Category: Articles
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Bradford by the Sea – Part One
A brief history of Morecambe and Heysham Corporation Transport. When I was nobbut a very young lad, we used to go on holiday to Morecambe or Bridlington, as did most Bradfordians. My memories of such holidays in Morecambe go back to the late war years, when my Dad was still in the Army, and the…
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Bradford by the Sea – Part Two
To read Part One, click here. The Morecambe Tramways Company worked a standard gauge horse tramway from Strawberry Gardens in Heysham, to East View, Morecambe. An extension to Bare was built by the Corporation in 1898, but operated by the Company. The Morecambe section, east of the Battery, was purchased by the Corporation in 1908.…
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A Day Trip to Southsea
After my recent piece for the Old Bus Photos ‘Galleries’ page relating to my driving days with Eatonways of Hays Mill, many memories resurfaced. Some just personal recollections of the long hard days doing day trips, the hat being passed around for tips as we approached base etc etc. However, one particular event continues to…
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Halifax Corporation Livery
The Halifax Corporation livery was similar to the Glasgow Corporation livery because it was adopted after Halifax borrowed a Glasgow liveried bus as a demonstrator. The fleet had worn a blue and white livery until, in 1924, the new General Manager prompted a change to red and cream. The Glasgow Corporation livery of green and…
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English Electric Bus Bodies
The English Electric Company, and its predecessors in the Dick Kerr group, were the largest producers of tramcar bodies in the UK, and had established a sound business platform in the successor business of bus and trolleybus bodies by 1932. In 1932, a standard 6 bay composite double deck body was produced with considerable success,…
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Goose Fair
It is easy to forget how heavily we relied on buses during the 1950s when car ownership was so much lower than it is today. Any major function was an occasion to run a special bus service. Many cities’ blinds featured such exotic destinations as “Football Ground” and “Races” as well as the more general…
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The Mystery of the Second Sheffield No 12
This is a tale of coincidence and collaboration that shows how shared research between enthusiasts can solve mysteries. In July 1997 I began what was to become a fascinating exchange of letters with the late Charles C Hall of Sheffield. It began simply enough with a request from me for a copy of his photograph…
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Sheffield Buses in the Snow
Monday 1st January 1968 A heavy snowfall starting about 18:00hrs was the prelude to an hour of chaos on services 61/63 on Greystones Road between 19:00 and 20:00hrs. The 19:03 ex Hunters Bar on service 61 operated by 813 became stuck at the Greystones Grange Road bus stop. The driver telephoned for assistance (fortunately there…