Popped in there and see they still have the open top decker on display as used by the CCFC cup final celebrations way back in time.
Got me thinking about buses used in Coventry and what looks like a lack of more recent ex Coventry buses.
Does NXC ever offer a retired Coventry bus to the museum?
Would be good to see a more modern donation and a link to NXC who have been running Coventry services for quite some time now.
Quote from: Sandy Lane on April 06, 2024, 11:47:43 AMPopped in there and see they still have the open top decker on display as used by the CCFC cup final celebrations way back in time.
Got me thinking about buses used in Coventry and what looks like a lack of more recent ex Coventry buses.
Does NXC ever offer a retired Coventry bus to the museum?
Would be good to see a more modern donation and a link to NXC who have been running Coventry services for quite some time now.
Would be amazing if one of the bendibuses made it into the exhibit, i know of a lot of people and enthusiasts alike who miss those buses so would be great to be able to see one again, although apart from 6015, i'm not sure if any other Citaros or Mercs were preserved.
Quote from: Danthebusman on April 06, 2024, 12:28:26 PMWould be amazing if one of the bendibuses made it into the exhibit, i know of a lot of people and enthusiasts alike who miss those buses so would be great to be able to see one again, although apart from 6015, i'm not sure if any other Citaros or Mercs were preserved.
I believe 6015 is the only Coventry bendibus left and all the others have been scrapped.
Surprised 4453 wasn't offered to the museum?
It was withdrawn for a mechanical reason wasn't it?
Quote from: Sandy Lane on April 06, 2024, 11:47:43 AMPopped in there and see they still have the open top decker on display as used by the CCFC cup final celebrations way back in time.
Got me thinking about buses used in Coventry and what looks like a lack of more recent ex Coventry buses.
Does NXC ever offer a retired Coventry bus to the museum?
Would be good to see a more modern donation and a link to NXC who have been running Coventry services for quite some time now.
Have you thought the Museum might not a more modern bus. Where would they put it?
The open top Fleetline, PDU 125M, was the very last Daimler bus built, and therefore the last full-size bus chassis built in Coventry. Because of its history, West Midlands PTE donated it to the Coventry Motor Museum when it was withdrawn.
Then, when Coventry City won the FA cup in 1987, the museum ignored its history and controversially converted it to open top. It was along time ago but even so I would hope that any operator donating a bus would include a clause requiring the vehicle to be kept complete.
Quote from: Tony on April 06, 2024, 04:12:06 PMHave you thought the Museum might not a more modern bus. Where would they put it?
Good point but their Collecting Policy says - We still collect actively. Our collection policy focuses on significant material relevant to the history of Coventry road transport ..........
Aren't Coventry buses therefore quite relevant? It would be a nice gesture for one of NXC's last remaining diesel vehicles to be offered before the whole fleet goes electric. Agree on the vehicle not being 'chopped' by the museum later on - make it a condition of handover.
Quote from: Justin Tyme on April 06, 2024, 09:42:09 PMThe open top Fleetline, PDU 125M, was the very last Daimler bus built, and therefore the last full-size bus chassis built in Coventry. Because of its history, West Midlands PTE donated it to the Coventry Motor Museum when it was withdrawn.
Then, when Coventry City won the FA cup in 1987, the museum ignored its history and controversially converted it to open top. It was along time ago but even so I would hope that any operator donating a bus would include a clause requiring the vehicle to be kept complete.
Wasnt there any already open topped vehicle avaolable for use at that point in time?
(PDU is the vehicle seen in archive footage isnt it?)
Wmt still had theirs in 1987 didnt they, so why wasnt they contacted to provide an open topper?
Quote from: Westy on April 07, 2024, 10:19:42 AMWasnt there any already open topped vehicle avaolable for use at that point in time?
(PDU is the vehicle seen in archive footage isnt it?)
Wmt still had theirs in 1987 didnt they, so why wasnt they contacted to provide an open topper?
4069 (or it might have been 3867) may well have been behind 125 in that FA Cup procession.
Quote from: paulb1973 on April 07, 2024, 11:00:46 AM4069 (or it might have been 3867) may well have been behind 125 in that FA Cup procession.
Talking about Fleetline 3867, there is a current article on the Worcester News website showing this vehicle being used as the promotion vehicle for the opening of the Worcester southern link road (bypass).
Link: https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/24233179.worcester-nostalgia-southern-link-road-carrington-bridge/
Apparently, it was the first vehicle that ran on that road. I'm sure a few Midland Red fans were put out seeing a WMPTE bus in core Midland Red territory!!!
Quote from: Justin Tyme on April 06, 2024, 09:42:09 PMThe open top Fleetline, PDU 125M, was the very last Daimler bus built, and therefore the last full-size bus chassis built in Coventry. Because of its history, West Midlands PTE donated it to the Coventry Motor Museum when it was withdrawn.
Then, when Coventry City won the FA cup in 1987, the museum ignored its history and controversially converted it to open top. It was along time ago but even so I would hope that any operator donating a bus would include a clause requiring the vehicle to be kept complete.
There is a piece on this bus in today's Coventry paper. In it they say "The museum had acquired the bus in 1986 and, due to damage, the roof was removed to convert it to an open top".
https://coventryobserver.co.uk/news/countdown-to-wembley-coventrys-1987-fa-cup-victory-bus-driver-recalls-his-memorable-day/
Could they simply have repaired the roof damage rather than go at it with a tin opener?
Does anyone know what was the original roof damage?
Quote from: j789 on April 07, 2024, 12:52:54 PMTalking about Fleetline 3867, there is a current article on the Worcester News website showing this vehicle being used as the promotion vehicle for the opening of the Worcester southern link road (bypass).
Link: https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/24233179.worcester-nostalgia-southern-link-road-carrington-bridge/
Apparently, it was the first vehicle that ran on that road. I'm sure a few Midland Red fans were put out seeing a WMPTE bus in core Midland Red territory!!!
3687 was also used by Coventry radio station Kix96 before they acquired the Leyland Titan shared between Sunshine Radio Hereford, Radio Wyvern (formerly Youthcomm Radio) and the new BRMB Radio (formerly Big City Radio).
Quote from: paulb1973 on April 07, 2024, 11:00:46 AM4069 (or it might have been 3867) may well have been behind 125 in that FA Cup procession.
Just checking some of the Coventry FA Cup procession footage and 125 appears to be on its own for the entirety of the celebrations, not to mention a very overloaded top deck!
https://youtu.be/J-mDPOObFa0?si=09nOuXEvd-a9ZPMo
Quote from: Wumpty on April 17, 2024, 09:40:52 PMJust checking some of the Coventry FA Cup procession footage and 125 appears to be on its own for the entirety of the celebrations, not to mention a very overloaded top deck!
https://youtu.be/J-mDPOObFa0?si=09nOuXEvd-a9ZPMo
Check out this link:
May 16th 1987. Coventry City's Cup Final, and the Victory Parade - Our Warwickshire (https://www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk/content/article/may-16th-1987-coventry-citys-cup-final-and-the-victory-parade)
I think I can spy another bus in at least one of those pictures - probably 4069 which carried the CCFC Youth team.
Quote from: Sandy Lane on April 17, 2024, 07:22:27 PMThere is a piece on this bus in today's Coventry paper. In it they say "The museum had acquired the bus in 1986 and, due to damage, the roof was removed to convert it to an open top".
https://coventryobserver.co.uk/news/countdown-to-wembley-coventrys-1987-fa-cup-victory-bus-driver-recalls-his-memorable-day/
Could they simply have repaired the roof damage rather than go at it with a tin opener?
Does anyone know what was the original roof damage?
Was the declared roof damage just a spoof to chop the full roof off 125?
Quote from: paulb1973 on April 18, 2024, 02:06:35 PMCheck out this link:
May 16th 1987. Coventry City's Cup Final, and the Victory Parade - Our Warwickshire (https://www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk/content/article/may-16th-1987-coventry-citys-cup-final-and-the-victory-parade)
I think I can spy another bus in at least one of those pictures - probably 4069 which carried the CCFC Youth team.
Chuffin Nora, you're right! Strange how this wasn't ever picked up on any of the TV coverage - on the YT link I posted, there was a section (I believe passing Walsgrave Hospital), where 125 got up a turn of speed where there were very few spectators, yet 4069 is still nowhere to be seen!
Great spot
@paulb1973 !!!
Quote from: Tony on April 06, 2024, 04:12:06 PMHave you thought the Museum might not a more modern bus. Where would they put it?
Coventry have a very different brief than, say, Wythall or Aston Manor, as they are predominantly about the motor industry IN Coventry, rather than what's operated in it, so agree with
@Tony -
I also think that, given the transport heritage of NXC/TC/WMT that a modern bus like 4453, that pays homage to this in a heritage livery, is also worthy of acquiring and exhibiting.
Though, as
@Tony has said, the romance of getting the bus against the practicalities of space and relevance are somewhat at odds with each other.
Quote from: Wumpty on April 18, 2024, 06:01:53 PMChuffin Nora, you're right! Strange how this wasn't ever picked up on any of the TV coverage - on the YT link I posted, there was a section (I believe passing Walsgrave Hospital), where 125 got up a turn of speed where there were very few spectators, yet 4069 is still nowhere to be seen!
Great spot @paulb1973 !!!
I was being a little cheeky - I was one of the many standing around (in Broadgate, with my brother, sister, mum & dad) waiting for this open-top bus to come! I think it was expected to reach Broadgate in an 'hour' or so once we had arrived - but eventually arrived after a wait of around 3 hours. It was a grey and cool day too, I seem to vaguely remember two buses being involved.
But, what about all the bus shelters in Trinity St and Broadgate etc - people had attempted to stand on them to get a better view in the crush, only for the flimsy corrugated flat roofs to collapse! Someone at WMPTE/Centro had to go around and repair them all.
125 has just been on the opening titles of Central News and looks like it will be featured later on in the show as part of their feature about Coventry City being back at Wembley.