Hi. Stitcher. When you were at Digbeth and Mosely Rd. do you remember a Ken Haylor.To all of you. I have said before that I worked at Digbeth/Mosely Rd them Selly Oak but I wasnt really a busman. That said, I am glad I did it because I met some great blokes and I still talk about some of the funnier things that happened. Thamks to you all for the experience.
Not quite the "patch" this pic. but top of Bradford St.
Glad you like the picture Lloyd, and hope it helps in your research, I would be interested to hear the outcome of that. this is a great thread, brought back a lot of happy memories, John 70.Fabulous photo, john70, not the top of Bradford Street but the bottom - just passing Mill Lane.
The interest to me is that the Alltyres building behind is the former Buckingham's coachbuilders, who did a few bodies for Birmingham Corporation until foundering in 1930/1.
I am one of a group researching a plane crash in this vicinity in march 1944 when a Wellington bomber, HD987, suffered engine failure and crashed between Bradford street and Digbeth either on or just behind these premises.
As there is a date of 1923 on the building (just above the bus destination panel) then this part at least survived - this is the first picture I have found of Buckingham's works. Thank you so much!
Below is a picture of one of Buckingham's 1922 products for BCT, a small Leyland 'A1' 20 seat saloon that was one of the first one-man-operated buses to run in the city. As can be seen, they didn't go far to take the photograph, the Markets were just opposite the works!
Not quite the "patch" this pic. but top of Bradford St.
A thing I seem to remember about the "showboats" S13s when we were on splits is having to go to Benacre St. in the afternoons and finishing up with a "Showboat" for a second portion. My first driving on the road after my badge came through was in 3928 also Mike, my memories not as good as yours, but I think to Warwick & Kenilworth, with conductor Blackman, who was supposed to know the way but didn,t. John.John, Great pic, these were the first generation of "Showboats" the S13 followed by two batches of S15s. I heard they got the name from being dual purpose, the first black tops to appear on stage work when not on coaching work. My first time driving with passengers on was in 3928 was from a conducting show up on a January Saturday in 1964. Remember it like it was yesterday - a second portion Barston and a Marston Green Tavern with Clive Mann as conductor. The Barston went off fine but the 166 we left the Bus Station with a standing load. No problem until we got to Kingston Hill where the Blues were just turning out. In the traffic about halfway up I had to stop and on pulling away attempted a famous Midland Red snap change but S13s don't do snaps so with a face redder than the bus I crawled up the rest of the hill right round onto the Cov Road in first.
Ah yes, I remember it well....
Mike
Meanwhile back on the patch...
MotormanMike, I said I may make you smile. This was when the Reds were running onto Chelmsly and the estate was not properly finished. Someone at Digbeth bet me ten bob I would not run the wrong route. I cant remember the numbers but I did the one that went close to Marston Green Hospital instead of going straight through Pine Square.