Nick Larkin finds that even the recent Euro Bus Expo at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre had a heritage angle [wlm_nonmember][…]
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Heritage vehicles attracted much attention when they were displayed by exhibitors alongside the latest the industry has to offer at this year’s Euro Bus Expo. Seen as a major showcase for the bus industry’s products, there were a claimed 130 buses, coaches and minibuses in attendance at the show, which took place at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham from 30 October to 1 November.
Carlyle Bus & Coach, today a major supplier of vehicle parts and products including replacement glass, can trace its history back to Carlyle Works, the engineering headquarters of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company (BMMO).
Better known as Midland Red, this was for many years Britain’s second biggest bus operator, running services everywhere from Lincolnshire to Worcestershire as well as having a major presence in Birmingham. Owned by BET (British Electric Traction), Midland Red was unique in building many of its own buses and even engines between 1923 and 1969, including the D9 double-decker, an integral vehicle said by many to be Midland Red’s equivalent of London Transport’s AEC Routemaster. There were 345 produced.
It was therefore apt for a D9 to appear on the Carlyle Bus & Coach stand at the show. EHA424D, which carries Willowbrook bodywork, was new to Midland Red in 1966, seeing service in Wolverhampton and Dudley before being withdrawn in 1977. The bus later became part of the Nuneaton-based Wheels operation owned by Ashley Wakelin, who later set up a revived Midland Red Coaches. The former Midland Red fleet number 5424 passed to renowned preservationist and collector Roger Burdett, who loaned the bus to Carlyle Bus & Coach for display.
“We are very grateful to Roger for letting us have the bus for Euro Bus Expo,” said Carlyle’s Marketing Manager, Melissa Johnston. “We are very conscious of our history and this bus is obviously part of it, being designed by Carlyle Works. The bus attracted a lot of attention – and footfall – as part of our display.”
Visit Carlyle Bus & Coach at: www.carlylebusandcoach.com
Mancunian way
A revolutionary Manchester double-decker celebrating its 50th anniversary this year was displayed at Euro Bus Expo by top industry software specialist Omnibus Passenger Transport Solutions.
HVM 901F, a 1968 Leyland Atlantean, registration HVM 901F, was numerically the first Mancunian built to Manchester Corporation Transport (MCT) specification under managing director Ralph Bennett.
It was the first ever purpose-built dual-door one person operated double decker in the UK, The design including large windows, modern interior materials and a new red and white livery was spectacular, and looked from a different world from the halfcab East Lancs bodied Leyland PDs being delivered to neighbouring Stockport Corporation.
An eventual 392 Mancunians would be delivered on Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline chassis, with Park Royal, MCW and East Lancs bodywork, The bulk were delivered to MCT’s successor, SELNEC PTE, the last arriving in 1972.
HVM 901F, originally MCT fleet number 1001, HVM 910F is nowadays part of the Manchester Museum of Transport collection.
“With this bus celebrating its 50th anniversary and its history, plus the fact we’re based in the Manchester area meant were delighted to have the chance to display the Mancunian at Euro Bus Expo,” said Omnibus Passenger Transport Solutions Managing Director Peter Crichton. “We are always keen to promote the Manchester Museum and we sponsor the Trans Lancs Rally.”
Established in 1990, Omnibus provides passenger transport software to bus and coach operators across the world, including First.
Peter has two preserved buses, former London Transport 1962 AEC Routemaster RM1152 (152 CLT) previously owned by late colleague John Pryer and a new to MCT 1964 Leyland PD2/37, registration 3706 VM. “I used to travel to school on the Leyland and went on a tour when it among the last couple of Manchester halfcabs to be withdrawn, in 1981, so it means a lot,” he explained.
Contact: omnibus.solutions/contact-us/
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