Brighton & Hove Bristol VR JWV 271W

After the break-up of the NBC Southdown was split up and the old pre-NBC Brighton and Hove was reborn. One of the best things was that as well as having a tidy and rather classy script for the fleetname it took on that traditional red and cream livery one which in various shades was found all across the bus industry and did the job well. Of course the new B&H different from the local former Tilling operation in that it took over the old Southdown Brighton routes like this one to Tunbridge Wells.

Let's Go in Wolverhampton

Travel Express always seem to be darting up and down Stafford Street in Wolverhampton so maybe the Dennis Dart is quite apt like this former Cardiff bus. It is my interest in photography and the world around me these days which  holds my interest in buses and over the years I have gained something of a reputation rather like Robert Jowitt for my more creative buses and girls images.

Rapide Bova WSV 570 in Edinburgh

One of biggest nuisances in the Nineties was the number of coaches with so-called cherished registrations like this Rapide Bova Futura of Northumbria leaving Edinburgh for Newcastle which started life as E692 JUT.

Merseybus Ikarus K131 TCP

Following the opening up of the Russian controlled Eastern Block the bus builder Ikarus had to both adapt and find new markets as it's state controlled customers dried up. They appeared in Britain too and this Merseybus example was seen in Liverpool on a service from the Wirral. In fact I think as they had an arrangement with DAF to provide chassis they might not have looked beautiful but they became quite a popular choice both in bus and coach form.  Road signs and the like can be a real nuisance when trying to take photos but in this instance it might have blocked out some of the picture but at the same time it blotted out the glare of strong sunlight.

Maidstone's Massey Bodied Atlanteans

The later Massey bus bodies lost that elegant rounded look but to those who liked them like myself the slight ugliness gave more of an impression of ruggedness. I think these Atlantean buses were heavy as the Maidstone drivers complained about the steering but in their early years as a passenger they were lovely to ride on totally free of rattles. One good thing about Maidstone in those days was following the old trolleybus routes up the Tonbridge Road even on a cold day like this according to the timetable one only had to wait three or four minutes for a bus during the day.

GMB 383T at Little Heywood

The Midland Red North garage at Stafford had this former Crosville Leyland National on loan which was unusual here in having been re-engined by Gardner. I took a ride out to Little Heywood as I wanted to get a sound recording but it was mostly hattle and shake.

Nice Jugs!

I don't know what you are all thinking lol, but I rather liked the more rounded Roe bodywork to be found on the earlier Leeds sourced Wypte Atlanteans and Fleelines including Leyland JUG 502L.

East Yorkshire Open-Top RE PHN 177L

The double deck open-top sightseeing bus is a much more familiar sight than it used to be when it was confined to the sea front. Indeed it can be found on sightseeing duties in any number of cities around the world. However this former United Auto Bristol RE was a very rare example in being of the single-deck variety and with East Yorkshire had recieved the much missed old traditional livery for work in Scarborough.

National Express Caetano Levante FJ61 EWM

When they first appeared on the scene the Caetano Levante certainly had that wow factor, but of course like this one at Wolverhampton they became just as familiar as the old Plaxtons were.

MAN SD B.V.1940 at Berlin Zoo

Berlin is a bit of a grey city or rather more of a sandy grey but there is always plenty going on and the area around the Zoo and the railway station are always busy.

WKR 136S Luton Corporation?

The highbridge bodied Bristol VR's built by ECW were scarce enough compared to their lowheight sisters to always look a bit strange. Maidstone and District had some and 5136 was seen close to the depot in Luton, not to be mistaken with the better known place with the same name where the Vauxhall's come from.

Southampton Corporation Atlantean East-Lancs OCR 150G at Shirley

In the Sixties the BET Group could present a very modern image with it's curved glass same at both ends single-deckers and stylish products from Alexander like the Y-type and double-decker. The municipal sector was a lot more staid in it's 'tried and tested ratepayers money' approach but Ralph Bennett shook things up when he cooperated with East-Lancs to create striking new buses for Bolton. They first appeared with a flat front as part of the concept but this soon gave way to a more popular modification with  curved glass. Other concerns were able to buy these buses too and they modernised many Corporation fleets including Southampton where they came to dominate. What I liked about this city was the fact that the new buses wore this the Bolton arrangement whereas the half-cabs retained the mostly dark red traditional scheme to the end and looked much better for it as it made the new ones look even more modern and exciting yet at the same time respected the heritage and suitability of the older fleet.