Nick Larkin reports on the fleet of a well-known heritage operator that’s now up for sale
The collapse of a well-known Yorkshire-based heritage operator has resulted in an important collection of 15 historic buses coming onto the market.
The Yorkshire Heritage Bus Company Limited, run by renowned preservationist Tony Blackman, was entered into a CVL (Creditors Voluntary Liquidation) in February.
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Now 15 heritage vehicles, many of which are important survivors including AEC Regents, Renowns and Bridgemasters as well as Guy Arab single-deckers and a Leyland PD1 are available. They are being sold via Fleet Resourcing, run by former Thamesdown fleet engineer Mark Stephenson and celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. “This is an important collection of vehicles and we want to find the best homes possible for the vehicles which Tony and his family have so carefully restored and looked after,” said Mark. The collection has been valued (see panel).
Arguably the best-known bus in the collection is BCP 671, a 1950 new to Halifax Regent III with Park Royal bodywork. Tony Blackman, who bought his first bus for preservation in 1961 and was the major force behind the Heart of the Pennines rally for many years, ran this vehicle on a local heritage route. He set up independent operator Halifax Joint Committee in 1995, which ran services using AEC Routemasters and other vehicles painted in traditional Halifax colours. Most services ended in 2010, though contract work was carried out until 2015, alongside the heritage private hire operations.
In a statement on the Yorkshire Heritage Bus Company website, Tony “apologises sincerely” for the demise of both organisations. Many years ago the 15 buses were put into asset management due to funding problems.
“Spiralling overheads of storage and business rates meant payments to the asset management company could not be maintained.
“I am not far off 80-years old and about to enter into bankruptcy, which is a very disappointing end to my working life.”
The buses were due to be transported to an Oxfordshire site as we went to press.
Anyone interested in acquiring a vehicle is invited to contact Mark via emailing [email protected] or phoning 0791 961 2374.
