A classic Leyland is helping to celebrate 100 years of motorbuses in Glasgow, reports Nick Larkin
The oldest surviving Glasgow Corporation motorbus is back in its ‘home’ city to take part in centenary celebrations, having been driven there by owner Sir Brian Souter. Sir Brian took the 1928 Leyland Titan TD1 more than 50 miles to Bridgeton Bus Garage, home of the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Vehicle Trust (GVVT) collection, where it will be based until the end of October.
New as fleet number 111 and registered GE 2446, the 51-seat Titan will be the centrepiece of celebrations marking 100 years since the introduction of motorbuses by Glasgow Corporation Transport. These are expected to include a parade of buses through the city in early August, arrangements for which are being finalised.
Motorbuses appeared in 1924 to supplement Glasgow’s extensive tram network. The first route ran from Greendyke Street to Maryhill.
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Buses expanded into areas of the city not served by trams, which they would ultimately replace. Tramway operations ended in September 1962.
The Titan was found derelict in Kent during the 1980s and rebuilt by SBG Engineering, with Strathclyde’s Buses – successor to Glasgow Corporation – carrying out the paintwork. The vehicle normally resides at the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum and was in the care of Jasper Pettie before being acquired by Stagecoach co-founder and former chairman Sir Brian.
GVVT chairman Steven Booth said: “We are very pleased to have the loan of this historic bus which will play a major part in the centenary celebrations. Our thanks to Sir Brian, who said the Titan performed well on its journey to Bridgeton.”
GVVT is planning a series of events this year at Bridgeton, home to around 150 classic buses, coaches, fire engines and commercial vehicles. These include a Family & Community Event on 28 July and the Annual Open Weekend on 12 and 13 October. It’s planned to run the Titan at these events.
Open Sundays are taking place on 7 April, 5 May, 2 June, 25 May, 16 June, 20 July and 1 September, and guided tours are happening on 20 April, 25 May, 16 June and 20 July.
Away from Bridgeton, on 13 April the GVVT is also organising a ‘Vintage Vehicle Pop Up,’ when classic buses will give free rides from the Civic Square, Shawlands, from 1100 to 1500hrs, and the West End Bus Fest, based at the Riverside Museum, is happening on 30 June.
GVVT is publishing a book on Glasgow buses, drawing on the extensive photo archive of the late Iain MacGregor, and which is set to appear later this year.
