I would like to present this small selection of images relating to ‘Felix of Stanley’ to my readers with the hope that you enjoy a Merry Christmas and a Happy and more importantly, a Healthy New Year.
Thank you for your interest and support.
Dennis
It is 3 years ago as of now since ‘Felix’s bus operations were sold to the Wellglade (WG) group.
To mark the anniversary and before memories start to fade, I thought that at this time of goodwill to all (bus)men that this small tribute to an independent operator who contributed substantially to the 'scene' in the East Midlands for so many years might be appropriate.
The coaching arm went elsewhere and the name can still be seen being carried by ‘Swiftsure Coaches’ of Burton-on-Trent.
So ended a business story that dated as far back as 1921 when Mr. Norman Frost set up with a Crossley lorry that was ex WD. A second vehicle a charabanc also by Crossley came the following year. The lorry was converted to a bus and a regular Ilkeston to Derby via Chaddesden service commenced. This was still the companies main route at the time of the takeover.
After Mr. Frost’s death in 1975, the business passed to his nephew Mr. Geoffrey Middup. In recent years ‘Felix’ had worked some services jointly with ‘trentbarton’ (tb) and although there was a brief interlude when it was thought that ‘Felix’ might be sold elsewhere, it was no surprise to me that ‘WG’ eventually took the company over.
Anyone wishing to know more about ‘Felix’ should search out a book published in 2006. Written by Mr. Paul D. Chambers and published by Adlard Print & Reprographics of The Green, Ruddington, Nottingham. It covers all but the final years in great detail.
ORB 554K
A Bedford YRQ with Plaxton Derwent bodywork seen in the old Derby bus station. It was new to ‘Frosts Coaches’. and also operated for ‘Caves Bus Service’ of Shirley in the West Midlands.
WRC 826S
A Bedford YMT chassis, the bodywork being a Duple Dominant 2 Express.It was eventually disposed of the West Hallam Community Partnership.
J564 URW
A Leyland Lynx 2 which came from ‘VL Bus’ in Warwick in 1992.
SN54 HXG
An Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL). Enviro 300 demonstrator which had a spell on trial.
Seen again in the old Derby bus station. I always liked the body styling on this version of the E 300 preferring it to the bulbous rounded version currently in production.
YN55 YSE
An Iveco with Plaxton’s Paragon bodywork. One of a pair, the other being YN55 YSF. I did an excursion on this coach and very comfortable and smooth it was.
Derbyshire County Council have a discounted travel and services card called ‘b.line’ which is available to youngsters from age 14 to 18 who are still in education.
Of course an ideal way of promoting this is by advertising it on the side of buses.
V707 ENN
A Mercedes-Benz Vario 814-D with Plaxton Beaver bodywork is one such. This bus also appeared in in the red based ‘Ilkeston Flyer’ livery and was eventually sold on to an operator in the Aylesbury area.
FG52 WUC
An Optare Solo was another. After ‘Felix’ it went on to work for ‘Midland Classic’ based at Swadlincote.
V708 GRY
A Volvo B10BLE with ‘ADL’ ALX 300 bodywork. It moved on to ‘Harrogate Coach Travel’ where it carries ‘connexions buses’ branding. In addition perhaps as a nod to its origins it also carries the name ’Felix’. A nice touch.
W218 PRB
An Optare Excel again seen in the old Derby bus station. This bus is included because of its ‘Black Cat’ livery. It was a ‘trentbarton’ vehicle working a joint service. It eventually moved on to both Anglianbus and Konectbus.
X711 GJU
A Dennis Dart with Plaxton’s Pointer 2 bodywork eventually moved on to Richard Brothers of Newport in Wales.
YN03 WRA
A Scania L94UB with Wright Solar bodywork. It is still with ‘Wellglade’ group albeit painted in ‘Notts & Derby’ (N&D) livery.
YJ56 KBF
A VDL SB200 with Plaxton Centro bodywork.
YN04 AGY
Another Scania L94UB with Wright Solar bodywork. Still in service with ‘trentbarton’ in the same livery on the ‘Ilkeston Flyer’.
Apart from the Scania/Wright in the ‘Ilkeston Flyer’ livery, there are three other buses that joined ‘WG’ at the same time. They all now carry ‘Notts & Derby’ livery and are,
YN05 GZB
A Scania L94UB with Wright Solar bodywork.
YN03 WRA
Another Scania L94UB with Wright Solar bodywork.
YJ56 KBF
A VDL SB200 with Plaxton Centro bodywork.
So a small part of ‘Felix’ lives on albeit in new colours.
