Uploads from Renown, with geodata

A whiter shade of blue.

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:44:54 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

Roger Burdett's beautifully turned out National white liveried Royal Blue ECW bodied Bristol RELH coach OTA 640G is seen here passing the delightfully traditional Taunton bus station whilst taking part in last weekend's running day. I would imagine this coach, and her sisters, would have been no strangers here in times past. I'm amazed and pleasantly relieved that the wonderful Taunton bus station now operated by First as successors to Western / Southern National, hasn't been dispensed with in the interests of economy. On the downside, it has been equipped with all the eyesore like needless 'safety' trappings of the modern paranoid era. 'Extreme Danger' ... I ask you?! Where are the same notices when you cross the High Street or get out of your car on a public car park? There cannot be anyone in the country who isn't aware of the possible dire consequences of walking under a bus surely?

Loopy ... any ideas

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:26:11 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

Needless to say, I did as requested and didn't use one of these random loops which surround a building adjacent to Taunton bus station. During a break from driving at last weekend's event, I popped around the corner to attempt the odd photo of the passing elderly buses. Whilst there my attention was drawn to a whole series of loops in the brickwork of the building by which I was standing ... one between each of the many window openings as in the above picture. Every one was accompanied by a very formal looking notice but what horror, there was no reason 'why' given thereon! I can only assume the building must be government property as no one in the private sector would have taken the trouble to affix said plaques even if they'd mistakenly added superflous loops to the brickwork ... they'd probably have sent someone out with a long extension and an angle grinder! Anyway, what were these hooks for, they're a bit high for tying one's dog up and there can't be too many people arriving there by horse?

Almost right ...

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:09:37 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

1970/80's bus station atmosphere ... with an interloper. The Devon General Regent V and the two Royal Blues (albeit one in National white!) lend some period feel to Taunton's little changed bus station. The modern day preserved bus in Stagecoach's erstwhile livery is a an Alexander bodied Volvo B6.
The picture was taken at Quantock's heritage running day based Taunton centre on Sunday 12th May 2013.

Quantock stalwart

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:51:26 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

I haven't had much opportunity 'flickr' of late as there seems to be a never ending string of things to do as the rally season approaches. One of the more pleasant distractions of the last few days was driving heritage buses on Sunday at the new Taunton based running day masterminded by the good folks from Quantock Heritage. Hopefully the event will take place again next year, (but not clash with our POPS rally!) as it seemed very promising and well attended for a first time 'do'. Here ex Stockport Corporation East Lancs bodied Leyland Titan PD2, HJA 965E arrives at the bus stop in central Wellington when en-route to Taunton early afternoon. This bus has been a stalwart of Quantock's heritage operations for many years, and indeed of the Rexquote business from which it was formed.
The picture was taken from the cab of their ex Northampton Roe bodied Daimler CVG6 which was my steed for most of the day.

Plaxton 'droop'.

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:49:03 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

One of the less endearing features of British coaches, particularly longer Plaxtons of the late 60s, '70s and early '80s was the tendency to break their backs. In my experience the most resilient of them all were the early Supremes which usually survived quite well. 12m Elites and late '70s Supremes were the worst. The Elite was not aided by the re-location of the Emergency door from behind the driver to the position of what would ordinarily be the penultimate window bay on the 'off side'. The lightweight steel box section bearers of the later Supremes simply rotted out. Of course 'coach' bodies, unlike their 'bus' sisters required luggage accomodation, and in a mid engined standard low deck coach of the era, had to be at the rear. To facilitate maximum space, the option to have chassis extensions was seldom taken up, thereby leaving the rear overhang (perhaps nearly 11 feet) of the body to support itself plus all passengers and potentially their luggage.
Here, ex Castleways Leyland Leopard Plaxton Elite EDG 250L demostrates the issue. Note what should be a straight waist-rail from around the area of the rear wheels. Sadly this preserved coach didn't survive long after this picture was taken, though I'm not sure whether it was this body issue which finally put paid to it. Ironically, the often slated Duple Dominant equivalent ... renowned for body rot, didn't usually suffer in this manner and I can only ever recall seeing one actually broken ... against dozens of Plaxtons.

Sunset of the Southport Panther.

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:59:09 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

Southport Corporation gave the impression of liking their Leyland Panthers as they took several deliveries of the type. I suppose really, it had more to do with their being wedded to Leyland products and the Panther, having a very low entrance capability, was ideal for Southport's famed elderly population. The buses survived to pass to Merseybus when the PTE took over Southport Corp.'s operations, and if I remember correctly, the indigenous ones were joined by further examples from neighbouring Liverpool. Here Marshall bodied PFY 71J sweeps north onto Lord Street in the last of the afternoon sun circa spring 1980.

Bishop Auckland and an ex Trimdon Leopard

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:32:39 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

United Automobile Services seemed a touch reticent to move far from their former NBC image when privatization gave them a free hand ... or they had plenty of 'Poppy Red' left in the stores.
Here in the late 1980s a Duple Dominant 'bus' bodied Leyland Leopard, MGR 913T (which had been acquired via Trimdon Motor Services) leaves Bishop Auckland bus station for Stockton.

And now to work apparently

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:40:38 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

Back in the spring of 2010 we collected five ex London Transport, latterly Stagecoach Open Top Leyland Titans from Cumbria for Mike Nash's 'British Bus Sales'. These comprised CUL179V - OHV 728Y - GYE 254W - B91 WUV and (disguised by a private 'RIB' plate, B110 WUV. Two of the buses moved on south quite soon afterwards, another followed after a period of time to be a 'mobile' grandstand for the equine fraternity near Cambridge and the remaining pair sat in our compound for another couple of years. Eventually the last pair were purchased by another south eastern dealer who also acquired at least one of the first pair ... and then exported them to the far side of the world. The buses had been bought by a Maltese operator who was expanding into Australia taking on a new City Sightseeing franchise in Melbourne.
Here two of the five are seen on RBW Trade Plates at Charnock Richard services on the M6 whilst on the first stage of their journey south to Cheshire.
Today I read on another web forum that the exported buses have finally entered service as the Melbourne venture has commenced operation.

Interesting coaches amidst the Slate waste.

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:49:09 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

Perhaps a little overshadowed by the Ffestiniog Railway as a tourist attraction, Llechwedd Slate caverns on the outskirts of the town never the less, are a big draw in their own right. As such private hire coaches are frequent visitors bringing parties keen to see something else we once did in industrial Britain.
On the occasion of the above photo, I'd arrived with my Berkhof (Ex East Kent) re-bodied AEC Reliance A198 TAR /TIB 2893 and parked alongside another slightly unusual coach. 403 BGO was a Gardner (6HLXCT) powered Leyland Tiger with Plaxton Paramount body from the fleet of A Mayne & Son of Manchester. The picture would have been taken circa 1994/5 when the Berkhof body on the AEC was about 10 years old and it's chassis just over 20. The Tiger would be heading for it's 10th birthday too.

One of Chesterfield's curious Reliances.

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:44:57 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

Chesterfield Corporation Transport had a fascinating fleet. On my first visit there circa 1980, types included AEC Reliances, Leyland Atlanteans, Panthers and Daimler Fleetlines ... my only real regret was missing the Roadliners, which, like everybody else, had not been found to their liking! Returning to the AEC Reliances, to a stranger, their appearance was somewhat unusual, even odd. Their Neepsend bodies were a curious mix of frontal styling which wouldn't have looked out of place on a 1958 BET saloon whilst their sides echoed the then current trend of 'panoramic' windows. The 'dual door' arrangement, by no means unique, wasn't really ideal on a mid engined bus as mountainous steps resulted.
Here one of the type, DNU 33C bowls through the city centre past a car park filled with the 'fondly' remembered models of the era.

From the PMT archive.

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Sat, 04 May 2013 12:40:47 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

One of many pictures taken by PMT no doubt in cahoots with Daimler, to publicise their new toy. The image was obviously black and white, but with the aid of some subtle colouring by fellow flickrite 'B19OOT'. its been turned it into something rather more arty which I personally love.
The original picture was taken circa 1964 in Newcastle under Lyme when Marshall bodied Daimler Roadliner 6000 EH was flavour of the month... it wouldn't be too long before the honeymoon period was over however. The Cummins V6 engined saloon is seen ascending Church Street past St Giles's and, even when new, exhibiting a tendency to smoke, one of the type's less endearing features. From memory, the main A34 'trunk' road still passed through the centre of town rather than round the dual carriageway ring, hence the presence of the Atkinson 'artic' heading south down High Street'.

West Wales ... Traditional livery

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Sat, 04 May 2013 09:01:53 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

After just posting a picture of West Wales in the 'D Coaches' era, here's another taken a few years earlier when the business was a stand alone set up. I think the reg of the bus was YTE 952D which would make it ex Fishwicks (I was never into jotting down notes!) thereby its a Massey bodied Leyland Tiger Cub and as such something of a rarity. The only other similar buses which spring to mind as I sit typing away were some Leopards delivered to Exeter Corporation. As can be seen, the grey livery, whilst undoubtedly very smart under the right conditions, did little to lift the spirit on a damp South Walian day. From memory, the picture was taken outside the operator's premises circa 1979.
Going off at a little tangent with a comment which will mean little to anyone not familiar with the North Staffordshire bus scene, but for me, there are many similarities in this picture in terms of appearance of the location, fleet make up, area served etc. with the Pooles of Alsager's bank operation.

Western Scottish in West Wales.

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Sat, 04 May 2013 08:31:21 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

The wonderful West Wales fleet from Tycroes was something of a mecca for those wishing to see both a traditional Independent and also for those with a leaning towards Leyland products. The medium sized Welsh village boasted not just this operator, but also the equally well known Rees & Williams business. In the early '80s however, operations at West Wales passed to 'D Coaches', a growing operator from the Swansea area. The very traditional almost all grey livery gained large areas of cream in the process.
Soon after this time, 'Berresfordsmotors' and I passed through on another of our photographic trawls of this fascinating region and had to make a hasty stop to capture this ex Western Scottish Alexander 'Y' type bodied Leyland Leopard YSD 353L. The roof of my Stonier's liveried Mk 1 Granada makes an appearance in the bottom left of the picture.

Think I'm getting old! (2)

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:30:28 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

To me, it seems inconceivable that such a youthful bus as this should be entering the ranks of the preserved, but here, a bus we'd have barely considered 'run-in' during my Berresfords days, was collected today for its new life on the rally scene. It looks as modern as any other 'decker out there and runs as well as any new 'un could, so, why would an operator even consider withdrawing it ... except for the fact you have to climb two tiny steps to access the gangway.

Think I'm getting old (1)

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:30:28 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

One of todays jobs was to travel by train across the Pennines from Stoke to Halifax and collect a withdrawn Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympian for our friends in The Bromley Bus Preservation Group. Here on what was a glorious day, (34045) P245 UCW stands outside First's Elmwood Garage immediately prior to departure. I'm pleased to report that the bus ran as if it had been in service only yesterday instead of being stood down for nearly six months.

Clifton Rocks ... well, its pretty good anyway!

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:02:36 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

A snapshot taken from the Clifton Suspension bridge of the Warrington Panther Cub in the previous posting. The bus is seen here awaiting passengers for the free bus service who've disembarked to look at the re-building progress on the Clifton Rocks railway (just out of shot to the right). The four track underground funicular railway closed to passengers in 1934 and efforts are underway to re-open two of the four tracks as a tourist attraction. The railway linked the Grand Spa Hotel high on the cliffs above the Avon gorge with the quayside below by means of a 500 yard long 1:2 water balanced incline.

Warrington Panther Cub and the Clifton Suspension Bridge

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:11:36 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

After taking a similar picture here of an ex South Wales AEC Regent V at a previous Bristol Harbourside rally, I thought I'd have a go at another as the backdrop is so pleasant. This time the bus interest is catered for by Leyland's less than prolific, but no less interesting Panther Cub. East Lancs bodied dual entrance KED 546F had been new to Warrington Corporation and nowadays is one of only a handful of survivors of the type.
For anyone who doesn't already know, Leyland's Panther Cub, as the name suggests, was a smaller / lighter / lower powered version of the heavyweight Panther. Power came from Leyland's own 400 series Diesel horizontally mounted, in line, at the rear. The Panther Cub shared it's basic chassis frame pressings with AEC's short Swift. Of all the Leyland 'Group' rear engined single deckers, it had the shortest production run... even when one includes the Daimler Roadliner.

Bristol to Bristol via New Zealand.

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:40:16 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

Re imported ex Christchurch Transport Board Hess bodied Bristol RE here makes another slighty claggy departure from Harbouside Bristol at last weekend's bus rally. It was very pleasing to see this bus especially as someone has taken the trouble to bring back to the UK something of the vast wealth of transport related equipment we in Britain used to send all around the world.
Leyland's bombastic attitude which, without a doubt contributed to their demise, is evident in this bus. The Christchurch municipal undertaking wanted Gardner engines but Leyland refused to supply, deciding instead to offer their own far from perfect 510 'fixed head' unit or nothing.
JD 4954 / XOU 496T wears the livery of her last NZ operator, Bayline of Tauranga.

Transports of delight

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:33:46 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

Just a snapshot slightly de-saturated to attempt to add a little vintage feel. OK, there's lots to denote this a being a modern day capture but the chance to include a classic coach, a vintage pleasure vessel ('MV Balmoral'), and a passing steam train all against the backdrop of a historic dock was too much to miss. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't.

'50s and '60s reflections

nobody@flickr.com (Renown) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:27:42 -0700

Renown posted a photo:

No waffle, just nice stuff to wallow in. A 1968 Willowbrook bodied Daimler Roadliner, a British Railways two tone green liveried Brush type 4, and unique Class 8 'Pacific' - 71000 'Duke of Gloucester'. Photo taken at Crewe Heritage Centre, Saturday 27th April 2013.