Two for Today: STKs

Kind of before and after restoration, although I don't believe that 133 STK133T has actually been restored? I seem to recall it being sold on but I am sure someone can update us.

STK133T seen in 2017

STK131T July 2016 – a superb looking machine which shows that ere of Plymouth City Transport at its best. I always liked this batch of buses, somehow the East Lancs bodied Atlanteans never seemed quite as good. I always did prefer single doored buses anyway.

Atlanteans at Milehouse…

©Jos Van Hemert July 1987

Amazing to think that this great photo was taken over 32 years ago!

Back in the day when Milehouse was where you could see Atlanteans living in their natural habitat.

Of course if you want to see Atlanteans back at Milehouse then pop along on Sunday… There is bound to be a few there!

Social Media Highlights

⚠️ Reminder, this starts tonight: Diversions in place between the hours of 19:00 and 07:00 on Charles Street towards North Hill. The following services are affected: 8/9, 20/20A, 27B/28A, 35/35A, 40/41, 42/42A/42B/42C, 44/44A, 61/62 and 81. https://t.co/ylE3BPO5RV pic.twitter.com/QVZgH1JuFe

— Plymouth Citybus (@plymouthbus) August 19, 2019

Service 24 and 25. It's Fowey Festival all week. Therefore, the last bus able to serve Safe Harbour will be the 15:45 service 24. All subsequent buses will use the stop on Hanson drive. This alteration will be for each night this week. Enjoy the festivities

— Cornwall by Kernow (@by_Kernow) August 19, 2019

Read the ‘100 Years of Buses in Devon’ review Sea Dogs to Falcon-the #Devon General story in the current issue of @BusesMagazine - out now!
Get this special Centenary #DG100 book from @StagecoachSW Travelshops at #Exeter & #Paignton, or email exeter@stagecoachbus.com pic.twitter.com/irtGNYBbm9

— Pat Avery (@SeaFunnelBooks) August 18, 2019

The Twilight Tour

This weekend members of the Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group (PCTPG) enjoyed an evening out on a late 1970s former Plymouth double decker Leyland bus on a tour of some of the citys former tramway routes by twilight.
The event held on Sunday evening with nearly 50 members of the group in attendance visited some of the key points in the city that were associated with its tramway past. The 1978 Leyland Atlantean in full Plymouth City Transport livery retraced 4 former tram routes as much as is possible over 60 years since the last trams in the city ran in September 1945.
A lot of the city layout has changed in the intervining years especially with the heavy bombing Plymouth suffered but it is still possible to retrace some of the original routes at least in part.
The tour took members from Cattedown across the city to Devonport to Peverell, Compton and the Barbican as well as across the city centre with a stop for some final pictures in Bretonside before it closes followed by a fish and chip pit stop at the Mayflower steps.
Very little of our tramway past remains standing or visible but a few former pieces can be seen as we passed through some of the city streets most obviously the green tramway pole from 1898 on North Hill.
More similar trips will be planned for future events in 2016 and anyone wishing to join us or find out more information should visit www.plymouthcitytransport.co.uk

 

 

 

Thanks to Jason for the excellent photos

PCTPG Expands its remit

A notice just recently released by the PCTPG. (I cant seem to reproduce the full news letter on the blog)

Dear Member,

75 years ago, 1st October 1942, to be precise, the Plymouth Joint Services agreement was commenced  and this formed a firm, working relationship, between the Western National Omnibus Company and Plymouth City Transport.

This year, 2015, we find our group needing to review its objectives and identity in recognition of the increasing vehicle fleet and interests of our growing membership which is not solely that of the former council undertaking.

Thus formally, on 1st October 2015, we became the Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group. This changes nothing for you, our membership, our interest in vehicles of PCT and PCB has not lessened.

However we now properly cater for the non PCT PCB vehicles in our fleet and look forward to increasing our appeal and welcoming enthusiasts as we grow and cater for their needs.

 

This seems as good a time as any to feature an excellent shot for Plymouth City Transport 103 taken by Andrew Wickham current MD of Go South Coast, formerly of this parish.

103 14 September 1984.

and then this one from the same time of Western National over at Torpoint.

As much as I am fond of the old Atlanteans, they could never compete with the old Bristol VRTs, especially the old flat screen ones like these.

Torpoint 9 September 1984

 

Thank to Andrew for the evocative shots!

Unwanted?

Thanks to David Devoy for his photo of ODV203W:

One ex Padarnbus vehicle yet to attract a buyer is ODV203W. This Leyland Atlantean AN68B/1R / East Lancs OH43/28D was new to Plymouth City Transport as their 159 in February 1981, and is currently in the stock of Drew Wilson (dealers)

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Lots to catch up on as I restart after a short break...

• NORWICH BUSES: First Training Bus sighted in Norwich For sitting opposite First's Rouen Road office was the recently returned 60807 S568RNA, which now carries the special training livery.
• IAN VISITS: London Bus themed bar to open next month Next month the Design Junction returns to London, and as in previous years, will include a London Transport themed bar.
• DENNIS BASFORD: 'Scene’ on the West Coast of Scotland part 1 I recently had a short break staying at the Alexandra Hotel in Oban where most of these images were taken. The tour company was ‘Highland Heritage’ (HH) with whom I have no connection other than as a satisfied customer
• BRITISH BUS BUGLE: Western Greyhound woes and sabotage claims Some unsettling reports from Cornwall. BBC News is rather muted, but the Cornish Guardian pulls no punches in hinting at behind-the-scenes trouble at one of the country's biggest and most respected independent bus operators.
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT EXPERIENCE: A Tram.I.Am; but not Well Known [2] The Tramway was offered to the Council, who declined to take it over. The trams and the track were by now worn out and re-equipment was essential if it was to continue. The Directors gave notice of intent to close it on 29th September 1927, and that the 10.30p.m. from each end would be the last to run.
• ALL OVER LONDON BLOG: The New Additions At Bow Stagecoach's Bow (BW) garage in East London has seen not one, but two changes recently. The count will be three by the end of summer and Bow (BW) will become almost a fully-hybrid garage bar the route 277, between East India (Leamouth, Billingsgate Market) and Highbury & Islington Station
• FOCUS TRANSPORT: PROPOSALS FOR A FURTHER LONDON ORBITAL RAILWAY London mayor Boris Johnson revealed the scheme in his London Infrastructure 2050 plan and predicted the capital would see a population shift to the east with Barking possibly becoming the next Piccadilly Circus within 100 years time.
• NORWICH BUSES: Sanders Joe Wilson kindly informed me this afternoon that Sanders Services of Holt have taken on three more VDL SB120 Wright Cadet buses.
• BENJIS BUSES: 14-64 Plate Buses Weekly 14 / 64 Plate Photo's : W/E 23rd Aug 14
• TRANSPORT ILLUSTRATED: Edinburgh One of the hazards of keeping tight records of your photo collection is that you can ask yourself the question "Surely it's only been five or six years since I was in Edinburgh" and be able to answer "No, it's been fifteen". Time really does fly so my visit on the last day of my tour was very overdue.
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT EXPERIENCE: All Change Grimey : All Say Blimey [1] fbb does wonder why this company is entering the risky bus market, especially in view of the sudden (but not unexpected) demise of Redline. Waterson's web site does not mention any bus services. It is hard to see how an extra two journeys to Grimethorpe ill attract new and additional business,
• FOCUS TRANSPORT: Rail Companies Shortlisted for Northern & TransPennine Express Three companies have been shortlisted to run the Northern franchise, while 3 companies are being considered for the TransPennine Express franchise. All of these companies have successfully passed the pre-qualification stage, and will now be asked to develop their plans for the franchises before they receive the government’s invitation to tender in Decembe
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT EXPERIENCE: All Change Grimey : All Say Blimey [2] You have to feel sorry for the distressed folk of Grimethorpe. Their bus service used to be frequent and simple to remember. Now it has become complicated and well-nigh impossible to remember.
• IAN VISITS: Weekly round-up of London’s railway transport news First Great Western says it is working on building better trust with its customers after a survey found it was among the worst performing train companies for customer satisfaction. BBC News
• FOCUS TRANSPORT: Whitby locomotives mark opening of second platform Managing director Philip Benham, said: "We are delighted that we are now in a position to increase the number of NYMR trains serving Whitby to cater for the growing popularity of visitors to travel to and from the resort by heritage steam trains.
• FOCUS TRANSPORT: 15m Scania Irizar i6 for megabus The UK's first 15-metre overall length Scania Irizar i6 coach is set to enter service later this month when it embarks upon long-term trials on a megabus.com route.
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT EXPERIENCE: fbb's Steyning Day; NOT Stenning, Ray. [1] Note that local city crusties get a better deal than "furriners", being allowed free travel from 0900 to 0400; BUT the nice kind council does offer mitigation by allowing free travel ford the rest of us TWO MINUTES EARLY from Steyning.
• HUMBER TRANSPORT: After 15 years, changes for the 160/162 Look at the EYMS website for the pdf for the current 160/162 timetable and the timetable available is dated 15th August 1999. The two services run on Wednesdays and Saturdays linking various small villages into Goole and Howden.
• IAN VISITS: Crossrail Tunnels uncovered at Paddington Over the past couple of years, Costain Skanska Joint Venture has excavated down to the new Crossrail tunnels which run some 16 metres below ground. Using the under-digging method, they built the roof of the station at street level first, then excavated out the soil underneath, slowly working their way down to the tunnels beneath them.
• FOCUS TRANSPORT: Lincoln Martin Arrand has sent us the pictures below, taken in Lincoln.
• FOCUS TRANSPORT: Northampton Bus Station - STILL NOT SORTED Our new bus station continues to prove the inadequacies of the design, location and layout. Indeed, much of the time it only works because of the goodwill of drivers. It is particularly annoying when buses are unable to access stands and therefore passengers are held captive on the buses until the stand becomes free – frustrating when you sit and watch your next bus leave the bus station without you because you couldn’t alight from your arriving service.
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An Eventful Life After Plymouth

Former Plymouth Citybus 125 STK125T made the news yesterday when it had a bit of a bump in Portsmouth...

At least the damage looks minimal (to the bus at least) so I am sure it will live to fight another day

A little reminder of her Plymouth days advertising the sort of equipment which might have come in handy yesterday!

©Jos Van Hemeert 16 July 1991

Just another day running a bus company

28 April: Srv 2 From Oreston to Town 08:20 will not be running - The next one is due at 08:41 - Sorry for the delays (VS)

27 April: Good morning, The Plymouth Half Marathon is taking place this morning. This is liable to cause delays to service 2 and 48. Service 2 will not connect to service 3 during the morning minimising the disruption to services operating in Plymstock only. Service 2/3 will reconnect from approx 12:30 offering cross city travel. (KC)

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Another North Norfolk Adventure That low bridge would concern me though as any standing passenger would strike it.

Psssst! It's Catch the Bus Week So, what is Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire's contribution? A fares promotion perhaps? or a major marketing campaign? Well, the answer is - nothing very much at all!

Transdev 36 to Sutton Upon Derwent Could be the 36 be further enhanced by using these 30 minutes to serve additional villages, such as Newton upon Derwent ot Melbourne, delivering significant enhancements to these villages bus services?

JPT TO STAGECOACH Stagecoach would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new customers in North Manchester and other areas served by JP Travel services. There will be some changes to the buses, passenger information and ticket range, as we work behind the scenes to make JP Travel part of the Stagecoach Manchester operation. Sheffield FreeBee Axed A free bus service around Sheffield city centre has been axed. The FreeBee bus, which made frequent stops around the centre, has been scrapped because of financial cutbacks

Council check: Cheshire West and Chester Council Last week we looked at East Cheshire. This week, it's the other half's turn. Here's how Cheshire West and Chester Council perform in their promotion of local bus services.

A Heart-warming Tale - Liiterally "I knew something was wrong because the gentleman's lips had turned blue," said Shane. "I tried shouting in his ear, but there was no response, so then checked for a pulse, but couldn't find one. fbb Forgot to Send a Card The route opened on 22 April 2012 with services provided by First Hampshire & Dorset using specially branded "Eclipse" buses on all routes utilising the busway.

Route 75 returns to Selkent Route 75 is once again operated from Catford Garage by Selkent and the running numbers are once again TL 31+ which were the same running numbers many years until the route was lost in 2009. It is operated with Euro 6 Enviro 400H Hybrid double deckers and is the First non Central London route to gain a full allocation of Hybrid vehicles

Life after Plymouth ATK161W

Received this photo from my friend Pete Jarman recently:
Found this ex Plymouth Atlantean in a field at Wymeswold, Leics last week and wondered if you know much about its history? Open Top Bus website has it with Robers Tours, Hugglescote, Leics but I did see reference to it being attempted at preservation (couldn’t get links to work) Peter J

I am sure our friends at the PCTPG will know more about the status of this one?

Pete Jarman

Church and Atlanteans

After yesterdays ‘extra’ posting featuring a left hand drive Atlantean and a Church for this evenings Church tour using  a PCTPG bus here are a couple of proper Atlanteans next to probably the most famous Church building in Plymouth at Charles Cross:

Both photos ©Jos Van Hemert 21 July 1984
The church was an important centre of spiritual life for the city for 300 years; boasted a number of important ministers; and was the mother of many existing churches. During the nights of 21 and 22 March 1941, the church was entirely burned out by incendiary bombs. Although now a monument, the tradition of ministry at 'Charles' is not lost and is carried on by the Parish of Charles with St Matthias, one of its daughter churches, a quarter of a mile away to the north. It is an important landmark for the city of Plymouth.


[cc] Martin Allen 2008 – One of the best shots I have seen of this lovely building.

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Brand New Atlantean

Kenneth Aveyard has supplied some great photos over the last few years but this one has to be one of the best. Plymouth City Transport 115 OCO115S only a couple of months old, is seen on loan to Leicester City. I believe it was so that Plymouth could try out one of Leicesters Dennis Dominators rather than Leicester being keen to trial an Atlantean.

©Kenneth Aveyard 3 April 1978

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Saved

Had a very interesting comment left on an earlier post which I feel deserves a bit more attention:

Hello from Australia,
Just to let PCTPG  conservation group that we have purchased ex PCT 230 JJY 630G from the previous owner in Australia and also intend on restoring to as close to original as possible.
We drove her under her own power from Melbourne in Victoria to Berry NSW (about 200k,s south Sydney NSW) about 800k,s!! The old girl would probably never have done so many k,s in one outing?
If anybody has any more photos or info on our beautiful old bus please would very much appreciate same.

We would really love to know what livery she would have been in around the early seventies or when she was first used. I believe built in 5/1969 and possibly used by Plymouth transport from 1970? Chassis no. is 804020 plate no.JJY 630G.
Really appreciate any info available, or photos

Sadly they have not left an email address or contact but I am sure they will see any comments that people leave on this site!

©Jos Van Hemert 1983
JJY630G from 1981 Jos Van Hemert in the awful crimson lake livery

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The Last Few..

Part two of the round up of former Plymouth City Transport buses still holding on…

JJY/G batch survivors 222/228/9/30/34 all in Australia- non preserved

©Peter Kane former JJY634G

 

MCO/H batch known survivors 254/256/260 in Canada -260 is accident damaged obviously mystery of 253 never solved.-non preserved Creative Commons licensed flickr photo shared by Ian Kirby
Exeter Road, Bournemouth 25th May 1987
NDR/J batch only known survivor no.9 -not yet preserved
© Jos van Hemert, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Milehouse July 1983

Thanks as ever to Jason Beverley at the PCTPG for the updates

 

 

 

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• The last few (Part 1) Plymothian Transit

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Atlantean Update

Jason Beverley has uncovered more information in his quest to track down any remaining Plymouth Atlanteans:

Sadly I can now confirm that the following Atlanteans have definitely been scrapped some time ago in fact but the info has just come to light.

• OCO 117S was also with them but its unclear what happened to this bus after 1997.
• OCO 118S was scrapped by Harris, Grays Essex in April 1997 after purchase from Southampton in 1993.
• OCO 120S we still don't know anything after 2007.
• STK 122T was scrapped by Harris, Grays Essex in March 1996
• STK 123T was scrapped by Harris, Grays Essex in March 1996

A picture of 120 as AN120 in happier times in 1996 showing the more professional single door conversion work carried out by London AND Country.

Here she is in Plymouth in even happier times…

Creative Commons licensed flickr photo shared by Ian Kirby

On a happier note 230 JJY 630G the Atlantean that has appeared on eBay several times has been purchased by www.theboozebus.com.au with the intention of restoring it for use as a Party bus this information came from Australia in last 48 hours and the bus has been moved in the yard under its own steam so some good news this was one of the few that got Citybus livery. Another unidentified Atlantean ex Plymouth jjy/g has also been photographed in Australia converted to a mobile home reported to be 229 but totally unconfirmed.

Related Links

• Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group

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alive and well

Former Plymouth Atlantean 130 STK130T reportedly scrapped 5-6 years ago has in fact turned up alive and well. Just as 129 STK 129T IS FACING THE CUTTERS TOURCH FUNNY HOW THINGS WORK OUT.

Anyone interested in her on going preservation must act reasonably quickly and get in touch with Ralph Delbridge via the Plymouthcitytransport preservation group. We look forward to hearing from any interested parties.

©Jos Van Hemert 18 July 1987 - less than 100 yards from my house.

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168 Special Tour

If you are out and about on Sunday morning you might just see Citybus Atlantean TTT168X. Owner Michael Headlights Hudson is taking her out to get some photographs and generally have a play with. She has had some major work done to get her back on the road…

“Nigel the o/v shop foreman has worked like a Trojan to get 168 back on the road. When we had a look at her on Tuesday, the seals inside 3rd and 4th gears had split again so it was decided to bypass the valves and connect direct and it seems to have done the job”

Michael, along with the rest of the PCTPG would like to thank Citybus Engineering for all the support they give the group to keep / get their fleet on the road. They do a brilliant job!

168 should be out and about from about 10AM so could appear just about anywhere in Plymouth after that.

I cant join them this time but we should get some photos later in the week.

Photo © Paul Burch.

For more info on the PCTPG: Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group

Life after Plymouth–Liverline

Thanks to Kenneth Aveyard for sending me these nice archive shots of former Citybus Atlanteans with Liverline.
Liverline 34 ex Plymouth Bootle 12/12/92
North Western 708 ex Liverline, Hyndburn, Plymouth, Bootle 08/04/95
Liverline 35 ex Plymouth Liverpool 16/02/91
All © Wimborne Railway Society archive.

 

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The Southampton Connection

It was one of those nice coincidences that happen from time to time. I was reading through my daily blog reading list at lunchtime and saw that four more Darts are heading towards Hampshire from the Devon & Cornwall fleet. I am sure in due time we will find out which ones but I was then thinking about the times that Southampton buses have been working in Plymouth and was going to put together a post on the small fleet of Atlanteans that Western National purchased a few of which appeared in Plymouth. Then as I was going through my evening reading duties I saw this excellent shot from AECRegent which mentioned an earlier photo of the same bus:
©AecRegent(Les Eddy)
PCTAtlanteanHunter added an excellent commentary to the photo:
I can shed some light on this Southampton Atlantean it was almost brand new when it came to Plymouth it stayed for over a month on mainly engineering and mechanical trials as a comparison for things like fuel consumption and breaks, gearboxes, transmissions etc it was acting as a Leyland demonstrator in effect though was owned by SCT its number 272 didn't clash with any Citybus numbers at the time so that number was retained for its stay. It was often used on Plympton and Whitleigh/Southway services. It did however leave a lasting mark in Plymouth after its stay new bonnet catches were retro fitted to all roe and east lancs atlanteans some still in evidence on the buses in the PCT preservation group now. Other demonstrators used at the time were WYPTE/Leyland Demonstrator UWW 11X, Volvo Ailsa Marshall YAU 128Y from Derby, Volvo Citybus demonstrator A308 RSU and Northern General mk2 metrobus UTN508Y i believe could have been 510y ? which is now in preservation. On the back of these we got 172-4 TTT 172-4X and 175/6 B175/6VDV -for an added update 176 has been withdrawn with a ceased engine and will not run again.

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Down Under

D ©Peter Kane
2180AC PRV LEYLAND ATLANTEAN LOCAL CHARTER & PARTY BUS seen arriving at the melbourne cup 2nd nov 2010
Thanks to Peter Kane for allowing me to use this great shot of former Plymouth City Transport JJY634G still going strong and looking pretty good apart from some roof damage.
There is an excellent collection of photos of this same bus with Dee Decker Tours taken back in 2008 which show the interior looking exactly as it was in Plymouth service complete with Plymouth Citybus posters!

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proudly showing off

While working over the weekend on a longer term project I came across this drawing of Plymouth City Transport JJY221G from September 1968.
Variety from Park Royal
THE PARK ROYAL-ROE SALES DIVISION, which handles the products of Park Royal Vehicles Ltd. and Charles H. Roe Ltd., has plumped for an all-double-decker display at the Commercial Motor Show which opens at Earls Court, London, on September 20
The Plymouth vehicle will have a Setright ticket machine and coin dispenser for the driver, a coin-operated Setright machine for passengers, and a periscope. A.A.
There is a lot more on the Park Royal Vehicles web site which is worth a read through. To get to this article click through 'Publicity' and then Variety from Park Royal.
©Jos Van Hemert : PCB Leyland Atlantean PDR 221 - Ply., Garage PCB - 07-1984

Sunday Best on Flickr: LTK91R

© AECRegent: On repaint from the tram style livery, 91 was treated to this all over advert for Rockafellas

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Holiday Bus ODV203W

Renown posted this excellent shot on his Flickr account a while back but I thought I would save it for a Holiday so here it is... ©Renown
"I've mentioned before my admiration of this machine and the people who keep it operational... their cause not always aided by the punishment meted out to it by odd members of staff. There can be few thirty odd year old buses in the UK who's daily cycle sees them worked as hard as ex Plymouth East Lancs bodied Leyland Atlantean ODV 203W thrashing up and over the Llanberis Pass from both sides hourly. Again as I've said before, absolutely excellent value at a quid each way... try it out! ;-)"
For more excellent photos Renown on Flickr

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Omnibuses: Geeky things to do with bus data