[0-9]
[A]
Another MotorwayAquaplaning
[B]
Berwick StreetBill Grundy Looks at Aylesbury
Blackpool Welcomes The Cup
British Motorcoach Rally at Brighton
Bus Clean in a Jiffy
Bus Destination Blinds
Buses Not For Cuba
Busman's Holiday (Reading trolleybus)
Busman's Holiday (Scotland)
Busmen's New School at Chiswick
Bus Road Test
Bus School
Bus Tilt Tests
By Bus to Budapest
[C]
Children Evacuated From PlymouthCircus News - Bear in a Bus
Cliff Drives a Bus
Cliff Meets Flying Haggis
Clippie Family
Clippies
Clippies
Coach Presented to War Wounded
Commercial Motor Show
Crane Collapses in New York
Cup Tie Fever
[D]
The Dental BusThe Derby
Double Decker Church
Double Decker Green Line Bus
Downtown Syncopators
Duke of Kent Tours Bus Garages
The Duke Visits Oxford
Dutch Children in Edinburgh
[E]
Electric Car[F]
Factory WorkersFA Cup Winners
Fares Please/a>
Farewell Old Year/a>
First Road Sleeper
Flood Town Protests
[G]
A Gag - Don't Deprive Others More Worthy of Bus Seats Glyndebourne[H]
Heat Wave StoryHome Front: Blitz reel 3
Home Front: Blitz reel 6
[I]
Ireland - Tradition on the Move[J]
Jack Tar Welcomes IvanJericho
[K]
[L]
Latest Type of BusLimousine Buses
London Buses in America
London Traffic
London Traffic - Early
[M]
From Maidstone to MadridMass Attack
Man Pulls Bus With Teeth
Midget Car Tested
Mind Your Step
Mobile Art on Sale
Mobile Restaurant
Model Coach
Monocontrol Bus
Motor Novelties
Multi-Deck Garage
[N]
New Gas Driven BusNew Ideas for Road Transport
News in a Nutshell
Newspaper and Transport Strike
No-Clippie Buses Cause Strike
[O]
Old BillOld Bill - King Inspects Bus
Outside Only
Overall Overhaul
[P]
Panzers WelcomedPeaceful Years reel 7
People in Camera
Pram Bus
Pram Relay
Private Coach
[Q]
[R]
Racing Bus DriverRadio Buses
Radio Hat
Rail Strike Chaos
The Road Pullman
Road Sense
Royal Holiday
[S]
School For SkidsSheffield Stops Work
Silver Eagle Coach Visits Britain
The Skidder
Snow Blizzard
Southport (aka New ARP Mobile Station at Southport)
Spain Buys Old Buses
Special Services Firemen
The Spirit of Christmas
Spring Cleaning Buses
Strength - Saxon Brown
Stalingrad to Coventry
Sweden Buys British Buses
[T]
TV Aids Bus Service The Thames in Full FloodTicket Clippie
Traffic and Buses of London
Trams and Tram Museum
Travelling Vicar
Trolleybus Breakup
TV Traffic Control
[U]
[V]
[W]
Waterloo Bridge Old and NewWest Bromwich Bus Strike
Wheeled Progress
Woburn Love-In
World News
Would You Believe It? No. 14
[X]
[Y]
[Z]
[others]
British Pathe News is making its back catalogue available via the Internet.
The newsreel reports ascribed to British Pathe News here can be purchased for download at the British Pathe News
website, alternatively free low-quality versions can be downloaded - these are typically 1.5MB in size. Each film clip has a numeric reference - use it to search in the 'Advanced Search' for
the clip on the British Pathe News website. Subsequently stills are also viewable, which gives a better chance of identifying vehicles - as long as
the copyright notice doesn't obscure the registration plate. The caveat still stands: registrations and fleet numbers listed here may be inaccurate.
Banfield VF6618, a 1929 Chevrolet LQ/Bush and Twiddy
Potteries AEH141C, a 1965 AEC Reliance/Plaxton
Harris's LPU613C, a 1965 AEC Reliance/Harrington Grenadier
Southern Light ADY624B, a 1964 Bedford SB/Duple Bella Vega
Worldwide EMP810B, a 1964 AEC Reliance/Plaxton
Kenzies CVE666C, a 1965 Bedford VAL14/Plaxton
Thorpe of London MMH832C, a 1965 Bedford VAL14/Duple Vega Major
Flights COL787C, a 1965 Ford Thames 676E/Plaxton
Essex County AJD526C, a 1965 AEC Reliance/Plaxton
Southdown BUF84C, a 1965 Leyland Leopard/Harrington Grenadier
Janes of Wembley MMF162C, a 1965 Bedford VAL14/Plaxton
An unregistered Ford Thames 36 with Harrington Legionnaire body
Ementon of Cranfield 908NBM, a 1964 Bedford VAL14/Duple
Cook of Biggleswade 225BMJ, a 1964 Bedford VAL14/Duple
Two unidentified AEC Reliance/Duple Continental
Bowens BOF856C, a 1965 AEC Reliance/Harrington Grenadier.
Scot Fergie comments:
"Vehicles seen at Alexanders are FMS744 (Midland Bluebird, Leyland Leopard?), RSC542 & SVD113 (Baxters, Airdrie - Leyland Leopard PSUC1 Alexander C41F new circa November 1958 - withdrawn by 1963), plus a Western Scottish vehicle (Roy Bowden says from an LCS batch).
Curiously the two featured buses - the Western Scottish vehicle (GCS 205, Guy Arab LUF/Alexander) and RSC 542 don't appear to carry fleetnames, is this because they may have been brand-new (which disagrees with Roy Bowden's theory of late 1950's), or perhaps they weren't allowed to overtly show the fleetnames in a travelogue of this sort in case it was excessive advertising?
At St Andrews Square we see LSC64 (Scottish Omnibuses A4 - Bristol LS6G/Eastern Coachworks built June 1954) and RSC542 (the 'star' - Scottish Omnibuses B465 - AEC Regal IV/Alexander built April 1953)."
Roy Bowden comments:
"I'm not sure exactly when it was filmed but the Dumfries Guy Arab LUF 6HLW/Alexander GCS205 (Western SMT DG 1119) was transferred away from Dumfries in 1959, probably to Greenock,along with the other nine of the same type which were at Dumfries, so the Dumfries and Galloway scenes must have been filmed no later than 1959.
The scenes at Falkirk seemed to feature recent but not necessarily new Alexander bodied single deckers so it might be difficult to estimate a date from this sequence. Having said that, it can't have been earlier than 1958, as there was a Western SMT red and cream MW6G in the background from the LCS batch. (LCS 197-216, fleetnos. 1387-1406 Bristol MW6G/Alexander new 1958). Interestingly it has its fleetnumber on the offside under the driver's side window, so it was either new or only a year or so old, again indicating 1958 or 1959.
I had some inside information regarding the making of this film - it wasn't only the Highland scenes that were subject to some artistic licence. If memory serves me correctly, the Galloway bus driver, 'Ian McKenzie', I don't know if that was his real name or not, was in fact from Edinburgh (presumably New Street). With the likely exception of his conductress, who may also have been from Edinburgh, the other Western Scottish crews seen at Dumfries were authentic.
Now for the real historical gem - farmer Bill Anderson (he of the herd of Belted Galloways) was, I believe, the well known Dumfries and Galloway District Traffic Superintendent Jim Calder. This may indicate that the Highland coach tour passengers may also have been in some way connected with the bus industry in Edinburgh,or failing that, I guess that they may have been actors. Hopefully, somebody will know."
2011.18 Double Decker Church (1966, British Pathe News)
Footage of former Wilts and Dorset 317 (GMW195), a 1950 Bristol KS6B/Eastern Coachworks, in a new life as St Mary's Mobile Church in Andover.
The second report three years later describes how the vicar has to sell the bus bus is being sold because it
cannot accommodate all the children who want to come to Sunday School
ST1089 (KX4656) (an AEC Regent with Short lowbridge body ex Amersham and District)
STL2128 (DLU127) (AEC Regent/Park Royal (this later became SRT126))
STL1256 (BUW576)
TD99 (JXC292) (Leyland Tiger PS1/Mann Egerton)
STL971 (BLH828)
RT889 (JXN267)
STL2148 (DYL800)
Also a further DLU registered STL and a CXX registered T-class AEC Regal
NS181 (XO1097)
NS1611 (XU6152)
ST431 (GK3158)
ST73 (GC3989)
NS1042 (XP8224) (Metropolitan fleetname)
ST378 (GK3035)
T285 (GH8098) (Green Line livery)
Peter Tulloch comments: "The vehicle is:
76 ST9465 Gilford HSG H1501 Cowieson B31R New 12/37 to Highland Transport, Inverness.
However, in an article in the 21st May 1938 edition of Modern Transport there is an article on Highland Transport. In this article the author claims that Highland Transport have a very well equipped body shop which carries out many a substantial rebuild. He goes on to claim that they laid down the body for one vehicle which was mounted on the 'gas bus'. This can only be ST9465. It may well have been that the body was completed by Highland, but on Cowieson frames.
Incidentally, the body was later removed from the Gilford, rebuilt to B35F configuration and fitted to MV1878, an AEC Regal with Highland Transport (54)."
Martin Ingle comments: "ST9465 is one of those vehicles that's terribly famous but never quite got right – it wasn't registered until 1/38 and quite obviously not B31R as the stills clearly show!!! Squinting at the enlarged stills puts it at B32F."
Full titles read: "THE RADIO HAT - They say there's nothing new under the sun - this little French idea to while away the 'bus waits must surely be!"
Merseyside also operated daily from Liverpool to Great Yarmouth via Manchester, Nottingham and Norwich around this time. The return fare from Liverpool to Great Yarmouth was 37 shillings and sixpence (GBP 1.875). The coach departed Liverpool at 0800, arriving at 2145, with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea stops. (Many thanks to Peter Tulloch for this additional information).
London Transport buses identified in this footage are:
RM1813 (813DYE) running a private hire from Dalston garage
RM1571 (571CLT) running to Mortlake garage on route 9
RM1544 (544CLT) running to Mortlake garage on route 9
RML2625 (NML625E) running to Holloway garage on route 14
RM1657 (657DYE) running to Neasden on route 16)
Unidentified Strachan-bodied MB on Red Arrow route 500
RML2571 (JJD571D) running to Aldwych on route 6
RML2517 (JJD517D) running to Upton Park on route 15
RM1260 (260CLT) running to Plumstead on route 53
RM2085 (ALM85B) running to Norwood garage on route 3
RML2507 (JJD507D) running to Upton Park on route 15
RT4458 (OLD678) running to Aldwych on route 77
RT256 (HLW243) running to Putney Heath on route 168
RT4361 (NLP526) running to Leyton Green on route 38
RML2614 (NML614E) running to Putney on route 14
Unidentified XA on route 76
RM1271 (271CLT) on route 11 to Shepherds Bush
RT3722 (NLE829) on route 12 to Dulwich
RML2501 (JJD501D) on route 6 to Willesden garage
Also an unidentified Green Line RF on route 714 to Luton
Details are: KOC 662 & KOC663, chassis nos. 29642 & 29644, both Foden PVFE6/Lincolnshire Trailer HDC43F, Allenways of Birmingham fleet nos. 23 & 24, new June 1950. Neither lasted particularly long, one becoming a van for Kellogg's (of Corn Flakes fame) by 1958; the other had been scrapped by its third or fourth operator by 1962. You can always tell a Foden front engined bus/coach with a two stroke engine from that with a Gardner engine (5LW or 6LW). Just look at the radiator and in particular the starting handle hole; with a Gardner it is dead centre, with a two stroke it is offset to the offside!"
Back to the top of this page - updated 3 February 2009
[A]
1770.06 Another Motorway (1963, British Pathe News)
Transport Minister Ernest Marples arrives to open a section of the M6 on a Ribble Leyland Leopard/Harrington Cavalier coach, followed by at least four Ribble Leyland Titan PD3 doubledeckers.371.06 Aquaplaning (1966, British Pathe News)
A cream/blue Bedford SB/Duple Bella Vega coach 8MOC undergoes aquaplaning testing.[B]
570.03 Berwick Street - Market (c1934, British Pathe News)
Undated general footage of Berwick Street market in London. Green Line AEC Regal T155 (GF535) new in 1930 passes close to the camera; the board on side includes Maidenhead - London - Taplow - Slough - Colnbrook - etc.3292.15 Bill Grundy Looks at Aylesbury (1972)
Footage of Aylesbury bus station shows passengers boarding a United Counties Bristol RELL/Eastern Coachworks; a Bristol Lodekka/Eastern Coachworks is also visible. There's also brief footage of a Red Rover AEC Reliance.78.08 Blackpool Welcomes The Cup (1953, British Pathe News)
Blackpool Football Club have won the FA Cup and parade it around their home town aboard Burlingham Seagull bodied Leyland Tiger Cub EFR950 of Seagull Coaches3114.07 British Motorcoach Rally at Brighton (1965, British Pathe News)
Extended views of the coaches lined up along Brighton's promenade, also the coaches being put through a manoeuvrability course and reversing and stopping. The Mayor of Brighton presents trophies to the winners. There are also interior shots of some of the modern coaches. Identifiable coaches seen in this report include:Banfield VF6618, a 1929 Chevrolet LQ/Bush and Twiddy
Potteries AEH141C, a 1965 AEC Reliance/Plaxton
Harris's LPU613C, a 1965 AEC Reliance/Harrington Grenadier
Southern Light ADY624B, a 1964 Bedford SB/Duple Bella Vega
Worldwide EMP810B, a 1964 AEC Reliance/Plaxton
Kenzies CVE666C, a 1965 Bedford VAL14/Plaxton
Thorpe of London MMH832C, a 1965 Bedford VAL14/Duple Vega Major
Flights COL787C, a 1965 Ford Thames 676E/Plaxton
Essex County AJD526C, a 1965 AEC Reliance/Plaxton
Southdown BUF84C, a 1965 Leyland Leopard/Harrington Grenadier
Janes of Wembley MMF162C, a 1965 Bedford VAL14/Plaxton
An unregistered Ford Thames 36 with Harrington Legionnaire body
Ementon of Cranfield 908NBM, a 1964 Bedford VAL14/Duple
Cook of Biggleswade 225BMJ, a 1964 Bedford VAL14/Duple
Two unidentified AEC Reliance/Duple Continental
Bowens BOF856C, a 1965 AEC Reliance/Harrington Grenadier.
1385.19 Bus Destination Blinds (1952, British Pathe News)
Manufacture of destination blinds in Elstree, Herts. A blind is seen being fitted to London Transport AEC Regent III RT3584 (MLL894) at a West London garage.1703.02 Bus Clean in a Jiffy (1959, British Pathe News)
At London Transport's Harrow Weald bus garage, AEC Regent III RT3853 (LLU652) is taken through a drive-through bus washer.1779.08 Buses Not For Cuba (British Pathe News)
A ship loaded with buses for Cuba is seen on its side off the Essex coast. The buses can be seen still fastened to its deck. One of them, a two-door single decker, is seen being winched away from the stricken ship by an East German salvage vessel.429.03 Busman's Holiday (1968, British Pathe News)
Reading Sunbeam F4A/Burlingham trolleybus 182 (VRD182) is seen pulling out of the garage and in operation - what may be a Thames Valley Bristol LS or MW passes. Part way through the view changes to a one third scale model of the same vehicle driving round in the modelmaker's garden - large enough to carry four adults or six children.2795.03 Busman's Holiday (1960, British Pathe News)
An absolute gem, this is a film extolling the virtues of touring Scotland by coach. It opens with footage of vehicles being built at the Falkirk works of Walter Alexander, and several vehicles outside the works, then shows a farmer in Galloway, Scotland going on holiday. Amidst the travelogue and the picturesque scenery you can see a variety of Scottish buses and coaches.Scot Fergie comments:
"Vehicles seen at Alexanders are FMS744 (Midland Bluebird, Leyland Leopard?), RSC542 & SVD113 (Baxters, Airdrie - Leyland Leopard PSUC1 Alexander C41F new circa November 1958 - withdrawn by 1963), plus a Western Scottish vehicle (Roy Bowden says from an LCS batch).
Curiously the two featured buses - the Western Scottish vehicle (GCS 205, Guy Arab LUF/Alexander) and RSC 542 don't appear to carry fleetnames, is this because they may have been brand-new (which disagrees with Roy Bowden's theory of late 1950's), or perhaps they weren't allowed to overtly show the fleetnames in a travelogue of this sort in case it was excessive advertising?
At St Andrews Square we see LSC64 (Scottish Omnibuses A4 - Bristol LS6G/Eastern Coachworks built June 1954) and RSC542 (the 'star' - Scottish Omnibuses B465 - AEC Regal IV/Alexander built April 1953)."
Roy Bowden comments:
"I'm not sure exactly when it was filmed but the Dumfries Guy Arab LUF 6HLW/Alexander GCS205 (Western SMT DG 1119) was transferred away from Dumfries in 1959, probably to Greenock,along with the other nine of the same type which were at Dumfries, so the Dumfries and Galloway scenes must have been filmed no later than 1959.
The scenes at Falkirk seemed to feature recent but not necessarily new Alexander bodied single deckers so it might be difficult to estimate a date from this sequence. Having said that, it can't have been earlier than 1958, as there was a Western SMT red and cream MW6G in the background from the LCS batch. (LCS 197-216, fleetnos. 1387-1406 Bristol MW6G/Alexander new 1958). Interestingly it has its fleetnumber on the offside under the driver's side window, so it was either new or only a year or so old, again indicating 1958 or 1959.
I had some inside information regarding the making of this film - it wasn't only the Highland scenes that were subject to some artistic licence. If memory serves me correctly, the Galloway bus driver, 'Ian McKenzie', I don't know if that was his real name or not, was in fact from Edinburgh (presumably New Street). With the likely exception of his conductress, who may also have been from Edinburgh, the other Western Scottish crews seen at Dumfries were authentic.
Now for the real historical gem - farmer Bill Anderson (he of the herd of Belted Galloways) was, I believe, the well known Dumfries and Galloway District Traffic Superintendent Jim Calder. This may indicate that the Highland coach tour passengers may also have been in some way connected with the bus industry in Edinburgh,or failing that, I guess that they may have been actors. Hopefully, somebody will know."
937.27 Busmen's New School at Chiswick (1937, British Pathe News)
Footage of the school being opened by Minister of Transport Leslie Bergin includes a demonstration of the Chiswick skid pan by STL2387 (EGO432)57.24 Bus Road Test (1955, British Pathe News)
At London Transport's works at Aldenham, buses are subjected to various safety tests before being allowed onto the streets. RTL286 (KGU244) is seen undergoing tilt testing. The rig is operated by foreman Charlie Taylor who's been working on bus maintenance since 1927. At Chiswick Works, a roofbox AEC RT is tested on the skid pan; a number of other buses are seen in the background.1023.02 Bus School (1939, British Pathe News)
Women conductors are trained as conductors by Manchester Corporation. One of them then sees her passengers aboard Manchester's Crossley Mancunian/MCCW 519 (AXJ986) - only the rear platform of the bus is seen.57.24 Bus Tilt Tests (1949, British Pathe News)
Footage of new London Transport all-Leyland Titan PD2/3 RTW5 (KGK505) undergoing tilt testing at London Transport's works at Aldenham. A T class AEC Regal is parked in the background; a roofbox RT or RTL arrives alongside at the end of the sequence (ID would be clear in the full film!).544.09 By Bus to Budapest (1926, British Pathe News)
A covered top London bus is lifted onto a ship for a Continental tour to show that British buses are best.[C]
1665.01 Children Evacuated From Plymouth (1941, British Pathe News)
Seen at the opening of the newsreel are two Plymouth Corporation prewar Leyland Titans carrying children evacuated in the Second World War. One has registration DR7401, the other DR9648. The fleetnumber 59 is also seen.136.28 Circus News - Bear in a Bus (1954, British Pathe News)
A man gets on a bus, only to find himself sitting next to a large circus bear; not surprisingly he gets off again, although the other passengers seem unconcerned. The clip is described as being shot in Sheffield, but the bus is a lowbridge Thames Valley Bristol K/Eastern coachworks.1703.22 Cliff Drives a Bus (1962, British Pathe News)
Features Cliff Richard in training for his role in the feature film 'Summer Holiday'. Two AEC RTs feature, RT128 (FXT303), new in 1940, and RT3036 (NLE926).1774.25 Cliff Meets Flying Haggis (1963, British Pathe News)
A double decker WG9194, alias 'The Flying Haggis', comes south from Dundee to Blackpool to meet rising pop star Cliff Richard. WG9195/8 were both 1940 Leyland Titan TD7/Leyland, numbered R281/4 in the Alexander (Midland) fleet - can anyone confirm this is similar?. There is also footage of Blackpool's illuminated trams.1207.09 Clippie Family (1944, British Pathe News)
The Leonards - mother Margaret and two daughters Vera and Dorothy are London Transport conductors. They are seen arriving for work and departing on three different G-class Guy Arab II/Park Royal. Only the second vehicle's licence plate is clearly seen; it is G94 (GLL593). Several other Guys are seen parked at the garage, which Colin Moon confirms is Alperton; "Parts have not changed and are clearly recognisable. The large entrance behind the departing buses is now the centre door facing Bridgewater Road inside of which is now located the bus wash. The building with the white stone band where the clippies are seen emerging was, and is still, the Output Building and Canteen. The building not visible in the clip, that was immediately adjacent to the garage, was a generating station for power to the Piccadilly Line. When it became obsolete this building was merged with the original site to enlarge the bus garage."1302.03 Clippies AKA Women Bus Conductors (1941, British Pathe News)
Eleanor Leary trains to be a bus conductor in London (there is a close up of her badge N10007). There is interior upstairs and downstairs footage of an unidentified wartime London bus in service.3314.19 Closed Circuit Television Installed on Buses in Walsall (1969, British Pathe News)
Footage of Walsall Corporation 56 (XDH56G)on route 118, a rare Daimler Fleetline CRC6/36 with dual door (front and rear) Northern Counties body showing the use of onboard CCTV cameras.2224.22 Coach Presented to War Wounded (1948, British Pathe News)
A Bedford OB/SMT coach FUS606 is presented to Erskine Hospital, near Glasgow. (Body identified by Martin Ingle)1561.06 Commercial Motor Show (1958, British Pathe News)
Apart from general footage overlooking the exhibition hall at Earls Court, London, a left hand drive AEC Regent V destined for Tehran is shown.3176.15 Crane Collapses in New York (1967, British Pathe News)
Footage shot in New York's 42nd Street, 13 April 1967, when a 250ft crane collapsed and crushed NYC Transit GM New Look 8387. This was a 1966-built GM TDH-5303A with the Manhattan & Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority781.12 Cup Tie Fever (1934, British Pathe News)
Manchester City football team return home with the FA Cup, borne in two open half-cab coaches of Finglands.[D]
1682.01 The Derby (undated, British Pathe News)
Brief glimpse of a Portsmouth open top Leyland Titan, probably 8, a 1935 Leyland TD4/English Electric.1624.08 The Dental 'Bus (1934, British Pathe News)
A normal control singledecker used by a dentist to treat queues of children - rear and interior views, but not seen from front. Near impossible to identify.
2011.18 Double Decker Church (1966, British Pathe News)
and 2091.23 Vicar Sells Mobile Church (1969, British Pathe News)
Footage of former Wilts and Dorset 317 (GMW195), a 1950 Bristol KS6B/Eastern Coachworks, in a new life as St Mary's Mobile Church in Andover.
The second report three years later describes how the vicar has to sell the bus bus is being sold because it
cannot accommodate all the children who want to come to Sunday School
2258.18 Double Decker Green Line Bus (1949, British Pathe News)
Footage of London Transport RTC1 (FXT272), a new double deck Green Line coach. This had started life as a prewar AEC Regent RT97, but after damage in the Second World War was rebuilt as an experimental Pay as You Enter bus in 1946, then rebuilt again in 1949 as RTC1161.11 Downtown Syncopators (1962, British Pathe News)
The Original Downtown Syncopators being a band who tour in a converted Bedford OB/Duple HBP873.1629.02 Duke of Kent Tours Bus Garages (undated, British Pathe News)
Undated wartime footage of the Duke of Kent visiting Hanwell trolleybus garage and Victoria bus garage, London. He talks to guards, mechanics, watches buses being washed and repaired. He chats to drivers and conductors. Vehicles seen include YG5730 (unidentified singledecker seen only from behind, next to a bus), trolleybuses DLY56x (blinded for route 607), DLY569 on a turntable, DLY679 over an inspection pit, DLY588, also STL2398 (EGO452), STL1942 (DLU159)2258.18 The Duke Visits Oxford (1958, British Pathe News)
City of Oxford Motor Services AEC Regent V 964 (964CWL) arrives in the High, Oxford at the opening of this clip.2098.15 Dutch Children in Edinburgh (1946, British Pathe News)
A party of Dutch children holdaying in Edinburgh are seen travelling on an Alexander Leyland Tiger.[E]
2198.13 Electric Car (1947, British Pathe News)
An electric car seen being driven in Hastings, Sussex passes one trolleybus and is overtaken by another. The second is Hastings Tramways 29 (BDY804) a 1947 Sunbeam W/Weymann.[F]
1693.03 Factory Workers (1942, British Pathe News)
Manchester Corporation Crossley Mancunian/MCCW 675 (ENA364) picks up factory workers in an undisclosed location with 7X to Altrincham on the rear destination while another Mancunian pulls away from in front.881.10 FA Cup Winners (1936, British Pathe News)
Arsenal football team return to Islington Town Hall with the FA Cup on Leyland coach FG or FC8853 of Fallowfield and Knight. Trams are seen in the background.998.17 Fares Please (undated, British Pathe News)
London bus conductors are seen in training; AEC NS NS1643 (XU6182) is seen from behind - the mechanics of a bus are explained and changing a tyre is demonstrated then an AEC B-type (LF9417) Colin Read identifies this as B1722, which although a B was not a bus, but a lorry or special vehicle. is seen on a skid pan. Lastly two different LGOC Bs are seen on the road, one of them with licence plate xx8011. In the absence of a full registration, Colin notes this could be B1231 (LF8011), B2430 (LH8011) and B5015 (LU8011)1746.05 Farewell Old Year (1962, British Pathe News)
London Transport Green Line bus stuck in snow is seen to be AEC Regal IV/MCW RF78 (LYF429) operating from Godstone garage.740.06 First Road Sleeper (1928, British Pathe News)
The Albatross Sleeping Car is seen arriving in London. The 21 August 1928 edition of 'Commercial Motor' magazine has a full report and photographs of this vehicle, registration YX4700. Operated by Albatross Roadways, the inaugural overnight run left Commutation Row, Liverpool, at 2305 on Wednesday evening, arriving in Woburn Place, London, at 0920, nearly an hour behind schedule due to 'a slight error of route'. The trip cost 12 passengers 25 shillings (GBP 1.25) each, compared to 57 shillings (GBP 2.35) on a railway sleeper service. Commercial Motor noted, "Mr R H Cox was the driver of the coach except for an interval of about an hour, when he was relieved by Mr Chirgwin. Driver Cox looked - and said he felt - quite fit after being nearly all night at the wheel." Many thanks to Peter Tulloch for the additional research. Martin Ingle identifies the vehicle as an ADC 423.1561.07 Flood Town Protests (1958, British Pathe News)
The town in question is Wickford in Essex. An Eastern National Bristol Lodekka LD/Eastern Coachworks is seen negotiating floodwater.[G]
2915.02 A Gag - Don't Deprive Others More Worthy of Bus Seats (1944, British Pathe News)
A short film encouraging you to walk short distances rather than take the bus (it's wartime) features London Transport 'Scooter' single deck AEC Renown LT1061 (GO5167) on route 213 to Kingston.153.21 Glyndebourne (1961, British Pathe News)
Concertgoers are seen arriving at Lewes Railway Station in Sussex, and travelling to Glyndebourne on centre-entrance Southdown coach 1458 (LCD858), a Leyland Tiger TS8 rebuilt as 856 by Beadle in 1952 from what was originally Southdown's 1436 (FCD 36).[H]
2499.07 Heat Wave Story (1949, British Pathe News)
Shot around the Serpentine and in Oxford Street in London. One scene has a barefoot bus driver wiping his brow at the wheel of London Transport STL878.2977.04 Home Front: Blitz reel 3 (1940, British Pathe News)
Footage of bomb-damaged London Transport Bluebird AEC Renown LT1231 (GW5893) which had been on a service to Becontree Heath. Another vehicle is parked behind - this may be LT200.2977.07 Home Front: Blitz reel 6 (1940, British Pathe News)
Footage from all angles of a smashed London Transport AEC Renown LT on service 88 nose down in a deep bomb crater - I believe this to be LT669 (GT5056) in Balham, 17 October 40 - two images exist of this in the Hulton Archive.[I]
341.03 Ireland - Tradition on the Move (1965, British Pathe News)
Travelogue showing the Republic of Ireland as a holiday destination includes footage of a bus station (in Dublin) and two ladies on a coach tour. A Leyland Leopard/CIE in brown/cream passes the camera and a line of similar red with white roof Leopards/CIE. Seen in close up and pulling away is CIE C11 (EZH11), another Leyland Leopard/CIE.[J]
547.27 Jack Tar Welcomes Ivan (1955, British Pathe News)
Southdown 1022 (OUF122), a Leyland Tiger Cub PSUC1/2/Beadle, brings Russian cadets from Portsmouth to Dartmouth Naval College. At one point in the clip three such coaches are seen in the background.1278.16 Jericho (1939, British Pathe News)
A brief clip as Bury Corporation 52 (EN6052) a Leyland Titanic TT3/English Electric passes the camera. Part of this was used in the clip 1031.03 "'Nasty Newsreel' with Lord Haw-Haw" dated 23 December 1939.[L]
3380.03 Latest Type of Bus (1973?, British Pathe News)
This unissued footage has excellent coverage of London Transport DMS1380 (MLH380L), a 1973 Daimler Fleetline/MCW, on route C2 operating from Croydon garage.698.16 Limousine Buses (1927, British Pathe News)
Footage reporting on a London General LS, the first of '200 six-wheeled pneumatic tyred, 62-seat luxury buses'. This vehicle has registration YT8954; it is seen in the streets of London, and passing contemporary AEC NS2039 (YE4304) on service 29C. The LS class were the ADC 802 'London Six' buses, the first London buses with three axles. In the event, very few were actually built. LS1 and LS2 were originally built with enclosed staircases, but the whole class of 12 were converted to open staircase early in their life. This footage, dated 11 September 1927 by BPN, shows an open staircase.21.17 London Buses in America (1952, British Pathe News)
Three London buses go on a goodwill tour of the USA and Canada, RT2775 (LYR826), RT2776 (LYR827) and RTL1307 (LYR935). One of these, RT2775, is seen being unloaded from the SS Parthia in New York.2312.20 London Traffic (undated, British Pathe News)
Footage of Staines, Middlesex; undated but would be about 1949 or early 1950. Assorted ST, STL,RT, TD class buses of London Transport are seen. Identified vehicles:ST1089 (KX4656) (an AEC Regent with Short lowbridge body ex Amersham and District)
STL2128 (DLU127) (AEC Regent/Park Royal (this later became SRT126))
STL1256 (BUW576)
TD99 (JXC292) (Leyland Tiger PS1/Mann Egerton)
STL971 (BLH828)
RT889 (JXN267)
STL2148 (DYL800)
Also a further DLU registered STL and a CXX registered T-class AEC Regal
568.15 and 568.07 London Traffic - Early (undated, British Pathe News)
General footage of London traffic from early to mid 1930s, possibly 1932. A blackboard on which is chalked 'Fires of Fate' is seen in one shot - this is the title of a movie made in 1932 by British International Pictures, and it's suggested the footage was shot for inclusion. Three STs pass a policeman on point duty and a large number of LTs, STs and NSs are seen. Identified vehicles:NS181 (XO1097)
NS1611 (XU6152)
ST431 (GK3158)
ST73 (GC3989)
NS1042 (XP8224) (Metropolitan fleetname)
ST378 (GK3035)
T285 (GH8098) (Green Line livery)
[M]
292.02 From Maidstone to Madrid (1922, British Pathe News)
A convoy of Tilling-Stevens single deckers seen heading for export to Spain - they have centre rear entrances in the style of Paris Renault buses. There is also footage of the buses in use in Madrid.931.40 Mass Attack (1937, British Pathe News)
A large crowd of children go fishing in St Ives, Cambridgeshire. Seven doubledeckers are lined up while children scramble on board. A convoy of three Eastern Counties Leyland Titans approach the camera, then the children disembark. One vehicle is AH208, the registration plate DX8426 is also seen.2270.06 Man Pulls Bus With Teeth (undated, British Pathe News)
Strongman Wilfred Britton demonstrates his strength by pulling an AEC Regent double decker along with his teeth. The undated film is Australian, possibly shot in Sydney?969.59 Midget Car Tested (1938, British Pathe News)
In Lee, South East London, a tiny car is demonstrated. Footage shows it being driven under a bridge at Lee Railway Station and overtaking an AEC Regent STL (registration AXM67x) on service 94; another ST is following behind. What appears to be a third follows the car from under the bridge893.24 Mind Your Step (1936, British Pathe News)
A police van gives instructions to London pedestrians. No bus is indentifiable individually, but open staircase STs, later STLs and an NS are seen in heavy traffic, also what appears to be a Leyland Tiger, owner unknown.3122.12 Mobile Art on Sale - Croydon (1965, British Pathe News)
Full-fronted former Birch Brothers Guy Arab III/Willowbrook K211 (LXV211) used as a mobile art gallery.1249.14 Mobile Restaurant (1948, British Pathe News)
Footage of a London Transport Bedford articulated mobile canteen.1261.10 Model Coach (1948, British Pathe News)
Fourteen years on from the model bus seen in clip 1630.24, the same builder, also named as Ernest Johnstone, demonstrates a model coach on Brighton seafront. It's a scale model Southdown Leyland Tiger powered by a two stroke engine, and has its own licence plate HUF16. Dick Gilbert observes "I've seen a couple of the Johnstone 'Midgets', both Southdown Royal Tiger replicas, and they are amazing. I see the PSV Circle records show 19(!) surviving examples of his work. The one shown in the film is not amongst them, but an identical Tiger PS replica (the only surviving Tiger) wearing number DUF 3 is owned by a Mr A Johnstone of Brighton - the old boy's son perhaps?"561.09 Monocontrol Bus AKA Revolutionary Bus (1956, British Pathe News)
Leeds Corporation receives the first of a new fleet of AEC Regent Vs whose controls are so simple that a one-legged man can drive them. Chris Hough notes this was "LCT'S biggest single batch of buses which were lightweight buses with 60 seat Roe bodywork bought for tramway replacement duties. The one legged man featured in the clip was Alderman John Rafferty the then Chair of the Transport Committee on the Council. The item was filmed at Torre Road depot in Leeds".894.19 Motor Novelties (1929, British Pathe News)
Brand new Crosville 367 (FM5749), an all-Leyland TD1, is shown demonstrating the upper deck emergency exit. Mike Grant notes this bus was exhibited at the 1929 Commercial Vehicle Show.131.05 Multi-Deck Garage (1961, British Pathe News)
Footage of a multistorey car park in Bristol, the first of its kind in Britain, includes a passing Bristol Omnibus Bristol LS/Eastern Coachworks. During the report several Bristol Omnibus doubledeckers pass in the background.[N]
943.45 New Gas Driven Bus AKA Perth (1937, British Pathe News)
Highland Omnibuses single decker pictured in Perth running on trade plates: 025STPeter Tulloch comments: "The vehicle is:
76 ST9465 Gilford HSG H1501 Cowieson B31R New 12/37 to Highland Transport, Inverness.
However, in an article in the 21st May 1938 edition of Modern Transport there is an article on Highland Transport. In this article the author claims that Highland Transport have a very well equipped body shop which carries out many a substantial rebuild. He goes on to claim that they laid down the body for one vehicle which was mounted on the 'gas bus'. This can only be ST9465. It may well have been that the body was completed by Highland, but on Cowieson frames.
Incidentally, the body was later removed from the Gilford, rebuilt to B35F configuration and fitted to MV1878, an AEC Regal with Highland Transport (54)."
Martin Ingle comments: "ST9465 is one of those vehicles that's terribly famous but never quite got right – it wasn't registered until 1/38 and quite obviously not B31R as the stills clearly show!!! Squinting at the enlarged stills puts it at B32F."
1488.35 New Ideas For Road Transport (1950, British Pathe News)
Coverage of the 15th Commercial Motor Show at Earl's Court, London includes exterior and interior views of a left hand drive Leyland Olympic with fleet no 1287 - destination?823.22 News in a Nutshell (1935, British Pathe News)
One of the items concerns a little boy, Tommy Johnstone, driving a model bus his father built for him. He is seen leaving Brighton in the company of Southdown 1076 (UF9776), a 1932 Leyland Tiger TS4/Harrington. He arrives in London escorted by Southdown 1002 (UF5742), a 1930 Leyland Tiger TS2 newly rebodied by Harrington. On arrival he is greeted by a large crowd and the comedian George Robey.2631.15 Newspaper and Transport Strikes in Philadelphia and New York (1963, British Pathe News)
Footage of idle Philadelphia tram cars and several buses.545.23 No-Clippie Buses Cause Strike (1955, British Pathe News)
The City of Sheffield deals with transport staff shortages by hiring in independent coaches operating a pay as you enter service. A fare box is positioned inside the (front) entrance into which passengers are asked to place their fares. No tickets are issued. Conventional bus crews are unhappy and launching strikes. Footage of Leyland Titans (including RWJ715) and trams in Sheffield. A Bedford SB/Duple bus NWB685 of Andrews Coaches is seen operating a pay as you enter service on hire with number 98 on a card in the front window.[O]
115.15 Old Bill (British Pathe News)
View of horse-drawn trams by the sea front on the Isle of Man. An 1896 Manx electric tram is seen being repainted at the British Transport Commission in Clapham. Archive footage shows 'Old Bill', a preserved London General B-type doubledecker bus that served as a troop carrier in France during World War One. A modern day RTL class Leyland Titan PD2 is followed by Old Bill, which is then seen stopping next to an AEC K-type.206.13 Old Bill - King Inspects Bus (1920, British Pathe News)
King George V inspects one of the first London General B-type buses to be sent to France in World War One as a troop carrier - now back in its old job.266.19 Outside Only (1922, British Pathe News)
The fitting of a folding canvas canopy to an LGOC B type. Seen from the side, the original footage would yield a fleet number.1100.08 An Overall Overhaul (1934, British Pathe News)
This clip describes overhaul procedure for London's buses. Seen being stripped down is London General AEC Renown LT992 (GW5842), then LT572 (GP3521) is seen being tilt tested. The final scene shows a fascinating lineup of London General buses including STLs and LTs; the only clear registration is for STL278 (AUC524).[P]
943.45 Panzers Welcomed (1961, British Pathe News)
German tank troops arrive in Pembroke, West Wales for training aboard a Bedford SB/Duple Super Vega.2935.06 Peaceful Years reel 7 (1919-38, British Pathe News)
A brief shot of the rear platform (and conductor) of what appears to be Leicester Corporation 315 (BRY377), a 1937 AEC Regent/Northern Counties.1189.03 People in Camera (1947, British Pathe News)
Bridport, Dorset: a strongman is seen pulling coach VN7272 (a smallish vehicle about the size of a Dennis Ace) with his hair!1548.16 Pram Bus (1942, British Pathe News)
In Melbourne, Australia, a Melbourne Metropolitan Tramways Board normal control bus is designated as a 'Pram Bus' and shown in action as the conductor carries prams and buggies on and off - definitely not a low floor design!165.07 Pram Relay (1962, British Pathe News)
Hatfield College of Technology wins the Inter University Pram Race, assisted by Reg's Tours Bedford SB/Dupe Vega NNT377.1317.30 Private Coach (1953, British Pathe News)
OKJ210, Bedford SB/Duple of Watson, Strood - a luxury coach with hostess service, radio message service and toilet providing free travel to London, seen leaving Aylesbury. It's the idea of car dealer Raymond Way to bring potential customers to his car showroom in Kilburn! (Thanks Martin Ingle)[R]
255.10 Racing Bus Driver (1963, British Pathe News)
Story of a bus driver who races cars in his spare time is introduced with cab and exterior footage of Midland Red 5235 (5235HA), a Leyland Leopard PSU3/Weymann, leaving the depot on a school contract.1303.07 Radio Buses (1950, British Pathe News)
A group of people is seen waiting at a bus stop. A London Country scout van used by Chief Inspector Scott passes and radios Dorking garage, which despatches London Country T651 (EYK286) on a relief service 425 to pick the passengers up. Dorking garage plate DS and running number 2 are seen.1028.06 Radio Hat (1931, British Pathe News)
Filmed in France: the man with the radio-equipped hat fails to board a (Paris?) open backed motorbus no. 196 so he waits by the side of the road.Full titles read: "THE RADIO HAT - They say there's nothing new under the sun - this little French idea to while away the 'bus waits must surely be!"
529.07 Rail Strike Chaos (undated, British Pathe News)
An Eastern National Bristol LS/ECW is seen leaving Victoria Coach Station, while people are seen boarding a halfcab coach of the same company. London Transport RT2633 (LYF358) is seen leaving a bus stop; BEA deck and a half airport bus AEC Regal IV RF/ Park Royal NLP647 is seen arriving at an airport.824.32 The Road Pullman (1930, British Pathe News)
Depicts the inauguration of the London-Liverpool motorcoach service by Miss Ellen Wilkinson MP. The Merseyside Touring Company coach KD9403 carries 'Merseyside' in the front destination indicator alongside its destination: Liverpool. The coach, a Massey-bodied Tilling-Stevens B10A, was one of a number of vehicles to join Ribble Motor Services when that concern took over Merseyside Touring Company later in 1930. (Many thanks to Dave Farrier for help with the identification)Merseyside also operated daily from Liverpool to Great Yarmouth via Manchester, Nottingham and Norwich around this time. The return fare from Liverpool to Great Yarmouth was 37 shillings and sixpence (GBP 1.875). The coach departed Liverpool at 0800, arriving at 2145, with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea stops. (Many thanks to Peter Tulloch for this additional information).
2915.35 Road Sense (1945)
An educational film about children and road safety features London Transport all-Leyland Titan TD4 STD72 (DLU382) on 113 to Edgware.1688.24 Royal Holiday (1960, British Pathe News)
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh are seen in the Orkneys, driving away in a Morris minibus (registration would be visible in the original footage).[S]
1231.07 School For Skids (1947, British Pathe News)
Footage of London Transport buses in traffic round Trafalgar square then cuts to the London Transport skid school: AEC Regent STL853 (BXD592) is being used as the training bus. An open staircase bus in the background.825.09 Sheffield Stops Work (1935, British Pathe News)
Sheffield Wednesday football team returns home with the FA Cup, carried in two open buses - one is Leyland WJ6504.3044.14 Silver Eagle Coach Visits Britain (1962, British Pathe News)
A Continental Trailways Eagle motorcoach (license plate 05.6P.4) on tour in Britain. In one sequence it is pulled over on the M1 by the police for speeding....890.24 The Skidder (1929, British Pathe News)
Opens with footage of what looks like an LGOC B-type on a skidpan2093.21 Snow Blizzard (1969, British Pathe News)
The location is unclear; cars and vans skid over icy roads. A Bedford SB/Plaxton Embassy coach with steam rising from the radiator sits by the side of the road. A Green line AEC Regal IV RF196 (MLL583) moves slowly along. A man digs grit from a roadside container and throws it under the wheels of the bus so it can get a grip.1003.14 Southport (aka New ARP Mobile Station at Southport) (undated, British Pathe News)
A converted double deck bus is demonstrated as a mobile wartime Air Raid Precaution station in Southport. Martin Ingle confirms it as CP7575 ex Hebble, a Leyland Titan TD1 - (also thanks Pete Weatherby)1714.05 Spain Buys Old Buses (1961, British Pathe News)
Footage of London Transport trolleybuses being loaded on a ship at Dagenham bound for La Coruna. The FW (Fulwell) depot plate is seen on the side of one. London Transport 1773 (HYM773), a 1948 BUT 9641T/Metro-Cammell is seen being loaded.101.28 Special Services Firemen (1960, British Pathe News)
Special services firemen in Watford, Hertfordshire demonstrate their latest equipment, freeing a man trapped against a wall by London Transport AEC Regent IIIRT RT2914 (MLL661). Although the bus shows service 11 to Liverpool Street, the exercise is clearly off the public road.1444.21 The Spirit of Christmas (1948, British Pathe News)
In the Berkshire village of Letcombe Bassett, City of Oxford J178 (BFC34), a 1935 AEC Regal II/Park Royal draws up and a woman gets out. The bus is then seen driving away.1357.02 Spring Cleaning Buses (1948, British Pathe News)
An Eastern National lowbridge Bristol K/Eastern Coachworks enters Chelmsford, Essex garage to be washed and cleaned, using a mechanical washer suspended from the roof. This is 3959 (MPU20), a 1947 Bristol K6B, the original footage would confirm it. Several single deckers are also seen.902.10 Strength - Saxon Brown (1930, British Pathe News)
Strongman Saxon Brown is seen performing several feats, including pulling brand new London General AEC Regent ST236 (GJ7965) along using his teeth. Another ST is seen in the background.1483.30 Stalingrad to Coventry (1951, British Pathe News)
A delegation from Stalingrad visits Coventry. Coventry Corporation buses are seen in the background - there is also archive footage of a Coventry Corporation bus wrecked in bombing in November 1940.828.37 | Sweden buys British Buses (1930, British Pathe News)
Latest type of London bus is seen leaving for service in Stockholm, Sweden. Martin Ingle notes: "This was LGOC ST174 which was exhibited in Stockholm in May 1930 before entering service in London"[T]
3330.14 Television Aids Bus Service (1970)
Footage showing how Leicester Corporation uses CCTV to monitor its city bus services. Seen is Leicester 113 (PBC113G), a Leyland Atlantean/Park Royal on route 39.826.08 The Thames in Full Flood (1929, British Pathe News)
Two Tilling-Stevens Express single deckers (one is MO6846, the other is MO68xx) and a doubledecker possibly a Leyland Titan of Thames Valley Road Car are seen negotiating serious flooding in Maidenhead, Berkshire.1373.22 Ticket Clippie (1950, British Pathe News)
Bus conductors' ticket punch machines are checked by London Transport officials.3033.04 Traffic and Buses of London (1970, British Pathe News)
A must see for London Transport buffs. 23 minutes of raw footage shot from a moving vehicle in Central London. Countless AEC Routemasters are seen, also large numbers of RTs with and without roofboxes. At one point a camera apparently on the roof of a building picks out a solitary XA-class Leyland Atlantean as it picks its way through the streets.London Transport buses identified in this footage are:
RM1813 (813DYE) running a private hire from Dalston garage
RM1571 (571CLT) running to Mortlake garage on route 9
RM1544 (544CLT) running to Mortlake garage on route 9
RML2625 (NML625E) running to Holloway garage on route 14
RM1657 (657DYE) running to Neasden on route 16)
Unidentified Strachan-bodied MB on Red Arrow route 500
RML2571 (JJD571D) running to Aldwych on route 6
RML2517 (JJD517D) running to Upton Park on route 15
RM1260 (260CLT) running to Plumstead on route 53
RM2085 (ALM85B) running to Norwood garage on route 3
RML2507 (JJD507D) running to Upton Park on route 15
RT4458 (OLD678) running to Aldwych on route 77
RT256 (HLW243) running to Putney Heath on route 168
RT4361 (NLP526) running to Leyton Green on route 38
RML2614 (NML614E) running to Putney on route 14
Unidentified XA on route 76
RM1271 (271CLT) on route 11 to Shepherds Bush
RT3722 (NLE829) on route 12 to Dulwich
RML2501 (JJD501D) on route 6 to Willesden garage
Also an unidentified Green Line RF on route 714 to Luton
267.03 Trams and Tram Museum (1964, British Pathe News)
Report on bus conductor Victor Whitbread whose hobby is making model trams and running them on a track in his garden. Also shown are full size trams at the museum at Crich. There is footage of volunteers repairing track and working on restoration. The following trams are seen: Leicester 76, Southampton 45 (with East Street St Marys wound up), Glasgow 22 and 1282 and Sheffield horse tram 15.105.19 Travelling Vicar (1960, British Pathe News)
Footage of Bedford OB/Duple BPR399 in use as transport for Corfe Mullen Church.93.01 Trolleybus Breakup (1959, British Pathe News)
Footage of a Colindale breakers yard where London Transport trolleybuses are being scrapped. The only London Transport trolleybus seen clearly is 453 (DGY453)109.08 TV Traffic Control (1960, British Pathe News)
Reporting a new traffic control system in Durham: a dark blue/white (?) doubledecker passes through traffic lights, then as the lights change a dark blue/cream Bedford SB/Duple Super Vega passes through towards the camera. A different view in a narrow street shows two United Automobile singledeckers moving away from the camera - the first may be a Bristol LS/Eastern Coachworks, the second may be a Bristol L/Eastern Coachworks. A third United saloon is a rear entrance Bristol L/Eastern Coachworks.[W]
416.32 Waterloo Bridge Old and New (1925, British Pathe News)
The two bridges are seen being used together for traffic, one in each direction. A London NS passes on service 33, another passes a horse and cart on the bridge itself.509.17 West Bromwich Bus Strike (1955, British Pathe News)
Many West Bromwich buses are seen parked out of use, the most clearly being 179 (KEA179), a West Bromwich Daimler CVG6/Metro-Cammell. Also seen are West Bromwich 62, 108, JOJ160.1078.16 Wheeled Progress (1931, British Pathe News)
Opens with a London trolleybus passing the camera. There follows footage of steam trams and horse trams in Leeds, then brief footage from Newcastle and buses in traffic in London. The Leeds footage appears to be from the early 1900s.423.10 Woburn Love-In (1967, British Pathe News)
Footage of this crazy event at Woburn Abbey opens with a multicoloured Austin K van; also seen is a maroon/cream doubledecker with 'Newcastle Ladies Wrestling Team' on the side; this vehicle retains a 'Lufthansa' side advert. Outtakes from this clip have some coach park scenes, including BPR 70B, a Bedford VAL14/Plaxton of Hoare, Weymouth. (Thanks Martin Ingle)1472.05 World News (1950, British Pathe News)
Part of this report concerns the launch of two Foden 'Lincolnshire Luxury Pullman' coaches. Sir Edward Boyle is seen throwing a glass of champagne over the radiator of one of these coaches and uncovering a plate showing the name 'City of Birmingham'. The interior footage shows these vehicles have two floors but only one gangway! The coaches are also seen out on the road. Peter Tulloch explains: "In June 1950 Allenways of Birmingham licensed two Foden PVFE6 (two stroke engine) coaches with Lincs Trailer 'half decker' bodies, which confused the traffic commissioners to begin with. Were they single deckers - and therefore subject to single deck rules and regulations - or double deckers and therefore subject to a different set of rules? They eventually decided - typical British compromise - to call them 'half deckers', though I am not sure with which set of rules they had to comply!Details are: KOC 662 & KOC663, chassis nos. 29642 & 29644, both Foden PVFE6/Lincolnshire Trailer HDC43F, Allenways of Birmingham fleet nos. 23 & 24, new June 1950. Neither lasted particularly long, one becoming a van for Kellogg's (of Corn Flakes fame) by 1958; the other had been scrapped by its third or fourth operator by 1962. You can always tell a Foden front engined bus/coach with a two stroke engine from that with a Gardner engine (5LW or 6LW). Just look at the radiator and in particular the starting handle hole; with a Gardner it is dead centre, with a two stroke it is offset to the offside!"
1630.24 Would You Believe It? No. 14 (1934, British Pathe News)
A little boy, Ernest Johnstone, has a (pedal-powered) double decker bus made for him by his father, which he 'drives' along the street in Brighton accompanied by Thomas Tilling AEC Regent ST983 (GK6259).Back to the top of this page - updated 3 February 2009