‘Scene’ at the ‘Statfold Barn Railway’ (SBR) Buses 2 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

For those who do not know the ‘SBR,’ it is located near Tamworth in Staffordshire. 

 

A privately owned, multi gauge railway system which was operating at least seven locomotives and a tram on the day we were there.

 

There is also an extensive museum devoted to narrow gauge railway locomotives and artefacts.

 

Usually holding three running days per year (Spring, Summer and Autumn); buses, cars, Land Rovers, lorries, military vehicles and steam engines also featured.

 

Both friend Peter Rose and I found it to be an excellent day out.

 

NEA 101F ‘West Bromwich Corporation’ No.101.

Daimler CRG6LX Fleetline / Metro Cammell Weymann

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

MXX 23 ‘LONDON TRANSPORT’ No. RF 381.

AEC Regal lV / Metro Cammell

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

RC 4615 ‘Trent Motor Traction Ltd.’ No.714.

AEC Regal / Willowbrook 

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New in 1937.

 

This is the second Willowbrook body that this bus has carried being re-bodied in1950.

 

 

 

 

KAD 359V ‘NATIONAL EXPRESS’ No. 359, BLACK & WHITE.

Leyland Leopard /  Plaxton Supreme

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New to ‘National Travel (South West)’.

 

 

 

 

UHA 956H ‘Midland Red’ No. 5956, Wendaway.

BMMO S23 / BMMO

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

CCF 648 ‘MERVYNS COACHES’, Winchester.

Bedford OB / Duple

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New in 1950 to ‘Theobald’, Long Melford.

 

‘Scene’ at the ‘Statfold Barn Railway’ (SBR) Buses1 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

For those who do not know the ‘SBR,’ it is located near Tamworth in Staffordshire. 

 

A privately owned, multi gauge railway system which was operating at least seven locomotives and a tram on the day we were there.

 

There is also an extensive museum devoted to narrow gauge railway locomotives and artefacts.

 

Usually holding three running days per year (Spring, Summer and Autumn);

buses, cars, Land Rovers, lorries, military vehicles and steam engines also featured.

 

Both friend Peter Rose and I found it to be an excellent day out.

 

Two buses, provided by The Transport Museum, Wythall, Worcestershire were kept busy running a half hourly service into nearby Tamworth.

 

KOX 780F ‘Birmingham City Transport’ No. 3780.

Daimler CRG6LX Fleetline / Park Royal /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

KOX 780F ‘Birmingham City Transport’ No. 3780.

Daimler CRG6LX Fleetline / Park Royal /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

KOX 780F ‘Birmingham City Transport’ No. 3780.

Daimler CRG6LX Fleetline / Park Royal /3

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

JOJ 707 ‘Birmingham City Transport’ No. 2707.

Daimler CVD6 / Metro Cammell /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New in September 1951.

 

We had a ride on this bus which is 71 years old and still going strong.

 

 

 

 

JOJ 707 ‘Birmingham City Transport’ No. 2707.

Daimler CVD6 / Metro Cammell /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

JOJ 707 ‘Birmingham City Transport’ No. 2707.

Daimler CVD6 / Metro Cammell /3

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

‘Scene’ at SHOWBUS 2022 ‘LONDON COUNTRY BUS SERVICES LTD’. on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

I have attended a number of SHOWBUS events over the years but this was the first time I had attended one at the Hertfordshire County Showgound.

 

The 50th. show and if we are to believe what we read, the last.

 

It would be a great pity if the reputation the SHOWBUS name has built up over the years were to be lost but we shall have to wait and see.

 

‘London Country Bus Services Ltd’ were the successors to the ‘Green Line’ operation of ‘London Transport’.

 

It came into being when on January 1st. 1970, all ‘Green Line’ services were transferred to the new, nationalised, Transport Holding Company.

 

CUV 51C ‘LONDON COUNTRY BUS SERVICES LTD.’  No. XF1, LONDON COUNTRY.

Daimler Fleetline / Park Royal

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

In the early 1960s, ‘London Transport’ were heavily committed to half cab RT and RM double deckers.

 

The Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline had already built up a wide following across the rest of the country, so ‘London Transport’ ordered small batches of both models for trials purposes.

 

XF1 (Experimental Fleetline) being the first of its kind.

 

New in 1965.

 

 

 

 

 

JJD 412D ‘LONDON COUNTRY BUS SERVICES LTD.’ No. RML 2412, LONDON COUNTRY.

AEC Routemaster / Park Royal /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New in 1966 to ‘London Transport’.

 

 

 

JJD 412D ‘LONDON COUNTRY BUS SERVICES LTD.’ No. RML 2412, LONDON COUNTRY.

AEC Routemaster / Park Royal /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

This image courtesy of friend Peter Rose and posted with his permission and my thanks.

 

 

 

 

KPJ 264W LONDON COUNTRY BUS SERVICES LTD.’ No. AN264, LONDON COUNTRY, Stevenage Bus.

Leyland Atlantean AN68 / Roe

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

New in 1981.

 

 

 

 

G610 BPH ‘London & Country’ No. 610.

Volvo B10M / East Lancs

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New to ‘London Country’. (South West) in 1989.

 

 

 

 

AML 88H LONDON COUNTRY BUS SERVICES LTD.’ No. SMS88, LONDON COUNTRY.

AEC Swift / Park Royal

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

One of AEC’s least successful designs.

 

New in 1970.

 

 

 

 

UPB 312S LONDON COUNTRY BUS SERVICES LTD.’ No. SNB 312, LONDON COUNTRY.

Leyland National

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

New in 1977.

 

‘Scene’ on Wetmore Road, Burton on Trent (BoT) ‘Burton Corporation’ on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Wetmore Road, for those who don’t know, is where the fleet of ‘midland classic of Burton’ (mc) is garaged.

 

Over the weekend of 28/29th August 2021 ‘mc’ held a ‘Heritage Weekend’ to celebrate two anniversaries.

 

On the Saturday to celebrate 15 years of ‘mc’ operating in Burton.

 

On the Sunday to celebrate the 95th. anniversary of John Stevenson setting up in business to run buses between Burton and Uttoxeter via Tutbury.

 

A route that ‘mc’ still operates today.

 

As well as buses in ‘ ‘midland classic of Burton’ and ‘Stevensons’There was a selection of both current and preserved vehicles in attendance.

 

Many were operating journeys on ‘mc’s service No. 401 which is the current route number for the original service dating back to 1926.

 

Readers/viewers of my blog might be forgiven for thinking that public transport in ‘BoT’ has always been provided by either ‘Arriva Midlands’, ’midland classic’ or Stevensons’.

 

There was a time when ‘Burton Corporation’ was the main operator.

 

Fortunately, two of the companies former vehicles still survive.

 

TFA 987 ‘Burton Corporation’ No. 87. 

Daimler CC5GDD / Massey /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New in 1964.

 

It is hard to believe that traditional, front engined, half cab buses were still being built a full five years after the introduction of the revolutionary, rear engined, Leyland Atlantean.

 

Another image of this bus also appeared in my blog dated 19/10/2021at an event in Chatsworth park.

 

 

 

 

TFA 987 ‘Burton Corporation’ No. 87. 

Daimler CC5GDD / Massey /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

 

 

MFA 703G ‘Burton Corporation’ No. 103.

Daimler Fleetline / Willowbrook /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

How fortunate it was that the company elected to buy a single deck version of the hugely successful double decker rather than having gone for the hugely unsuccessful Daimler Roadliner.

 

 

 

 

MFA 703G ‘Burton Corporation’ No. 103.

Daimler Fleetline / Willowbrook /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

‘Scene’ at ‘Transpire’s Peak Park Bus Rally 2021 /1 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

‘Transpire’ of course being ‘The Chesterfield Bus Society’ of which I have been a member for 30 years or so.

 

Last years rally was cancelled due to the Covid 19 pandemic whilst this years rally was postponed from its usual June date.

 

The largest contingent of vehicles from one operator present on the day came from ‘Midland Red.’

 

UHA 225H ‘Midland Red’ No. 6225. Daimler Fleetline CRG6LXB / Alexander ‘J’

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

Beautifully restored.

 

 

 

 

JHA 227L ‘Midland Red’ No. 227. Leyland Leopard / Marshall

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

At the time, there were a number of bus body constructors who built bodies to the same design for companies who were part of what was called the ‘BET Federation’.

 

BET standing for British Electric Traction.

 

The background and history of BET is too long and complicated to be gone into here.

 

I would suggest that anyone interested should Google ‘BET Federation’ and go to the Wikipedia file.

 

A selection of operators who were a part of BET includes Midland Red, Trent, East Midland, Ribble, East Kent and many others.

 

 

 

 

SOA 674S ‘Midland Red’ No. 674. Leyland Leopard / Plaxton Supreme lll

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

BVP 808V ‘Midland Red’ No. 808 ‘Chaserider’. Leyland National ll

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

The ‘Chaserider’ branding refers to services on and around Cannock Chase in Staffordshire.

 

’Scene’ Down Memory Lane in Bournemouth 3 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

’Scene’ Down Memory Lane in Bournemouth 3

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

These days, I suppose that the majority of photographers store their images on hard drives on various computers, tablets etc.

 

So it was with some surprise that I recently discovered some of my older images in that most familiar of storage locations, an old shoe box.

 

All of the images were taken on film in the days before I had graduated to automatic digital cameras so any slight focus or colour problems are due entirely to me.

 

So enjoy this selection dating back many years.

 

ALJ 340B ‘Bournemouth Corporation Transport’ No. 40. Daimler Fleetline / MH Cars (Belfast)

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

One of two bought (the other one being ALJ 341B No. 41) off the shelf so to speak to cover a vehicle shortage.

 

There were rumours that the 2 buses were taken from production intended to go to Belfast which as far as I know has never been confirmed.

 

Does anyone know ??

 

 

 

 

 8159 EL  ‘Bournemouth Mobile Museum’ No. 159. Leyland PD3 / Weymann

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

New in 1960.

 

Note Bournemouth’s traditional 2 door layout.

 

 

 

 

8156 EL  ‘Bournemouth Heritage Transport’ No. 156. Leyland PD3 / Weymann /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New in 1960.

 

 

 

 

8156 EL  ‘Bournemouth Heritage Transport’ No. 156. Leyland PD3 / Weymann /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

‘Scene’ Down Memory Lane once more in Sheffield part 6 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

For part 1 see blog posted 24/12/2020, part 2 blog posted 25/12/2020, part 3 blog posted 26/12/2020, part 4 posted 27/12/2020, part 5 posted 28/12/2020.

 

On the 12th. of May 2013. ‘First South Yorkshire’ (FSY) organised a bus event to mark 100 years since the introduction of the motor bus in Sheffield.

 

It was held at ‘FSYs Olive Grove garage which is adjacent to the ‘Midland Main Line’ about half a mile to the South of Sheffield’s railway station. 

 

A stones throw from the garage is the site of what was Queens Road tram depot where many of Sheffields trams were built and housed.

 

What is now the bus parking area at Olive Grove for many years was home to ‘Sheffield United Tours’ fleet of luxury coaches which eventually passed to ‘National Travel East’.

 

A part of Sheffield then that is steeped in the city’s transport history.

 

In support of ‘FSY’ sterling efforts in putting on the show, a good selection of preserved buses attended.

 

NNU 123M ‘Chesterfield Transport’ No 123. Daimler CRL6 Fleetline / Roe

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

The CRL6 had a Leyland Engine.

 

 

 

 

HVH 472D ‘Huddersfield’ No. 472. Daimler CVG6LX-30 / East Lancs

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

NNU 124M ‘Chesterfield’ No. 124. Daimler CRL6 Fleetline / Roe 

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

The CRL6 had a Leyland Engine. 

 

Wearing the livery applied after ‘Chesterfield  Transport’ had been purchased by a consortium of its employees.

 

‘Scene’ on another trip ‘Down Memory Lane’, ‘Stevensons of Spath 1’ on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

These days, I suppose that the majority of photographers store their images on hard drives on various computers, tablets etc.

 

So it was with some surprise that I recently discovered some of my older images in that most familiar of storage locations, an old shoe box.

 

All of the images were taken on film in the days before I had graduated to automatic digital cameras so any slight focus or colour problems are due entirely to me.

 

It was sometime in the early 1980’s that I had occasion to visit the village of Spath where ‘Stevensons’, a legendary bus operator of that time was based.

 

Lunchtime saw me there, camera in hand.

 

So enjoy this selection dating back many years.

 

‘Stevensons of Spath eventually became ‘Stevensons of Uttoxeter & Burton’ (pronounced Uchetter by the locals) and eventually disappeared into 

‘ARRIVA Midlands’.

 

The star of the day for me was this.

 

Unregistered (but I think it became Q246 FVT). ‘Stevensons Bus Services’. Leyland Olympian / Eastern Coachworks 

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

This bus was one of the prototype Olympians built by Leyland and bought by ‘Stevensons’ as a bare shell which was fitted out by the company at Spath.

 

It was unusual for a number of reasons. One was the fitting of Bristol VR front panel.

 

It eventually became No. 99.

 

Pictured at Spath.

 

 

 

UWW 6X ‘Stevensons Bus Services’ No. 98. Leyland Olympian / Eastern Coachworks

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

Pictured I think at Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum.

 

New to ‘West Yorkshire PTE’ as No. 2005.

 

 

 

PAX 466F ‘Stevensons Bus Services’ No. 30. Leyland PD3 / Massey Lowbridge

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

New to ‘Bedwas & Machen U.D.C’. The very last low bridge body to be built in the UK.

 

For those not old enough to remember low bridge buses. The were lowered by means of having four seats abreast upstairs served by a sunken gangway on the offside which intruded into the downstairs saloon.

 

For those sitting on the offside downstairs it was ready made for banging your head on when leaving your seat.

 

For those sitting upstairs nearest the nearside window it generally meant climbing over the passenger(s) sat to your right.

 

An abomination that was resolved by the introduction of the drop centre rear axle as on the Bristol Lodekka, Dennis Loline and the Albion Lowlander.

 

Pictured I think at Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum.

 

 

 

JGF 298K ‘Stevensons of Uttoxeter & Burton’ No. 38. Daimler Fleetline / Park Royal

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New to ‘London Transport’ as DMS298.

 

‘Stevensons’ operated a substantial number of the former ‘London Transport’ DMS class of Daimler Fleetline / Park Royal buses.

 

Pictured at Spath.

‘Scene’ at ‘Transpire’s 2019 Bus Rally at Rowsley in Derbyshire /3 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

‘Transpire’ being the name of the ‘Chesterfield Bus Society’.

 

A major event in my ‘Bus’ calendar. I have attended most if not all of the events over the years.

 

I am always surprised that although I think that I have seen everything that might turn up that on the day there is always something that I have not seen before and is new to me.

 

H654 VVV ‘Stagecoach United Counties’  No. 654. Leyland Olympian / Alexander RL

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New to  ‘United Counties’.

 

 

 

NOE 602R ‘Stagecoach Midland Red’ No. 602. Leyland National

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

New to ‘Midland Red’.

 

 

 

TYD 911W ‘Safeway’, South Petherton. Leyland Leopard PSU3 / Duple Dominant

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

 

NNU 123M ‘Chesterfield Transport’ No. 123. Daimler Fleetline / Roe

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

 

TIG 2504 ‘ARRIVA’. FIAT Seicento

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

What could be called a fleet support vehicle!