W Alexander & Sons (Midland) Ltd 1951 AEC Regent III 09612E Alexander L27/26R
Although Alexanders purchased significant numbers of Regals and Reliances, they only purchased one batch of 20 double deck buses from AEC, all of which joined the Midland fleet when the company split into three. As with virtually all the double deckers bought new by Alexanders post war, it has an own-build lowbridge body, and this batch was among the first to carry the new style with a rounded dome compared with the slightly angular earlier style based on the Leyland design. MRC8 is seen here parked up at Stirling Bus Station on 4 November 1969, and carries a Bannockburn depot plate. It also displays the then relatively new style of “Midland” fleetname, replacing the traditional Alexander style. The traditional Alexander smartness belies 18 years of service; by this stage many of its fellows had already been withdrawn. The other feature of this bus is that it represents “A is for . . .” for chassis, body and operator, and therefore represents a fitting introduction to a presentation I am giving at the Leicester Transport Historical Trust meeting in Leicester on Saturday 11th April 2015. This is entitled Alphabet Soup, featuring British buses from A to Z in the late 60s/early 70s. Within the alphabet, the main emphasis will be on chassis and body manufacturers, with operator names filling in the gaps, and I shall be highlighting as far as possible unusual rather than standard products. LTHT meetings are held at the New Walk Museum in Leicester, starting at 10 a.m. www.ltht.org.uk/monthly%20meetings.htm
Photograph and Copy contributed by Alan Murray-Rust
10/04/17 – 06:42
The ‘Midland’ (BMMO-style) fleetname is actually the third version to be used after the Alexander company split. The first was an underlined scroll similar to that used originally by Fife and Northern. They then reverted to the traditional Alexander style, but emphasising MidlanD as the middle line rather than AlexandeR. These 20 chassis were diverted from a Scottish Omnibuses order – recompense for the rubbish transferred from SO with the Dundee area perhaps?
Huddersfield Corporation 1955 AEC Regent III East Lancs H33/28R
Arriving at the Piece Hall, Halifax, for the Heart of the Pennines Rally of October 2011 is Huddersfield 178. This is AEC Regent III 9613E 4927, bearing East Lancs body number 5107. This bus was new to Huddersfield in June 1955.
Photograph and Copy contributed by Les Dickinson
25/07/15 – 06:15
Lovely picture. This style of East Lancs body was much more common on the Leyland PD2 and was especially popular with a host of Lancashire municipalities usually with exposed radiator. Rochdale had five virtually identical Regent III’s and Bradford had some similar but with the Birmingham style tin fronts. The Huddersfield livery just exudes class with such a splendid shade of red.
Philip Halstead
26/07/15 – 06:38
Thanks Phil, Given the level of loyalty of many West Riding area operators to Roe, I wonder what caused Huddersfield to go to ‘the dark side’ for these? I think these exposed-rad Regents looked so much better than those with the ‘Birmingham style’ fronts.
Les Dickinson
27/07/15 – 06:45
On the subject of exposed radiators, I think most of us nowadays prefer them to “tin fronts” on buses of this era, but at the time, I’m not so sure. Personally I was very impressed with all things enclosed, but then, I was just coming up to my ninth birthday when 178 was delivered, so my views probably wouldn’t count for much. I think the point is that because of the total revolution in the appearance of single-deckers and coaches which had recently occurred, there would be a widespread feeling that exposed radiators belonged on yesterday’s buses, and today’s buses needed a different look. Now of course we look on old buses with reverence, so an exposed radiator denotes a thoroughbred, and any attempt to disguise it detracts from its appeal.
Peter Williamson
28/07/15 – 05:48
A couple of items to note about 178, firstly we reactivated it (along with a couple of similar buses with valid CoFs) in September 1973 to allow the loan of some PD3As to Sheffield to help out in one of their vehicle crises. Secondly, shortly after the PTE was formed in April 1974 my ex boss, by then in Engineering charge at Bradford borrowed 178 and similar to help with a vehicle crisis there. I don’t recall 178 returning to Huddersfield and may have stayed with Bradford until withdrawal.
Eastbourne Corporation 1951 AEC Regent III 9613A Bruce H30/26R
This AEC Regent III 9613A with Bruce H56R body was new in 1951 and our first view shows her inside the bus depot. Actually, that isn’t where we see her, as any Eastbourne enthusiast might tell you! She is, in fact, passing through the garage area at the back of Winchester Bus Station whilst taking part in the King Alfred Running Day on 1 January 2012. The second view shows her fleetname and crest.
Photograph and Copy contributed by Pete Davies
29/10/15 – 06:36
Thank you Pete Davies for letting us see this picture of Eastbourne Corporation, Fleet No.42 – AHC 442. This bus brings back happy memories of my time at Derby Borough/City Transport from 1975 to 1980. Why I hear you ask, should an Eastbourne Corporation bus remind me of Derby, as they never operated such vehicles. Well the answer is this. At that time, 42, was owned by the late Gerald Truran the Chief Engineer at Derby, and was garaged at either Ascot Drive Depot or Osmaston Road Depot, depending on where there was space for it. During the Summer months of the Rally season, we used to take it to many a rally, and I used to share the Driving with Gerald. It was a superb bus to drive, the Driving position was second to none and Gerald kept it in first class condition, and it could achieve a fair turn of speed, (not just downhill), and the gearbox, once mastered, was a delight in itself. The body and paint work were superb and I recall leaving a few rally fields with silverware on board. I left Derby in June 1980 to work at Darlington Corporation Transport, and whilst we had our own Daimler deckers still in service they were not the same as that AEC. I never saw 42 again until a couple of years ago,when I was at the Worthing Seafront Bus Rally, and whilst I was allowed on board to take a few pictures, permission was not forth coming to climb up into the cab to sample that pleasure again (simple things please and amuse old Busmen). It is nice to see her again if only in print, and brings back happy times, not just driving her, but of my 5+ years at Derby.
Stephen Howarth
29/10/15 – 15:45
A bit of serendipity as this picture comes on the day that I had a query from an ex-colleague as to whether there are still any instances of bus garages being used as bus stations. This arose from some pictures of Worksop where a new bus station has recently replaced the stands outside the former East Midland MS garage which doubled for many years as the town’s bus station. (I would have uploaded my shot of Tiger Cub R39 in this location except that it would more or less duplicate this existing picture on this site at //www.old-bus-photos.co.uk/?p=2817) I get the impression that at Winchester the stands are not inside the main building, but does anyone know of anywhere where a building is still shared by garage and passenger facilities?
Alan Murray-Rust
29/10/15 – 17:14
What memories there are in this photo as I began my 42 years on the buses with Eastbourne Corporation at Churchdale road depot in August 1961. In those days everyone started as a conductor and when the chance arose went on to the driving school, undertaken in your own time, where Leyland PD1/Bruce No 15 JK 9113 awaited your tender touch. Having passed my test at the first attempt in April 1962 I progressed to the drivers roster after some tuition on the various different types then in the fleet which of course included the Regent III’s like No 42. At that time they were often referred to as the “Hampden Park” buses as they were used almost solely on the 7, 7a, 9 and 9a routes which were tightly timed and interworked as their lively performance was a great help with time keeping which made them very popular with all drivers and one of everyone’s favourites. I have to agree with all Stephen Howarths favourable comments regarding these buses which were solid reliable and comfortable, No 42 is now owned by a group in the Portsmouth area one of who is a friend Clive Wilkin.
Diesel Dave
30/10/15 – 06:37
What about Marlborough St Bristol that used to be one.
Roger Burdett
30/10/15 – 06:38
I loves Eastbourne’s livery of this period. As bright as a seaside funfair and most ususual in keeping the under canopy and bonnet top the same colour as the sides – a very ‘thirties feature. All-round, a very attractive vehicle.
Chris Hebbron
30/10/15 – 06:39
Thanks for your comments, chaps. Alan, you are correct in thinking that, in Winchester, the garage is at the back of the Bus Station. Make the most of it, though, as redevelopment looms!
Pete Davies
01/11/15 – 05:59
Roger, “used to be one” is correct – now completely redeveloped as a bus station only. But, yesterday, I alighted from a trentbarton “seven” inside the “old” Belper bus station/depot – the (upper) maintenance bay is now used by a tyre company, but if buses still overnight in the (lower) bus station area . . .
Philip Rushworth
02/11/15 – 06:48
My first memory of these fine vehicles was as a child in 1953 somebody in my street in the old town area of Eastbourne hired a corporation bus to take us to a fireworks display on the seafront to celebrate the Queens Coronation and it was one of these 40 types as Diesel Dave has said these buses had a distinctive tone. As Dave has said every body on Eastbourne Corporation started as a conductor so when I started in 1968 it was the same for me when I entered the driving school in 1969 the training bus was 42s sister vehicle 47 that was the start of a very interesting career for me I followed Dave to Southdown though it was a NBC Southdown Dave and I worked the early days of National Express I’m now still driving Working for one of the major companies on a part time bases working in and out of one of our big cites I’m now just starting my 47th year as a bus driver.
Tony Grover
02/11/15 – 06:49
Last time I was there, Malton still seemed to be a combined bus station/depot
Michael Keeley
02/11/15 – 06:50
Yes, they do. I think it is still 7 ’55’ reg. Scania L94/Wrights for the “sixes” service, and 2 Solo for the “sevens” service. Recently, a new roller door has been installed, headroom stated at 14′, so no more highbridge double deckers!
Mansfield District Traction Co Ltd 1949 AEC Regent III 9612E Brush H30/26R
A busy scene here in the centre of Mansfield finds ex Ebor Bus Company KAL 697 amongst lorries and shopping laden pedestrians. The bus was new to Ebor in June 1949 has their fleet number 23, so was all but 19 years old at the time of the photograph. It looks in fine condition for its years.
Photograph and Copy contributed by Ian Wild
21/03/16 – 05:29
What magnificent specimens these were and quite unique in a THC fleet. Ebor originally ordered six of these in 1948/9 but found they had been a little too extravagant and sold one before delivery to neighbouring operator Naylors of South Normanton. At less than two years old when taken over by Mansfield District, these Regent IIIs fitted into the MDT fleet perfectly and gave them many years service whereas the Naylors example was taken over by Trent who disposed of it at twelve years old. This style of Brush body seemed far less prevalent than the ones of Bradford, Leeds, Derby etc, but perhaps more durable. Does anyone know if these were metal framed whilst the others were of composite construction? Of course, the longevity of these with Mansfield District lies in the fact that their standards of maintenance and presentation were always of the very highest order.
Chris Barker
24/03/16 – 17:01
Probably captured here in its last days of service, the 111 was a short service route that involved a reverse turn and was often served by vehicles about to be withdrawn.
Berisford Jones
17/10/17 – 06:30
I’m a volunteer at the Bilsthorpe Heritage Museum. In connection with a display item, I need to establish the exact shade of green as applied to Mansfield District buses – not the later pale green version but the original darker shade – somewhat similar to Nottingham City buses? Can anyone help?
Lawson Little
21/04/18 – 06:04
With reference to the querry by Lawson Little regarding the ‘original Mansfield District green. Do you mean the colour that was used from the days of Balfour Beatty ownership pre-1948 until replaced by National Bus Company Leaf Green in the early 1970’s. If so I have an original sample of the colour that has recently been used to add the colour to our ‘Fleetmaster’ authentic paints for modellers. I began collecting samples and information in 1969 due to my interest in liveries and modelling buses. I can be contacted via the Dorset Model Buses website at: https://www.dorsetmodelbuses.co.uk and I would be pleased to help.
