Corporation Transport 1900-1974

CONTENTS

Southport Corporation Transport - Fleet History 1900-1974...... ….…………. Page 3

Southport Corporation Transport - Tram Fleet List 1900-1934…………….…….. Page 10

Southport Corporation Transport - Bus Fleet List 1924-1974……………….…….. Page 20

Cover Illustration: No. 116 (GWM816) is a Crossley SD42/7T with Crossley 32-seat bodywork now in preservation. (Stephen Marsh).

First Published 2019 by the Local Transport History Library.

With thanks to Stephen Marsh, E. Simpson, Tony Robertson, John Kaye and G. Cunliffe for illustrations.

© The Local Transport History Library 2019. (www.lthlibrary.org.uk) For personal use only. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise for commercial gain without the express written permission of the publisher. In all cases this notice must remain intact. All rights reserved.

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2 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

The Southport Tramways Order of 1872 authorised the construction of Southport's first horse tramway. Opened on 31st May 1873, it ran from Churchtown Station, southwest to Station, travelling via Mill Lane, Roe Lane and Lord Street and was operated by the Southport Tramways Company. A second route was opened shortly afterward, running from Lord Street to Road, where it re-joined the original line by Churchtown Station, before continuing to the Botanic Gardens. The system was single-track throughout its 6¼ miles, and worked by a fleet of thirteen open-top double-deck trams, liveried in green and white. On the 12th May 1883, the Birkdale and Southport Tramways Company opened another line to the east of the Southport Tramways system. It ran from London Square (later Monument Square), on Lord Street, to Gardens in the southeast, via Scarisbrook Road. On the 5th November 1884 a short section south along Sefton Street to the Crown Hotel opened, the only section of the system that was actually in Birkdale. It is thought that the route was worked by twelve horse-drawn tramcars, although this cannot be confirmed. Two years later, in 1896, Southport Corporation purchased the Company and, along with Birkdale UDC, also purchased the tramway tracks that lay within their boundaries. The lines of the Southport Tramways Company were leased back to the Company for a period of 21 years, whilst those of the Birkdale and Southport Tramway Company were ostensibly operated by the Company until electrification. In 1899 the authority was given for Southport Corporation to commence its electrification programme and to construct new routes in the process.

3 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

On the 18th July 1900, Southport Corporation tramcars ran for the first time, when three new electric routes were opened, the High , Blowick and Ash Street sections being the first to be brought into use. By the end of the year a total of seven routes had been opened. The trams were housed at a newly constructed depot in Canning Road, Blowick and the initial fleet consisted of nine open-top double-deckers (occupying the even numbers; 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18) and six combination single-deckers (occupying the odd numbers; 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11), all manufactured by the Electric Railway and Tramway Carriage Works of Preston, and liveried in maroon and cream. In 1901 the British Electric Traction Company purchased the Southport Tramways Company and began to electrify the leased lines. The first electric service commenced on the 11th August 1901 on the Botanic Gardens route, which terminated at the Southport/Birkdale boundary, using 20 Brush open-top double-deckers (Nos. 1-20), based at the Company's former horse tram depot in Churchtown. By 1903 electrification of the 5½-mile system had been completed. In 1912 Birkdale UDC was absorbed into the borough of Southport, and, just five years later, on the 1st January 1918, Southport Corporation finally united the tramway system in the town by purchasing the Southport Tramways Company from the BET for the sum of £35,000, although operation of the services was not taken over by the Corporation until 1st March of that year.

4 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

In 1919 a programme of top-covering all the open-toppers was started and all the trams underwent re-conditioning and re-building to some extent. This kept the fleet running throughout the 1920's. In 1924 Southport Corporation purchased its first bus, a locally built Vulcan VSD (No. 1: FY6272) with 28-seat toastrack bodywork, intended for sea-front duties. More followed, and by 1930 the Corporation had a fleet of 12 vehicles, mainly Vulcan's, along with an AEC 411 of 1925 and two Leyland TD1's purchased in 1929. This, effectively, was the writing on the wall for the tramway system, which was isolated and had never connected with any other system, unlike the majority of neighbouring tramways. From March 1931 the former Southport Tramways routes were gradually abandoned and replaced by buses, until, on the 31st December 1934, the last tram ran in Southport, bringing to an end over 50 years of tramway operations in the borough. With the onset of World War II in 1939, the Government transferred several ministries to Southport for the duration, and consequently the demand for transport rose, especially in view of petrol rationing. The fleet, which stood at 45 vehicles in 1936, had been expanded to 63 vehicles by 1946, and by 1951 it had grown to 78 vehicles. It was around this time that passenger numbers peaked, with approximately 30 million using the Corporation's buses in 1951. In 1946, the Corporation introduced a number of open-top sea-front services using ex-War Department Bedford QL's, with locally constructed 23-seat bodywork by Rimmer, Harrison and Sutherland. Some of these vehicles were used exclusively for

5 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974 the beach service to Sandhills and , since the salt water caused rapid deterioration of the chassis and bodywork, hence their early withdrawal, whilst the others were only used on beach services in emergencies and spent most of their working lives on circular tours. The last QL ran in 1966. Southport Corporation received permission to operate 8ft wide double-deckers in 1947, and Nos. 84-95 (FFY401-412), a batch of Leyland PD2/3's with Leyland H30/26R bodywork being the first such vehicles in the fleet. This type of vehicle remained the standard until the late 1960's when declining passenger numbers (down to around 15 million in 1966, about half of those carried in 1951) precipitated a move to one-man operation and the Corporation began to purchase a number of single-deck vehicles suitable for this type of operation. By 1967 the Corporation operated the following stage carriage routes; 1 Woodvale to Blowick, via Birkdale

2 Lord Street to Marshside, via Cambridge Road

3 Monument Square to Botanic Gardens, via Cop

4 Chapel Street to Halsall Road, via Shakespeare Street

5 Chapel Street to Haig Avenue, via the General Infirmary

6 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

6 Monument Square to Blowick, via Sussex Street

7 Monument Square to Russell Road, via

8 Chapel Street to Carr Lane, via Cemetery Road

9 Lord Street to , via Roe Lane

10 Lord Street to Crossens, via Preston New Road

11 Lord Street to Woodvale, via Ainsdale

12 Lord Street to Ainsdale, via Hillside

13 Lord Street to Ainsdale Beach, via Hillside

14 Lord Street to Liverpool Road, via Birkdale Station

15 Lord Street to Clive Road, via York Road

16 Lord Street to Guildford Road, via Aughton Road

7 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

17 Lord Street to Balmoral Drive, via Golf House

18 Lord Street to Everard Road, via Promenade

19 Lord Street to Golf House, via Promenade

20 Eastbank Street Square to Kew, via Forest Road

In addition, football buses were operated from Crossens (No.21), Ainsdale (No.22) and Carr Lane (No.23) to Southport FC ground at Haig Avenue on match days, and circular tours were numbered 25, 29 and 30, with No. 27 being the Chapel Street to Pleasureland circular. By 1971 the Corporation had a fleet of over 20 one-man operated single-deckers and several of the earlier PD2 double-deckers with front entrance bodywork had been converted for one-man operation. The Transport Act of 1968 was brought in to help rectify some of the problems facing bus operators at the time. It also allowed for the creation of Passenger Transport Executives, PTE being one of the first so designated. Although the borough of Southport lay outside the catchment area, the Local Government Act of 1972 created the new Merseyside County, which included the boroughs of St. Helens and Southport. As a consequence, on the 1st April 1974, the transport undertakings of these two municipal operators were absorbed into the Merseyside PTE, and at

8 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974 midnight on the 31st March 1974, Southport Corporation Transport passed into history and almost 75 years of locally controlled municipal services ended.

9 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

Tram Fleet List 1900-1934

This listing is in the format - Fleet No; Type; Trucks; Body; Seating.

1900

1; Single-deck combination 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34 2; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22 3; Single-deck combination 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34 4; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22 5; Single-deck combination 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34 6; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22 7; Single-deck combination 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34 8; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22 9; Single-deck combination 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34 10; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22 11; Single-deck combination 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34 12; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22 14; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22

10 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1900 (continued)

16; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22 18; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22

All open-top double-deckers had been top-covered or totally-enclosed by 1929. Withdrawn between 1915 and 1918 (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11), 1931-1934 (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18).

11 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

Car No. 7 was built in 1900 by the Electric Railway and Tramway Carriage Works on Brill 21E trucks and was a single-deck 4-wheel combination car seating 34. It had been withdrawn by 1918. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

Travelling down Lord Street in 1905 is car No. 8 a double-deck open-topper dating from 1900 built by ERTCW and seating 56. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1901 13; Single-deck saloon 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 26 15; Single-deck combination 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34 17; Single-deck combination 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34 20; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22 22; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22 24; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22 26; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22 28; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22 30; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22 32; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22 34; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW; 34/22 All open-top double-deckers had been top-covered or totally-enclosed by 1929. Withdrawn 1915 (13), between 1915 and 1918 (15, 17), 1931-1934 (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34).

1914 21; Single-deck open-toastrack 4-wheel; Brill 21E; UEC; 50 Withdrawn 1934 (21).

14 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1915 23; Single-deck open-toastrack 4-wheel; Brill 21E; UEC; 50 25; Single-deck open-toastrack 4-wheel; Brill 21E; UEC; 50 27; Single-deck open-toastrack 4-wheel; Brill 21E; UEC; 50 Nos. 23-27 received the trucks and equipment from three of the withdrawn cars of 1900. Withdrawn 1934 (23, 25, 27).

15 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

Awaiting departure on the Circular Tour is toastrack car No. 23, rebuilt with parts from a withdrawn 1900 car with a new UEC 50-seat body, it entered service in 1905 and lasted until the end of the system. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1918 1; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brush; Brush; 32/24 3; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brush; Brush; 32/24 5; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brush; Brush; 32/24 7; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brush; Brush; 32/24 9; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brush; Brush; 32/24 11; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brush; Brush; 32/24 13; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brush; Brush; 32/24 15; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brush; Brush; 32/24 17; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brush; Brush; 32/24 19; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brush; Brush; 32/24 35-44; Double-deck open-top 4-wheel; Brush; Brush; 32/24 Nos. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 35-44, ex-Southport Tramways Company (Nos. 13, 20, 7, 3, 1, 19, 8, 15, 17, 2, 4, 16, 11, 9, 10, 5, 6, 12, 18, 14 respectively, all new 1902); eighteen of these tramcars were re-trucked with new Brill 21E trucks, the remaining two receiving Brill 21E trucks from withdrawn single-deck cars; Nos. 5, 19, 40-44, top-covered by 1921; Nos. 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 35-39 fully enclosed by 1924. Withdrawn 1931-1934 (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 35-44).

17 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

Southport No. 1 was an ex Southport Tramways Company car acquired in 1918. Originally open-top it was fully-enclosed by 1924. Behind is toastrack car 31 one of the reconditioned ex-Southport Tramways Company cars with new English Electric bodies. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1919 29; Single-deck open-toastrack 4-wheel; Brush; English Electric; 50 31; Single-deck open-toastrack 4-wheel; Brush; English Electric; 50 33; Single-deck open-toastrack 4-wheel; Brush; English Electric; 50 Nos. 29, 31, 33 received re-conditioned Brush trucks and equipment removed from the ex-Southport Tramways cars. The bodies were supplied new by EEC. Withdrawn 1934 (29, 31, 33).

1927 45; Single-deck combination 4-wheel; Brill 21E; ERTCW/SCT; 34? No. 45 re-built and re-conditioned from one of the withdrawn single-deck cars of 1900-1901. It toured as an illuminated car and was fitted with front entrance for one-man operation. Withdrawn 1934 (45).

19 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

Bus Fleet List 1924-1974

This listing is in the format - Fleet No; Reg. No; Chassis; Chassis No; Body; Seating.

1924 1; FY6272; Vulcan VSD; VSD631; Vulcan; B28T No. 1 re-built to B23R in 1927 (also quoted as B26R). Withdrawn 1931.

1925 2; FY8473; AEC 411; 411079; Willowbrook; B30D 3; FY8492; Vulcan; ? ; Vulcan; B30D Withdrawn 1931 (2-3).

20 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

Southport No. 2 (FY8473) was a 1925 AEC 411 with Willowbrook 30-seat dual-entrance bodywork that remained in the fleet for just 6 years, being withdrawn in 1931. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1926 4; FY8902; Vulcan VWB; VWB2; Vulcan; B30D 5; FY8916; Vulcan VWBL; VWBL1; Vulcan; B30D Withdrawn 1931 (4), 1932 (5). 1928 6-9; WM1857-1860; Vulcan VWBS; VWBS1-4; Vulcan; B32D Withdrawn 1932 (7, 9), 1936 (8), 1937 (6). 1929 10-11; WM3282-3283; Leyland TD1; 70516/15; Leyland; L27/24RO Withdrawn 1937 (10-11). 1930 12; WM4961; Vulcan Emperor; VWBD4; Vulcan; H25/26R No. 12 ex-Vulcan demonstrator (new 1930). Withdrawn 1937 (12).

22 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1929 Leyland TD1 No. 10 (WM3282) with Leyland 51-seat lowbridge bodywork in a pre-delivery photo. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1931 1-4; WM5906-5909; Vulcan Emperor; VWBD48-51; Vulcan; H25/26R 13-22; WM5896-5905; Vulcan Emperor; VWBD20-21/28-29/36-38/43/ 44/42; Vulcan; H25/26R

Withdrawn 1944 (2, 15), 1945 (3-4, 13-14, 16-22), 1946 (1). 1932 23-28; WM7946-7951; Leyland TD2; 1708-13; Leyland; H27/24R

Withdrawn 1947 (24-26), 1949 (23, 27-28). 1934 29-48; AFY957-976; Leyland TD3; 4984-86/96/87-92/93-95/5003/4997- 5002; English Electric; H25/26R

Nos. 42-45 converted to O30/26R in 1951-1952; re-numbered 142-145 in 1957. Nos. 46-48 re-seated to H30/26R in 1951. Withdrawn 1949 (33), 1950 (29-32, 34-41), 1952 (46-48), 1962 (42-45[142-145]).

24 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

Southport No. 13 (WM5896) was a 1931 Vulcan Emperor with Vulcan 51-seat bodywork. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1932 Leyland TD2 No. 23 (WM7946) with Leyland 51-seat bodywork. It gave 17 years of service before being withdrawn in 1949. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

No. 45 (AFY973), en route to Blowick, was a 1934 Leyland TD3 with English Electric 51-seat bodywork. It was converted to open top in 1951 and survived in this form until 1962. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1936 5; BWM882; Guy Wolf CFF; CFF12156; Guy; B20F 49-50; CFY89-90; Leyland TD4; 9560-61; Vulcan; H27/26R Withdrawn 1949 (5), 1952 (49-50).

1937 7; CWM349; Guy Wolf CFN; CFN12763; Guy; B25F 51-55; CWM567-571; Leyland TD5c; 13962-66; Massey; H29/26R Withdrawn 1949 (51-52, 54-55), 1950 (7), 1952 (53).

1944 56-59; EWM344-347; Daimler CWA6; 11732-35; Northern Counties; H30/26R

Withdrawn 1954 (56-59).

28 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1945 60-65; EWM356-373; Daimler CWA6; 11982-84/12016/230-31; Duple; H30/26R 66-68; EWM374-376; Daimler CWD6; 12254-55/76; Duple; H30/26R 69-71; EWM377-379; Daimler CWA6; 12277-78/346; Duple; H30/26R Withdrawn 1952 (64), 1953 (63), 1955 (60-61), 1956 (65, 67, 69), 1957 (62, 66, 68), 1959 (70-71).

1946 1; EWM680; Bedford QL; 49759; Southport CT; OB23F 2-4; EWM681-683; Bedford QL; 49834/70/80; Rimmer, Harrison & Sutherland; OB23F 72-83; EWM541-552; Daimler CWA6D; 12650-55/63-68; Duple; H30/26R

Withdrawn 1952 (2-4, 73, 75-76), 1955 (78, 83), 1956 (72, 77, 79-82), 1957 (74), 1960 (1).

29 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

No. 70 (EWM378) was a 1945 Daimler CWA6 with Duple 56-seat bodywork. It gave excellent service, lasting until 1959 before being withdrawn. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1947 11-18; FFY165-172; Bedford QL; 48872/91/902/75/85/9089/463/601; Rimmer, Harrison & Sutherland; OB23F 84-95; FFY401-412; Leyland PD2/3; 471486/2246/322-23/245/321/40/ 66-68/42/41; Leyland; H30/26R

Nos. 11-18 re-seated to OB24F in 1954. Nos. 84-89 rebuilt to convertible O30/26R in 1962 and 1963(88-89). Nos. 84, 86-87 re-numbered 184, 186-187 in 1973 and to Merseyside PTE 4/74, retaining same fleet numbers. Withdrawn 1951 (16), 1960 (11-12, 15), 1963 (92), 1964 (88, 91), 1965 (93-95), 1966 (13-14, 17-18), 1967 (90), 1972 (89), 1974 (85).

1949 113-115; GFY413-415; AEC Regent III; 9612E4626-28; Crossley; H30/26R Withdrawn 1962 (113-115).

31 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

Operating on the Circular Tour is 1947 Bedford QL No. 18 (FFY172) sporting a Rimmer, Harrison and Sutherland 23-seat open top body. (G. Cunliffe). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

No. 91 (FFY408) was a 1947 Leyland PD2/3 with Leyland 56-seat rear entrance bodywork. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

AEC Regent III No. 115 (GFY415) carried a Crossley 56-seat body and was one of three similar vehicles purchased in 1949. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1950 96-104; GFY396-404; Leyland PD2/3; 501675-76/94-96/799/801/58-59; Leyland; H30/26R 105-110; GFY405-410; Leyland PD2/3; 501976/800/975/860/977/861; Leyland; H30/26R 111; GFY411; Crossley DD42/7T; 94939; Crossley; H30/26R 112; GFY412; Crossley DD42/7S; 94934; Crossley; H30/26R Nos. 104, 107 re-seated to H33/26R in 1959. No. 106 went on permanent loan to Southport Locomotive & Transport Museum after withdrawal, although still owned by Southport CT. Ownership passed to Merseyside PTE 4/74. Withdrawn 1963 (111-112), 1967 (96-98), 1969 (99-105, 107-110), 1972 (106). 1951 116-117; GWM816-817; Crossley SD42/7T; 98213/12; Crossley; B32F Withdrawn 1965 (117), 1968 (116). 1952 20-26; HFY720-726; Leyland PD2/12; 515184-90; Weymann; H32/26R Nos. 20-26 re-seated to H35/26R in 1960 and 1961. Withdrawn 1971 (20, 22), 1973 (21, 23-26).

35 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

No. 112 (GFY412) was a 1950 Crossley DD42/7S with Crossley 56-seat bodywork, one of just two Crossley chassis purchased that year. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

On route 10 to Crossens via Preston New Road is No. 21 (HFY721), a 1952 Leyland PD2/12 with Weymann 58-seat bodywork. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1954 27-30; KFY27-30; Leyland PD2/20; 540961-64; Weymann; H32/26R Withdrawn 1970 (30), 1973 (27-29). 1956 31-36; LFY31-36; Leyland PD2/20; 552071/1834/2072/18352073/1836; Weymann; H32/28R 42; MWM42; Leyland PD2/20; 561036; Weymann; H33/28R Nos. 32, 35-36, 42 to Merseyside PTE 4/74 retaining same fleet numbers. Withdrawn 1973 (31, 33-34). 1957 37-41; MWM37-41; Leyland PD2/20; 563022-23/133/64/69; Weymann; H33/28R Nos. 38-39, 41 to Merseyside PTE 4/74 retaining same fleet numbers. Withdrawn 1974 (37, 40).

38 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

No. 30 (KFY30) was a 1954 Leyland PD2/20 with Weymann 58-seat bodywork. It was withdrawn in 1970. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1956 Leyland PD2/20 No. 34 (LFY34) with Weymann 60-seat bodywork about to depart on route 3 to the Botanic Gardens. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

No. 40 (MWM40) was a 1957 Leyland PD2/20 with Weymann 61-seat bodywork. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1961 43-46; UWM43-46; Leyland PD2/40; 610844-47; Weymann; H37/27F Nos. 43-46 to Merseyside PTE 4/74 retaining same fleet numbers. 1962 47-50; WFY47-50; Leyland PD2/40; 621022-23/56-57; Weymann; H37/27F Nos. 47-50 to Merseyside PTE 4/74 retaining same fleet numbers. 1963 10; CRN990; Leyland PS2/5; 493195; Burlingham; B35F 11-12; CRN992-993; Leyland PS2/5; 493201-02; Burlingham; B35F Nos. 10-12 ex-Ribble Motor Services (Nos. 240, 242-243, new 1950); converted to OB35F by Southport Corporation in 1963 (10) or 1964; to Merseyside PTE 4/74 retaining same fleet numbers. 1965 51-54; CWM151-54C; Leyland PD2/40; L20575-78; Weymann; H37/27F Nos. 51-54 to Merseyside PTE 4/74 retaining same fleet numbers.

42 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

No. 47 (WFY47) en route to Crossens was a 1962 Leyland PD2/40 with Weymann 64-seat bodywork that passed to Merseyside PTE in 1974. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

Preserved 1950 Leyland PS2/5 No. 12 (CRN993) was ex-Ribble Motor Services in 1963, the original Burlingham 35-seat body was converted to open top by Southport in 1964. (Tony Robertson). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

No. 52 (CWM152C) was a 1965 Leyland PD2/40 with Weymann 64-seat bodywork, seen here converted for one man operation. It passed to Merseyside PTE in April 1974. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1967 55-58; GFY55-58E; Leyland PD2/40; L60708-09/1092-93; MCCW; H37/27F Nos. 55-58 to Merseyside PTE 4/74 retaining same fleet numbers. 1968 59-64; HWM59-64F; Leyland PSUR1A/1R; 701665-66/2034-35/143-44; MCCW; B45D 65-70; JWM65-70F; Leyland PSUR1A/1R; 800517/69/860-63; MCCW; B45D Nos. 59-70 to Merseyside PTE 4/74 retaining same fleet numbers. 1971 71-75; PFY71-75J; Leyland PSUR1B/1R; 7100053/4190/693-94/191; Marshall; B43D 76-80; RWM76-80K; Leyland PSUR1B/1R; 7004443/7100054/7004332/ 444/7100113; Marshall; B43D Nos. 71-80 to Merseyside PTE 4/74 retaining same fleet numbers.

46 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1968 Leyland Panther PSUR1A/1R No. 65 (JWM65F) with MCCW 45-seat dual entrance/exit bodywork was purchased to facilitate one man operation and is seen here in Lord Street in April 1972. (John Kaye). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

No. 72 (PFY72J) was a 1971 Leyland Panther PSUR1B/1R with Marshall 43-seat dual entrance/exit bodywork. It passed to Merseyside PTE in 1974 retaining its fleet number. (LTHL collection). Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

1973 81-90; VWM81-90L; Leyland AN68/1R; 7204198-201/231-34/7300046-47; Alexander; H45/29D Nos. 81-90 to Merseyside PTE 4/74 retaining same fleet numbers.

1974 1-8; YFY1-8M; Leyland National 1151/2R; 01087-88/142-43/64/96-98; Leyland; B46D Nos. 1-8 to Merseyside PTE 4/74 retaining same fleet numbers.

49 Southport Corporation Transport 1900-1974

No. 81 (VWM81L) was a 1973 Leyland ‘Atlantean’ AN68/1R with Alexander 74-seat dual entrance/exit bodywork. (E. Simpson). © Local Transport History Library 2019

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