Yellow Buses
in Devon
Jonathan, one of the organisers of Bournemouth Bus Rally, has his only collection of vehicles that operated with Yellow Buses.
''Huge Thank you to a wonderful Group of friends who keep the old vehicles
alive, through driving. Restoration work and their Friendship''
Here are photos of the vehicles in his collection
45 (JLJ 402)
Leyland Tiger PS2/3 with Burlingham 32 seat coach body, one of 3 delivered to Bournemouth Corporation in August 1949 for private hire and tour work. Converted for use as omo bus in 1959. Withdrawn & sold for private preservation in 1970. Purchased by Jonathan in 2021 and repainted at Hooton Park. (Photo shows its return to H V Burlingham factory in Blackpool in 2022 - JH)
131 (KEL 131)
Leyland Titan PD2/3 with Weymann 58 seat body delivered as 245 in June 1950. Originally fitted with an additional front staircase and seating 48, but this was removed in 1960. Withdrawn and sold for local preservation in 1971. Eventually by Mac Cooper and restoration work was carried out by his team at the Aston Manor Road Transport Museum. Acquired by Jonathan in 2010 and fully restored and repainted at Hooton Park in 2024. (Photo - JH)
266 (RRU 903)
Leyland Tiger Cub PSUC1/1 with Park Royal 42 seat body delivered to Bournemouth Corporation in August 1955. Sold for further use by Rossmore Bus Company in 1971. Purchased for preservation in 1974, passing to Mac Cooper in 1982. Acquired by Jonathan in 2007. (Photo taken at Heath Common Rally near Wakefield in June 2021 by Dave Bickley and used with thanks)
159 (8159 EL)
Leyland Titan PD3/1 Weymann 62 seat body, new to Bournemouth Corporation in October 1960. Passed to Bournemouth Museums in 1977 and converted to a mobile museum which toured the area in the summer months until 1991. Passed into Jonathan’s ownership in 2007 and fully restored as a bus. (Photo taken at 2023 rally - TC)
925 (MSJ 499)
“Admiral Blake” Leyland Atlantean PDR1/1 with Metro-Cammell 75 seat open top body. New to Devon General as 925 (925 GTA) in convertible open top form for seasonal services in Torbay area. Withdrawn in 1991, it operated with Christchurch Buses on Bournemouth tours in early 2000s. Purchased by Jonathan in 2006 and restored to Devon General livery. (Photo taken on East Overcliff Drive while operating free service in conjunction with 2024 rally - TC)
167 (6167 RU)
Leyland Titan PD3A/1 Weymann 68 seat body delivered in September 1963. The batch of ten were used for the first trolleybus to motor bus conversion. They were all sold to Isle of Man Road Services (167 became LMN 78 over there) and ran until 1983. 167 was purchased for preservation as part of the Bournemouth Transport Museum collection, still carrying red/white livery. Now owned by Jonathan and repainted in Bournemouth colours. (Seen before attending the first rally in 2017 - JH)
230 (ORU 230G)
Leyland Atlantean PDR1/1 with Alexander 74 seat body, new in March 1969.
One of a batch of 17 to replace the last of the trolleybuses in 1969. Passed into preservation with Bournemouth Transport Museum on withdrawal in 1985. Used on Routemaster Bournemouth services in 1993/4. Purchased by Jonathan in 2012 and repainted into Bournemouth Corporation colours. (Another photo taken at Heath Common Rally near Wakefield in June 2021 by Dave Bickley and used with thanks)
262 (H262 MFX)
Dennis Dominator DDA1033 with East Lancs 80seat body delivered in June 1991. Purchased by Jonathan on withdrawal in 2006 and now repainted in Yellow Buses livery. (Photo taken at WHOTT Dorchester Running Day in 2022 - JM)