The little village at the start was Thornton-le-Dale. Matthewsons car auctions (bangers and cash) were just up the road in the other direction. The chocolate shop is good as well 😂
When I got onto a bus as a boy, I tried to sit behind the driver. I loved watching the driver steer the bus along the route to which the bus was heading.
My family and I had 6 wonderful trips back and forth between North Bay and South Bay in Scarborough last week on this wonderful bus! I wish the owners every success.
You were in Thornton Le Dale Lawrie! ;p I did wave at you when I passed you in my coach, you seem preoccupied! If they need another driver though, I'm always free, I see it all the time in my day job! :)
Happy memories of getting the 'open-topper' from Portsmouth Hard (outside Jerries cafe) to Hayling Ferry, via Southsea seafront. I'm sure mum and I must have travelled on this ex-Portsmouth Corporation Leyland at one time or another.
Looks like you started your drive at Thornton le Dale if you had have turned left the Mathewsons auctions (Bangers and cash) would have been on the right. Nice to hear a proper bus again.
Scarborough is my favourite seaside town of them all, a couple of hours from where I live, fond memories of childhood holidays, I love it. For a vehicle of its age with twice the power of my Fiat Panda it handles the roads around there really well, I wouldn't have expected that at all and I could listen to that engine all day long.
Not great for the end of September in Malta either especially when the biblical rain and thunderstorms arrive. I went on one of those modern hop on hop off city tour buses on the island of Gozo next door to Malta. We boarded one bus after having a walk around one of the little seaside towns as it was going to start raining again. I noticed on the top deck of the open top bus that there were a load of people sitting on it wearing the plastic ponchos. We were only a few minutes into the journey and the heavens opened and as we were sitting on the lower deck we could hear how heavy it was and see water cascading down the staircase. This was then followed by some very soggy people.
Very enjoyable thanks guys. I grew up facing a bus garage and remember looking at what were primarily Leyland's before they stupidity changed the fleet to Bombardier, which were unreliable in every aspect. The Titans were finished here by CIE coach builders.
What a super bus. I think I may have travelled on it or a similar one in Portsmouth as a lad. We used to go on bus trips to places with interesting vehicles. Portsmouth Corporation Titans were definitely on the list. This bus must also have one of the longest real service lives of any bus of this era. Fancy it still being owned by a "proper" bus company into the 2000s!
Ex Portsmouth corporation transport, PD2/12 with Orion body from 1956. Mainstay of the fleet. Travelled on this bus and its sisters many many times before its decapitation. Great to see it looking well.
The first 'Lawrie's video I've seen - really well presented, informative with a great narration style and excellent filming! I'll watch more! (As for lack of bell push's - they were unnecessary as there would have been a clippie to ring for you.)
This bus has been fitted with tubeless radial tyres which will make the steering heavier compared with the old cross ply on 20" rims. Admittedly the OE tyres have limitations!
Happy Memories open top bus ride when on holiday at the seaside ,plus standing on the platform at the back and jumping off the bus before it fully stopped great fun.
Great video Lawrie....very cool old bus! There is nobody here in Nova Scotia that I know of who keeps classic buses going, so there are none left here other than a few imported Routemasters used as Tour Buses in Halifax... I do hope there's going to be a video on that epic Trabant @1:43 in the background! I do love me some basic, small Eastern Bloc stuff! :D
A friend has a 1961 Atlantean open top, ex Devon General, and five other buses, reduced from nine!.Took 35 to Weymouth and Portland from Yeovil, a few weeks back
When I worked at Brighton and Hove we had four convertible vehicles that were used as open top buses in summer, plus a couple of permanently open top ones, one of which was...ahdm...unintentional.
The old UV trams in Budapest that served until 2007 had similar keep-fit windows with identical gearing, except they opened much further, over two thirds of the total height. Opening them was annoying enough but try closing one in a sudden rainstorm! They lacked heaters as well and winters in Hungary could be brutal.
I'm pretty damn sure I've ridden on this bus a good few times as a small child in the early 90s. If it's the one I'm thinking of, it would do scenic bus trips along Southsea seafront, picking up by the Hovercraft port and driving down towards Southsea Castle, South Parade Pier and Canoe Lake. I'm really glad to see it still running and in great condition. I just wish it could go back to it's Southsea summer duties of old.
Fantastic video as always Lawrie. I'm a volunteer for the Aldridge transport museum, we have a small collection of buses and commercial vehicles. Just wondering if you're interested in coming down to have a look at our collection?
Beamish museum has one in its original form with roof firnthe new 50s town and I love riding round on the old gal, allong with the trams and other transport.
Did the Open Top tour of the Isle Of Wight once. (Sandown to Ryde (as we took the Train from Pier Head down ) In November, In The Fog. Couldnt see a darned thing. Pub lunch on the far side of the Island was not too bad (Group hire of 35 people)
Bornemouth (And Devon General) had convertable open top buses. I have photos of 3x3 stacked roofs at the back of Newton Road Torquay Garage. ( Daimler Fleetlines I think )
I have a distant memory that some buses have raised walkway thru the middle (=limited headspace) with the seats dropped down either side to make space for underfloor engine or gearbox….not necessarily about the bus in the video.
Hers another difference. The reason bell pushes were so few as only the conductor used them so he/she were always on their feet and kids couldn't reach them! Another thing - it was 1 ding to stop and 2 to go. Nowadays passengers hit the bell once to stop but the driver hears 2. Confusing? You will be!
What a beautiful old bus. I do prefer older more characterful buses than the modern dull buses. Have you watched Pete And His Bus channel where he restores old and of recent saves Routemaster buses.
Great video as always. Which of your videos has the Shoplands vehicle shown in the intro? Shoplands is local to us, we see them at Dig for Victory at the North Somerset showground so we would love to know!
Doing! If it's that slow in "sports" configuration with no roof, how much slower would it be with the added weight of a roof and a full load of passengers?
This bus was only used for local work in Portsmouth when it was new. It probably didn't get to go over 25mph in those days and with no hills to contend with as Portsmouth city is totally flat. After the roof was removed in 1971 it was only used on summer sea front duties weather permitting.
Has anyone told Laurie that he could have the neat little ticket machine but without the bus? Just that it's physically possible, not necesarily a choice
Ruined it by chopping the roof , but back 53 years ago it was only an old bus not the vintage of today, and a very sexist view about conductors they had female "clippies" way back ,rhec2st female being employed 108 years ago infact
Possibly, but it probably wouldn't have survived if it hadn't been converted and of course, it can be rebuilt with a roof someday if required. But having run open toppers, they are in great demand, so that's probably not going to happen. I do concur with your commens on the "clippies".
These Leyland pd2's replaced the Leyland TD4 dating from 1935 that were being used on the sea front service. I think all 4 of the TD4 open top vehicles still exist. At least 3 of the PD2 open top buses still exist.
No 1 last seen as a wreck. No 2 - not 992, the subject of this video and with those awful replacement rails installed by Stagecoach around the top deck that so spoil its graceful lines.. No 3 long scrapped. No 4 with CPPTD museum in a represntation of the original closed top livery. No 5 reduced to a wreck - may no longer exist. No 6 - in my shed. preserved in the livery it carried until it was withdrawn and still going strong. It has survived a fire and two engine failures in its 43 years of preservation. and is booked into County of Salop rally over August Bank Holiday as a regular entrant since 1980. A wonderful example of British engineering and design that can still hold its own even in today's traffic. Its been as far east asYork, but never quite made Scarborough.
Excellent video Lawrie. Lovely bus. However a couple of minor points. The PD2 wasn't quite "the same as the PD3", as the 3 was brought out in the late 50's, when PSV construction regulations changed to allow buses to be 30 ft in length, as against 27ft that had been the maximum length allowed up until then. Also, as has, I think been pointed out elsewhere in the comments, conductors were not always male. "Clippies ' were very common in the UK, especially during WW1 and 2 and at various other times in-between and since. Cheers.
Rode this a few time last week, great way to get south to north bay
The little village at the start was Thornton-le-Dale. Matthewsons car auctions (bangers and cash) were just up the road in the other direction. The chocolate shop is good as well 😂
Yes i saw it running on the front at Scarbough too and very rewarding to see and hear.
When I got onto a bus as a boy, I tried to sit behind the driver. I loved watching the driver steer the bus along the route to which the bus was heading.
Same here!
Me too!
My family and I had 6 wonderful trips back and forth between North Bay and South Bay in Scarborough last week on this wonderful bus! I wish the owners every success.
The timing of this video is just something else, caught this wonderful machine doing Scarborough seaside runs today.
Great video matey
The village of Thornton le dale just out side Pickering north Yorkshire. Beautiful place visit that village twice a year.
On our buses the Conductor was often 'a lady', even back in the 60s Lawrie!
Mutiny On The Buses film springs to mind. That On The Buses film did cover that period when lady's started to increasingly work on the buses.
@@bentullett6068 hence - the clippie!
Thanks Lawrie, remember seeing these driving about! 🙏🙏
As a Pompey resident I must have ridden that bus many times - pleased to see the wheels are still rolling.
These were my regular transport when I was a lad in Preston. This brings back a few memories. Thank you.
I have fondness of riding a double decker bus down Bulli pass to go to the beach with our church in the summer here in Oz.
You were in Thornton Le Dale Lawrie! ;p I did wave at you when I passed you in my coach, you seem preoccupied! If they need another driver though, I'm always free, I see it all the time in my day job! :)
Happy memories of getting the 'open-topper' from Portsmouth Hard (outside Jerries cafe) to Hayling Ferry, via Southsea seafront. I'm sure mum and I must have travelled on this ex-Portsmouth Corporation Leyland at one time or another.
Looks like you started your drive at Thornton le Dale if you had have turned left the Mathewsons auctions (Bangers and cash) would have been on the right. Nice to hear a proper bus again.
Scarborough is my favourite seaside town of them all, a couple of hours from where I live, fond memories of childhood holidays, I love it. For a vehicle of its age with twice the power of my Fiat Panda it handles the roads around there really well, I wouldn't have expected that at all and I could listen to that engine all day long.
Worked with Nathan, to some extent (he knows). Great lad!
A double decker bus with an open top- yeah a great idea with British weather.
Not great for the end of September in Malta either especially when the biblical rain and thunderstorms arrive. I went on one of those modern hop on hop off city tour buses on the island of Gozo next door to Malta. We boarded one bus after having a walk around one of the little seaside towns as it was going to start raining again. I noticed on the top deck of the open top bus that there were a load of people sitting on it wearing the plastic ponchos. We were only a few minutes into the journey and the heavens opened and as we were sitting on the lower deck we could hear how heavy it was and see water cascading down the staircase. This was then followed by some very soggy people.
Awesome, my dad in into trains and buses and even has collected over the years 2 ticket machines like that! 😊😊
Very enjoyable thanks guys. I grew up facing a bus garage and remember looking at what were primarily Leyland's before they stupidity changed the fleet to Bombardier, which were unreliable in every aspect. The Titans were finished here by CIE coach builders.
What a super bus. I think I may have travelled on it or a similar one in Portsmouth as a lad. We used to go on bus trips to places with interesting vehicles. Portsmouth Corporation Titans were definitely on the list. This bus must also have one of the longest real service lives of any bus of this era. Fancy it still being owned by a "proper" bus company into the 2000s!
Southern Vectis still own a 1939 Bristol K which still does occasional duties in service. It is mainly used on Private hire though.
If you are still in the Portsmouth area a sister vehicle to this bus operates a free sea front service once a month from the D-Day museum car park.
I love the purr of the Leyland bus engine - in London I used to love travelling on RTLs and RTWs.
I live and work in Scarborough and I saw this bus last week, several times during the same day. I was getting the impression it was following me 😅
Ex Portsmouth corporation transport, PD2/12 with Orion body from 1956.
Mainstay of the fleet.
Travelled on this bus and its sisters many many times before its decapitation.
Great to see it looking well.
When did it leave service
The first 'Lawrie's video I've seen - really well presented, informative with a great narration style and excellent filming! I'll watch more!
(As for lack of bell push's - they were unnecessary as there would have been a clippie to ring for you.)
Out of interest how did you discover this video featuring our bus? 😊
Lawrie's content is great. Make sure you subscribe!
@@NSMerryweather4771 As a bit of a classic bus enthusiast - the video was suggested to me by Google.
That’s how I discovered it Nathan
Love that old bus remember it always being parked up at torquay railway station doing tours in the summer
The Regent Three didn’t have power steering either!! That didn’t come in until the Regent Five or Routemaster.
This bus has been fitted with tubeless radial tyres which will make the steering heavier compared with the old cross ply on 20" rims. Admittedly the OE tyres have limitations!
Lovely old Leyland Titan!! They’re interesting buses. My good friend Rodger Wright owns two!!
Happy Memories open top bus ride when on holiday at the seaside ,plus standing on the platform at the back and jumping off the bus before it fully stopped great fun.
Crazy that I just saw this in Scarborough, get home and I am seeing it in my subscription feed!
I'm not to into buses that much but this has made me really interested so thanks for sparking a new interest for me lawrie ❤😁👍
Pacer units closest thing to a bus in the rail world.
@@bentullett6068 yeah I know 👍😁
Great video Lawrie....very cool old bus! There is nobody here in Nova Scotia that I know of who keeps classic buses going, so there are none left here other than a few imported Routemasters used as Tour Buses in Halifax...
I do hope there's going to be a video on that epic Trabant @1:43 in the background! I do love me some basic, small Eastern Bloc stuff! :D
next few weeks... Lawrie... today I hope to buy a bus thanks to your help... "insert donation link"!
I didn't realize I needed an excited guy gushing about weird British buses in my life, but apparently I *super* did
amazing video lawie i saw the bus at scarborough last tuesday i recorded it on my youtube
A friend has a 1961 Atlantean open top, ex Devon General, and five other buses, reduced from nine!.Took 35 to Weymouth and Portland from Yeovil, a few weeks back
The same the type of "No two same bus look the same" reminds me of the Layland Leopards.
"the height of the vehicle is 12 ft" ... with or without the heads of passengers on top deck? :D
And she was in continuous revenue service for over 70 years (and kind of still is), let's see a modern bus manage that!
My thoughts exactly!
When I worked at Brighton and Hove we had four convertible vehicles that were used as open top buses in summer, plus a couple of permanently open top ones, one of which was...ahdm...unintentional.
The old UV trams in Budapest that served until 2007 had similar keep-fit windows with identical gearing, except they opened much further, over two thirds of the total height. Opening them was annoying enough but try closing one in a sudden rainstorm! They lacked heaters as well and winters in Hungary could be brutal.
I'm pretty damn sure I've ridden on this bus a good few times as a small child in the early 90s. If it's the one I'm thinking of, it would do scenic bus trips along Southsea seafront, picking up by the Hovercraft port and driving down towards Southsea Castle, South Parade Pier and Canoe Lake. I'm really glad to see it still running and in great condition. I just wish it could go back to it's Southsea summer duties of old.
Sister vehicle LRV996 operates a Southsea Seafront Service on the 3rd Sunday of the month (May to September) starting from the D Day museum car park.
Fantastic video as always Lawrie. I'm a volunteer for the Aldridge transport museum, we have a small collection of buses and commercial vehicles. Just wondering if you're interested in coming down to have a look at our collection?
Would love to - drop me an email at Lawrie@lmm.media
Beamish museum has one in its original form with roof firnthe new 50s town and I love riding round on the old gal, allong with the trams and other transport.
I bet drivin that bus musta been a real struggle.
Great video! We are a metro cammell Titan owner too! A PD3 though.
It means that you’re running on love and air!!
Did the Open Top tour of the Isle Of Wight once. (Sandown to Ryde (as we took the Train from Pier Head down ) In November, In The Fog. Couldnt see a darned thing. Pub lunch on the far side of the Island was not too bad (Group hire of 35 people)
Bornemouth (And Devon General) had convertable open top buses. I have photos of 3x3 stacked roofs at the back of Newton Road Torquay Garage. ( Daimler Fleetlines I think )
I owned a PD2 in Toronto you don't need 1stt gear only if the bus was loaded.
Unless it's a 5 speed, not using 1st is a great way to shorten clutch life.
Luckily, the Regent 3 or RT had a sliding door for the driver to access his cab!! Much better than the poor old Titan!!
Yet all LT Trolleybuses had hinged drivers doors, as did the RLH low height Regent 3.
This would very much depend on what the buyer specified. Buses in Leeds had sliding doors regardless of bodybuilder
I can't believe you don't like busses. Riding on them maybe... but you seem to love driving them.
I have a distant memory that some buses have raised walkway thru the middle (=limited headspace) with the seats dropped down either side to make space for underfloor engine or gearbox….not necessarily about the bus in the video.
Great intro
Hers another difference. The reason bell pushes were so few as only the conductor used them so he/she were always on their feet and kids couldn't reach them! Another thing - it was 1 ding to stop and 2 to go. Nowadays passengers hit the bell once to stop but the driver hears 2. Confusing? You will be!
Brilliant
Thank you
I saw you workin on this on a call we were one of the first to know
Double decker buses aren’t really designed for racing!! They’re not a Formula One car, you know!! They’re there to carry people!!
In INDIA we also have ASHOK LEYLAND TITAN buses. This the bus I seen in childhood at CALCUTTA.
Still today
I seem to remember some had a half room. Part covered.
You’ve forgotten the ladies!! A lot of them became conductors on buses!! The guys would be more into driving the bus rather than conducting it!!
Everyone Gangster until a Convertible Bus pulls into the bus stop, Lol
You're in Scarborough lawrie
Is there now a Lawrie lookalike appreciation society? lol
A PD2 would quite happily pull away on level ground in 2nd gear
that voiceover crisp
I was the gentleman at the back though usually on a Northern Couties bodied Guy Arab IV or V.
You should visit the Romney hythe and dymchurch
Awsome videos
What a beautiful old bus. I do prefer older more characterful buses than the modern dull buses. Have you watched Pete And His Bus channel where he restores old and of recent saves Routemaster buses.
Why would you need a heater on a Summer season bus? I'm sure that has tried to play chicken with me on the way into Beer 10 years ago...
It is Pickering near the north York Moors railway that were it looks like you started
Close!
Lawrie thinks he's Cliff Richard.
I saw this episode at statfold
On monday
Great video as always. Which of your videos has the Shoplands vehicle shown in the intro? Shoplands is local to us, we see them at Dig for Victory at the North Somerset showground so we would love to know!
Not released yet!
@@lmm ooh we will look forwards to that!
Doing!
If it's that slow in "sports" configuration with no roof, how much slower would it be with the added weight of a roof and a full load of passengers?
This bus was only used for local work in Portsmouth when it was new. It probably didn't get to go over 25mph in those days and with no hills to contend with as Portsmouth city is totally flat.
After the roof was removed in 1971 it was only used on summer sea front duties weather permitting.
I've driven that
Has anyone told Laurie that he could have the neat little ticket machine but without the bus? Just that it's physically possible, not necesarily a choice
I fout that was ALX400😂
U lk what shoreline sun Cruise in Scarborough has the same bus it might be that one what they have bc I been on it
This does operate on Scarborough
This bus is nothing to do with Shoreline and they do not have any open top buses like this one. Theirs are all modern.
Hello @@lmm
Have you got any photos of it in stagecoach colours
There are some of it in stagecoach stripes on Flickr.
Today we build stuff so boring its unbelievable
'Boring'.....and uncomfortable too!
Hi like the vedio u sow me on Monday
The question is what do people see in modern plain and boring things
Ruined it by chopping the roof , but back 53 years ago it was only an old bus not the vintage of today, and a very sexist view about conductors they had female "clippies" way back ,rhec2st female being employed 108 years ago infact
Possibly, but it probably wouldn't have survived if it hadn't been converted and of course, it can be rebuilt with a roof someday if required.
But having run open toppers, they are in great demand, so that's probably not going to happen.
I do concur with your commens on the "clippies".
These Leyland pd2's replaced the Leyland TD4 dating from 1935 that were being used on the sea front service.
I think all 4 of the TD4 open top vehicles still exist. At least 3 of the PD2 open top buses still exist.
No 1 last seen as a wreck. No 2 - not 992, the subject of this video and with those awful replacement rails installed by Stagecoach around the top deck that so spoil its graceful lines.. No 3 long scrapped. No 4 with CPPTD museum in a represntation of the original closed top livery. No 5 reduced to a wreck - may no longer exist. No 6 - in my shed. preserved in the livery it carried until it was withdrawn and still going strong. It has survived a fire and two engine failures in its 43 years of preservation. and is booked into County of Salop rally over August Bank Holiday as a regular entrant since 1980. A wonderful example of British engineering and design that can still hold its own even in today's traffic. Its been as far east asYork, but never quite made Scarborough.
@@frankgradwell4935 No 1 is now owned by CPPTD but is awaiting restoration, there is a lot of work to do.
From the photo I found you aren't exaggerating - poor thing! But at least it still exists - Anyone know if No 5 made it or if it died of shame????
Excellent video Lawrie. Lovely bus.
However a couple of minor points.
The PD2 wasn't quite "the same as the PD3", as the 3 was brought out in the late 50's, when PSV construction regulations changed to allow buses to be 30 ft in length, as against 27ft that had been the maximum length allowed up until then.
Also, as has, I think been pointed out elsewhere in the comments, conductors were not always male.
"Clippies ' were very common in the UK, especially during WW1 and 2 and at various other times in-between and since.
Cheers.