2004 - WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER?
2004. Known to many as 100 years of Midland Red and, with that, centenary celebrations took place at many locations throughout the Midlands. Whether the celebrations have been liveried buses from local operators, or Museum events, 2004 was a year to remember.
However, for some, 2004 wasn't all about Midland Red and although the Museum recorded BMMO 2004 in style a good balance of bus operation was notable on open days from April to October. The three main days were, of course, Two Museums Day, August Bank Holiday and the Midland Red Day.
The most memorable day for myself was the August open day when not only did I get to rive my own WMPTE Fleetline, 6757, but several other ones as well. Taking a rest from crash box vehicles for another day enabled me to equal a keen West Midlands driver based at Coventry Garage in the late 1980s/early 1990s. That was the possibility of driving all three body types of WMPTE Fleetline vehicles in one shift. The Museum on that day was the only place in the world having all three available to ride on also.
The car park shuttle was made up of Daimler Fleetline 4613, plus Leyland examples 6311, 6757 and 6971, assisted by Volvo Ailsa 4738. (There were requests for Metrobus 2001 to join in also!)
Following this the Midland Red Day provided further Fleetline driving opportunities in the form of 4613, wearing a fresh coat of body varnish. Prior to the day rumours about possible attendance at the event had been suggested and we had also been blessed with exceptional advertising.
However, I was still thinking to myself that the attendance would be nothing more than previous 'exceptional' open days. So at 9am I set off to the Britannic car park to undertake the first run of the day. It was clear on my arrival at Britannic that things were far from a normal day. Pete Murphy as ever had good control of managing the car park, although space was clearly running out at such an early stage. Some of this space was actually the normal car park bus stop location!
By 10am both 4613 and the second car park vehicle - Volvo Ailsa A105SUU, a dual door example new to London Transport - could not cope with the volume of passengers. The sound of Fleetline mudflaps touching the road on corners, and the reasons for autosteer upgrades were clear after a few trips.
The loadings continued at a similar level throughout the morning and Bristol MW DAX610C driven by former owner Robin Woodcock was called in to assist. Woody provided an invaluable addition to the car park shuttle team, allowing us to maintain the 15-minute timetable, and keeping passenger waiting time to a minimum.
Thanks to the Acocks Green Bus Preservation Group, who used Leyland PS2 JOJ245 to assist the afternoon peak. Also, thanks to Keith Billingsley for using the Volvo Ailsa owned by Black Prince of Morley.
James Munro
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
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