Guest Vehicles

92 (EXG 892)

Northern Counties bodied Guy Arab IV EXG892 was was new to Middlesbrough Corporation as their 92 in December 1955. It was the final vehicle in a batch of eight examples numbered 85-92, which ultimately formed part of an eighty-one strong fleet of Guy Arabs purchased by Middlesbrough in the 1940s and 1950s with various bodies, including; Northern Counties, Roe and ECW.

EXG892 was withdrawn from service in 1971 becoming the last highbridge Guy Arab to work on public service in Middlesbrough. It was purchased from the Teesside Municipal Transport in the summer of 1971 for preservation and subsequently repainted it into original Middlesbrough blue livery the following year. Over the years, the bus has passed though the ownership of other hobbyists including those from Bolton and Cambridge. For the past twenty-or-so years it has sat undercover in Spalding near Peterborough.

he bus was originally planned to arrive back in the North East in March, but due to the Covid pandemic things were put on hold. Having been restored to its new condition back in 1971, the vehicle requires a further restoration project by its new owner in order to secure its long-term future as preserved bus.

129 (EJR 129W)

3529 stands out as an exceptionally rare long-wheelbase Leyland Atlantean with coach seating, believed to be the last of its kind from the original batch. In 1980, Tyne & Wear PTE commissioned thirty Atlanteans with this unique specification, numbered 104 to 133 upon delivery.

Upon arrival, the majority of the batch, including 129 (3529), entered service at Byker depot. However, the last ten vehicles, spanning from 124 to 133, were stored at Byker and remained unused for approximately a year. In 1981, these vehicles, now numbered 3524-3533, were transferred to Northern General ownership. It is speculated that the PTE procured the batch for planned express services that never materialized. With a diminished need for vehicles following the Metro's opening in the early 1980s, these ten Atlanteans were deemed unnecessary. The PTE retained the rest of the batch, re-seating them to bench seating after deregulation, a process carried out by its successor, Busways.

Upon transferring to Northern General ownership, 129 became 3529, and unlike its counterparts, retained its coach seating. Operating under the Coastline subsidiary, 3529 and its acquired sisters served North Tyneside on 'Fastlink' interurban routes, primarily stationed at Percy Main and Hadrian Road depots. Their livery drew inspiration from the historic Tynemouth & District Transport Company. After Northern General, 3529 found a new home with G & S Travel in Ramsgate, Kent, in the late 1980s. Despite initial assumptions of scrappage with the rest of the batch, 3529 defied expectations. In the early 2000s, it unexpectedly reappeared at Wealden PSV Sales in Kent, adorned in its distinctive Coastline livery. Remarkably, the bus had been sitting there for a decade before being listed for sale.

3529 made a triumphant return to the North East in 2011, showcasing its enduring rarity. After passing ownership, today the vehicle is preserved superbly in Northern General Coastliner livery.

210 (EJR 110W)

Leyland Atlantean 210 (EJR 110W) was one of 30 AN68 Atlantean buses purcashed in 1980, which were fitted with coach seating. Originally numbered 110 with the PTE, unlike sister bus EJR 129W at Felling, the bus was put into service and underwent a re-seating process. It initially operated in Sunderland but later transitioned to later working with Newcastle. At Newcastle, 210 was chosen for a national advertising campaign by Independent Express Cargo, receiving a unique all-over advertisement featuring an image of a delivery truck traveling at night, along with the tagline "Delivery next day or you don't pay!". This eye-catching ad was applied around the time of industry deregulation in 1986, seamlessly blending with the bus's bodywork and wheels, creating an impressive offside view.

Due to a fleet number restructuring exerceise to make way for a batch of Leyland Lynx saloons in 1989, 110 was renumbered 210. In December 1998, 210 was transferred to Cleveland Transit where it reverted back to its original fleet number of 110. It remained in active service with Transit, through the company's transitioning to Stagecoach, until 2003 when it was put up for disposal. On disposal it was sold for preservation and today wears Sunderland Busways livery. 

251 (G251 SRG)

Optare Delta bodied DAF SB220 251 (G251 SRG) was new in November 1989, one of four vehicles of ots type new to Northumbria Motor Services. These marked Northumbria's initial venture into full-sized single-decker buses, and as pioneers in this category, they made significant investments in passenger comfort and convenience. This included installing Hanover digital flip-dot displays, adding extra grab poles, and equipping them with high-back coach seats. The flip-dot displays were subsequently substituted with roller-blinds.

Northumbria Motor Services, part of the United Automobile Services, split before the National Bus Company's 1987 privatization. In 1994, its management-owned Proudmutual transitioned to British Bus, acquired by Cowie PLC in 1996, which later became Arriva PLC. 251 was the first single-decker in Arriva's aquamarine livery, operating under Arriva Northumbria as 4090. It served multiple depots in the North East until August 2005, when it joined Peterlee's reserve fleet, ultimately being retired from public service on January 11, 2006.

On disposal from the group, two former Directors and major shareholders of Northumbria Motor Services purchased 251 for preservation. Following an extensive restoration programme at Gardiners of Spennymoor, it made its debut at Showbus in Duxford in September 2008, presenting itself in a condition reminiscent of its original factory state. Ownership of the vehicle changed hands in the Spring of 2023, but remains under dedicated maintenance and preservation to ensure its legacy endures for years to come.

538 (MVK538R)

Leyland Atlantean 538 (MVK 538R) was part of batch of 71 duel-doored MVK-R registered Leyland Atlanteans new to Tyne & Wear PTE’s Byker depot in 1976. In comparison to its sisters, 538 left the fleet rather early in 1983 as it was sold to Colchester Borough Transport. After use with Colchester it was sold on to Boons of Boreham in the late 1990s, then to Dons of Dunmow (Essex) for storage and as a source of spare parts.

The double decker was aquired for preservation on 2010, and despite sitting outside for ten years, the chassis no major corrosion and interior is still very original. It is the sole survivor of this batch of Atlanteans and unique for having a nearside "Newcastle Staicase" as well as centre doors.

616 (SVK 616G)

Although the oldest bus in the shed, PDR1 Leyland Atlantean 616 (SVK616G) only has a short timeline of events for its long career. It was purchased new in 1968 before the days of the PTE by Newcastle Corporation Transport. Passing to PTE ownership, the decker seen a decade of service in Tyneside and it was withdrawn in the early 1980s. After withdrawal 616 was purchased by Sale Coach Services but then returned to the North East to become an advertisement fixture for local produce in a field near Corbridge, Northumberland. 616 then made its way into storage for a number of years and was eventually bought for preservation in 2009 and brought back to Tyneside.

680 (GBB 516K)

Leyland Atlantean 680 (GBB 516K) was new to Tyneside PTE in June 1972. It was one of 25 long wheelbase PDR2 Atlanteans with a nearside staircase and delivered to Byker depot. In 1981, 680 and fifteen others were sold to the Isle of Man National Transport Company, where the bus  became their 65 and re-registered N875 MAN.

These Atlanteans served for four years on the Isle of Man before newer AN68 Atlanteans replaced them. Some from the batch returned to the UK mainland or were scrapped, but 680 stayed on the Isle of Man as a racing support vehicle for 15 years.

When it was time to replace 680, it seemed destined for the scrapyard. However, local enthusiasts purchased and stored it on the island, with plans to restore it to its original Tyne & Wear PTE livery. On May 3rd 2003, 680 returned to the North East for preservation.

688 (GBB 524K)

688 (GBB524K) was new to Tyne & Wear PTE in 1972 where it worked out of Byker depot. It was one of a batch of 25 buses purchased by the PTE at the time, and after 1974 carried the fleet number 724. Like its sister 680, 688 was in service with the PTE until 1981.

Unlike 680 which was sent to the Isle of Man, 688 went to Scotland and joined Ian Glass of Haddington in East Lothian. Sometime in the late 1980s the decker made its way to Berry Bus (Middlebank Farm) in Perth as a non-PCV vehicle. In 2000 it returned to the north east after standing vacant for many years.

807 (OCU 807R)

Introduced in 1977 as part of a group of 40 buses, Leyland Fleetline 807 (OCU807R) made its debut under the ownership of Tyne & Wear PTE, with an initial assignment to Sunderland. In 1979, the bus underwent a transformation when it was adorned with a special livery commemorating Sunderland Corporation Transport.

Upon its initial launch, 807 featured a secondary passenger exit located just behind the staircase. However, during the 1980s, these additional doors were removed. Following the deregulation of bus companies, the double-decker transitioned to Busways Travel Services and operated in Darlington alongside some of its counterparts from the same batch. It continued in service until the acquisition of Busways Travel Services by Stagecoach in 1994. In the mid-1990s, 807 was released from Stagecoach and subsequently sold to Billy Davies of Plean (Stirling), alongside its sister bus, 803 (OCU803R). Both buses were repainted in the distinctive blue livery of Davies' company. After a period under the ownership of Billy Davies, Leyland Fleetline 807 was carefully preserved in 2011.

915 (F915 JRG)

915 (F915JRG) was part of a fleet of 20 Scania N113CRB Alexander PSs which were new to Newcastle Busways' Slatyford depot in 1988. Busways were in fact the first UK customer for the standard-floor single-decker version of the N113.

These new single-deckers were compared to recently purchased Leyland Lynx, part of a company investment of 60 buses. At the time these buses were regarded as the first generation of Environmentally Friendly buses in the North East fleet, with quieter and cleaner engines. This trial resulted in further deliveries of Scania PS vehicles taking the total of this type to 36.

915 remained at Slatyford through the purchase of the company to Stagecoach, being renumbered as 28915. It had periods in both stripes and swoops liveries, and in 2004 had a short spell at Walkergate. Its North East stay came to an end shortly afterwards, with it transferring to Cumbria's Carlisle depot to help out during the city floods that hit the depot 2005. After a few months in Cumbria, 28915 went to Scotland in July 2005 and became part of the Bluebird fleet.

By 2007 it was withdrawn from the group with 918 and made its way to Stonehouse Coaches for use on schools before being purchased for preservation.

1101 (R101 KRG)

In 1997, Busways purchased 26 ALX200 bodied Darts, with 1101 (R101KRG) being the first. This marked the company's introduction to low-floor vehicles, featuring 'Lo-Liner' branding. Initially based in Sunderland, the vehicle later adopted Stagecoach stripes livery.

Over the years, 1101 served various routes in the North East, briefly operating in Byker in 1998 before returning to Sunderland. In 2001, it moved to South Shields, where it ran on the 18s. By 2003, it shifted to Byker, then later to Transit at Teesside as 33101, retaining 'Lo-Liner.' In 2009, it moved to South Shields, operating alongside other ALX200 Darts.

After several depot changes, 33101 returned to Sunderland in 2012, only to be displaced by newer vehicles in 2013, moving back to South Shields. It then relocated to Teesside in 2014, serving in Hartlepool as a spare. Withdrawn in January 2015, 33101 was preserved in June, undergoing mechanical work at Sunderland's Wheatsheaf depot. It now appears in its Stagecoach form at North East rallies and will ultimately be repainted into Stagecoach stripes livery.

1474 (N474 RVK)

1474 (N474RVK) was one of fourty 23-seater Mercedes Benz 709Ds with Alexander Sprint bodywork delivered new to Stagecoach Busways in 1996. This example was one of thirteen which were deployed into Slatyford depot and carried the Stagecoach Busways corporate stripes livery.

The allocation of these Mercedes buses remained constant for many years with only minor vehicle swaps occuring between North East depots.

In 2002, the new national fleet numbering system enabled 1474 to be renumbered to 40474. It soon recieved the revised Stagecoach livery, being painted into swoops in 2003. The bus operated out of Slatyford its entire life until April 2009 when it was withdrawn from service and bought for preservation. 1474 was the last 709D minibus in service with Stagecoach in Newcastle.

1902 (M902 DRG)

1902 (M902DRG) was among the 10 demonstration vehicles acquired by Busways as part of a company trial. The trial involved testing various body and chassis combinations, including the Scania L113CRL with Alexander Strider and Northern Counties Paladin bodywork, and Dennis Lances with Plaxton Verde and Optare Sigma bodies. 1902, along with its sister vehicle 1901, was equipped with the Alexander Strider body. These evaluation models marked the end of vehicles delivered in the yellow Busways livery.

1902, initially adorned in maroon colors representing Newcastle Busways, was initially assigned to Byker. Following a trial period, it relocated to Sunderland, joining its sister vehicle 1901. In return, Byker received one of the Scania Strider evaluation vehicles, 954 (M954DRG). While operating in Newcastle Busways livery in Sunderland, 1902 underwent a repaint into Stagecoach Busways stripes. Prior to its next transfer, both 1902 and 1901 were repainted in the new Stagecoach corporate swoop livery in November 2002. They were then moved to Newcastle, entering service with Walkergate. As part of the national fleet renumbering, 1902 became 21002 and received Newcastle fleet names. In July 2003, both vehicles were transferred to South Shields, where they became regulars on the Economic services. Following the Carlisle floods in 2005, 1901 was transferred to Carlisle and subsequently to Stagecoach Yorkshire. Due to a minor road traffic accident, it is believed that 1902 was unable to assist in Cumbria. In August 2011 entered preservation.

2557 (POG 557Y)

In November 1982, POG557Y, part of the second batch of MCW Metrobus MKII's for West Midlands PTE, started service as bus number 2557 at Selly Oak garage. It shared the DR102/27 specification with its batch and the previous NOA-X batch. Due to the closure of Selly Oak depot in August 1986, 2557, along with sister vehicle 2556, was transferred to Birmingham Central Garage. After four years there, both buses were moved to Walsall garage, where 2557 remained until its withdrawal. Like many MKII Metrobuses, 2557 faced corrosion issues, but a deal with Marshall's of Cambridge saved the fleet from an early demise. Although the exact date of 2557's rebuild is unknown, it likely occurred between 1994 and 1996.

After being withdrawn in May 2001, 2557 and 2556 were sold to Kingsley's of Washington, Tyne & Wear, with 2557 becoming number 223. After 11 years with Kingsley's, sister vehicle 2556 was scrapped in 2011, while 2557 was saved for preservation in July 2012. In June 2015, POG557Y moved to Tyneside Heritage Vehicles after three years in storage at Esh Winning. It is now under new ownership.

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