Another look at some delightful vehicles from the past. This
time it's the huge number of halfcab Bristol 'L' single deckers operated
by Crosville.
The Crosville Motor Services Limited (as it was known in 1950s
and 1960s) had originally been formed to build cars in 1906. Associated at
one time with the LMS railway, and later becoming part of the Tilling Group,
it was based in Chester, Cheshire.
By 1960 its route network stretched from Liverpool and St.Helens
in the North, west round the Welsh coast as far as Cardigan Bay, including
the island of Anglesey and a link to Cardiff. It also covered Welshpool
and Oswestry, and as far east as Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Ken Jones took this shot of preserved Crosville
Bristol L5G KG131 (KFM 893) at Taunton in April 2010.
The chassis and engine manufacturer Bristol named each new model
with a consecutive alphabetical letter. Thus, the 'K' double decker of the
mid-1930s was followed by its single-deck equivalent, the 'L'. Bristol Ls
with Eastern Coach Works ('ECW') bodies were built in huge numbers and served
all over Britain. At first glance they all appeared absolutely identical,
but there were in fact several versions with visible differences.
The basic 'L' was launched in 1937, and reappeared after the
war in 1946 as an improved model. It had a 16 ft. 2 inch wheelbase and was
7 ft. 6 inches wide. In 1950 a longer version was introduced with a 19 ft.
long wheelbase, increasing the capacity of the bus by one seat row - i.e.
4 seats. This typically meant an increase from 35 seats to 39, and the model
was named the 'LL' (for 'L' Long). In 1951 an 8 ft wide version became available,
and this was known as the 'LW' (for 'L' Wide). An example that was both long
and wide was designated the 'LWL'.
The designation also showed the number of cylinders and the
manufacturer of the engine. So, an LWL6B was a Bristol 'L', 8 feet wide,
with a lengthened wheelbase, and a 6-cylinder Bristol engine. Whereas an
LL5G was a Bristol 'L', with a long wheelbase, (but only 7 ft 6 inches wide)
and a 5-cylinder Gardner engine. Crosville had a great number of ECW-bodied
Bristol Ls of all types, and it is currently thought that 17 of them are
still around.
The numbering system changed several times during the life of
the company, but we are using the numbers adopted from 1958 onwards. This
separated the batches into classes according to their configuration. 'S'
stood for Single deck (or 'E' meant an Express coach), 'L' meant a Bristol
L chassis, and the engine maker was represented by 'A' for AEC, 'B' for Bristol
and 'G' for Gardner.
It should be mentioned that the 'gap' in the
numbering sequence between 230 and 268 was, in fact filled by two more batches
of Bristol L single deckers but, since they all had 8 ft wide full-fronted
'Queen Mary' bodies, this highly halfcab-biased page has excluded them !
However just for the record, the two batches (both from 1951) were;
Prior to the 1958 re-numbering scheme, they had been KW 230-268.
There are no survivors from either batch.
As with my other lists, the mistakes are bound to creep in,
and some relevant information may be missing so, in order to make it as accurate
a reference as possible, I would of course welcome any additions or corrections.
In this connection I must particularly thank
Charles Roberts
for his great help in straightening out some of the 'wobbles' in the fleet
details, and for providing one of the images below.
One of the first of many, this is Crosville KB11 (FFM 479). Perhaps someone
can tell me where it is, and also why the side window arrangement differs
from SLA43 in the picture below. Photo by Dennis Kerrison on 26 Aug 1959,
when it was tow vehicle A11.
Ray Jones writes: "The photo shown is at the Albion Works, Rhyl. The reason
for covering the sliders is not known to me, but all the early ECW Bodied
Tow Buses converted by Crosville had this "modification" done.".
Alan Watkins says "The window shape indicates it is one of the early postwar
bodies with the external sliders that were quickly replaced in 1947/48 by
the more orthodox internal sliders."
Mike Grants says "The picture is taken at Rhyl depot (also known as Albion
Works). The background sandstone wall which is the ramp to an adjacent railway
bridge is the clue. When pictured, the vehicle had been demoted to a tow
bus - hence the absence of cream paint. It started life as KB11, became SLA11
but by then was A11 (plate just visible behind driver's door handle). The
non-PSV status dates the picture sometime from 1959 and into the first half
of the sixties."
Bristol L6A SLA43 (GFM 852) in the yard of Autowreckers, Penwortham, near
Preston in 1982. After service with Crosville, the vehicle served as a mobile
shop in the Preston area. It was subsequently rescued by someone from the
Blackpool area with a view to restoration but is believed to have since been
scrapped. Photo: Charles Roberts.
Built in 1946-49
Chassis: Bristol L6A, with AEC 6 cylinder 7.7 litre engine (SLA
70 & 71 were L6B).
Body: Originally Eastern Coach Works 35-seat rear-entrance bus
bodies, but most were later converted by Crosville for one-man operation,
with front entrances and automatic doors.
Notes: This batch was originally designated 'KB' before 1958.
Redesignation then led to the majority becoming 'SLA'. However, seven (Nos.
1, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14) were classified as 'ELA' with the 'E' representing
'Express'. ELA 1 was dual purpose from new, whereas the other six were fitted
with secondhand bodies from pre-war vehicles which had themselves been re-bodied
in the late 1940's.
KB22 > SLA 22 (FFM 516) c/n 61.148, deliv.1946. Withdrawn
1960. To St.Helens Co-operative Society as a mobile shop.
KB23 > SLA 23 (FFM 517) c/n 61.149, deliv.1946. Converted
to front entrance 1957. Withdrawn 1964
KB24 > SLA 24 (FFM 518) c/n 61.150, deliv.1946. Converted
to front entrance 1957. Based Denbigh in early 1960s. Withdrawn 1965, sold
to Pochin (contractors).
KB29 > SLA 29 (FFM 523) c/n 63.049, deliv.1946. Withdrawn
1961. To Atomic Power Constructors, Trawsfynnyd.
KB30 > SLA 30 (FFM 524) c/n 63.063, deliv.1946. Converted
to front entrance 1957. Withdrawn 1966. With Express Motors (Jones), Rhostryfan
2/67 to 10/70, then to Silver Star, Llandwrog.
KB31 > SLA 31 (FFM 525) c/n 63.064, deliv.1946. Converted
to front entrance 1957. Withdrawn 1965
KB51 > SLA 51 (GFM 860) c/n 65.095, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance 1957. Withdrawn 1962
KB52 > SLA 52 (GFM 861) c/n 65.096, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance 1957. Sold 1963 to Dew (contractor), Oldham
KB53 > SLA 53 (GFM 862) c/n 65.159, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance 1957. Withdrawn 1962 and sold to Atomic Power Constructors,
Trawsfynnyd.
KB54 > SLA 54 (GFM 863) c/n 65.160, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance 1957. Withdrawn 1962. With K.W.Services, Daventry 1963
as their No.A.46.
KB55 > SLA 55 (GFM 864) c/n 65.192, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance 1957. Withdrawn 1962
KB56 > SLA 56 (GFM 865) c/n 65.193, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance 1957. Withdrawn 1962 and sold to Atomic Power Constructors,
Trawsfynnyd. - scrapped Castle Point Museum, Canvey Island 1990s - parts
used for other projects.
KB57 > SLA 57 (GFM 866) c/n 65.187, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance 1957. Withdrawn 1962
KB58 > SLA 58 (GFM 867) c/n 65.188, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance 1957. Withdrawn 1962
KB59 > SLA 59 (GFM 868) c/n 65.189, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance 1957. Withdrawn 1962 and sold to Atomic Power Constructors,
Trawsfynnyd.
KB60 > SLA 60 (GFM 869) c/n 65.194, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance 1958. Withdrawn 1962. With Pochin (contractor), Middlewich
1964.
KB72 > SLA 72 (GFM 881) c/n 67.103, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance PAYE 1958. Withdrawn 1963 and sold to Thames Valley as
S301.
KB73 > SLA 73 (GFM 882) c/n 67.115, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance PAYE 1958. Withdrawn 1963 and sold to
Thames Valley as S302 ** SURVIVOR ** MacEwan's
Coach Services, Amisfield, near Dumfries 2005.
KB74 > SLA 74 (GFM 883) c/n 67.131, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance PAYE 1958. Withdrawn 1962, sold to Mercury of
Boscombe.
KB75 > SLA 75 (GFM 884) c/n 67.116, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance PAYE 1958. Withdrawn 1963 and sold to Thames Valley as
S303.
KB76 > SLA 76 (GFM 885) c/n 67.104, deliv.1947. Converted
to PAYE 1958. Withdrawn 1961. Probably then to Huyton-with-Roby Urban District
Council as welfare bus with rear wheelchair ramp.
KB77 > SLA 77 (GFM 886) c/n 67.105, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance PAYE 1958. Withdrawn 1967
KB78 > SLA 78 (GFM 887) c/n 67.106, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance PAYE 1958. Withdrawn 1963 and sold to Thames Valley as
S304.
KB79 > SLA 79 (GFM 888) c/n 67.132, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance PAYE 1958. Withdrawn 1963 and sold to Thames Valley as
S305.
KB80 > SLA 80 (GFM 889) c/n 67.152, deliv.1947. Converted
to front entrance 1958. Withdrawn 1967
This photo of KB88 (JFM 117) may have been taken when new, as the sign
in the side window says "Body by Eastern Coach Works Ltd, Lowestoft". Destination
blinds have not yet been fitted and the vehicle looks in fine condition.
Location unknown, photographer unknown.
Ray Jones tells me: "KB88 is, as you say, newly delivered and is taken
at the Sealand Road Works."
Built in 1947-48
Chassis: Eighteen were Bristol L6A, with AEC 6 cylinder 7.7
litre engine ('KB', later 'SLA'), and eleven were Bristol L6B with a Bristol
6-cylinder engine ('KW', later 'SLB').
Body: Eastern Coach Works 35-seat rear-entrance bus bodies.
KB82 > SLA 82 (JFM 111) c/n 67.173, deliv.1948. Withdrawn
1962, sold to Mercury of Boscombe.
This photo shows KG124 (KFM 773) at a bus rally in Luton in June 1993.
Photo by kind permission of David Beardmore.
Built in 1949-50
Chassis: Bristol L5G, with 5-cylinder Gardner 5LW engine ('KG',
later 'SLG'), and some were Bristol L6B with a Bristol 6-cylinder engine
('KW', later 'SLG').
Body: Eastern Coach Works 35-seat front-entrance bus
bodies.
Notes: This batch was originally designated 'KG' and 'KW' before
1958.
KG115 > SLG 115 (KFM 764) c/n 79015, deliv.1949. Converted
to towing vehicle 'G115' 1966. Withdrawn 1972 and acquired by G.Ledger,
Kingsthorpe, Northants for preservation. Passed to Shrives, Raunds Station
in 1973 - broken up.
KG124 > SLG 124 (KFM 773) c/n 79115, deliv.1950. Withdrawn
1967, used as towing vehicle 'G124' until 1976. ** SURVIVOR ** London Ceremony
Bus, Belgium.
KG125 > SLG 125 (KFM 774) c/n 79130, deliv.1950. Withdrawn
1966, used as towing vehicle 'G125' (at Aberystwyth 1967) until 1972. **
SURVIVOR ** Hurst Scout Group. Reportedly sold out of preservation in 1982
to a hotel near Northampton as a hospitality unit. At Dinmore Manor,
Hope-under-Dinmore, nr. Leominster, Herefordshire 1998, painted blue and
used as rest-room for gamekeepers & pheasant shooters. Tax expired 1990.
Restored by Rob Ward,
Plough Inn, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.. In red and cream livery, and
used for advertising/hospitality.
KG126 > SLG 126 (KFM 775) c/n 79138, deliv.1950. Withdrawn
1969. ** SURVIVOR ** Birmingham & Midland Motor Omnibus Trust, Wythall
(BAMMOT) - See photo above.
KG127 > SLG 127 (KFM 776) c/n 79139, deliv.1950. Withdrawn
1967, used as towing vehicle 'G127' based at Runcorn until 1976.
KG143 > SLG 143 (LFM 724) c/n 81035, deliv.1950. Withdrawn
1966, used as towing vehicle 'G143' until 1972. To France, Dukinfield.
Ledger, Northampton 2005 (scrapped for spares).
This picture (by kind permission of David Beilby) shows Crosville LFM
731 (KG or SLG 150) at the Crich rally on 27 August 1979. It ran at that
time with this pseudo-original blind, but David thinks it only had the one
display. In the background is Bristol C2388 (LHT 911).
Built in 1950
Chassis: Bristol LL5G, with 5 cylinder Gardner 5LW engine
Body: Eastern Coach Works 39-seat rear-entrance bus bodies.
Notes: This batch was originally designated 'KG' before
1958.
Bristol L6B ELB 173 at Rhyl in 1960. Photo by kind permission of Eamonn
Kentell.
Dennis Kerrison writes "The photo of ELB173 (LFM754) was not taken
in Rhyl. It is at the express services/coach tours layover park in or near
Llandudno Oxford Road."
Built in 1950
Chassis: Bristol L6B, with 6 cylinder Bristol engine
Body: Eastern Coach Works 31-seat, rear-entrance express coach
bodies, except 171 which had 27 seats.
KW172 > ELB 172 (LFM 753) c/n 81162, deliv.1950. Withdrawn
1962 - became towing vehicle 'B172', until 1967, then mobile caravan in
Birkenhead, to Carlton PSV, Hellaby in 1988 ** SURVIVOR ** Ray Jones,
Chester.
Nigel Lemon kindly sent me this picture of SLB183 (LFM 764), taken on
19 July 1961. He says it is "climbing out of Porthmadog (probably spelled
Portmadoc in those days), before descending towards Borth-y-Gest: the inhabitants
of the bus all seem to be looking at the strange photographer!".
Meanwhile this picture of preserved
SLB175 (LFM 756) was taken by David Humphrey during the Crosville Retired
Salaried Staff Association's summer meeting and lunch in June 2009. Many thanks
to David for the photo.
Built in 1950
Chassis: Bristol LL6B, with 6 cylinder Bristol engine
Body: Eastern Coach Works 39-seat rear-entrance bus bodies.
KW176 > SLB 176 (LFM 757) c/n 83001, deliv.1950. Carried
a GPO letter box on the back for use on Route M11 Llandudno - Eglwys Fach
(the only bus-borne letter box in N.Wales). Withdrawn 1969
KW177 > SLB 177 (LFM 758) c/n 83004, deliv.1950. Based Vale
of Clwyd. Withdrawn 1967
KG193 > SLG 193 (LFM 774) c/n 83137, deliv.1951. 8 ft.wide
body. Withdrawn 1963 due to damage. Rebuilt and reinstated later that year.
Finally withdrawn 1968, sold to Peter Sheffield, Cleethorpes.
KG194 > SLG 194 (LFM 775) c/n 83138, deliv.1951. 8 ft.wide
body. Withdrawn 1967, sold to Stephens, Crewe.
KG195 > SLG 195 (LFM 776) c/n 83141, deliv.1951. 8 ft.wide
body. Withdrawn 1967, sold to Martin, Weaverham.
The indicator blind on SLG 215 (seen probably in the 1960s, almost certainly
in Chester) says it is on route B6, which ran from Mold, via Buckley and
Broughton to Chester. The one behind says it's going to Puddington - probably
some variation of the C22 route heading north out of Chester to Meols.
Photographer unknown.
Ray Jones says; "The photo is outside the old Northgate Station, sadly
long demolished, and a favourite place for the Crosville Depot (just across
the road) to park the "overflow" Buses, ah those were the days!!"
Built in 1951-52
Chassis: Bristol LWL5G, with 5 cylinder Gardner 5LW engine
Body: Eastern Coach Works 39-seat rear-entrance bus bodies.
SLB 288 (NFM 44) was one of the last Bristol Ls to be delivered to Crosville.
Photo: unknown.
Ray Jones tells me: The shot of NFM44 is coming up the Liverpool Road,
Chester, towards the terminus, and just past the Chester Depot.
Nigel Lemon wrote; We lived in Crosville country at Chester from 1969
until 2002. The earlier of those years was in fact early enough to remember
the L-types on the C 40 which then ran [I think] to the Zoo; and I initially
worked (for what was then Chester College and now University College Chester)
in the church building whose spire is visible in the right background of
the picture of NFM 44. This was formerly the Northgate Congregational Church,
which by 1969 had closed following the construction of the first part of
the inner ring-road: this had caused a large roundabout to be built 'behind'
NFM 44 with the destruction of most of the houses etc on the left hand side
of the road.
Meanwhile, as an appropriate postscript
to this story, the picture above was kindly sent to me by David Humphrey. He
took the photo of SLB290 (NFN 46) at Sealand Road works in the summer of 1970
just after its withdrawal as Crosville's last serving halfcab saloon. He
says "I was a managment trainee with Crosville at the time, and had the pleasure
of driving SLB290 in service - it was a dream to drive!"
Built in 1951-52
Chassis: Bristol LWL6B, with 6 cylinder Bristol engine
Body: Eastern Coach Works 39-seat rear-entrance bus bodies.
Notes: This batch was originally designated 'KW' before
1958.
KW289 > SLB 289 (NFM 45) c/n 87049, deliv.1952. Withdrawn
1970, Sold to Cedric, Wivenhoe, Essex. Scrapped 1975.
KW290 > SLB 290 (NFM 46) c/n 87050, deliv.1952. Crosville's
last halfcab saloon in service when withdrawn in 1970. Based at Chester at
that time. ** SURVIVOR ** Peter Bailey, Hants.
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