We
have three classic buses that we are preserving for the future.
JDC 599, our Dennis Loline
No 99 in the Middlesbrough Corporation Transport fleet
This is our oldest vehicle,
it was new in 1958 and is a low height Mk 1 Dennis Loline with a body built
by Northern Counties. It was built as a counterpart to the Bristol
Lodekka, available to municipal fleets, and was exhibited at the 1958
Earl's Court Motor Show on the bodybuilder's stand.
Middlesbrough Corporation Transport Department had a need for low height buses which could be used on routes under Albert Road railway bridge which has a clearance of only 13' 6" . They heard of the development of this new style of bus, and bought it, as an experiment, in advance of the Motor Show.
This unique bus was operated on Teesside until 1972 when it was withdrawn and sold for further service in Scotland with a company called Bingorama. Eventually, it was about to be scrapped but was rescued by Teesside enthusiasts Andy Wood and Ron Maybray in an effort to preserve it.
The 500 Group acquired the bus in 1992, and following two years in storage at Cleveland Transit it was moved to I.C.I. Wilton where, it was thoroughly rebuilt over a four year period by 500 Group members.
It was completed
in September 1998 and was taken to Showbus, held at Duxford, where it won
the "best Dennis" award.
November the 5th 1998 was the 40th anniversary of the bus first entering service
in Middlesbrough. To mark the occasion, No. 99 was demonstrated to the Mayor
of Middlesbrough, Coun. Frank Gill in a re-enactment of a 1958 ceremony at
Albert Park Gates. It was driven to the Transporter Bridge and then re-ran
its original "M" route to Levick Crescent.
We have operated the vehicle ever since, with very few problems, a credit
to the team that rebuilt it.
JDC
544L, our Daimler Fleetline
No. L544 in the Teesside Municipal Transport fleet
This is the workhorse of our fleet. Teesside Municipal Transport settled on this type as the optimum design for use in Teesside in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Its thirteen-foot-five-inch-high body made it suitable for the low bridge routes, and the twin door layout was needed to speed loading on busy town streets. The specification enabled the Local Authority toqualify for Bus Grants to assist in its purchase. There were seventy six of these magnificent "Teesside Standard" vehicles built. They were ahead of their time, their low floor made a one step entry possible, and their power steering and semi automatic gearbox made them a joy to drive.
This 1973 example was the first bus which the 500 GROUP acquired. It came straight out of service with Cleveland Transit in 1989 and was repainted in its original livery. It is the only survivor of this elegant, low height, twin door, class of double decker. It has a Leyland 680 Diesel engine and a "Coventry" semi automatic gearbox. It has done a staggering 1,160, 000 miles.
Since
1989 it has served The 500 Group well. It has attended over one
hundred and fifty rallies and been on numerous excursions and has never had
a major mechanical defect. It attracts much attention with its
low stance and unusual colour scheme. The blue melamine period
interior is much admired and the bus has won a lot of trophies in classic
bus events.
JVN 40E our Leyland PD.2.
No. H240 in the Cleveland Transit Fleet.
This bus has an interesting career.
It was ordered by the Tees-side Railless Traction Board for delivery in 1967,
but was delivered in the then new colours of Teesside Municipal Transport,
ahead of the amalgamation of the local authority fleets. The fleet name read
"Teesside Transport"
It is a Leyland PD 2, with body work by Charles Roe and was reputedly the
last open platform double deck bus delivered new in the North East.
It saw service up to 1980, its final service livery being Transit "flying
banana" green and jasmine yellow.
On withdrawal, it was chosen to become a playbus with Cleveland County Council,
and converted for the role by Cleveland Transit.
It was eventually sold to the North East Bus Museum Ltd. and became an exhibition
unit with them.
It saw further use with the Go Ahead Northern Group, as
a driver trainer before being acquired by the 500 GROUP for eventual restoration.
It is currently stored awaiting funds and manpower to take on the task. It
is to be restored in its former Cleveland Transit livery.
Operating Standards
All our preserved buses are only driven by suitably qualified drivers and
are maintained to the highest possible standard. They are all subject to Class
Five testing.
They are operated in, as near as possible. their original specification, but
have been brought up to date with regard to current construction and use legislation.
JDC 599 Fleet Number 99
JDC 544L Fleet No. L544
Fleet No. H240
