Originally Posted by pedoja

It is even more iconic than the Red London Buses!

Except that the old red London Routemasters are recognised worldwide. I seriously doubt that the old Southport Corporation buses are similarly iconic!!

Originally Posted by Nick2

Except that the old red London Routemasters are recognised worldwide. I seriously doubt that the old Southport Corporation buses are similarly iconic!!

They are to us in the north-west of England. The south had their Routemasters; we had Southport Corporation!
Why did the roof of Southport buses have a leather covering ? Ribble never did, as far as I know Southport was one of the few operators to do so, why ?

Not sure which ones had leather roofs.
I know Southport's buses had the roofs painted black in the middle.I was told it was a throw back to the tram days when their roofs were black to hide oil and grease dripping from the electric pickup arm gear. It was a practise that lasted into MPTE days with at least one Liverpool Atlantean that was transferred here having a black roof.

Originally Posted by Jason II

They are to us in the north-west of England.

I'm sure they are. I too get quite excited and very nostalgic when I read about or see pictures of the old Southport Corporation buses particularly those from the 40s, 50s and 60s.

Originally Posted by Nick2

I'm sure they are. I too get quite excited and very nostalgic when I read about or see pictures of the old Southport Corporation buses particularly those from the 40s, 50s and 60s.

There was so much pride in a Southport Corporation bus, no adverts, indicators at the front and rear - in fact when Ribble abandoned rear route indicators, Southport Corporation bought front entranced PD2's with massive route number displays. The buses were clean, and well maintained.

old red London Routemasters must still be popular abroad I noticed several at Liverpool docks this morning, waiting to be loaded?

Originally Posted by rickwelch

old red London Routemasters must still be popular abroad I noticed several at Liverpool docks this morning, waiting to be loaded?

Other way round they have just been repatriated.

ditto

Never thought it would be too cold to paint one weekend then too hot the next but hey that's the english weather.
Anyway we've got there in the end.
The sun was dropping down behind the horizon tonight when these were taken.
Look out for us round town tomorrow.

She looks wonderful, Beldray. Don't suppose your insurance would let an experienced enthusiast PCV driver have a go, would it...?

Leave it with me I'm sure it can be done.

Originally Posted by beldray

Never thought it would be too cold to paint one weekend then too hot the next but hey that's the english weather.
Anyway we've got there in the end.
The sun was dropping down behind the horizon tonight when these were taken.
Look out for us round town tomorrow.

looks like a top job beldray well done

just thought I would post this 29/9/1957

Originally Posted by beldray

Never thought it would be too cold to paint one weekend then too hot the next but hey that's the english weather.
Anyway we've got there in the end.
The sun was dropping down behind the horizon tonight when these were taken.
Look out for us round town tomorrow.

when are we going to see your bus in southport again

Originally Posted by blackys dad

when are we going to see your bus in southport again

Why? Do you want to use your pass?

Originally Posted by blackys dad

when are we going to see your bus in southport again

Did plan to have it at Woodvale but other commitments mean I haven't had time to get it MOT tested at the moment.

Originally Posted by toffee man

Why? Do you want to use your pass?

have you just staggerd home from the dev

My uncle, William (Bill) Gillies, drove bus for Southport Corporation Buses. He was still driving in 1968. Does anyone remember him? We don't know what happened to him and cannot find a death date for him. I live in the States and have been searching for him for years. Thank you.

Kathleen

Originally Posted by katie anne

My uncle, William (Bill) Gillies, drove bus for Southport Corporation Buses. He was still driving in 1968. Does anyone remember him? We don't know what happened to him and cannot find a death date for him. I live in the States and have been searching for him for years. Thank you.

Kathleen

Send a private message to 'tougholdbird' I'm sure that she could help you, or at least point the way to help.

Originally Posted by Derek H

My ex brother-in-law (now deceased), was, if I remember rightly, a Southport Corp bus driver who often took place in double-decker driving competitions - his name was Derek Mercer. Do you remember him?

Hi there yes the Mercers where old school pals of mine!! I remember Derek very well as he was a driving instructor along with Reg Hedger when I joined Merseybus to work in the stores in 1982! (after I had failed the PSV test!) they both instructed me, and managed to land the job in the stores which was vacant that very week!
I also knew his brother Wilf who I believe worked on the railway, and when I knew him he was a "bar lad" (I think as he was small he used to crawl into the boilers to clean them out!!)
Needless to say I was devistated when he died
Mike