100 Years of 144 celebration 15 October 2014

Bus and Coach operations, and timetables for The Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company Limited (BMMO — Midland "Red" Motor Services).
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TimBrown
Posts: 1280
Joined: 05:59 Monday 4th July 2016
Location: Worcester

100 Years of 144 celebration 15 October 2014

Post by TimBrown » 10:41 Monday 15th October 2018

I thought you might wish to see these pictures - I have posted many in the past, but there are new members and contributors to this website since 2014 who haven't, so that is my excuse!
33404 is depicted in Crowngate Bus station on the big day.
Oct 15 2014 First Heritage 144 day. 027.jpg
The following shots of The Transport Museum Wythall's lovely 1940 built SON 2418 GHA 337 were taken at Crowngate and the on road pictures through the clean back window of 67664 between Worcester and Droitwich.
Oct 15 2014 First Heritage 144 day. 012.jpg
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33404 in Droitwich.
Oct 15 2014 First Heritage 144 day. 072.jpg
67664 in Droitwich.
Oct 15 2014 First Heritage 144 day. 073.jpg
Rear three-quarter view of 33404 at Worcester Racecourse.
Oct 15 2014 First Heritage 144 day. 087.jpg
The Transport Museum's preserved heritage buses are seen leaving the Racecourse, these are Leyland National 544 NOE 544R, BMMO S22 5901 MHA 901F and BMMO D9 5399 BHA 399C.
Oct 15 2014 First Heritage 144 day. 109.jpg
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Finally I make a plea to the Senior Management and Marketing Executives at First Bus in Leicester and Chelmsford to retain the 144 number for the Worcester to Birmingham route, it has stood the test of time. Yes I quite like the 'Salt Road' branding but anyone and everyone in this area, including non-bus using car owners know exactly where the 144 comes from and goes to. Therefore the 144 number, far from being a bygone sentiment, is a far better marketing tool than any fancy livery!

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AdamH
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Re: 100 Years of 144 celebration 15 October 2014

Post by AdamH » 11:16 Monday 15th October 2018

Four years already?! 😲

The livery has lasted well. As expected there has been the odd knock and bump picked up over time, but both vehicles still look good. Shame they don't drive so well anymore. I had 33404 a few days ago and it is starting to feel like a pre-war bus to match the livery! 😜

bmmoboy
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Re: 100 Years of 144 celebration 15 October 2014

Post by bmmoboy » 11:34 Monday 15th October 2018

When I did my "Job Swap" day, it was mentioned by a member of the bodyshop team that drivers seemed to look after 33404 and it was a pity that all the fleet wasn't painted the same - I'm all for that.

MattW
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Location: Cornwall

Re: 100 Years of 144 celebration 15 October 2014

Post by MattW » 16:28 Monday 15th October 2018

That would be great, I used to love driving the red buses.
And I agree with Tim the y should stick with 144 at least on the blinds, why fix what isn't broken?

chason
Posts: 242
Joined: 14:24 Friday 22nd July 2016
Location: Bromsgrove

Re: 100 Years of 144 celebration 15 October 2014

Post by chason » 19:30 Monday 15th October 2018

Brilliant photos, Tim, thank you. Also I couldn't agree more about keeping the 144 route number. In some ways only a shadow of its former self but will always be known in the area as the 144. and to change it would seem utterly pointless.

ANDREW
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Location: Bromsgrove.

Re: 100 Years of 144 celebration 15 October 2014

Post by ANDREW » 19:01 Tuesday 16th October 2018

Keep the route number please. 8-)

DD12
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Re: 100 Years of 144 celebration 15 October 2014

Post by DD12 » 16:55 Tuesday 23rd October 2018

AdamH wrote:
11:16 Monday 15th October 2018
Four years already?! 😲

…… Shame they don't drive so well anymore. I had 33404 a few days ago and it is starting to feel like a pre-war bus to match the livery! 😜
- it's now out of service, parked in the "scrap" corner of the patch !

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AdamH
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Re: 100 Years of 144 celebration 15 October 2014

Post by AdamH » 07:40 Wednesday 24th October 2018

DD12 wrote:
16:55 Tuesday 23rd October 2018
- it's now out of service, parked in the "scrap" corner of the patch !
The fuel pump is knackered. A new one has a 4-digit price tag so they normally get them refurbished. That takes time and the one in 33404 has already been done so there is a question over how long the refurbishments last. Also, Worcester depot are desperately short of double-decks at the moment as another one (33403 I think) has gearbox problems...

bmmoboy
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Re: 100 Years of 144 celebration 15 October 2014

Post by bmmoboy » 15:53 Wednesday 24th October 2018

I drove 33043 on Monday and although it hasn't got a rattle on it and it drives extremely well, the engine doesn't sound to good, and it appear to be misfiring when initially starting up. I don't know how much longer it will continue, so get it while you can.

willr7
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Re: 100 Years of 144 celebration 15 October 2014

Post by willr7 » 18:57 Thursday 25th October 2018

AdamH wrote:
07:40 Wednesday 24th October 2018
DD12 wrote:
16:55 Tuesday 23rd October 2018
- it's now out of service, parked in the "scrap" corner of the patch !
The fuel pump is knackered. A new one has a 4-digit price tag so they normally get them refurbished. That takes time and the one in 33404 has already been done so there is a question over how long the refurbishments last. Also, Worcester depot are desperately short of double-decks at the moment as another one (33403 I think) has gearbox problems...
It's a shame to hear this... I hope 33404 will be able to battle on!

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