It is with much sadness this week that I learned of ‘Yellow Buses’, of Bournemouth, going out of business.
An operator I have followed, visited and ridden on for over 50 years.
The colours yellow and in later years blue that adorned the fleet reflected the yellow of the beach and the blue of the sky that always seemed to be sunny.
Now, no more.
In the early 1950s ‘Bournemouth Corporation Transport’ (which went on to become ‘Yellow Buses’ etc.) had a new depot built on the outskirts of the town to house its growing fleet of buses.
Single storey and spaciously laid out it was ideal for its purpose.
Back in the ‘good old days’ the company allowed enthusiasts, and anyone else who felt inclined, to visit and wander round taking photographs etc.
If memory serves me right it used to be on summer Wednesday afternoons only.
Most of the then service fleet were out earning their keep which meant that the old, weird and wonderful were easier to get at!
So, in happier days, here is some of what I saw.
XRY 202 ‘Bournemouth Omnibus Company’. Leyland PD3 / Metro Cammell Carriage & Wagon Co.
on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
Not quite what it seems.
Despite the pseudo ‘Tilling Stevens’ radiator, it is definitely a Leyland PD3 underneath it all.
It has a long and complex history and to access it ‘Google’ XRY 202 and click on
‘Yellow Buses-Yellow Wednesdays XRY 202’
It is worth the effort!
KEL 133 ‘Bournemouth Corporation Transport’ No.247.
Leyland PD2 / Weymann
on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
New in 1950.
At the time Bournemouth specified two staircases with two doors allowing passengers to board at the front and leave by the rear.
Still in my view the most efficient way of loading and emptying a bus.
FRU 224 ‘Bournemouth Corporation Transport. No 40.
Guy Arab 2 / Weymann
on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
Previously a service bus but cut down to provide the basis of a crane initially for planting or uprooting traction equipment for the then trolleybus fleet and then for removing or replacing roof panels on convertible open top buses.
New in 1944.
297 LJ ‘Bournemouth Corporation Transport’ trolleybus No. 297. Sunbeam MF2B / Weymann
on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
New in 1962. This bus and the rest of the trolleybus fleet were withdrawn in 1969 when the system was abandoned.
NLJ 272 ‘Bournemouth Corporation Transport No. 262.
Leyland Royal Tiger / Burlingham
on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
New In 1954.
KRU 55F ‘Bournemouth Corporation Transport No. 55.
Daimler SRC6 Roadliner / Willowbrook on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk
BOW 162 ‘Bournemouth Transport Museum’. Bristol L5G / Beadle /1
on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
New as No. TS 662 to ‘Hants & Dorset Motor Services’ in 1938 and now in use as a recovery wagon.
As might be expected with a former bus of this age, there is a long and detailed history.
For further details, Google BOW 162 and the first item that comes up is what you are looking for.
BOW 162 ‘Bournemouth Transport Museum’. Bristol L5G / Beadle /2
on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
ERU 108V ‘Yellow Buses’ No. 108.
Leyland Leopard / Plaxton Supreme IV
on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
