Home on Vintage Buses

The Tinkerer

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:48:47 +0100

Jack of all Trades and Master of None - that’s me. I’m a retired man living in the west of Scotland who ignores the ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! rule.

Updates & Transport News

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:48:40 +0100

Updates to the Vintage Buses website marking any important changes and issues. Also RSS feeds to transport-related websites, including classic cars.

Using AI as a Tool, not a Writer

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:39:05 +0100

The use of AI is controversial, but I believe it can be used as a very powerful tool for deep searches and checking coding errors. But it makes mistakes, many mistakes.

Hugo Static Websites

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:30:00 +0100

Hugo is an open-source static site generator. Building websites with Hugo is much easier than creating dynamic websites that are far more complex.

Linux Mint

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:57:59 +0100

Linux Mint is a very popular distribution and it is considered to be the best distro to try for those used to Microsoft Windows, many features are the same.

Python: Convert image files to WebP

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:56:22 +0100

WebP is a modern image format developed by Google specifically for the web. Think of it as combining the best features of JPEG and PNG into one lightweight package.

BMMO SOS 'SON' single-deck Bus

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 19:46:54 +0100

This handsome well preserved bus, registration RC 7927 fleet number 417 is a 1940 BMMO SOS ‘SON’ single-deck bus originally built for Trent Motor Traction.

Manchester Corporation Transport

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:18:28 +0100

Manchester Corporation Transport operated trams, buses, and trolleybuses in Greater Manchester, defining civic transit from 1901 until 1969.

Yelloway Motor Services

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:34:48 +0100

Yelloway was one of the longest-surviving, highly respected independent express coach operators in the UK, remaining director-managed for over eight decades.

The Black Country Living Museum

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:34:05 +0100

The Black Country Living Museum is a remarkable open-air museum that covers 26 acres and tells the story of the world’s first industrial landscape.

The Six-Wheeled Leyland Tiger TS7T

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 01:56:54 +0100

Six wheels on my wagon – this 1936 Leyland Tiger with the special designation TS7T had an extra axle, which meant it was longer, hence more passengers.

Flying Boats & Buses

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:32:17 +0100

From flying boats to 1950s buses. How post-war shortages forced a maritime aircraft builder to engineer the world’s lightest aluminum bus bodies.

Bus Conductor Uniforms

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:55:59 +0100

When we had bus conductors, they were well turned out in their smart uniforms. Manchester and Glasgow’s transport systems were fine examples of that.

Battle Buses

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:19:39 +0100

In 1916, the British Army experimented with a completely different kind of camouflage using London’s civilian workhorses: the LGOC B-type double-decker.

Book review: Bus & Coach Recognition (Veteran & Vintage)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:19:39 +0100

One of the most in-depth books I’ve come across about vintage buses and coaches. A very handy reference guide that is just the right size to carry.

Leyland Tiger Cub 1961

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:35:05 +0100

This Alexander-bodied (Fife) Leyland Tiger Cub is an uncommon survivor, particularly in its restored period livery. The Cub was reliable and economical.

Bristol Lodekka 1957

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 13:12:53 +0100

This is an exceptional example of a first-generation Bristol Lodekka LD6G, originally delivered new in July 1957 to Scottish Omnibuses Ltd. (Eastern Scottish).

The Coach That Got Bigger

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:20:18 +0100

A fascinating case of transformation. Built as a single-decker luxury coach in 1950, it was converted in 1958 into a double-decker bus.

Box Number Classifieds

Thu, 28 May 2026 17:34:00 +0100

A free, private matchmaking service for vintage transport parts, enquiries, and history.

Contact

Thu, 28 May 2026 16:52:59 +0100

Please use the form below to get in touch with Vintage Buses.

Double-Decker Diner

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:48:43 +0100

Fancy tea and scones on board a Routemaster while sightseeing in Glasgow or Edinburgh? It’s good to see these fine old buses having a new lease of life.

Beamish Museum

Mon, 25 May 2026 00:31:52 +0100

Travel back in time with the Beamish Museum. Walk down cobbled streets and mingle with folks dressed in period costumes. Take a ride on tram or vintage bus.

Oporto Tram 196 (1935)

Tue, 19 May 2026 02:06:33 +0100

This former Portuguese tramcar was built in 1935 and has been lovingly restored by the skilled mechanics and bodybuilders at the Beamish Museum.

The Electric Routemaster

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:10:58 +0100

The famous Routemasters are becoming scarce and the skills to service these fine buses is gradually being lost. Is the Electric Routemaster the answer?

The Car Built By Ladies

Tue, 12 May 2026 19:38:00 +0100

Dorothée Pullinger and the Galloway Car marks the centenary of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), which Pullinger co-founded. (23 June 1919/2019)

Wrights Gemini Double-Deck Bus

Sat, 09 May 2026 00:02:58 +0100

This quite modern Wrights Gemini double-decker with the Volvo B7TL underframe is currently being lovingly preserved at the Aldridge Transport Museum, Walsall.

The Wooden Car

Fri, 08 May 2026 23:36:26 +0100

Now here is an oddity - a wooden car. With parts taken from an Austin Maxi, an Austin Allegro and other bits. This eccentric vehicle has six wheels.

Ribble Motor Services

Fri, 08 May 2026 22:22:01 +0100

Fron its humble start in 1919, Ribble Motor Services was more than just a bus company, it was an integral part of everyday life across Lancashire.

McGill's Bus Services

Thu, 07 May 2026 21:42:01 +0100

McGill’s is based in Greenock Scotland. From its beginning at Barrhead in 1933, it is now become the largest independent bus operator in the UK.

Leopard Tow Truck

Thu, 07 May 2026 20:58:11 +0100

The Leyland Leopard was a mid-engined single-decker bus manufactured between 1959 and 1982. This example extended its life by becoming a tow truck.

Riverside Museum Glasgow

Wed, 06 May 2026 20:57:25 +0100

The Riverside Museum Glasgow is a fantastic place to take the family for a day out. It is easy to get to: just take the subwway to Govan.

No Engine

Tue, 05 May 2026 21:47:11 +0100

It is late September in 1959 and a small boy age seven is staring in disbelief at the front of a large red double-decker bus.‘Where’s the engine?’

A Mayne & Son

Tue, 05 May 2026 19:10:55 +0100

Founded in 1920 by Arthur Mayne, A Mayne & Son began as a small Manchester garage and haulage business before turning its focus to passenger transport

Deregulating The Buses

Tue, 05 May 2026 18:59:26 +0100

British prime minister Margaret Thatcher took control of regulating the buses from the local councils to allow private bus companies to run their own routes

Glasgow Buses

Tue, 05 May 2026 11:17:20 +0100

For more than a century, Glasgow’s buses have been part of the city’s heartbeat, from ‘Corpy’ days, to the multi-coloured buses serving the city today.

Bus Mobile Libraries

Mon, 04 May 2026 23:03:47 +0100

When older buses are withdrawn from public service, they are either sold, scrapped, preserved, or one or two were repurposed as mobile libraries.

Bus Stop

Mon, 04 May 2026 19:16:05 +0100

Standing at a bus stop in the UK can be a chilly and wet experience, especially in Scotland. It certainly helps if bus shelter is provided.

Trolleybuses

Mon, 04 May 2026 12:57:15 +0100

When the trundling of the tramcar makes way for the almost inaudible swoosh of the trolleybus, pedestrians had to be extra vigilant when crossing a busy road.

Tramcars

Sun, 03 May 2026 22:51:55 +0100

Tramcars have been an important form of public transport throughout the world, from the 19th century until the present day. Modern trams are more comfortable.

Leyland Titan TD1 from 1928

Sun, 03 May 2026 00:36:13 +0100

The Leyland Titan TD1 (1928). This magnificent Glasgow Corporation vintage bus is owned by Sir Brian Souter and is part of his Collection.

Bristol FLF6G Tow Truck

Sat, 02 May 2026 21:49:49 +0100

This tough-looking tow truck was on show at the recent Scottish Vintage Bus Museum Open Day. It looks like it could tow anything.

Scottish Vintage Bus Museum

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:28:59 +0100

The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum has over 150 vehicles on display and the Open Days are a great day out for the family with many buses on display.

AEC Routemaster History

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:15:46 +0100

The iconic red AEC Routemasters were in service for London Transport from 1956 to 2005. Some Routemasters are still around, repurposed or on display.

Transport Museum Greater Manchester

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 23:19:56 +0100

The Museum of Transport Greater Manchester has a fabulous collection of vintage buses and trolleybuses, as well as memorabilia.

London Buses

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:38:18 +0100

London buses are familiar throughout the world, but now the buses that you see on the London streets are more efficient, cost-effective and safer.

Leyland Titan PD3/14

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:13:37 +0100

Have a look at this 1968 Leyland Titan PD3 in perfect condition, as if it was still in public service, ready to welcome passengers aboard.

Leyland Bus

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 01:19:15 +0100

Photographs of Leyland buses manufactured from 1922 onwards in the UK, with a brief history of this iconic bus manufacturer.

Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:09:15 +0100

In the south east of Glasgow, stored within a large ex-Glasgow Corporation bus garage, are a collection of vintage vehicles, mostly public transport buses.

Guy Arab Double-Decker (1948)

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:39:47 +0100

This Guy Arab mkIII (1948) in Alexander and Sons blue livery is a well preserved example of how these handsome buses looked when they were in service.

Graham's of Paisley

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:16:58 +0100

Graham’s of Paisley was a highly regarded independent local bus company in Scotland. It ceased operations in 1990 and is sorely missed.

George Bennie Railplane

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:45:00 +0100

The Railplane was an experimental, propeller-driven suspended monorail invented by George Bennie from Glasgow, with a claimed speed of 120mph.

Gardner Engines

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 20:56:53 +0100

Gardner engines have powered many UK vintage passenger buses throughout the years and been renowned for their reliability.

AEC Buses

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:24:04 +0100

An HTML table containing photographs of AEC manufactured from 1922 onwards, with a brief history of this iconic bus manufacturer.

Dundee Museum

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 19:36:44 +0100

A small museum in Dundee that has a collection of vintage cars and other interesting artifacts, including a surprising link to HMS Victory.

W Alexander and Sons

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 18:28:58 +0100

W. Alexander & Sons was one of Scotland’s most influential and long-lived bus and coach operators, founded in 1913 by Walter Alexander.

Aldridge Transport Museum

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 04:03:33 +0100

The Aldridge Transport Museum is a small museum, but it has many interesting vintage items on display, including a wooden car.

Albion Victor

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:33:03 +0100

This lovely former Guernsey Railway coach was recently on display at Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust Bridgeton Bus Garage in Glasgow.

AEC Mercury

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:59:30 +0100

Exported to Malta in CKD form as a lorry chassis, this Mercury was instead bodied locally as a 34-seat bus by Michael Barbara.

Guy Arab SingleDeck Bus 1948

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:14:25 +0100

This well-preserved single-deck ex-Edinburgh Corporation Transport bus became a driver training vehicle when it reached the end of its service life in 1961.

Terminus

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:40:46 +0100

A list of websites, blogs and video creators that are transport-related

Museum List

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:41:07 +0100

A comprehensive directory of transport and bus museums.

Gunfight On The Auchenshuggle Express

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 01:30:21 +0000

A little boy had just been given a new toy gun. Chaos erupts on the Number 9 tramcar to Auchenshuggle as he and his mother head home.

Bus Campaigns

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 12:18:11 +0100

Bus campaigns, usually led by non-profit non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), are increasingly shaping how public transport evolves.

Say Thanks to the Bus Driver

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 18:00:08 +0100

Some funny stories regarding bus drivers and their eccentric passengers - do you always thank the driver when get off the bus?

Gallery

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Click any image to view it in full-screen.

1946 AEC Regal Mk1

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1934 Leyland Lion LT5B

Transport Diaries

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the heart of the site.
Please choose a category to explore the records:

Buses - Photographs of vintage buses taken at transport museums and other locations in the UK.
Fleets - Bus fleets from the past no longer operational - and modern bus fleets.
Memorabilia - Ticket machines, uniforms, timetables, maps, and the fascinating tools of the transport trade.
Omnibus - Other vintage transport such as tramcars, trolleybuses - and the occasional car.