My interest for buses grew due to the fact that I moved around the south of
England during my school days so as a result I became familier with many types
of Buses, Trolleybuses and Coaches. Shown are some of the many buses that used
to run around Bournemouth. Starting at left, a horse drawn bus from around 1872.
Believed to have been the first known bus service Next is Tram #85 believed to
have been from the first new batch of 1914. Next is a Sunbeam MS2 bodied by Park
Royal around 1932. Fleet #229 (BRU 13)Next, Thanks to Michael Taylor for the
picture of the Leyland Tiger with Burlingham body (JLJ 401)taken at Southsea
Rally in 1999. Next is a Leyland Tiger with a Burlingham body which I am
guessing is JLJ402 as I think that Bournemouth Corporation only had a total of
three. As the plate and fleet number were missing it is only a guess. Another
Leyland Tiger with a Burlingham body (JLJ 403) then (ALJ 986) Sunbeam MS2 which
had been modified as an open top sightseeing trolleybus. Next is Sunbeam MF2B
from a new batch in 1962 (301 LJ). My memories of this batch of buses was that
they were beautifully quiet riding buses!!
First we have a Leyland Titan PD2/3 (KEL 133)Delivered new in 1950, followed
by a BUT Trolleybus bodied by MCW (KLJ 3490) new in 1950. Thanks again to
Michael Taylor for the picture of the BUT trolleybus.If you take a close look
on the right of the picture you will see the corner of the Hants and Dorset Bus
Station. Sadly on the night of July 24/25 1976 there was a fire which completely
destroyed the premises and sixteen coaches (Royal Blue ?) but around 80 buses were
saved which were parked outside at the back. The fire is beleived to have started in
the tire shop where Ryal Blue Coached were stored. I couldn't resist the next
one as I thought that it was a delightful vehicle which I assume is used to pull
the Trolleybuses when they are in a parade.(BOW 162) Next we have a Leyland National
Fleet #85 (HNL 162N) followedby a Volvo B10M50 with Alexander bodywork H47/33F
(E208GCG) In the next frame we have, starting from the left, a Leyland Olympian with
Marshall bodywork (TJT 160W), in the middle we have a Leyland Fleetline FRL6-30
Alexander Bodied H43/31F fleet # 128 (OEL128M) and lastly, we have a Leyland Olympian
with Marshall bodywork (TJT 160W). Last frame is a Leyland Olympian with Marshall bodywork
(TJT182X)
With some help from other enthusiasts I have been able to identify all but one of these fine
looking coaches. Starting from left to right Leyland Tiger with Plaxton Bodywork (B96TLJ)
(JLJ109V) I still have not identified this one, can anyone help me ? Leyland Tiger with
Plaxton Bodywork (B95TLJ) and Leyland Leopard PSU3E with Plaxton C51F Bodywork or
( ERU309V) and lastly we have a Leyland PSU3E/4R Plaxton Bodied c51F (ERU319V). New on
November 9 1979. All of the pictures were taken by me on a visit to Bournemouth in
September 1988 except as noted. Credit for picture of BRU 13 unknown.
The first picture is of a typical Royal Blue coach that was very common
around the 1950's throughout Hampshire and Dorset and sometimes beyond.(It is a
Bristol L6B with body by Beadle) While Royal Blue looked after the coach
services, Hants and Dorset were the local bus company in many outlying areas and
connecting towns throughout the South West. The picture of the 2 Royal Blues.(On
the left is a Bristol LS6G body by ECW and on the right a Bristol MW6G with body
by MCW) were taken in Winchester thanks to Ian Morgan in 1999.
This one is many of the different types of trolleybuses that London had. You
will notice the they always carried a roundel with a T on the back and front to
signify that it is a trolleybus. The next is what was often refered to as an RT,
which was one of at least 4 variations of this type. This was typical of the
type of London Bus that I grew up with in 1955 to 1958 which was during my bus
spotting days when living and later visiting London. I still have my Ian Allan
Bus spotting book !! The RM type is one that I spotted at Redmond in Washington,
USA.
These two buses reside in Maui which were of special interest to me because
one is a former Hants and Dorset Lodekka. The other one I was not able to
identify as all of the ID numbers had been removed. I also thought that it would
be neat to show that the H & D still had it's H & D emergency numbers
posted behind the drivers seat !! The H & D is a 1967 and the other one I
think is a 1964.
But what of the future. These last two pictures are proof that there are
alternate fuels that can be used as the exhaust that this Zero Emission bus
produces is pure drinking water !!! (mind you I have heard that it doesn't taste
very good) (click
here).
