Felix Services LtdBus 1921-2012 Contents
Felix Services Bus Ltd 1921-2012 -History Fleet Page 3
Felix Services Bus LtdFleet 1921-2012- List Bus Page 6
CoverIllustration: 618KRA is a preserved1959 BedfordSB1 with Yeates C41F bodywork. (Graham Woodward).
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Page 2 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
The origin of Felix Bus Services can be traced back to 1921 when Norman Frost purchased an ex-War Department Crossley lorry, which was used to transport miners to and from the nearby West Hallam Colliery. At weekends it was fitted with a canvas roof and was used to transport the locals to Ilkeston and Chaddesden on an irregular service. It also provided transport for the local football team to away fixtures. In 1924 the vehicle was fitted with a B14F bus body by Dickens of Loughborough, although no regular service was provided and it was not until 1926 with the purchase of a third vehicle, that the appropriate licence was obtained and the first regular hourly service between Ilkeston and Derby commenced. It was around this time that the name Felix Bus Service (based on a popular song of the time) was adopted.
The early vehicles were garaged in New Street, Stanley, outside Norman Frost's parents' home, but in 1937 a purpose built garage was constructed in Station Road and the fleet re-located there.
Vehicles initially carried a livery of chocolate brown and cream but this was modified over the years. From the 1950's the familiar red and maroon livery became standard.
Single-deckers were always used, primarily because of a low bridge on the LNER line between Derby and Ilkeston, although the roadway was
Page 3 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012 sufficiently lowered later to allow lowbridge double-deckers to pass under it.
Sadly in 1975 Norman Frost passed away and the business was taken over by his nephew. In July 1975 the company was incorporated as Felix Bus Services Limited.
During the 1980’s the Company introduced holiday tours both in the UK and abroad branded as ‘Felix Holiday Tours’.
Throughout the life of the company there was little expansion and the Ilkeston – Derby service remained the primary route operated, although tours, excursions and private hires were also an additional source of revenue. In 1986 the main route was extended to Keddleston Drive in Ilkeston and the following year was extended to serve the Ilkeston Community Hospital. Latterly this service was operated jointly with Trentbarton under 'The Black Cat' name. A limited stop service from Ilkeston to Derby via Kirk Hallam and Spondon under the name 'The Ilkeston Flyer' was also jointly operated with Trentbarton. The company operated school services from surrounding villages into Kirk Hallam and, on weekdays, a single morning service from the Rose and Crown in Smalley to Ilkeston via Mapperley. A football special was also run from Ilkeston to Derby County's football ground on match days.
Page 4 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
In December 2011 it was announced that the stage carriage and express service would be sold to Midland General from 29 January 2012, however, Felix continued to operate some school journeys into Kirk Hallam until the end of March 2012, when subsidies were withdrawn and Felix Bus Services Ltd finally came to the end of the road. The holiday tours business subsequently passed to Swiftsure of Burton-on-Trent.
Page 5 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012 Bus Fleet List 1921-2012
This listing is in the format - Year into Stock; Reg. No; Chassis; Chassis No; Body; Seating.
1921 R7831 Crossley ?? Dickens B14F R7831 was ex-War Department lorry. There are conflicting reports about this vehicle, it has been quoted as a lorry with bench seats and canvas roof and also as a charabanc with Benton Ch14 body. It was re-bodied by Dickens in 1924 to B14F. Withdrawn 1927 (R7831). 1922 NU???? Crossley ?? Lancashire Trading Co Ch14 Withdrawn unknown (NU????).
Page 6 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1926 RA575 Dennis 30-cwt 50912 Short Bros B20F Withdrawn 1934 (RA575). 1927 RA1780 Dennis 30-cwt ?? ?? B20F Withdrawn 1936 (RA1780). 1928 RA5361 Dennis 30-cwt 53044 Taylor B16F YL439 Dennis 30-cwt ?? ?? B16F YL439 probably on loan (new 1925). RA5361 re-bodied by Willowbrook to B16F 7/1931. Withdrawn unknown (YL439), 1936 (RA5361). 1929 RA7608 Dennis G 70435 Willowbrook B20F Withdrawn 1935 (RA7608).
Page 7 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1933 RB7906 Dennis Lancet 170268 Willowbrook B32F Withdrawn 1937 (RB7906). 1934 VT3170 Reo Pullman GA350 ?? B20F ANU821 Dennis Ace 200085 Willowbrook B20F ARB472 Dennis Ace 200340 Willowbrook B20F VT3170 on loan from 3/1934 to 6/1934 from Hipwell, Woodhouse Eaves (new 1928). Withdrawn 1944 (ARB472), 1945 (ANU821). 1935 BRA86 Dennis Lancet 170861 Willowbrook C32F BRA86 re-bodied by Yeates to C35F in 1947 (also quoted as C32F and C33F). Withdrawn 1956 (BRA86).
Page 8 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
ARB472 was a 1934 Dennis Ace with Willowbrook B20F bodywork, one of two purchased that year. (The Bus Archive). Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1937 DRB861 Dennis Lancet 171181 Willowbrook C32F Withdrawn 1950 (DRB861). 1938 ERB398 Dennis Lancet 171187 Willowbrook C32F Withdrawn 1950 (ERB398). 1940 GRB739 Dennis Falcon 280004 Dennis C32F VJ6497 Dennis Lancet 170693 Willowbrook C32F VJ6497 ex-War Department (new 1934 to Williams, Ewyas Harold). Withdrawn unknown (VJ6497), 1952 (GRB739). 1943 HRB5 Bedford OWB 12456 SMT B32F Withdrawn 1952 (HRB5).
Page 10 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1944 HRB814 Bedford OWB 20483 Duple B32F Withdrawn 1953 (HRB814). 1946 JRA476 Bedford OB 15920 Duple B32F Withdrawn 1956 (JRA476). 1947 LNU36 Dennis Lancet III 200J3 Yeates C35F LNU36 re-bodied by Yeates to FC35F in 1956. Withdrawn 1965 (LNU36). 1948 MRA279 Dennis Lancet YS48 Yeates C32F MRA903 Crossley SD42/5 97615 Yeates C35F MRA279 rebuilt lorry chassis (new 1933) rebodied and fitted with Dennis O4 engine and re-registered as shown 7/1948. Withdrawn 1959 (MRA279), 1963 (MRA903).
Page 11 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
MRA279 started life as a lorry but was rebuilt and re-bodied to C32F by Yeates and fitted with a Dennis O4 engine, joining the fleet in 1948. (Robert Mack). Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1950 ONU706 Dennis Lancet III 749J3 Yeates C35F Withdrawn 1964 (ONU706). 1952 EX5777 Bedford OB 50138 Duple C27F EX5777 ex-Seagull Coaches, Great Yarmouth (new 1947). Withdrawn 1961 (EX5777). 1953 KWA729 Bedford OB 57984 SMT C29F KWA729 ex-Sims, Sheffield (new 1947). Withdrawn 1959 (KWA729). 1954 LDD507 Dennis Falcon II 122L6 Duple C33F LDD507 ex-Say, Gloucester (new 1952). Withdrawn 1967 (LDD507).
Page 13 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1955 LTO715 Bedford OB 108111 Duple C29F LTO715 ex-Makemson Bros., Bulwell (new 1949). Withdrawn 1962 (LTO715). 1959 BSN259 Bedford OB 127290 Duple C29F 618KRA Bedford SB1 70056 Yeates C41F BSN259 ex-Maurice Coachways, York (new 1950) Withdrawn 1966 (BSN259), 1969 (618KRA). 1961 47UNU Bedford SB1 87996 Yeates C41F Withdrawn 1971 (47UNU). 1962 3XRA Bedford SB5 90481 Yeates C41F Withdrawn 1972 (3XRA).
Page 14 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
3XRA was a 1962 Bedford SB5 with Yeates ‘Europa’ C41F bodywork. It was withdrawn in 1972. (Len Wright). Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1963 6881R Bedford SB5 92043 Yeates DP45F Withdrawn 1970 (6881R). 1964 ANU158B Bedford SB5 94452 Plaxton C41F Withdrawn 1973 (ANU158B). 1965 FRB114C Bedford SB5 97461 Plaxton C41F Withdrawn 1973 (FRB114C). 1966 KNU452D Bedford SB5 96698 Plaxton C41F Withdrawn 1975 (KNU452D).
Page 16 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1968 URA414F Bedford SB5 7T451399 Plaxton C41F Withdrawn 1975 (URA414F). 1969 DRA35G Bedford SB5 9T470035 Plaxton C41F Withdrawn 1975 (DRA35G). 1970 GNU699H Bedford VAM70 0T476551 Plaxton DP45F Withdrawn 1978 (GNU699H). 1971 ORB554K Bedford YRQ 1T485464 Plaxton DP45F Withdrawn 1978 (ORB554K). 1972 VNU484K Bedford YRQ 2T470332 Plaxton C45F Withdrawn 1979 (VNU484K).
Page 17 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
Seen in Derby Bus Station awaiting departure to Ilkeston is ORB554K, a Plaxton DP45F-bodied Bedford YRQ dating from 1971, (LTHL collection). Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1973 BRA191L Bedford YRQ CW451049 Plaxton C45F PRA836M Bedford YRQ CW451080 Plaxton C45F Withdrawn 1980 (BRA191L, PRA836M). 1975 HNU701M Bedford YRQ EW450209 Plaxton C45F Withdrawn 1981 (HNU701M). 1976 RCH76R Bedford YMT FW455073 Plaxton C51F Withdrawn 1981 (RCH76R). 1978 WRC826S Bedford YMT HW450352 Duple C53F BRR684T Bedford YMT HW457708 Duple C53F Withdrawn 1996 (BRR684T), 2003 (WRC826S).
Page 19 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1979 BRR685T Bedford YLQ JW451947 Duple C45F Withdrawn 1984 (BRR685T). 1980 FFR686V Bedford YMT JW457661 Plaxton C53F KVO687W Bedford YMQ KW453678 Plaxton C45F Withdrawn 1983 (KVO687W), 1988 (FFR686V). 1981 ORA688W Bedford YMT KW452021 Duple C53F Withdrawn 1988 (ORA688W). 1982 SNU689X Bedford YNT LW452926 Plaxton C53F Withdrawn 1984 (SNU689X). 1983 YAL690Y Bedford YNT DT101782 Plaxton C53F Withdrawn 1986 (YAL690Y).
Page 20 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1979 Bedford YRQ BRR685T carried Duple C45F coachwork. It remained with Felix for just 5 years, being withdrawn in 1984. (John Law). Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1984 A691ERB Bedford YNT DT109761 Plaxton C53F Withdrawn 1991 (A691ERB). 1985 B692JAU Bedford YNT ET105212 Plaxton C53F Withdrawn 1988 (B692JAU). 1986 C693PRA Bedford YNV FT700261 Duple C53F DTN958W Leyland PSU3E/4R 7930171 Plaxton C53F DTN958W ex-J&G Holmes, Clay Cross (new 1980 to Craiggs Ltd, Radcliffe). Withdrawn 1990 (C693PRA), 2000 (DTN958W). 1987 BES270V Leyland PSU3E/4R 7902735 Plaxton C53F D694WAU Bedford YMT HT101262 Plaxton B60F BES270V ex-Earnside Coaches, Glenfarg (new 1979). Withdrawn 1988 (D694WAU), 1999 (BES270V).
Page 22 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1988 E695-96CRC Dennis Javelin 12SDA1907/109-10 Duple C57F GRF264V Leyland PSU3E/4R 7901966 Duple C53F F697HNU Leyland TRBTL11/2RP TR00267 Plaxton B54F GRF264V ex-Tillingbourne Bus Co (new 1979 to PMT; No.64). Withdrawn 1993 (E695-96CRC), 2000 (GRF264V), 2005 (F697HNU). 1990 G698-99PRR Dennis Javelin 12SDA1907/306/34 Duple C57F G698PRR re-registered G699PRR 2/91 (due to administrative error). G699PRR re-registered G698PRR 2/91 (due to administrative error). Withdrawn 1997 (G698-99PRR[G699/98PRR]). 1991 YPD130Y Leyland TRCTL11/2R 8201424 Duple C46F YPD130Y ex-London Country (new 1983; No. TD30); re-seated to C53F 8/92. Withdrawn 1996 (YPD130Y).
Page 23 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
F697HNU was a 1988 Leyland TRBTL11/2RP ‘Tiger’ with Plaxton B54F bodywork. (LTHL Image Bank/John Blannin). Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1992 J348GKH Dennis Dart 9.8SDL3004/438 Plaxton B40F J564URW Leyland LX2R11C15Z4S LX2050 Leyland B51F J348GKH on loan from Plaxton 3/92-4/92. J564URW ex-demonstrator (new 1992). Withdrawn 2010 (J564URW). 1993 FHA609Y Leyland TRCTL11/2R 8300072 Duple C49F L701-02MRA Dennis Javelin 12SDA2117/808/09 Plaxton C53F FHA609Y ex-Safeway Services, South Petherton (new 1983 to London Country; No. TD37 [registered YPD137Y]). Withdrawn 1996 (FHA609Y), 1997 (L701-02MRA). 1994 M291OUR Iveco 480-10.21 6001885 Wadham Stringer B47F On demonstration during 1994.
Page 25 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
J564URW dates from 1992 and was an ex-Leyland demonstrator. It was an all-Leyland B51F ‘Lynx’ and was withdrawn in 2010. (John Law). Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1995 M301KRY Volvo B10B-58 01646 Alexander B51F M21UUA Dennis Lance 11SDA3113/327 Optare B47F M21UUA ex-demonstrator (new 1994). Withdrawn 2000 (M21UUA), 2012 (M301KRY). 1996 N703AAL Dennis Javelin 12SDA2155/1274 Plaxton C53F Withdrawn 2000 (N703AAL). 1997 R704RNN Volvo B10M-62 046763 Plaxton C57F R705MNU Volvo B10M-62 046762 Plaxton C57F Withdrawn 2004 (R704RNN), 2006 (R705MNU). 1998 R706MNU Volvo B10M-62 060467 Plaxton C57F S590KJF Volvo B10BLE 003036 Alexander B45F Withdrawn 2003 (S590KJF), 2006 (R706MNU).
Page 27 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
1999 E260-61TUB Leyland LX1126LXCTZR1S LX1092-93 Leyland B49F E263TUB Leyland LX1126LXCTZR1S LX1099 Leyland B49F V707ENN Mercedes-Benz O814D 670374-2N-78073 Plaxton B31F E260TUB, E261TUB, E263TUB ex-Arriva, Yorkshire (Nos. 260, 261, 263 respectively; new 1988 to Sheffield & District Transport). Withdrawn 2008 (E260-261TUB, E263TUB, V707ENN). 2000 V708GRY Volvo B10BLE 003110 Alexander B43F W709PTO Volvo B10M-62 060901 Plaxton C53F X711GJU Dennis Dart SLF SFD322BR1X14262 Plaxton B39F W709PTO to Swiftsure, Burton-on-Trent 5/12. Withdrawn 2007 (X711GJU), 2012 (V708GRY). 2002 FE02LWD Optare M920 19000000000754 Optare B33F FG52WUC Optare M920 19000000000911 Optare B33F D345YDO Leyland TRCTL11/3RZ 8600214 Plaxton DP51F D345YDO ex-Kime & Co., Folkingham (new 1986 to Ministry of Defence [registered 82 KF 07]). Withdrawn 2005 (D345YDO), 2012 (FE02LWD, FG52WUC).
Page 28 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
Sporting Felix Holiday Tours branding is W709PTO, a Volvo B10M-62 with Plaxton C53F coachwork dating from 2000. It passed to Swiftsure in 2012 with the Holiday Tours business. (LTHL collection). Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
2003 YN03WRA Scania L94UB YS2L4X200001842402 Wright B43F YN03WRA to Midland General Omnibus Co 1/12 (re-numbered 598). 2004 YN04AGY Scania L94UB YS2L4X200001846212 Wright B43F YN04AGY to Midland General Omnibus Co 1/12 (re-numbered 599). 2005 YN05GZB Scania L94UB YS2L4X200001850854 Wright B43F YN05GZB to Midland General Omnibus Co 1/12 (re-numbered 600). 2006 YN55YSE-SF Irisbus 397E.12.31 ZGA7B2N000E002381/83 Plaxton C57F YN55YSE to Swiftsure, Burton-on-Trent 5/12. Withdrawn 2012 (YN55YSF). 2007 YJ56KBF VDL DE02CSSB200 XMGDE02CS0H013509 Plaxton B45F YJ56KBF to Notts & Derby Traction Co 1/12 (re-numbered 791).
Page 30 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
2008 YJ08EFL VDL DE02FSSB200 XMGDE02FS0H015858 Plaxton B45F YJ08EFL to Notts & Derby Traction Co 1/12 (re-numbered 793). 2010 FJ10NFV Volvo B7RLE YV3R6K6209A133599 Plaxton B45F FJ10NFV to Kinchbus, Heanor 1/12 (re-numbered 767).
Page 31 Felix Bus Services Ltd 1921-2012
YJ08EFL was one of the last vehicles to join the Felix fleet. It was a 2008 Plaxton B45F bodied VDL that passed to Notts & Derby in 2012. (LTHL Image Bank/John Blannin). © Local Transport History Library 2020
Additional information, corrections and photographs are always welcome. Our general email address is: [email protected]
In producing this booklet reference has been made to the following publications: Felix Bus Services Ltd of Stanley, Derbyshire, Paul D. Chambers, 2006; PSV Circle Historic Journal 917-HJ, June 2016.
Photographs courtesy LTHL Image Bank, Bus Archive, R.F.Mack, John Law, Graham Woodward and Len Wright.
Series Editor: Peter Gould ([email protected])