A Very Sorry S8

Discussions about the Bus and Coach Preservation scene for Midland "Red" Motor Services and related companies.
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AdamH
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A Very Sorry S8

Post by AdamH » 14:29 Sunday 27th November 2016

While I was in the area last week I took the chance to pay "preserved" BMMO S8 fleet number 3290 (registration number JHA890) a visit.

The bus is very much derelict and is now surrounded by other derelict vehicles so a good photograph was impossible. A lot of the windows are broken and the roof has collapsed. All the panels on the near-side are missing leaving the framework exposed to the elements.

I did manage to get one photo of the rear (which is guarded by a Citroen DS) and although I didn't enter the vehicle for fear of the floor collapsing I did poke my phone through a broken window to get a shot of the interior.
Attachments
3290_22112016_01.JPG
BMMO S8 3290
3290_22112016_02.JPG
BMMO S8 3290

MattW
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Re: A Very Sorry S8

Post by MattW » 15:57 Sunday 27th November 2016

Sad sight, but looks like my kind of place!

DD12
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Re: A Very Sorry S8

Post by DD12 » 17:37 Sunday 27th November 2016

What an unexpected treat !
Thanks Adam, I had no idea that this one had (just about) survived.

- For your next trick, can you find us a D5/D5B or FEDD, (please) :)

JustinTyme
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Re: A Very Sorry S8

Post by JustinTyme » 20:50 Sunday 27th November 2016

I didn't know that 3290 had survived either - sad indeed to see it in this state.

Is that an ex-Birmingham City Transport Leyland Tiger PS2, also not in a good state, alongside it?

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AdamH
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Re: A Very Sorry S8

Post by AdamH » 08:39 Monday 28th November 2016

Was so busy looking at the S8 that I didn't notice what was parked next to it. :roll:

chason
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Re: A Very Sorry S8

Post by chason » 09:14 Monday 28th November 2016

A sad sight indeed but so glad you posted these pictures, Adam. I fear it looks to be past the point of no return although you never know. I have seen vehicles (trams and buses) in this sort of condition get restored but I guess the problem with BMMO vehicles is that spares are impossible to find and so many of the parts would need be specially manufactured.

TimBrown
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Re: A Very Sorry S8

Post by TimBrown » 12:18 Monday 28th November 2016

JustinTyme wrote:
20:50 Sunday 27th November 2016
I didn't know that 3290 had survived either - sad indeed to see it in this state.

Is that an ex-Birmingham City Transport Leyland Tiger PS2, also not in a good state, alongside it?
I believe 3290 was rescued from Hunts Breakers site at Molesworth in 1990 by Mr Peter Hudd who is, or was, a solicitor at that time. Those who visited the scrapyard before the S8 was acquired came back with sad reports that other buses had been dropped/piled on top of it, so whilst the broken glass may be due to vandalism the general bodywork state is not.

According to The PSV Circle Preserved Buses (2015 Edition) a Mr Hudd of Eltham also owns JOJ 257 a Leyland Tiger PS2/1 ex Birmingham City Transport; therefore my guess is that this could well be the other bus in Adam's picture.

Looking at the photograph it reminded me that early post war BMMO single deckers had a very wide rear roof box incorporating the route number and destination. I think all the class S6 and S8 were so fitted and, if my memory is correct, some of the early S9's had them as well. Worcester's allocation in the 34xx series were only fitted with a rear number box. Does anyone know which was the last bus to feature the 'long box' I think Malvern's 3392
had this feature and 3400 which came to Worcester late in life did not?

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AdamH
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Re: A Very Sorry S8

Post by AdamH » 21:06 Monday 28th November 2016

Midland Red Volume 2 makes a reference to the S9 rear destination equipment, but it doesn't agree with your memory of 3400...
S9s 3357-3406 received full with rear destination blinds and 3407-56 were fitted with revised rear domes incorporating number-only boxes. However, at the same time other changes were made which affected the interior bell positions, roof ventilators and window pan finishing, at leat, thus effectively creating two different classes of S9, each of fifty buses.
(Midland Red Volume 2, page 45)

If 3400 moved to Worcester near the end of it's life maybe the original box had been replaced for the number-only type as some point?

TimBrown
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Re: A Very Sorry S8

Post by TimBrown » 15:07 Tuesday 29th November 2016

AdamH wrote:
21:06 Monday 28th November 2016
Midland Red Volume 2 makes a reference to the S9 rear destination equipment, but it doesn't agree with your memory of 3400...
S9s 3357-3406 received full with rear destination blinds and 3407-56 were fitted with revised rear domes incorporating number-only boxes. However, at the same time other changes were made which affected the interior bell positions, roof ventilators and window pan finishing, at leat, thus effectively creating two different classes of S9, each of fifty buses.
(Midland Red Volume 2, page 45)

If 3400 moved to Worcester near the end of it's life maybe the original box had been replaced for the number-only type as some point?
Thanks for the reference to Midland Red Volume 2, it clears up my question. I do remember 3400 as one of those that pushed out filthy black smoke when accelerating and hill climbing during its two year stint at Worcester. It ended up operating for Hulleys at Baslow who had worked wonders with this bus when it featured in a bus enthusiasts' tour in 1967, it pulled really well up hills and the exhaust was commendably clean.

The attached photos taken by the late Robin Peart feature 3400 in the one shot and S8 3236 plus S9 3358 in the other picture. Mr Hulley also operated S6 3096 for a while and latterly ran C5 4795; just how he managed to acquire BMMO vehicles for further service would make interesting reading and as would the reasons for choosing such a non-standard manufacturer as the mainstay of his stage carriage services. Obtaining spares for servicing and replacement parts for engines, gearboxes and brakes must have been a nightmare without an agreement with Carlyle Works!
Hulley's, Baslow June 1967.jpg
Hulley's, Baslow Two June 1967.jpg

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AdamH
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Re: A Very Sorry S8

Post by AdamH » 20:05 Tuesday 29th November 2016

Midland Red Vol 2 shows 3358 in service fitted with folding platform doors. From the second of Robin's photos, it looks like these were removed when it was withdrawn and fitted to 3236.

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