The Transport Museum Wythall is offering its long-term stored Leyland Tiger PS1 Stratford Blue single decker to a new owner free of charge with the stipulation of continued preservation only.
The vehicle was withdrawn from service in 1960 and arrived at Wythall in the 1980s in very poor condition, lacking its main running units. With a significant number of museum vehicles on the list for rebuild/refurbishment, the Museum says that the Leyland is at the back of the queue and would make an ideal project for someone looking for a big but satisfying challenge. The Museum says that the running units were built into a significant number of similar vehicles, meaning that suitable ones are likely to be available within the classic bus movement.
Ten Leyland Tiger PS1s were built with bodywork built to the standard design of the BET Federation, delivered in 1948-9, making them Statford Blue’s first new single deckers. BET did not impose this design on its subsidiaries but it was built by several coachbuilders for a number of companies. The Stratford Blue vehicles were unusual, receiving Northern Coach Builders bodies.
GUE247 was delivered in September 1948 as fleet number 41 and was fitted with a 7.4 litre E181 Leyland diesel engine. It was withdrawn in 1960, passing to a dealer in Cheshire before arriving at the Museum. The chassis was lacking its significant running units and the body already in very poor condition before its arrival at Wythall. However, it does have its rear axle, prop shaft and one half shaft. The bus has been kept under cover for most of its time at Wythall to prevent further deterioration. The vehicle is offered free of charge but will need transporting by low-loader to a new home.
Interested parties should first contact Dave Taylor by email at the museum: [email protected]
