NOT SO NEW:
London Transport trolley-bus.
Obviously, I didn't deliver this. However, the reason it's here is because between the two world wars, my paternal grandfather - who, having served in the Royal Navy as a Wireman before and during WW1, became an electrician with London Transport. For those not familiar with the concept, trolley-buses are powered by electrity supplied by overhead wires - but, unlike tramcars, they do not run on rails
Driver instruction bus.
This MCW ex- London Transport bus which had been converted for driving instruction was being delivered to a company in Perth, Scotland.
Driving instructor's seat.
The instructor's seat has been placed just behind the driver's seat. The only additional control the instructor has is a hand-brake.
Guy bus from the fifties.
This is a 1950's Guy double-decker which I saw at a bus garage in Portsmouth and is very similar to the bus in which I took my PSV test in 1961.
...........Guy cab interior.
In 1961, there was no adjustable steering-wheel, no air-brakes, no power-steering, no automatic gearbox, no air-conditioning, no cab heater, no de-mister, no heated windscreen, no heated mirrors etc. There was just a steering-wheel, a horn, a gear lever, a hand- brake, a foot-brake, a clutch, an accelerator, a direction indicator and a windscreen wiper.
.........another Guy.
Vintage BUs.
A vintage omnibus outside the manufacturer's HQ in Guildford.
.......rear view.
.............Rear view.
Nearly old.
An old London Transport (LT) bus being prepared for renovation and a re-paint before going into service in the provinces (see below).
First Bus.
Although this photo was actually taken at Glasgow at about the time that the new colour scheme was being introduced, it does illustrate the difference between the London (red) and provincial (Barbie) colour schemes of the First Bus organisation.
Bristol VRs.
Another example of older buses being being moved out of London. These two Bristol VRs were being taken up to Scotland where they will be used as school buses. The one I was driving broke down. However, a reconditioned part was found and the journey was completed during the following day.
Vintage...
A London Transport Routemaster near the Millbrook vehicle testing centre in Bedfordshire.
Breakdown chaos.......
This old LT bus (en route to Rotherham for renovation) broke down at traffic lights on the North Circular road in London. Evidently, the ensuing queue of traffic was five miles long.
Mr. Plod wasn't a happy bunny.
Recovery........
Breakdown recovery crew arrives...........