GSC623X: Edinburgh in the Nineties

These days I seem to post a number of buses I might still rather like but which I don't really love so I thought for once I would choose something I really like. After all what could be a better sight in Edinburgh than a typically smart Lothian Alexander bodied Leyland Atlantean AN68 in that classic Madder and white livery.

Shearings F731 ENE in Manchester

Sadly today in the transport industry there is a lack of worth or community spirit work for many and it is just a job which is perhaps one of the reasons why many bus drivers don't like being photographed when at work. They don't enjoy it so why should others get a little pleasure when they come down the road driving their bus. Of course not everyone thinks like that and I'm sure there are still a few who show a friendly face and who are pleased to let others know who they are too like this Shearings driver seen passing along Deansgate in Manchester during the Nineties. Geoff's Van-Hool bodied Volvo B10M was a pretty nice solid reliable motor too even if it was one which helped to see the demise of the much loved but not so perfect Leyland Tiger.

Rugeley Bus Station used to be rather a colourful place with as well as Midland Red North buses, the red and maroon of Middleton's, Warstone's Green Bus and as seen here Key's blue and cream on this former Bradford MCW bodied Atlantean.

August 28th: My Birthday!

I've been put it off for some time but I finally made an 'impulse purchase' and bought myself a decent digital camera at last. The difference between the Cannon G12 and my old pocket-sized 'Cool Pix' is remarkable. Even an old Arriva Volvo on a Stafford Town Service seems worth a second look as it heads down St. Leonard's Avenue yesterday.

Seen in the Nineties an addition to the long established core London 11 Route was the London General 'OPO' No. 211 using Plaxton bodied Dennis Darts like K865 LGN seen at Victoria, long gone were the days when the capital had it's own unique buses like the faithfully old Routemaster completing the scene.

BVG 3173 in 1985

Before the Wall came down as Berlin's new big wide roads didn't really go anywhere unlike today they at times seemed quite empty. In 1985 Wagon-Union bodied MAN 3173 was seen on the 29, now remundered 129 heading along Schoneberg Str with most people downstairs suggesting they were most short journey passengers alighting not far away on the Kudamnn.

Autumn in Zurich

It seems to have come slightly early this year but there is definately a feeling of early Autumn mellow coolness in the air. It suits me as I hate the humid weather we get at the end of August. Normally I went to Switzerland in mid-Winter but on this occasion in 1990 I caught seasonal tints on the classy Bahnhofstr where old boggie trams like this one of 1949 used to almost cheerfully sing as the clattered by sounding as though they were alive.

A tale of Morrison's, Deliberating Mormon's and a cheery farewll to the 42

These poor Mormons in Wellington are wondering why everyone is ignoring their cause as they get alight from the Tellus Transit Minibus and not caring for their spiritual wellbeing are heading for the piled shelves of baked beans and sugar saturated strawberry jam at Morrison's instead before going home for a 'nice cup of tea and nap in front of the Saturday Afternoon telly'.

5879: When Stafford went from Deckers to Saloons

Till the late Sixties when the closure of Lichfield and Wolverhampton garages brought new bus types to Stafford taking the allocation from about forty-five to about sixty single-deckers had only played a small roll. Consequently from the last series of home build BMMO saloons S21-S23 5849-5991 only two arrived new Dual-Purpose S21 5866 and bus S23 5971. But the increased fleet and a need for 'OPO' brought a few more including the very first of what was something between a bus and a DP S22 5879 which had been new to Digbeth. More of interest to me was the former Yorkshire Woollen District tow bus from Yorkshire which was a rare visitor.

DOC36V: Catch them while you can!

The Eighties was an interesting time as even though the big bus groups like First and Stagecoach were rapidly expanding to all appearances the industry was in a state of flux as it was sometimes difficult to tell what everything was. For instance to the untrained eye this former West Midlands National2 leaving Warrington might either be in the correct livery and have local branding for the Runcorn Busway or it could be one moved within what was to become Arriva but had retained North Western colours and the lettering was just a quick fix. It was of course just carrying local branding and I rather liked this bright distinctive livery soon to be subverted by that never ending aquamarine and sandstone.

Slav Mercs: Brioni of Pula

Yugoslavia was one of the more 'relaxed' communist countries and life was comfortable under the much loved General Tito whose image we can just see pressed like an icon to the first Mercedes Benz windscreen. But my father said quite rightly that once he had gone all hell would break loose with bloodshed as old tribal hatreds came to the surface. I think places like Pula and Rovinj in the north were largely unaffected by the civil war but it must have ruined the tourist trade and even the nudists wouldn't come. Secondhand buses from the wealthy Germans were commonplace but there were a few up-to-date coaches to please the visitors.

An Interesting broken Bedford at Digbeth

Parking was at a premium at busy times at Digbeth and fortunately former Yeoman's of Canon Pyon Bedford SVJ 300S looked as though it was not going anywhere finding itself blocked in between two Leylands also bodied by Duple. Heavyweights were very much the norm on demanding National Express duties so it was hardly surprising the rather underpowered and sluggish Bedford was feeling the strain of busy motorway work.