Coalporters Amateur Rowing Club 1966 Bedford VAL 14 Duple C48F
There isn’t a lot to be said about this poor creature other than ‘oh, dear!’. LBY 173D is a Bedford VAL with Duple body, new in 1966 and relegated to carrying club members and their boats to and from events. She is seen near the group’s premises near Northam Bridge in Southampton, on the dull afternoon of 21 September 1981. What might in other circumstances be thought of as part of the frame for the upper deck is the boat rack.
Photograph and Copy contributed by Pete Davies
25/09/16 – 11:55
At long last, I have been able to gain access to Bus Lists On The Web! For some strange reason, I have not managed to gain entry until now. Perhaps I wasn’t hitting the correct buttons in the right order, but never mind. That website tells us that this vehicle was new to Rickards in May 1966. I imagine she had the maroon livery from new – what a comedown to this!
Pete Davies
Actually, at 15 years for a Bedford, I don’t think this coach looks so bad. Decent livery and lettering reflecting I assume… Coal! It must have been over a few unsurfaced roads and even riverbanks and there seems little damage: bashed bumper, dent behind front wheels… and smart wheels too. The contraption on top looks odd when empty but loaded perhaps even impressive! Presumably the VAL was lower and better for the job?
Here is a view of YXA 372, to complement HDA 554E posted a while ago. YXA is another relegated to “staff bus” duties with Dan Air, and seen at Lasham. The layout of the indicators suggests very strongly that she started life with Grey Green or an associated company. She was photographed in January 1976. I apologise for the fact that a van is blocking, but I couldn’t get a better angle.
Photograph and Copy contributed by Pete Davies
02/01/14 – 08:29
This Bedford was new to Fallowfield and Britten in 1960 and seated 41 in a front entrance body.
Chris Hough
02/01/14 – 08:30
Despite appearances, the paint on coach and van is green! It’s a “dud” slide from that point of view. I don’t recall the make.
Pete Davies
02/01/14 – 09:31
Pete. I don’t think it’s so much a dud slide as a dull green – almost matt – and you probably couldn’t have made much more of it anyway. It would be interesting to know exactly how many Leyland/Bedfords there were? It seems that, for what they were, the Leyland powered Bedfords were well thought of. Were they, in the main, big groups like Grey-Green? PS: SB8 Leyland 330 [same size as SB5 Bedford 330] SB13 Leyland 370 [same size as Albion Victor VK21L] VAL14 & VAM 14 Leyland 400 [Tiger Cub and Bristol LH]
David Oldfield
02/01/14 – 11:32
The shade of green on the slide isn’t that far removed from the shade of mud green employed by Dan Air Engineering for their vehicles.
Phil Blinkhorn
02/01/14 – 17:34
I know that many Bedford TK lorries had Leyland engines.
Jim Hepburn
03/01/14 – 08:15
Apparently those in the know could distinguish the SB8 from the SB1 by inspecting the headlamps, as it had 24-volt electrics rather than 12. So it’s possible that there were other differences, making the Leyland-engined model into more of a premium product.
Peter Williamson
03/01/14 – 12:10
I never personally came across an SB1; it must have been a slug with its Bedford 300 diesel. The SB3 was far more common with its smooth and quiet petrol version of the Bedford 300. It was the smooth, quiet and fairly lively running of the petrol OB which endeared it to so many people. The SB3 was (almost) the last gasp of this “technology” and was very popular with small independent operators. There was a VAM3 – but I’m only aware that Salopia operated any of them. Petrol was becoming passe and very expensive compared with diesel operation even though – big AECs and Leylands apart – they were slow, noisy and smelly.
David Oldfield
06/03/15 – 16:14
To David Oldfield, I am 99% certain that the Bedford SB8 had a Leyland 350 engine, not a 330. The Bedford SB featured in most operators fleets at some time. I have always liked them.
Here we can see CCV 166C, a Bedford SB5 with Duple C41F body (1183/193) that was new in May 1965 together with 181 ECV, a Bedford SB1 with Duple Super Vega C41F (1105/440) new in June 1959, in the delightful orange and cream of Jennings of Bude, Cornwall. Presumably, the Duple Viceroy behind is also Jennings, and presumably also bought new. A great period picture of unknown copyright.
Photograph and Copy contributed by Les Dickinson
29/01/15 – 07:17
A lovely photograph of two nice Bedford Duple coaches. I have always thought that the Bedford SB – Duple Bella Vega was a classic design, although often overlooked by enthusiasts. It was interesting that a matching range of designs was built for the Bedford VAS (Bella Vista), SB (Bella Vega), VAM (Bella Venture) and VAL (Vega Major). The same body if fitted to a Thames Trader was known as the Trooper. Jennings eventually took over Western National’s Bude Depot and it’s services.
Don McKeown
29/01/15 – 07:18
It is probable that the third coach is RAF102G, a Bedford VAL with Duple Northern C53F body, new to WJO Jennings in March 1969. Although there were several Duple bodies delivered during the late 60s and early 70s, it is the position of the emergency exit door that indicates it was the VAL.
John Grigg
02/10/16 – 05:41
It is a VAL definitely as the wheel arch is level with the stainless steel side trim, on a VAM or YRQ the arch goes much higher up into the next panel.
Russell Price
04/10/16 – 05:25
181 ECV survives in preservation with Ron Greet. But CCV 166C is not known to survive, last tax expired 1/10/89
675 OCV proclaims herself to be a 1962 vehicle, with Duple Super Vega bodywork in the fleet of Crimson Tours, St Ives, Cornwall. This distinction is important, as I know of two others and there may be more! I used to work with a chap from St Ives, Ringwood, Hampshire. Despite using the postcode, his mail was continually misdirected to Huntingdonshire or Cornwall. I suppose folk in those places had the same trouble. Anyway, back to the vehicle. She’s an example of the Bedford SB3, with C41F seating. We see her at Showbus, Duxford, on another day it didn’t rain, 29 September, 1996. I have severe doubts about the legality of that number plate.
Photograph and Copy contributed by Pete Davies
07/09/15 – 07:16
Bedford SB3 675 OCV is a valid, original and still currently in use registration, from “vehicleenquiry.gov” date first registered was 14th June 1962 with 7630cc petrol engine. Details from “buslistsontheweb” are; 675 OCV Bd SB3 88799 Du 1145/55 C41F 8/1962 New to Crimson,St Ives.
07/09/15 – 07:19
Lots of other pictures of it found via googling the reg No. They all have White on Black plates, I wonder if, at the time of your photo, the owners had experimented with the more modern reflective plates and fitted them the wrong way round with the Black on Yellow at the front.
John Lomas
08/09/15 – 07:00
Could a misprint have slipped in somewhere? 7630cc sounds like a pretty hefty engine for an SB!
Ian T
08/09/15 – 07:01
To clarify, I’m in no doubt that the registration is correct. What puzzles me is the use of black on white plate at the back. As John Lomas suggests, they may have been fitted incorrectly.
David, I notice on your photo, the rear bumper trim has been fitted. I could be wrong ‘not unusual’ but in the days of black number plates, weren’t these made of glass or perspex and illuminated from behind?
Ronnie Hoye
09/09/15 – 07:15
The standard engine for a Bedford SB3 is the Bedford 300 ci. 4.927L Petrol unit so if VOSA website has this correct I reckon it can whizz up hills without changing down the gears with no problems.
Ron Mesure
09/09/15 – 07:16
The coach looks all the better for the black on white number plates as in David’s photo, and also appears to have acquired a rear bumper too. Back as nature intended!
Brendan Smith
14/09/17 – 06:51
Regarding the unusual number plate in the picture above, I think all we are seeing is a standard plastic black on yellow plate behind the glass but the yellow has faded which did happen in period to some early plates. Having new correct white on black raised character plates is vastly better!
Richard Leaman
15/09/17 – 06:34
With regard to the engine, 7630cc sounds like the capacity of the Bedford diesel engine fitted to the YRQ. So I reckon that’s what it’s got, and someone has forgotten to change the fuel type in the registration details.
Peter Williamson
16/09/17 – 06:56
675 OCV still has its 300 cu in (4.9 litre) petrol engine. DVLA listing is wrong.
This is a Bedford SBG with a Duple C41F body that has a complicated history. It was first registered on 31 December 1955 as TUE 132, and, from 1 January 1956, went to Hills of Stockingford, near Nuneaton, Warwickshire. The vehicle, chassis number 41422, body number 1060/158, passed to Skills of Nottingham in October 1989. In July 1998 Skills swapped its registration, chassis and body numbers with another Duple bodied SBG registered 6 EBH, chassis number 62553 and body number 1090/150. The purpose of this exercise is perplexing. The former 6 EBH went to John Burton Coaches of Alfreton in June 1999 until scrapped early in 2001. It is unclear how this surviving SB acquired the number 748 UYL. Though originally an SBG (gasoline) example, it now possesses a diesel engine, type uncertain. It currently resides in the car park of a garden centre, “The Walled Garden at Elton Hallâ€, at the village of Elton in Huntingdonshire. Before this it spent its time parked on the side of the main road through the village, as seen in this picture. Internally, the body is completely gutted, though it does not appear that any active restoration is in progress. I acknowledge the flickr site of John Wakefield as the source of this information.
Photograph and Copy contributed by Roger Cox
07/01/16 – 06:27
It acquired the ‘age related’ (748 UYL) when the previous owner transferred 6 EBH off onto his car. The current owner now looks to have changed his plans, its back on sale on the //www.carandclassic.co.uk for £24000 plus VAT Previous owner restored chassis & body exterior leaving the interior to be completed, the seats & interior were sold with coach so presumably in store somewhere.
John Wakefield
07/01/16 – 08:57
Thanks for filling in the last bits of the jigsaw, John. Having seen this Bedford languishing in Elton for some time, I decided to photograph it and send it to OBP to glean some information about it. I then discovered that your flickr site had already identified its unusual history.
Roger Cox
07/01/16 – 08:57
Out of interest, if Skill’s swapped the registration, body number, and chassis number, between the two coaches, how does it come to be known that an exchange of identity took place? Were there obvious differences between the two vehicles? BLOTW gives the original 6 EBH as SB3 – was there any difference between the SBG and SB3 models or was it simply an updating of the code?
David Call
07/01/16 – 11:36
The change was recorded by PSVC & is common knowledge among enthusiasts. There is a difference in age of the vehicles 6 EBH is 1958 & TUE 132 1955. There are small detail differences in the bodies, the front indicator lights for one. TUE has the horizontal ‘tear drop’ type on front corners & 6 EBH had vertical ones set further back. 6 EBH had both windscreen wiper spindles at the bottom of windscreens, TUE 132 has the drivers side in the upper edge. Why Skills did the swop is unclear but presumably to get a nice ‘cherished’ number, I suppose as the vehicles were, to the untrained eye, virtually identical I don’t suppose anyone (including the ministry), noticed. I think by that time 6 EBH was in poor condition & TUE 132 was the better coach. Both the SBG & SB3 had the same 300 cu-in petrol engine, the SBG had a 17ft 2in wheelbase this was lengthened in 1955 to 18ft & became the SB1 (300 diesel) SB3 (300 petrol) or SB5 (330 diesel)
John Wakefield
07/01/16 – 17:08
The SBG (petrol)/SBO (Perkins R6 diesel)) designation continued after the lengthening of the wheelbase in 1955 to 18ft.6in., only becoming SB3 (petrol)/SB1 (Bedford 300 diesel)/SB8 (Leyland 0350 diesel) from 1957. In terms of Duple Super Vegas this occurred part way through the 1074-series of body numbers. The SB5 (Bedford 330 diesel) replaced the SB1 from late 1961, the change taking place during the production of the 1045-series Super Vega.
John Stringer
08/01/16 – 06:47
How legal was this swapping of plates and identity? In this day and age it would be called ‘a ringer’.
Stephen Howarth
08/01/16 – 12:08
Copyright Stuart Johnson
Here is photo of the ‘real’ 6 EBH when with Canham of Whittlesey.
John Wakefield
15/03/16 – 05:44
Roger, any further news on 748 UYL, is it still at the garden centre at Elton? if so maybe you could take another pic.
John Wakefield
17/03/16 – 05:01
Yes, John, it’s still at the garden centre called The Walled Garden at Elton Hall. It hasn’t moved since my original posting in January, and no work on the interior seems to have been undertaken either. This picture was taken on 16 March.
Roger Cox
04/08/16 – 11:18
When I last looked at this Bedford very recently, no work had been done on its gutted interior. It has now gone from the Elton Hall car park.
Roger Cox
20/08/17 – 07:08
748 UYL was at East Coast Upholstery in Pickering on 16/7/17 when I took these photos, it was still there 13/8/17, still no seats, but must be having some fitted!
Michael Davies
01/11/17 – 07:19
I was searching for some sort of picture of this: “Known vehicle: XBH 777 Bedford SBG 46298 1/56 , 5/63, 3/66 Duple C41F (1060/352). New to Jeffways Coaches, High Wycombe, Jeffways and Pilot Coaches, High Wycombe 5/60.” I was very kindly helped to do some research by several people, but a computer problem a year or two ago led to me losing their contact details and some of the explanations that they gave me! Can someone please de-code the bit in quotes for me?? and tell me if this photo would be a good approximation of the vehicle referred to.
Joanna Wheatland
02/11/17 – 06:38
BH 777 Bedford SBG Chassis type-SB Model G= Gasoline (i.e. Petrol engined). 46298 = Bedford Chassis number. 1/56 = Date new. 5/63, 3/66 not known. Duple = Body manufacturer C41F = 41 seater coach with a front entrance. 1060/352 = Duple body number.
David Hick
04/11/17 – 06:49
The answer to the last part of Joanna’s question is yes.
Peter Williamson
04/11/17 – 06:54
Re 748 UYL (TUE 132) I have recently spoken to Neil at Eastgate Coach Trimmers, Pickering (not East Coast Upholstery) he has now recovered the seats & has now to trim out the interior. I asked him who the owner was & he was reluctant to tell me, just that it was a private owner in Essex & he would pass on my contact details. Have heard no more.
John Wakefield
04/03/18 – 06:54
Apparently 748 UYL (TUE 132) is bound for New Zealand. It went from Pickering in early Feb into temp storage in the Peterborough area. The new owner (Brent Cooper) a New Zealand resident. It is not known what use Mr Cooper will make of the SB, possibly part of a vehicle collection. Current NZ Construction & Use regulations do not permit wooded bodied buses & coaches. Readers may remember the saga of OB JAB 867 that went to NZ in 2006 but had to be returned to UK after owner could not get it certified for PSV use. I dont suppose the number plate issue will be relevant to owner now, as it will have to have a new registration when it gets there.
John Wakefield
07/02/20 – 06:22
Coach for sale on ebay 6 Feb. 2020
Dennis Rolls
03/11/20 – 06:18
748 UYL has been spotted on land off the A40 junction with Hanger Lane, London, which had prior to Covid been used to park the fleet of Contiki Holidays.
John Wakefield
16/11/20 – 08:27
My son rode on this Bedford on Saturday 14th November on the E2 (Greenford-Brentford). Any info on why it was being used?
Niall Spencer
12/12/20 – 06:36
Niall Spencer. Are you sure it was this Bedford (748 UYL) that your son rode on? As far as I can see its been untaxed since 1/8/16 and in fact has an export marker showing on the DVLA listing!
Vehicle Details Vehicle make BEDFORD Date of first registration June 1958 Year of manufacture 1958 Cylinder capacity 99999 cc CO2 emissions Not available Fuel type PETROL Euro status Not available Real Driving Emissions (RDE) Not available Export marker Yes Vehicle status Untaxed Vehicle colour GREEN Vehicle type approval Not available Wheelplan NOT RECORDED Revenue weight Not available Date of last V5C (logbook) issued 21 August 2015
John Wakefield
14/12/20 – 07:11
I believe it was this one, as he texted me the reg, knowing I have an interest in buses and coaches. He also said it was an old streamlined green Bedford.
Niall Spencer
15/12/20 – 06:54
Niall I find this very odd, not only is the coach not taxed (all be it free), but it has ‘officially’ been exported. further more it is not insured according to ASKMID! Whilst I am not familiar with the E2 Greenford – Brentford service I find it strange that TfL would allow an old 1955 coach to operate illegally on one of their routes. Had it have done so I am sure someone would have taken a pic and posted it on Facebook etc. Did your son get a photo?
John Wakefield
16/12/20 – 10:55
This isn’t part of the current discussion, but the original picture makes me think of the Matchbox series Bedford SB coach produced in the 1950’s/60’s. I think it was their No.21. The green colour is an almost perfect match. I had eleven of them in my “fleet”, along with the double deckers and trolleybuses from their series. Some survive with in the grand childrens’ box of items. Goodness me, these toys are as old as the real one above!
Michael Hampton
17/12/20 – 11:55
Unfortunately he was on his way to work, as a BTP Police Officer, so was unable to get a pic. He did mention it was a bit of a shock when it stopped at his bus stop and he had to ask if it was the E2. There was a person onboard collecting contactless payments. This is becoming a very interesting occurrence.
Niall Spencer
21/12/20 – 06:59
Niall I have since been in touch with the owner of 748UYL and it was certainly not the vehicle that your son saw on the E2. As I suspected the Bedford has not been on the road! So looks like mistaken identity.
John Wakefield
21/12/20 – 11:38
At least we have got to the bottom of it. Will question him next time I can see him.
539 XTF was a Bedford SB5 with Duple C41F body, and it has been relegated to duty for the Solent Strutters Majorettes group. The registration indicates it was new to an operator in Lancashire in the period 1961 to 1963, depending on the gap between order and delivery (Look, for example, at Lancaster’s 201-203 YTE). We see it in the rally at Netley on 13 July 1986: soon after this it sank to even greater depths with travellers and has since been scrapped. So much is fact, but now we have a question: who was its first operator?
Photograph and Copy contributed by Pete Davies
17/07/16 – 08:12
New to Barnes, Rawtenstall, Lancashire in March 1962, along with with 540 XTF.
David Hick
18/07/16 – 08:39
Thank you, David. I did wonder if the first operator might have been Battersby/Silver Grey of Morecambe. They had several of this combination (well, SB if not this model).
Pete Davies
29/09/19 – 07:08
539 and 540 XTF were the only Barnes fleet members taken into the Ellen Smith of Rochdale fleet when Smiths took over Barnes business. I think they were retained because they possessed a Leyland engine (Smiths were big Leyland users). Ellen Smith kept them until 1967 and they were replaced by two new Bedford VAM/Plaxton coaches.
Andrew Spriggs
30/09/19 – 06:26
Going back to 539 to 540 XTF, many years ago whilst on hire to Ellen Smith one of their drivers told me each one had a Leyland engine. However the original caption of 539 XTF says its a SB5 which would indicate Bedford’s own engine. A Leyland power unit would indicate them being SB8 or SB13 models. Perhaps some engine swapping has gone on?, we will never know as most of Ellen Smiths drivers I remember from forty years ago who would know have retired from coach driving or sadly passed away.
With Showbus 2016 just around the corner it is an opportune moment to share this photo of Bedford SB 58898 which carries Duple Vega C41F body number 1090/7. This lovely example of this classic combination was new to Burton Coaches, Haverhill in March 1958 but preserved in the livery of Premier-Albanian Premier Coaches, Watford (see below). Exhibit 608 at Showbus 2015 and entered by Ted Hewitt, the coach shows some seats reversed just behind mid-coach.
Photograph and Copy contributed by Les Dickinson
18/09/16 – 14:51
A minor correction, but the livery is that of Premier Coaches (Watford ) Ltd. Albanian coaches of St.Albans was taken over by Premier in the early 1960’s and the Premier Albanian name first appeared on later style Duple bodied Bedfords. The current seating capacity of LGV 994 is 31 and 2 tables (retained from a 1960’s Duple from the fleet). Originally a 41 seater (as were all such examples in the Premier fleet), only 31 could be repaired to a suitable standard using the original moquette. LGV will not be at Showbus next weekend, but is scheduled to make an appearance at Amberley museum instead.
Ted Hewitt
18/09/16 – 16:18
Many thanks for the additional information Ted. The coach is a credit to you.
Les Dickinson
10/10/16 – 07:14
EFE produced a model of the Premier Watford SB but bearing the registration 243 CUR along with OB LTA 904(that sounds like Western National?)
Patrick Armstrong
25/10/16 – 07:00
243 CUR was new to Premier in 1958 and carried the same body detail as LGV 994 (other ‘butterfly fronts’ in the fleet differed in window and light detail). When liaising with EFE, it was decided that the model should carry the authentic registration rather than LGV, as at that time the latter was in a very poor state at the back of the garage. Interestingly 243 CUR survives with a private owner having spent a large part of its life as a mobile home. LTA 904 was new to Southern National and joined the Premier vintage fleet from Rover of Chesham. It performed film, wedding and excursion duties alongside Leyland PS1/Burlingham bodied ENT 778.
Ted Hewitt
17/05/17 – 11:30
My name is Susan Richardson and my father is Barry Richardson. Our family business was Burton Coaches (Haverhill) Ltd, started by my Grandfather approximately 1949. My Dad has very fond memories of this particular bus – He took his test in it and drove it as a young man. Well, my Dad is 74 in June this year, still bus and coach crazy and still has a PSV licence ! I was thinking it would be a great treat for him to be able to visit this bus and see it up close again – I understand it is owned by Ted Hewitt? Is there any way I could make contact with Ted to ask about arranging this special treat for Dad? I have tried looking for him online, but cannot find anything..:-( Dad and I are still in Haverhill! My fingers are crossed that someone can help me in my quest!
Susan Richardson
18/05/17 – 07:48
There is a Ted Hewitt involved at Premier Coaches which is in Northwood Rickmansworth, about 80 miles from you. I haven’t found a Tel no or email address.
John Lomas
18/05/17 – 07:48
If you go on the Companies House website and search under company officers for Edward Robert Hewitt you will find his address in Chorleywood.
Nigel Turner
19/05/17 – 07:13
The owner is indeed Ted Hewitt & I have put Suzie in touch with him.
107 GYC is a Bedford SB3 with Duple C41F body, new to Bowerman, Taunton, in 1960. In this view, it is in Lodmoor Car Park, Weymouth, showing “Berrys” in the indicator box and visiting the annual rally, although it doesn’t appear to be taking part in it. I have recollections of submitting this in the past, but it hasn’t been published (possibly as too dark) but I have a new editor now, and I’ve managed to lighten it! The date is 1 July 1979.
Photograph and Copy contributed by Pete Davies
22/01/17 – 13:03
(pic by ‘Showtrac’ via Flickr).
Bedford SB3 Duple Super Vega, 107 GYC passed to Andrew Hall, Winkhill by 1997 & then to current owner Roger Chambers of Bristol for preservation in 9/05, pic taken just prior to the move to Roger Chambers.
Sister vehicle 108 GYC also new to Bowerman, was last known with Redwoods of Hemyock. My pic shows it withdrawn in a barn at the rear of Brian Redwood’s bungalow in April 2004. Is it still there? Both coaches had 7ft 6in wide bodies for the narrow Devon lanes.
John Wakefield
23/01/17 – 07:36
What a superb preservation of a grand unpretentious vehicle. My admiration of Bedford/Duple coaches knows no bounds – they “did what it says on the tin” and grand style and with no empty embellishments.
Chris Youhill
26/01/17 – 10:28
I have recently spoken to Redwoods & they still have 108 GYC in the shed as in my pic above. They have no plans to sell it at this time.
John Wakefield
28/04/18 – 07:47
That SB showing Doone Valley may have been ridden in by me, as it was a regular summer afternoon ride on Berrys from Taunton, including up Porlock Hill, along the narrow lanes to the Doone Valley Farm for tea, then Lynmouth (adults into the pub), and home immediately up Countisbury Hill. The old Bedfords just engaged bottom gear and wound up the A39 1 in 4 gradients. It was a bit difficult for the cars behind on the steep hills who couldn’t quite manage the slow walking pace on the uphill.
MJB 481 was new to Chiltonia, of Chilton Foliat, in 1956. Chilton Foliat is near Hungerford and is mentioned in the television series “Band of Brothers”. It has a Duple body to the C37F layout although BLoW has it listed as C41F, we see it in the markings of Lodge, High Easter, near Chelmsford. It is at Duxford on 28 September 2003. Yes, it’s Showbus and it’s been raining!
Photograph and Copy contributed by Pete Davies
26/03/17 – 09:32
Lodges are getting quite a collection of vintage Bedfords. WTL BXM 568 Duple since 2/08 (under restoration) OB’s CFV 851 Duple Vista acquired 9/16 (under restoration) LTA 752 Duple Vista open side 12/10 TMY 191 Duple Vista 11/06 FFS 867 Burlingham Seagull 2/17 (awaiting restoration) SB’s MJB 481 Duple Vega by -/89 EDD 685C Duple Bella Vega 2/14 VAM’s DJL 126D Duple Bella Venture 2/14 (awaiting restoration) HDL 126D Duple Bella Venture 8/15 (spares doner for DJL 126D) also Chevrolet X ES 8440 charabanc replica 4/15
John Wakefield
13/06/17 – 07:30
Re John Wakefield post Lodges coaches. Bedford OB CFV851 is shown in a photo elsewhere taken by John showing Isle of Wight destinations. I believe this coach operated on the Island in the 1970s. Does anyone know who with and when
Andrew Mead
24/06/17 – 06:26
Andrew Mead asks if Lodges Bedford OB CFV 851 body has ever operated on the IoW not according to the history I have on it. Although I don’t have a town for Couchman. After that it appeared to have spent time in Surrey, Gloucestershire & London before going to Fisher of Southend in 1976. It then spent 38 years in preservation with Doug Payne of Thundersley, Essex before going to Lodge in June 2016. New to Wood t/a Seagull Coaches, Blackpool 3/48 ?/?? Couchman, -?- 5/70 Chivers Coaches, Elstead ?/?? McCann, Forest Green 1/73 Taylor. London 1/74 Baker, -?- (dealer) ?/?? W.E. Preservations, -?- -/76 Fisher, Southend -/78 Doug Payne, Thundersley – kept at Castle Point Transport Museum 9/16 Lodge, High Easter 9/16
John Wakefield
14/02/20 – 06:42
Just to add to CFV 851’s history. Looks like it worked for Crouchman Garage on Maidstone Road, Lenham, Kent 1966-70 and prior to 1966 was with an operator on Station Approach in West Byfleet, Surrey for a few years after leaving Blackpool (possibly since 1957?). From 1/72 it operated for Tony McCann t/a McCann Coaches at Forest Green Garage, Dorking Surrey. Don’t know if anyone can further enlarge the info on Richard Haughey’s flickr photo!
Peter Hadfield
15/02/20 – 06:23
The only things I can add to the history of CFV 851 is that Wood withdrew it in February 1952, after which it passed to Howarth, West Byfleet (no dates recorded) and the Lenham operator was Couchman, rather than Crouchman, and it was acquired by him in October 1966.
John Kaye
16/02/20 – 06:07
Douglas Payne, the long time owner of CFV 851, published a booklet dated October 1989 containing a brief history and a number of early photos of S&J Wood Ltd, the coach’s original operator. Douglas had restored the coach to Wood’s Seagull Coaches livery, though whether it remained like that I do not know. In it, he records that he purchased the coach in May 1978 (recorded as -/78 above).
David Williamson
20/02/20 – 15:52
CFV 851 remained with Doug and in Seagull livery until he sold it the Andrew Lodge in 9/16 when it was painted in Lodge’s livery. For most of its life with Doug it was housed in the Castle Point Transport Museum on Canvey Island. In latter years it did not venture far, but now back into revenue earning service as part of Lodges heritage fleet. Numerous pics of it on Flickr.
Perhaps this old snap may be of interest as we have had a previous posting of a sister vehicle whist in service with the above fine municipal operator. It was taken at Robin Hood on the A61 between Wakefield and Leeds in early 1968. At that time I was involved with a group who were initially preserving the vehicle and I did quite a bit of work on it many weekends, one difficult job in particular was to rebuild the rotting destination box assembly which can be clearly seen here. Sadly, due to domestic difficulties, I had to part company with the Group before the vehicle eventually took to the road in fine order and so I never actually rode on it and it was sold on shortly after that.
Photograph and Copy contributed by Chris Youhill
28/03/11 – 10:30
I recall you saying, Chris, that you’d put some hours in on this vehicle, and I also recalled I’d seen a photo of the finished article on the web somewhere. It’s here with the following caption: 1944 Bedford OWB 170 (CTP 200), pictured in wartime grey livery. Sold in 1963, the remains of the original body were replaced in the early 1990s with a replica body partly built by Ulsterbus, who were restoring a similar vehicle. Photographed in Upper Drayton, Portsmouth April 1996. (Photo and text Malcolm Audsley) At least your efforts were to some avail in the end! I was comparing my Mulliner-bodied example with your Duple example (and a few others). Superficially, both makes look the same, but the vents either side of the destination box are different, Mulliner having a cover over the apertures. Thanks for posting it. PS Is it you leaning nonchalantly on the front wing – what confidence that it would not collapse from rust corrosion!
Chris Hebbron
29/03/11 – 07:31
Yes Chris it is me leaning on the wing – my co- preservationist took the picture on my camera. You are right – it was indeed a risky pose to adopt, but I only weighed about “nine stone wet through” in those misguided heavy smoking days and so that no doubt saved me from an undignified descent into the mud !! We are amazed to hear of the subsequent rebuilding of the body and thanks very much for that additional information.
Chris Youhill
03/04/11 – 08:56
The bus itself, the mud, the dereliction in the background and the look of grim determination on Chris’s face all nicely sum up the early days of preservation, when finding covered accommodation was a nightmare and the transport “professionals” saw us as mad but harmless. Delighted that this project met with such success.
Ian Thompson
02/05/11 – 06:34
CTP 200 made the HCVS London to Brighton Run today Sunday 1st of May. It is only the 2nd time out on a real run since we got it back on the road after a 10 year period of rest. Apart from identifying a few little jobs to do she performed excellently.
Mike Elkin
02/05/11 – 12:53
Congratulations to Mike and friends on this achievement – my only surviving colleague from the original preservation group will be delighted to hear it. I’ve always been an ardent OWB/OB admirer, both in preservation and in full time public service, and the delightful lusty tones provided by these incredibly gutsy and totally honest little vehicles is music to the ear and comes into my mind very frequently.
Chris Youhill
02/05/11 – 12:56
Nice to hear from you Mike E and hear that she is in safe hands and putting in the occasional ‘public appearance’. Perhaps you could fill in some of the gaps between Chris Y having to give up and near final completions, especially with regard to the Ulster part – how did this happen?
Chris Hebbron
04/05/11 – 06:56
Aside from the engine sounds, I always loved the sounds from Bedford gearboxes of that era – pure music!
Chris Hebbron
27/01/13 – 09:50
As I do from time to time I just randomly pick a page – often it helps me to at least try and understand what people are talking about. The posting of Portsmouth Corporation 170 registration CTP 200 has a mention of it attending the London to Brighton run in 2011. Above is picture taken by me as the vehicle passes Brighton pier.
Ken Jones
27/01/13 – 12:25
At the moment, she’s having some attention done to the engine and some repainting in the engine bay at the same time. Paintwork has been touched up, with some thought being given to something more extensive.
Chris Hebbron
30/05/13 – 06:00
CTP 200 is to shortly have some remedial work done to the front grille, front wings and bumper. A new rear registration plate is to be made up, the offside half-drop window replaced and the opening windscreen reinstated. Then she will be going away to be painted in the Portsmouth red and white livery, with grey roof.
Clive Wilkin
30/05/13 – 11:34
She’s also had to have the engine professionally rebuilt recently, essentially because of a badly scored cylinder bore. The engine bay has, concurrently, had a thorough clean and repaint and the body some touchups. She should be really smart when repainted in maroon, white and grey roof, just as most folk would recall her in service.
Incidentally, nice seafront photo of her, Ken J.
Chris Hebbron
16/06/15 – 08:22
As indicated earlier this restored little bus is now back in it’s true colours of Portsmouth red and white, with a grey roof. It appeared at the Southdown 100 centenary event at Southsea Common on June 7th. It looked very smart, and drew many admiring looks from both enthusiasts and general public. It’s good to compare this with the original picture on this posting, when it’s restoration was at an early stage. Many man-hours (ladies too?) have passed since then to bring it to it’s smart looks today. Well done to everyone.
Michael Hampton
16/08/15 – 08:47
Copyright Kevin Warrington
Copyright Kevin Warrington
To complete an all-round view, here are an offside and rear view of CTP 200 (170), taken on its first outing after a recent renovation. The photos were taken by Kevin Warrington, an active participant in CPPTD, who preserve Portsmouth Corporation vehicles. He allowed these photos to be posted here.”
Chris Hebbron
Vehicle reminder shot for this posting
26/10/15 – 06:53
Copyright Unknown
Voila! Another pre-restoration photo of CTP200 when first in the hands of CTTPD (City of Portsmouth Preserve Transport Depot): (renovation of the adjacent PD1 is well underway).
Chris Hebbron
27/10/15 – 06:41
Thank you Chris. I do remember seeing these two together somewhere near Waltham Chase in the early 1980’s, when taking my sons to band practice. There was never any opportunity to find out more. Now 170 is complete, and it’s good to know that the PD1 is also progressing.
Michael Hampton
28/10/15 – 06:58
What a tonic to see these two veterans side by side, and grand to know that the Bedford is already “better than new.” I’m sure that the gorgeous PD1 will be equally appealing in its own class when completed, and this picture of them standing side by side “in recovery” is delightful.
