A former Maidstone Atlantean in Stafford

One of many former London Transport DMS type Daimler Fleetlines became the usual choice to work the Uttoxeter to Stafford service, but for a short time before they arrived in quantity sometimes the more interesting former Maidstone Massey bodied Atlanteans would appear including former No.43 which I remembered seeing new when I was at Art College there. The town's fleet of Atlanteans came on to the market when the formerly ultra conservative Borough Council decided to replace it's quality double-deck fleet with rather less rugged lightweight Bedford single-deckers. Naturally Independents like Stevenson's were always quick to snap up well cared for mid-life buses like this example seen at the start of the Eighties.

Coimbra Trolleybus No.30

I cannot give you too many details about this trolleybus photographed in 1984 but I expect Coimbra No.30 was bodied at least by Salvador Caetano.

Premier Travel in a grey Hanley

I wonder how many of you remember seeing the smart blue and silver coaches of Premier Travel which for a short time after deregulation became a common sight in Stoke on Trent when they came through working joint services with Yelloways of Rochdale. The Metrobus was such a great success for MCW it is easy to forget they built other models too apart from double-deckers including the purpose built Metrorider minibus and even a taxi the Metrocab. With the demise of the struggling Leyland Bus after it was bought out and dropped by Volvo, it's a pity that Birmingham based MCW didn't enjoy the same kind of success as Dennis as it certainly had the muscle. Sadly the single-deck coach version of the rather attractive Metroliner never really took off which was a pity as the second version of it was rather attractive, indeed it's simple lines still look remarkably crisp and pleasing today.

A DAF articulated bus in Amsterdam

My knowledge of Dutch operators is not brilliant but it's hard to believe I took this view in 1991 and no doubt this scene will spark a feeling of nostalgia in some of you.

Arriva Cannock Garage

I know I tend to knock the big UK bus groups and not least Arriva for it's slightly unpleasant livery. But I must also add that they and their workforce have been pretty good to me in recent times as they have let me travel with them for free on the bus to events. This shot was taken one sunny Sunday Morning as a merry band of us prepared to set off from Cannock Garage in Wright bodied VDL No.3741 for the event held at Wollaston Park in Nottingham.

Time stands still: Some old buses never die

It's easy to look at the modern bus scene today and get a bit depressed as for me at least most of that youthful excitement has gone. But I've realised how lucky we are as not only is there so much stuff to read and also see on the net plus of course something we would never have imagined accurate diecast models of individual buses to collect. But better still we can still ride on our old favourites of course, it's not an everyday experience more of a special treat only when there are historic events. For the people who live in Berlin in the Wannsee district they can ride on a vintage bus everyday on normal service as the local preservation group work one of their old Bussing's on the 218. Those who have to use it every day I don't suppose always fully appreciate how lucky they are but whenever I go out there to stay with my brother I take a least two trips on these my favourite BVG buses from the Sixties and Seventies. You should too because they have all the character and are endued with wonderful noises and the sort of more solid and comfortable interior modern buses lack.

New Optare Versa buses for Arriva Midlands

Arriva seems to take a wider variety on new buses than the other big groups and so for the enthusiast at least that is a plus in their favour. New buses in Staffordshire are some distinctive looking Optare Versa's branded X38 as their designated route travels along the main A38 trunk road between Burton on Trent and derby. Operator's likes to show off their new buses alongside the veterans at bus rallies and one of these appeared at the POTS Barlaston Bus Rally earlier this summer.

From Wolverhampton Park Lane Garage to Lymington

This rather ugly former blue and cream West Midland's MCW bodied bus No.4721 looked rather out of place in Southampton as 3472 working for the privitised Wilts and Doreset bus company, but in reality the Gardner powered Bristol VR chassis was very similar to the many far more elegantly proportioned ECW bodied examples here like the bus in the background.

Blackpool: Almost time for home!

Sadly the sort of coaches I liked are now something of a rarity but I loved going to Blackpool where I could photograph our traditional British coaches in smart time evolved individual liveries like the smart colours of Grahams Coaches of Stoke on Trent seen on this Plaxton bodied Leyland Leopard. Of course some of these colour-schemes survive but too many coaches have a feeling of not belonging in their plain white dealer based colours.

RN 4962 in Santarem

I'm sorry about the blurred image but it was due to the speed of the passing bus in Santarem, RN 4962 a rather square Utic bodied AEC.

Yeoman's of Canon Pyon

In the overlapping questionable grey areas where in the Twenties and Thirties the large operators territories met and which had not been deemed financially worth fighting over one usually found a wealth of small operators plying their trade. Places like Hereford surrounded by countryside right in the corner of Midland Red's vast empire was a classic example and it boasted a number of well known small operators like Wye Valley Motors and as seen here G.H.Yeomans Motors. They were a lovely sight too in the early Sixties when they ran fine old interesting double-deckers and even new single-deck buses in a dark green and cream livery not dissimilar to another favourite Warstone's Green Bus. By the Eighties even though they were still a familiar sight in Hereford Bus Station the vehicles were a much more mundane collection of Duple and Plaxton bodied Bedfords. But that is no more as even though they retained their coach travel business they later sold their bus services to the privatised Midland Red West. As with EFO 300W Yeoman's tried to get registrations in the series *00.

Manchester: A bit of sunshine to cheer us up