Nick Larkin reports on a weekend of events in and around Burton on Trent
Operator Midland Classic celebrated two anniversaries during its recent Heritage Weekend. On Saturday 28 August, 15 years of operation by the Burton on Trent-based independent was marked with an extensive service on its original route, the 21 between Swadlincote and Burton. The normal timetable, with modern vehicles, also operated.
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Celebrated on Sunday was the 95th anniversary of John Stevenson setting up his bus business in Uttoxeter, Staffs, operating on the original route between the town and Burton via Tutbury, still run by Midland Classic today as route 401. Preserved buses operated to the original Stevensons garage site in Spath for photos.
Also on the Sunday (29 August) was a static display of buses at Midland Classic’s Wetmore Road depot. Operators represented included municipal Burton on Trent Corporation, which became East Staffordshire following council re-organisation in 1974 before operations were merged with Stevensons in 1985.
Looking resplendent after a major four year restoration including repaint, new panels, flooring and mechanical work was TFA 987, the sole surviving Daimler CCG5 from 21 examples of this rare five-cylinder model with constant mesh gearbox bought by Burton between 1964 and 1968.
Stevensons was said to be the largest independent in operator Britain when it was bought out by British Bus, later Arriva, in June 1994. Midland Classic took over Arriva’s garage in Burton and most local services in 2016.
