SCT'61 Articles
Southend Corporation Bus Fleet
287-298Leyland Titan PD2/12 with bodywork by Massey L27/28R, new in 1955.
The 1954 Leyland Titans obviously impressed Southend, for a total of 56 of the type were to be bought new. A dozen entered service between December 1955 and May 1956 as 287-298. They were of the PD2/12 variety, to the same mechanical specification as 276-86 but with the traditional exposed radiator rather than the Midland Red style of 'tin front' of the earlier buses. The chassis were actually a diverted order, having been intended for Plymouth City Transport.
Pre delivery photos of 298
The usual Massey lowbridge bodies had one unique feature when new, being fitted with a full three part destination display over the rear platform as well as at the front and rear. These were later blanked off and then removed, reputedly after an accident to a conductor who was leaning out to change the blinds while the bus was moving.
All 12 buses of this type were ousted by Daimler Fleetlines in 1971.
287 seen here in 1971, by then without opening front windows upstairs.
Most went for scrap in September and October 1971 but 292 went for a short time to Paton Bros, Renfrew, see
picture here. It was however reported sold for scrap by the end of that year.
292, believed to be at the end of its time at Patons
Many thanks to Richard Delahoy for his kind permission to include extracts from his book in this page and also to Richard, Paul Harrison, Paul Bateson, John Kaye, Peter Green, Ian Banks, Brian Pask, Doug Nicholson and Chris Youhill for supplying pictures.