Street depot, August 1967 Stockport 407 at Heaton Lane depot, 31st August 1969 Stockport 55 at Heaton Lane depot, 31st August 1969 North Western 633 at Buxton Town Hall, 31st August 1969 Ashton 45 at Mossley Road depot, August 1967 SHMD 104 in the yard at Tame Street depot, August 1967 Bury 183 off Kay Gardens, August 1969 Bury 177 at the depot, August 1969 SHMD 99 in Ashton Bus Station, March 1969 SHMD 41 in Ashton Bus Station, March 1969 SHMD 106 in the yard at Tame Street depot, April 1969 SHMD training bus 135 in the yard at Tame Street depot, April 1969 Ashton 24 at Mossley Road depot, August 1966

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]]> Sat Jan 1 1966 Early days of bus preservation http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c696755.html Some early shots of preserved buses. Not all of these are now with us and some of the others have changed somewhat. I hope to expand this collection as there are more (colour) photos still to scan. Monday 1 January 1968: Some early shots of preserved buses. Not all of these are now with us and some of the others have changed somewhat. I hope to expand this collection as there are more (colour) photos still to scan.

Oldham 368 at a filling station in Levenshulme, 31st August 1969 The rear of Oldham 368 in Bolton Oldham 368 in Bolton Oldham 368 in Todmorden on the first Trans-Pennine Run, 10th August 1969. Behind is Manchester 3095 which developed a severe chassis defect and was scrapped, to be replaced by almost-identical 3166. Bolton 8's first outing after restoration - a trip to the Crich Extravaganza 31st August 1969. Seen in Lever Street, Manchester. Oldham 368 in the works having a replacement diff fitted following a failure at Stone in Easter 1968. Stockport 185 still in Welfare Department colours, outside Manchester Chorlton Street bus station, 15th March 1969. Bolton 8 being prepared for repaint from Welfare Department colours, August 1969. Bolton 8 being prepared for repaint from Welfare Department colours, August 1969. Gaerlochhead Foden with Scottish Aviation body at the Huddersfield parade, August 1969. Southport 116 at the back of Bolton Crook Street depot, where it was stored briefly after purchase for preservation in 1969. This bus still exists but has hardly been seen for over thirty years! I believe we are due a pleasant surprise before too long.

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]]> Mon Jan 1 1968 Welsh Instamatic bus photos http://davidbeilby.fotopic.net/c676050.html My early photographic efforts in Wales (mainly the South). Not technically brilliant, but interesting with the passage of time. Friday 1 July 1966: My early photographic efforts in Wales (mainly the South). Not technically brilliant, but interesting with the passage of time.

Cardiff 482 in Cardiff Bus Station, 28th March 1970 Cardiff 517 in Cardiff Bus Station, 28th March 1970 Bristol 2056 in Cardiff Bus Station, 28th March 1970 Western Welsh 1404 in Cardiff Bus Station, 28th March 1970 Neath and Cardiff CTX 985C in Cardiff Bus Station, 28th March 1970 Rhondda 460 in Cardiff Bus Station, 28th March 1970 Western Welsh 618 in Cardiff Bus Station, 28th March 1970 Rhondda 493 in Merthyr Bus Station, 20th June 1970 Cardiff 488 in Merthyr Bus Station, 20th June 1970 Merthyr 132 in Merthyr Bus Station, 20th June 1970 Preserved LUT TS Tiger stored at Gelligaer depot, 20th June 1970 Gelligaer 35 at Tiryberth depot, 20th June 1970 Bedwas and Machen 6 (PAX 466F) in Tiryberth, 20th June 1970 Gelligaer 20 at Tiryberth depot, 20th June 1970 Gelligaer 9 at Tiryberth depot, 20th June 1970 Gelligaer 14 at Tiryberth depot, 20th June 1970 Gelligaer 23 in Tiryberth, 20th June 1970 Morlais Duple Britannia at Penydarren Yard, 20th June 1970 Morlais PDF 603 at Penydarren Yard, 20th June 1970 Crosville SMG 501 at Aberayron, August 1966 Western Welsh 1263 at Newquay, August 1966 Western Welsh 113 and 145 outside Newquay depot, August 1966 Caerphilly 6 at the Station, June 1968 Crosville SSG 646 at Llanwrst depot, June 1967 Crosville SLA 66 at Bangor depot, June 1967 Crosville EMG 344 at Amwlch depot, June 1967 Crosville DKB 388 outside Wrexham depot, June 1967 Gelligaer 25 and 10 at Tiryberth depot, 26th October 1969. (This was the first film I processed myself, hence the marks) Gelligaer 36 at Tiryberth depot, 26th October 1969. (This was the first film I processed myself, hence the marks) Cardiff 512 and 513 at Roath depot, 27th October 1969 Cardiff 278 at Roath depot, 27th October 1969 Cardiff DUH-series trolleybus at Roath depot, 27th October 1969 Llandudno AJC 551 awaiting business, June 1967 Hants and Dorset 885 at Crosville's Llandudno depot, June 1967 Southdown 1281 at Crosville's Llandudno depot, June 1967 Crosville CVT 687 at Llandudno depot, June 1967 Crosville DKB 412 at Wrexham depot, June 1967 Crosville DKA 176 at Wrexham depot, June 1967 Crosville CUG 304 at Wrexham depot, June 1967 Merthyr Leopard viewed from site of Dowlais High Street station, 20th June 1970 Merthyr 105 in Merthyr Bus Station, 20th June 1970 Merthyr 112 in Merthyr Bus Station, 20th June 1970 R I Davies FRU 306 in Merthyr Bus Station, 20th June 1970 Merthyr 162 in Merthyr Bus Station, 20th June 1970 R I Davies FJF 180 in Merthyr Bus Station, 20th June 1970 Western Welsh 181 in Cardiff Bus Station, 20th June 1970 Neath and Cardiff 231 BWN in Cardiff Bus Station, 20th June 1970 Thomas Bros (Barry) 670 BTX in Cardiff Bus Station, 20th June 1970 Rhondda 454 in Cardiff Bus Station, 20th June 1970 Western Welsh 738 in Cardiff Bus Station, 20th June 1970

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