A Transport Journey in Colour

Street Scenes of the British Isles 1949 – 1969

Martin Jenkins, Kevin McCormack

• Publisher: Pen & Sword Transport
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781526764126
• eBook ISBN: 9781526764133
• Topic: Art
• Subtopic: Photography

Travel through the mid-twentieth century British Isles in this stunning collection of street photography featuring historic vehicles and buildings. This remarkable book takes the reader on a nostalgic transport journey into streets throughout the British Isles some of which have hardly changed, except for the vehicles displayed, whilst others have been transformed or have, in some cases, altered virtually beyond all recognition. Hours of fascinating research using Google Street View has enabled the authors to indicate how their selected street scenes have changed and also how readers can explore these changes for themselves by accessing Google Street View. The authors have managed to bring together some truly outstanding and often stunning images from a period when color coverage of transport subjects was in its infancy. As a result, the book includes many previously unpublished views taken between 1950 and 1975 the majority from collections held by Online Transport Archive, of which charity both authors are trustees. The richly varied street scenes depict not only buses, trams and trolleybuses but also people as well as railway locomotives, cars, lorries, vans, cinemas, churches, retail outlets and public houses. An absolute feast for the eye. Rich in variety and with a wealth of detailed captions. "This is a highly readable and accessible book which will immerse the reader in scenes of a halcyon yesteryear. As the reader turns the pages, it would be understandable to feel mournful about the loss of manufacturers; coachwork builders, and the industrial scenes enclosed within. However, there is also cause to be thankful for the vision of the photographers to capture the everyday scenes which whilst no longer with us, have been captured and preserved for the benefit of posterity." —Donna's Book Blog "A highly recommended read for all. Five stars." —UK Historian

The blind box on this Eastern Coachworks (ECW)-bodied Bristol LWL6B (No 1648 dating from 1952) confirms the vehicle’s ownership, Western National. This company originated in 1929, when the railway companies were required to cease the direct operation of bus services, Western National being initially jointly-owned by the Great Western Railway (GWR) and the National Omnibus and Traction Company. The photograph was taken on 20 July 1965 in Market Jew Street, Penzance. Over the subsequent years, shop ownership has inevitably changed – for example Woolworths (at the rear of the bus) has become Poundland – but all the buildings remain. (W. Ryan/Online Transport Archive)

Seemingly standing in a station car park but actually occupying a through road (Station Road, Helston) with one bus overtaking the other, these two Western National ECW-bodied Bristols are, on the left, No 844, a K5G from 1947 and, on the right, No 1806, a 1950-built KS5G. The railway station was the terminus of a branch from Gwinear Road which was meant to continue to The Lizard but the GWR instead took the cheaper option of running a bus service, the first of several such operations. This scene dates from 27 July 1965, some nine months after the line closed, and the site is now occupied by houses, although the goods shed (on the extreme right of the picture) still survives. (W. Ryan/Online Transport Archive)

In the post-war years, a wealth of Independent operators added a dash of welcome colour to many streets throughout the British Isles. This Bedford bus, seen at Portreath on 4 August 1966, belonged to Grenville Motor Services Ltd, a private company founded in 1948 which bought out various local bus operators over the years until it was taken over by Western National in 1988. Grenville’s Redruth-Portreath service operated from 1965 to 1982. The location in Beach Road is largely unchanged today, although the building on the right has now gained an extra storey and the weighing machine, examples of which once stood outside many retail establishments, has been removed. (C. Carter/Online Transport Archive)

On 26 June 1964, holidaymakers jump aboard an elderly Western National Bristol open-top K5G (No 3823) as it waits at Spernen Wyn Road, Falmouth. Behind this vehicle and overlooking Gyllyngvase Beach is the former Pentargan Hotel in Cliff Road, part of which later became the Falmouth Beach Hotel, only to be burned down in 2012. On the right is a Duple-bodied Bedford SB coach delivered to Graves Coaches of Redhill in 1952. Today, the wooden bus shelter has been replaced by a modern version but the low wall alongside the car park remains. The Austin Cambridge car is parked at the foot of Stracey Road. (C. Carter/Online Transport Archive)

Moving from Cornwall into Devon, there is a proliferation of Plymouth City Transport (PCT) Leyland Titan PD2s in this 1961 view of Royal Parade but centre stage is taken by a Southern National Bristol K6A overtaking PCT Metro-Cammell-Weymann-bodied Leyland Atlantean No 128 dating from 1960. The origins of Southern National mirrored Western National (see page 6) in that the company was formed in 1929 as a joint venture, but this time it was between National and the Southern Railway. The setting of this picture is unchanged but is worth further comment. Much of the centre of Plymouth was destroyed by bombing in 1941 and a visionary rebuilding programme commenced in 1947, based on a grid pattern for roads, some with wide boulevards such as Royal Parade. (Marcus Eavis/Online Transport Archive)

Brixham’s popularity as a resort means that there is considerable activity at Devon General’s bus station in summer 1968. Opened in 1957 and demolished in 1995, the building, located between Middle Street and Fore Street, doubled as a bus garage at night, accommodating nine vehicles. On the left is a Duple-bodied Bedford SB1 belonging to J. Geddes & Sons trading as Burton Coaches alongside Devon General No DL900, a Roe-bodied Leyland Atlantean PDR1, new in 1960 and withdrawn in 1981. Devon General became part of the National Bus Company (NBC) in 1969 and was subsumed into Western National in 1971 before being separated out again in 1983. Sold to Transit Holdings in 1986, it in turn absorbed Burton’s in 1988. The fleet names of both Burton’s and Devon General continued to be used for a time following the sale. (C. Carter/Online Transport Archive)

In its first year of service, Devon General Leyland Atlantean PDR1/1, No DL926, is wearing a reversed version of the usual livery as carried by the AEC Regent behind for its coastal open-top role. The Atlantean was a member of the nine-strong ‘Sea Dog’ class and was named Sir Francis Drake. The vehicle is carrying a Metro-Cammell-Weymann convertible-roof body and later became an East Yorkshire Coaster named Flamborough Star and re-registered NKH 296A. The location of this 1961 photograph is Strand, Torquay, and the buildings and ornate awning are still in situ today. (Marcus Eavis/Online Transport Archive)

Exeter City Transport No 73, a Massey-bodied Guy Arab IV built in 1960, pulls out of High Street at its junction with Paris Street in 1961. Dating from 1936, the ABC cinema (called the Savoy until 1960), once hosted three Beatles concerts as well as other famous acts including Roy Orbison and Morecambe & Wise. It was demolished in 1987 and has been replaced by an attractive retro-designed building currently housing Waterstones’ Roman Gate branch and the Halifax Building Society. The image of East Gate in its medieval incarnation and the clock, both seen above the roof of the bus, remain in place. (Marcus Eavis/Online Transport Archive)

Formerly in Hampshire but now in Dorset, Bournemouth still attracts thousands of visitors during the season, the town’s streets often being clogged with traffic. This Bournemouth Corporation Leyland Royal Tiger (PSU1/1) with Park Royal bodywork was new in 1955. The vehicle is working the seasonal one-hour circular tour (route 15) on 8 September 1960 and is seen in West Overcliff Drive, Alum Chine, passing motor cars of varying vintage, with Ford Populars living up to their name. In the background is Argyll Gardens and the pavilion which existed from 1931 until 1980. (C. Carter/Online Transport Archive)

Trolleybuses were introduced by Bournemouth Corporation in 1933 and new ones were still being purchased as late as 1962, yet the system was abandoned in 1969. A feature of tram and trolleybus operation was the use of tower wagons for the maintenance of the overhead and one such vehicle, AEC Regent No 12, is seen at Lansdowne Roundabout. All the buildings are still standing, Lloyds Bank in Lansdowne Crescent having changed hands along with all the other premises. Behind the tower wagon is a branch of the Huddersfield Building Society which is ironic because No 12 had started life in 1934 as a Huddersfield Corporation double decker bus (No 120). It was purchased by Bournemouth in 1945 and is now preserved in the Dundee Museum of Transport. (Richard Sykes)

A very rare feature of trolleybus operation was the use of a turntable, but the Bournemouth system had one in Christchurch due to the lack of space for a turning circle. In this view taken on 8 September 1960, 1935-built Sunbeam MS2 No 215 (formerly No 106) is leaving Church Street to e...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half title page
• FM1
• Title page
• Copyright
• Introduction
• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2