December 2009

Work continues with 133. All structural panel work and cross members have been replaced, the lower deck floor and aluminium trim near the rear arch seats has been found to need replacing. This has continued steadily and soon work on the exterior panels can commence.

Unfortunately with her ongoing spell of bad luck, 137 sustained damage when an articulated trailer swung into the front causing considerable damage.

The decision has now been taken to have the entire vehicle repainted into the correct livery of Orient Red and Broken white along with re-instatement of the rare electric door motor and removal of the side locker. Also correct style legal decals are being produced to give this veteran a makeover prior to her 50th Anniversary in June 2010.

Following minor damage sustained to 137 recently, repairs are well on their way to completion and a return to service of this fine old girl. She will return to service on the members ‘Ghost Tram’ this Halloween.

We have received a limited stock of the recent Leyland Society publication on Plymouth City Transport.
See the 'For Sale' page on our website or click here.

Ex-Plymouth City Transport open-top Atlantean 458 (WJY 758) returned to the city after an exile since 1991. Assisted by Graham Mitchell of the Keighley Bus Museum, where 458 has masqueraded as Keighley Corporation Transport 59 for several years, who met our member Paul Furse near Cheltenham before she was returned to Plymouth. 458 fills another significant slot in our PCT jigsaw.

Plymouth CityBus held their Bus Driver of the Year competition and took the opportunity to make the event a family day and raise money for two local charities at the same time, the Mustard Tree and Dame Hannah Rogers School. A brilliant day, fantastic weather and a really great event, well done to all at CityBus for this day. We utilised the Company’s 358 as well as our other operational Atlanteans carrying 100’s of passengers throughout the day.

We exhibited at the Plym Valley Railway and took the opportunity to provide free trips into the City and around the Sea Front using 131.

The group attended the Nostalgia Day held at Plymouth’s Frankfort Gate by the ‘Independent Quarter’ traders. A big thank-you to Dave Moor of ‘Moor & More’ for thinking of us and welcome to the group. If you are a fan of real ale a visit to Dave’s shop is a must!

131, 137, 171 and 201 were displayed on Plymouth Hoe at the annual Western National Preservation Group bus rally. Unfortunately the rain visited as well but a good day was still had and several new members joined us. On the way to The Hoe we called in at Royal Parade for a photo-stop.

We took 137 on a members day trip encompassing the annual Devon Coast Run which is organised by the Historic Transport Club. Setting off from Milehouse at approx 08:15, with a good load of members and invited friends we completed what turned out to be a 135 mile journey. Our Chairman and Secretary donned their period uniforms and a really enjoyable trip was had by all with the weather holding off until Bovey Tracey when the heavens opened!

During the month 137 has had several rear spring leaf clips replaced. The electrical master switch repaired. An amount of rewiring to the main feed and the demisters repaired along with an intermittent fault to the headlamps.

TTT 168X changed hands and is now in the ownership of one of our recent members, Mike Hudson.

Following her epic journey of 467 miles 137 has visited the pits and a number of tasks and minor servicing attended too. The dynamo has been tightened, the front offside spring mounts tightened up. A leak at the rear of the block attended too as was a fuel leak from the spill pipes. Part of the auto-lube piping system has been repaired and the complete underneath and engine steam cleaned. A new brake light switch has been fitted following a failure.

137 attended the South Devon Railway Gala without missing a beat and both Brian George and Bert Symons took a turn at the wheel. In fact Bert took his test on 137 in the year …..BC!!!

137 was used to mark the retirement of Len Hampson who after 31yrs service at Milehouse has departed for warmer climes. Len learnt to drive on 137 and was presented with an EFE model of 137 on behalf of the Group.

PCT PG gain accreditation and membership to the National Association of Road Transport Museums. Click on their logo to find out more.

A huge thanks to Phil Hiles for his assistance as co-driver and our thanks to Keighley Bus Museum and Wythall Transport Museum for their garaging facilities. Finally but by no means least a mention to John Ackroyd MD Plymouth City Bus for his ongoing support and encouragement in our endeavours, “Thank you John”.

137 Will depart Wythall enroute to Milehouse Depot, Plymouth. It is hoped to return at approx 1800.

137 Will depart Keighley Bus Museum enroute to Wythall Transport Museum where once again we have kindly been offered overnight parking.

137 Will depart Darlington en-route to park overnight at Keighley Bus museum where the opportunity to photograph her alongside Open Topper WJY 758 will be taken.

Work continues on 133 with the lower deck now completely retrimmed and new leather grab handles fitted.