| Behind the passion for Buses My Dad started working for the Corporation of Oldham as a handyman, through there difficult time in 1965 when the Ministry of Transport found defects to half of the fleet, (mainly elderly PD1, Crossley buses). He became a Conductor (Guard) during the late 60's, but due to him not really enjoying being one, he decided to become a driver. In 1970/1 he passed his psv, and started on 2 man buses until their demise in 1975, when one man operated buses started to flood garages. He stayed at Oldham until 1980, when the stress of being a "one manner" became a problem and left. Following Dads footsteps When I left school i applied to GMT for apprenticeship as a fitter, but was turned down because i was a few months to old, although it was 1989 before i started on the buses at Tameside, before gaining my class 1 license with Pennine Blue( who was then in competition with GM buses). I remained there until depot closure in 1991 and once asked to do dups for Charterplan, and was quite pleased to do the last Saturday working of the 219 from Manchester, although Tameside was undoubtedly one of the best I have worked at, and everyone saddened at its ultimate closure. Some moved to Oldham, some to Glossop and Stockport, the majority transferred to Hyde Road Manchester (which I had been asked to go ) but I managed to gain a swap with someone who decided to go to Hyde rd and so moved to Oldham. Because of problems encountered while at Oldham , attacks, threats ect, I decided to call it a day and left in December 2001 after 12 years service. A Bus Acquired During my teenage years, I got involved in a local dancing troupe which my sister had been a member, and we went to give them moral support, but I had got an interest in one Ex Salford PD2 which was numbered 3089 (FRJ 243D) which was still in its Orange and White livery, when asked i found out that it went to the apprentice school over winter for repairs and to let the trainees learn their selected trade. Each year the bus came out as good as new, even gaining PS1 wheeltrims on the front . I loved that bus, but on our travels came across a bus which i bought, which was used by a troupe also from Oldham (The Darrenettes). Since schooldays, i have watched these buses get withdrawn and disposed of, during my photography lessons, but actually saw 5163 and 5163 parked up in the old tramshed, which also was used as staff car park until demolition during 1982. The bus had been repainted into Maroon and white due to a dislike of pommard and cream, by its owner Jimmy Anderson, who was the depots steam cleaner. 163 had been watched since her overhaul, which included new engine, Gearbox, Differential and body pillars renewed, so to him it was a decent bus to have. It travelled up and down the country and even visited the Isle of Man, before a decision to disband the troupe in 1991. I overheard someone at the depot, saying that it was for sale, and during a open evening at the transport club, asked Jimmy if "it was true" and it was, so I asked for a price and purchased it during July, on the condition that they could use it until the end of the season "September". Its first rally in Preservation was the Trans Lancs. Who is involved and own's 163 163 is owned by Alan Holland, but with help from family and friends, although most work is carried out by Alan,Suzanne (wife) and Gareth Robishaw, who can make Goliath look like a midget. We also use some of our friends, some of which are skilled craftsmen who work on buses. Our Aim Continue with 163 restoration Find and purchase archive material such as photos, records,blinds,uniforms and badges Basically to preserve Oldham's transport Heritage. |
