Collection: Aycliffe and District Bus Preservation Society

Collection-level records:

• Collection overview (Cornucopia)

  Transport

  Comprises 5 buses including:

  GHN 189, the oldest remaining United double-decker with chassis assembled in 1942 from parts produced before Bristol switched to war work, fitted with a utility body built by Northern Counties. In 1954, the current 1949 ECW Lowbridge body was fitted. Registered as GHN 189 on the 10th August 1942, Fleet No. BDO29 changed to BGL 29 on Ist May 1951. The bus was sold to Silcox of Pembroke dock, South Wales in March 1959, withdrawn in November 1969 and bought by the Reverend Phillip Battersby in I 970 for preservation; later passing to this Society in I 981. In the mid 1980s considerable restoration work was undertaken to keep the vehicle roadworthy; it has recently had new rear springs fitted and oil seals renewed on the back axle. Further substantial bodywork and engine refurbishment will be needed for the next I 0 years of active life. GHN 189 starred in YTV’s Heartbeat dramas along with its L type single deck stablemate LHN86O. SPEC: Chassis built by Bristol Tramways & Carriage Co Ltd. – K5G type, Engine Gardner 5LW 5-cylinder diesel. 7.0 litre, developing 94 bhp (70.1 kW) @ 1700 rpm, bolted directly to the chassis with Water cooling system unpressurised with no fan-assistance. Gearbox and transmission 4 speed crash (without synchromesh but with a clutch brake) and reverse to an underslung worm rear axle. Speed 38 mph (61.2 kph) Fuel Consumption 12 mpg (4.3 km/litre) urban, 20 mpg (7.1 km/litre) distance work. Weight 7tons 6cwts 2 quarters (7.325 tonnes). Dimensions width 7′ 6″ (2.13 m) length 26′ (7.92 m) height 13′ 5″ (4.09 m) Seating 53; upper saloon 27; lower saloon 26. Electrical System 12 volts Brakes Vacuum-assisted triple servo. Current body composite steel and wood framed lowbridge construction, by Eastern Coach Works of Lowestoft, built 1949 for a Leyland Titan TD2 and fitted to this bus in 1954.

  LHN 860, chassis was built in I 949 by the Bristol Tramways & Carriage Co. Ltd. and was supplied to United with a standard Eastern Coach Works single-deck bus body. Converted in 1960 to one-person-operation when the driver and rear passenger doors were sealed up, and a new power door fitted at the front; the cab side screen was angled to allow a ticket machine to be fitted; and the bulkhead behind the driver’s seat was cut away. The bus was sold by United in 1966 to J.T Bell (now Bellway Homes) for workmen’s transport and purchased by the Society in 1983, restored between 1989 and 1996. It is the only surviving example of those modified. Starred in the Yorkshire TV series Heartbeat and Catherine Cookson’s TV drama Round Tower. SPEC: Chassis Bristol L5G, Engine Gardner 5LW 5-cylinder 7.0 litre 94bhp (70.1 kW) @ 1700 rpm. Transmission Manual clutch with clutch-brake, 5 forward speed (non-synchromesh) and reverse gearbox, Top speed 52mph (83.7 km/h) Body Eastern Coachworks 35-seat single-deck bus Dimenions length 27′ 6″ (8.38 m) width 7′ 6″ (2.29 m) height 9′ 10″ (3.00 m) Weight 6 tons 9cwts 2 quarters (6.48 tonnes) United fleet number BG413 AHN 451B, ex Darlington Corporation, 1964 Daimler CCG5 double decker, restored 1983, No 7 was one of 12 purchased. Fleet replaced in 1980 by single deckers. Purchased by Society in 1981.

  NDL 769G was registered in 1969 by Southern Vectis, it was last in service with United in 1984. Purchased by the Society because of its association with the Newtonian Service between 1981 and 1984, it was the precursor of the Roadranger services. The vehicle returned to its original United livery by the Society when acquired in 1984 and changed to the “Newtonian” style in 1998 as part of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the new town of Newton Aycliffe. Unusual because of its body design by Marshall of Cambridge who are well known for specialist vehicles and aircraft conversions. The type was noted for its heavy steering, manual gear change and a’bouncy’ suspension. Regular drivers of LH vehicles compliment the condition of the vehicle. Fleet numbers Southern Vectis 833, United Automobile Services 1452 , Chassis Bristol LHS6L, Engine Leyland 401, 6.54-litre 6-cylinder horizontally mounted diesel developing 120 bhp and returning 12/14 mpg, Transmission 5 speed manual synchromesh gearbox, Body Marshall (Cambridge) 35-seat single-deck bus,Dimensions length 26′ 4″ (8.03 m) width 7′ 6″ (2.29 m) height 9′ 10″ (3.00 m) 304 GHN ex United, 1958 Bristol LS6G single decker is currently under restoration.

  Source: Cornucopia

  Date: Not known, but before 2015

  Licence: CC BY-NC