I've just seen an old photograph online of a Mk 1 metrobus parked in Selly Oak showing '29' on the blinds (no destination shown).
It has made me wonder - did SO operate this route and also the old 72 Kitwell route? I've always assumed they operated out of HE but their 1981 timetables show shorter journeys starting/ending at the old Golden Cross pub on Harborne Lane.
Thanks in advance.
Quote from: SO6597 on January 10, 2021, 11:03:11 AM
I've just seen an old photograph online of a Mk 1 metrobus parked in Selly Oak showing '29' on the blinds (no destination shown).
It has made me wonder - did SO operate this route and also the old 72 Kitwell route? I've always assumed they operated out of HE but their 1981 timetables show shorter journeys starting/ending at the old Golden Cross pub on Harborne Lane.
Thanks in advance.
As far as I'm aware the 29 and 72 were operated by Harborne, however Selly Oak
may have done occasional journeys.
I think I've seen the photo you refer to but can't remember which bus it was. I don't think Selly Oak operated any journeys on the 29 or 72, which were Harborne routes. There were some journeys starting / finishing at the Golden Cross, on the 29 given the one way part of the route in Harborne (Vivian Road from city, Duke of York to city), it was a logical start point for journeys leaving the garage. For the 72, the Golden Cross was the nearest point to Harborne garage.
Selly Oak did loan MK1 Metros to Harborne on occasion. Before Harborne received its allocation of 2396-2415, Selly Oak loaned it at least one Metro (2006 was one I believe) for a while for driver familiarisation purposes. This / these saw service on the 12/22/23 and 21/29 groups of services.
Not sure if that might explain the picture on Flickr?
Quote from: Mike K on January 11, 2021, 10:29:17 PM
I think I've seen the photo you refer to but can't remember which bus it was. I don't think Selly Oak operated any journeys on the 29 or 72, which were Harborne routes. There were some journeys starting / finishing at the Golden Cross, on the 29 given the one way part of the route in Harborne (Vivian Road from city, Duke of York to city), it was a logical start point for journeys leaving the garage. For the 72, the Golden Cross was the nearest point to Harborne garage.
Selly Oak did loan MK1 Metros to Harborne on occasion. Before Harborne received its allocation of 2396-2415, Selly Oak loaned it at least one Metro (2006 was one I believe) for a while for driver familiarisation purposes. This / these saw service on the 12/22/23 and 21/29 groups of services.
Not sure if that might explain the picture on Flickr?
The photo shows 2007 between 2148 (on loan from HY in early 86) and an unidentifiable National with a fleetline (ex LT?) showing 61E at the edge. Assuming it is SO based on all of that. Guess it will be an unsolved mystery. Thanks.
Quote from: SO6597 on January 12, 2021, 05:57:29 PM
The photo shows 2007 between 2148 (on loan from HY in early 86) and an unidentifiable National with a fleetline (ex LT?) showing 61E at the edge. Assuming it is SO based on all of that. Guess it will be an unsolved mystery. Thanks.
Yes I've seen the picture now, can only assume it had been on loan. 2148 would have been a permanent SO allocation in 1986, although it did transfer to HY on its closure. The SO fleet list and reallocations on closure are in the following picture:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/59615439@N03/45142550761/in/album-72157702220376984/
Quote from: Mike K on January 12, 2021, 07:22:19 PM
Yes I've seen the picture now, can only assume it had been on loan. 2148 would have been a permanent SO allocation in 1986, although it did transfer to HY on its closure. The SO fleet list and reallocations on closure are in the following picture:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/59615439@N03/45142550761/in/album-72157702220376984/
Love the history on that fleet change sheet from 1986. Reading the various comments did any 45/46** fleetlines run for WMT? Also, we're the 6300 etc fleetlines the 'p' reg ones as I know a few of them operated but only the r/s/t reg ones ran in the 1990s.
Also, looking at that fleet list, what buses were 4290/1 which were moved from SO to LH and QN?
Quote from: j789 on January 12, 2021, 08:00:26 PM
Love the history on that fleet change sheet from 1986. Reading the various comments did any 45/46** fleetlines run for WMT? Also, we're the 6300 etc fleetlines the 'p' reg ones as I know a few of them operated but only the r/s/t reg ones ran in the 1990s.
Also, looking at that fleet list, what buses were 4290/1 which were moved from SO to LH and QN?
4290/1 were Fleetlines / Park Royal EOF 290/291L. These wouldn't last much longer in service though as according to Malcolm Keeley's West Midlands book, they were both withdrawn in 1986 anyway.
Quote from: j789 on January 12, 2021, 08:00:26 PM
Love the history on that fleet change sheet from 1986. Reading the various comments did any 45/46** fleetlines run for WMT? Also, we're the 6300 etc fleetlines the 'p' reg ones as I know a few of them operated but only the r/s/t reg ones ran in the 1990s.
Also, looking at that fleet list, what buses were 4290/1 which were moved from SO to LH and QN?
45xx and 46xx Fleetlines ran for TWM, although not for long. Several 6300 KONxxxP ones did too. The earliest Fleetline I recall being painted into the silver and blue red stripe TWM livery was 6443 NOC443R, although I'm sure someone more knowledgable than me can correct me on that.
Picture of 4590 running for TWM:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/je1791/8295511026/
Quote from: Mike K on January 12, 2021, 10:05:58 PM
45xx and 46xx Fleetlines ran for TWM, although not for long. Several 6300 KONxxxP ones did too. The earliest Fleetline I recall being painted into the silver and blue red stripe TWM livery was 6443 NOC443R, although I'm sure someone more knowledgable than me can correct me on that.
Picture of 4590 running for TWM:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/je1791/8295511026/
Seems a few 46xx Fleetlines ran as late as 1988. I think 6443 was the lowest numbered repaint [open-top 4069 excluded] but there were some slightly older 1976-delivery 66xx Fleetlines which were painted as well.
Quote from: paulb1973 on January 12, 2021, 10:14:19 PM
Seems a few 46xx Fleetlines ran as late as 1988. I think 6443 was the lowest numbered repaint [open-top 4069 excluded] but there were some slightly older 1976-delivery 66xx Fleetlines which were painted as well.
Last survivor at Washwood Heath was 4590 in December 1987
Quote from: j789 on January 12, 2021, 08:00:26 PM
Love the history on that fleet change sheet from 1986. Reading the various comments did any 45/46** fleetlines run for WMT? Also, we're the 6300 etc fleetlines the 'p' reg ones as I know a few of them operated but only the r/s/t reg ones ran in the 1990s.
The following 4500, 4600 fleetlines ran for WMT:
Daimler Fleetline 4561/5/9/70/7/8/80-4629 (GOG561/5/9/70/7/80-605N, JOV606-29P)
Quote from: busfan2847 on January 13, 2021, 04:21:37 PM
The following 4500, 4600 fleetlines ran for WMT:
Daimler Fleetline 4561/5/9/70/7/8/80-4629 (GOG561/5/9/70/7/80-605N, JOV606-29P)
Thank you for that information. Are there any online sources of fleet information for 1987/88/89 and 90?
Was there any particular reason (non standard type etc) for why the N reg MCW bodied VRs were all taken out of service before 1986 and therefore not passing to WMT as I have seen many photos of these with other operators into the 1990s so they must have still been mechanically sound?
Quote from: j789 on January 13, 2021, 05:56:44 PM
Thank you for that information. Are there any online sources of fleet information for 1987/88/89 and 90?
Was there any particular reason (non standard type etc) for why the N reg MCW bodied VRs were all taken out of service before 1986 and therefore not passing to WMT as I have seen many photos of these with other operators into the 1990s so they must have still been mechanically sound?
The Bristol VRs weren't the most reliable apparently.
Mark Fitchew's blog (he's a very knowledgable chap) explains a bit about their issues and the reasons for their early withdrawal here:
https://buscapade.wordpress.com/author/mfitchew/page/2/
I always thought they were ugly and awkward looking compared to their Fleetline counterparts. The MCW body didn't seem a good fit for the chassis.
Quote from: Mike K on January 13, 2021, 08:48:15 PM
The Bristol VRs weren't the most reliable apparently.
Mark Fitchew's blog (he's a very knowledgable chap) explains a bit about their issues and the reasons for their early withdrawal here:
https://buscapade.wordpress.com/author/mfitchew/page/2/
I always thought they were ugly and awkward looking compared to their Fleetline counterparts. The MCW body didn't seem a good fit for the chassis.
Cheers for that. Yes the bodywork was unusual, particularly at the front. I've always liked the ECW bodied VRs, shame there were so few of them operated in the West Midlands, even second hand. I think Redditch had a few at some point.
Quote from: j789 on January 13, 2021, 05:56:44 PM
Thank you for that information. Are there any online sources of fleet information for 1987/88/89 and 90?
Was there any particular reason (non standard type etc) for why the N reg MCW bodied VRs were all taken out of service before 1986 and therefore not passing to WMT as I have seen many photos of these with other operators into the 1990s so they must have still been mechanically sound?
Attached is details of buses transferred to WMT, new to WMT and transferred to WMT Ltd on privatization from my records, along with vehicles withdrawn 10/86-12/91.
Quote from: busfan2847 on January 13, 2021, 04:21:37 PM
The following 4500, 4600 fleetlines ran for WMT:
Daimler Fleetline 4561/5/9/70/7/8/80-4629 (GOG561/5/9/70/7/80-605N, JOV606-29P)
I have this at post deregulation but don't know if they ran or how long they stayed. From an old news sheet I no longer have.
AG 4580-4585 4608
YW 4561 4565 4569 4570 4577
WH 4586 4587 4589-4591 4599 4617-4620 4629
PB 4600 4602 4621
HY 4603-4605 4622 4623
LS 4624 4625 4628
Quote from: j789 on January 13, 2021, 05:56:44 PM
Thank you for that information. Are there any online sources of fleet information for 1987/88/89 and 90?
Was there any particular reason (non standard type etc) for why the N reg MCW bodied VRs were all taken out of service before 1986 and therefore not passing to WMT as I have seen many photos of these with other operators into the 1990s so they must have still been mechanically sound?
I suppose there was also a reduced requirement for buses in general upon deregulation, so older buses were targeted for withdrawal (buses up to around 1975). That 1974 batch of Leyland Nationals (1467-1526) did carry on though, perhaps single decks, over double, were a more precious commodity in 1986.
Slightly straying a bit,but in relation to the 44XX and 45XX Nationals,I remember seeing a number of them at Hartshill and other garages in the early 90's......
Quote from: busfan2847 on January 13, 2021, 10:29:12 PM
Attached is details of buses transferred to WMT, new to WMT and transferred to WMT Ltd on privatization from my records, along with vehicles withdrawn 10/86-12/91.
Many thanks for this information. It would be great if at some point a 1986-present day West Mids book could be produced to complement Malcolm Kelley's book with all fleet changes recorded in it.
Quote from: j789 on January 14, 2021, 06:29:11 PM
Many thanks for this information. It would be great if at some point a 1986-present day West Mids book could be produced to complement Malcolm Kelley's book with all fleet changes recorded in it.
Long overdue in my opinion!
Quote from: Westy on January 14, 2021, 09:54:28 PM
Long overdue in my opinion!
Dave47549 posted a link to all this information on here