The Classic British Isles Buses Website
Potteries Motor Traction post-war Leyland Tigers
(and some single-deck Titans) (by Dick Gilbert)
Last updated 4 November 2024
Email Events diary Past events list Classified adverts Classic U.K. Buses Classic Irish Buses Classic Manx Buses
Another look at some delightful vehicles from the past. It's the Midlands again, this time the post- war Leyland Tigers operated by Potteries Motor Traction.
All true classic bus enthusiasts will know that the initials P. M. T. have no connection with hormonal matters, but stands for Potteries Motor Traction. Potteries can trace its origins to the 1860s when horse-drawn trams started operations in the Potteries area of North Staffordshire. Steam trams followed in 1881, and electric trams in 1899.
Named Potteries Electric Traction at the time (as a result of its tram fleet) the company introduced motorbuses in 1900. Eventually these replaced the trams, which were finally withdrawn in 1928, and so the company was renamed Potteries Motor Traction in 1933.
The large number of local independent operators in the area had always been a problem for P. M. T. and, after World War II, the company decided that the best way to eliminate them was to buy them out. Accordingly, the fleet became extremely mixed during the 1950s, and reflected the consequent complete lack of standardisation.
With the acquisition of many small operator's fleets P. M. T. accumulated a fascinating collection of vehicles. Single deckers included the Leyland Tigers that we examine on this page, along with Albions, Daimlers, AEC Regals and Reliances, Tiger Cubs, Guy Arabs, a Dennis Lancet and a Foden! Double deckers included Arabs, Daimlers, Leyland PD2s, PD3s and AEC Regents.
By the way, the difference between a single decker with an S and an SN prefix is that the N means it has a luggage boot.
This picture, taken by Roger Hardy at Stoke-on-Trent in 1961 or 1962, shows S369 (PRE 735), one of a 1948 batch which Potteries acquired from Milton Bus Service in 1952. Many thanks to Roger for the photo.
My particular thanks to the Potteries omnibus preservation society who have given me much assistance in compiling this often very complicated story.
As with my other lists, the mistakes are bound to creep in, and some relevant information may be missing so, in order to make it as accurate a reference as possible, I would of course welcome any additions or corrections.
FLEET LIST
LEYLAND TIGER PS1/1 - C317 (Total 1)
Built in 1947?
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1/1. 7.4 litre engine, 17 foot 6 inch wheelbase, 7 foot 6 inch wide chassis.
Body: Massey C35F. Replaced with Weymann B35F body from SN467 (below) in 1954.
Notes: Acquired from Mainwaring Bros (had been their no. 21). Became S317 when rebodied in 1954. Withdrawn 1960.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1/1 - C318 (Total 1)
Built in 1947
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1/1. 7.4 litre engine, 17 foot 6 inch wheelbase, 7 foot 6 inch wide chassis.
Body: Santus C33F. Replacement Weymann body from SN460 (below) fitted 1954.
Notes: Acquired from Milton Bus Service Ltd. (their no. 24) in 1952. Became S318 when rebodied. Withdrawn 1960.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1/1 - S319-320 (Total 2)
Built in 1947?
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1/1. 7.4 litre engine, 17 foot 6 inch wheelbase, 7 foot 6 inch wide chassis.
Body: Massey B35F
Notes: Acquired from Milton Bus Service Ltd. in 1952. Withdrawn 1960.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1/1 - S321 (Total 1)
Built in 1947
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1/1. 7.4 litre engine, 17 foot 6 inch wheelbase, 7 foot 6 inch wide chassis.
Body: Original Pochin B37F body replaced with Weymann B39F (increased from B35F) from SN459 (below) in Oct 1954.
Notes: Acquired from Milton Bus Service Ltd. (their no. 7) in 1952. Withdrawn Nov 1962.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1/1 - SN322 (Total 1)
Built in 1947
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1/1. 7.4 litre engine, 17 foot 6 inch wheelbase, 7 foot 6 inch wide chassis.
Body: Original Pochin B35F body replaced in July 1954 with Weymann body from SN461 (below).
Notes: Acquired from Milton Bus Service Ltd. (their no. 6) in 1952. Withdrawn 1959.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1/1 - S324, 325, 327 and 328 (Total 4)
Built in 1947
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1/1. 7.4 litre engine, 17 foot 6 inch wheelbase, 7 foot 6 inch wide chassis.
Body: Original bodies by Willowbrook or Strachan. Some replaced with Weymann B39F in 1955-56.
Leyland Tiger S324 (KVT 918). Photo: Geoff Stainthorpe, by kind permission.
Leyland Tiger S328 (LEH 42). Photo: Geoff Stainthorpe, by kind permission.
Notes: Acquired from Thomas Tilstone and Sons Ltd. in 1952.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1/1 - S326 (Total 1)
Built in 1947
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1/1. 7.4 litre engine, 17 foot 6 inch wheelbase, 7 foot 6 inch wide chassis.
Body: Weymann B39F (?or Willowbrook B35F?).
Notes: Acquired from Thomas Tilstone and Sons Ltd. in 1951. Withdrawn around 1960.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1/1 - S362 (Total 1)
Built in 1948
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1/1. 7.4 litre engine, 17 foot 6 inch wheelbase, 7 foot 6 inch wide chassis.
Body: Original Lawton B35F body replaced with Weymann B39F (increased from B35F) from 450 (NEH 450 below) in July 1957.
Notes: Acquired from Thomas Tilstone and Sons Ltd. (their no. 14) in 1952. Became SN362 when rebodied, but changed to S362 in 1961. Withdrawn 1962.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1/1 - SN363 (Total 1)
Built in 1948
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1/1. 7.4 litre engine, 17 foot 6 inch wheelbase, 7 foot 6 inch wide chassis.
Body: Lawton B35F.
Leyland Tiger S364 (MEH 557). Photo: Geoff Stainthorpe, by kind permission.
Notes: Acquired from Thomas Tilstone and Sons Ltd. in 1952.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1/1 - S364 (Total 1)
Built in 1948
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1/1. 7.4 litre engine, 17 foot 6 inch wheelbase, 7 foot 6 inch wide chassis.
Body: Original Pochin B35F body replaced with Weymann B39F in Sept 1954.
Leyland Tiger S364 (ORF 974). Photo: Geoff Stainthorpe, by kind permission.
Notes: Acquired from Mainwaring Bros. (their no. 24) in 1951.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1/1 - S365-369 (Total 5)
Built in 1948
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1/1. 7.4 litre engine, 17 foot 6 inch wheelbase, 7 foot 6 inch wide chassis.
Body: Original Barnards B35F bodies replaced with Weymann B39F in 1954-55.
Leyland Tiger SN366 (PRE 732). Photo: Geoff Stainthorpe, by kind permission.
Notes: Acquired from Milton Bus Service Ltd. (their nos. 12-16) in 1952. Withdrawn around 1962.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1 - SN370 (Total 1)
Built 1948
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1
Body: Barnard B35F
Notes: Acquired from Mainwaring Bros. in 1951; withdrawn by 1961.
Leyland Tiger SN370 (RRE 588). Does anyone recognise the location? Photo: P. Yeomans Collection, by kind permission of the PSV Circle.
Paul Clarkson says The location in your photo is Stafford Street, Hanley. It is standing on the opposite side of the road to the Baddeley Green bus stop. In the left background is the old Essoldo cinema which was demolished circa 1963 and replaced with a Top Rank. Incidentally, your picture of SN387 (MEH 797) - see further down this page - would have been taken from about the lamp post visible to the rear of SN370. Thank you Paul.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1/1 - SN371 (Total 1)
Built in 1948
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1/1. 7.4 litre engine, 17 foot 6 inch wheelbase, 7 foot 6 inch wide chassis.
Body: Brush B34F
Leyland Tiger S371 (PRE 86). Photo: Geoff Stainthorpe, by kind permission.
Notes: Acquired from Milton Bus Service Ltd., Stoke, in 1952 (it had been their no. 9). Withdrawn early 1962.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1/1 - S372 (Total 1)
Built in 1948
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1/1. 7.4 litre engine, 17 foot 6 inch wheelbase, 7 foot 6 inch wide chassis.
Body: Original Pochin B37F body replaced with Weymann B39F in Sept 1955.
Leyland Tiger S372 (PRE 599). Photo: Geoff Stainthorpe, by kind permission.
Notes: Acquired from Milton Bus Service Ltd. (their no. 8) in 1952.Withdrawn 1962.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1 - SN373 (Total 1)
Built in 1948
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1/1 7.4 litre engine, 17 foot 6 inch wheelbase, 7 foot 6 inch wide chassis.
Body: Massey B35F
MEH 384, clearly at the end of its working days with contractor Downer and Bailey. Photo by kind permission of Ray Soper.
Notes: Acquired from Stoke-on-Trent Motors Ltd. in 1951.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1 - SN387 (Total 1)
Built in 1949
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1/1 7.4 litre engine, 17 foot 6 inch wheelbase, 7 foot 6 inch wide chassis.
Body: Willowbrook B35F
Potteries PS1 Tiger SN387 (MEH 797) working a service to Hanley in the 1950s. (Photo: Roy Marshall collection). Paul Clarkson says your picture of Tiger MEH 797 shows it standing in Stafford St., Hanley, on the Milton bus stop. The date is the late 1950s before Swynnertons cafe was rebuilt into a Wimpy bar. The blind shows both ends of the route, many conductors knew that careful setting part way between two screens avoided alteration at the end of each journey!!
Notes: Acquired from Stoke-on-Trent Motors Ltd. in 1952.
LEYLAND TIGER PS2/3 - SN388 (Total 1)
Built in 1949
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS2/3. 9.8 litre O-600 engine, synchromesh gearbox, 7 feet 6 inches wide, 17 feet 6 inch wheelbase.
Body: Metalcraft B35F
Leyland Tiger SN388 (TRE 257). Photo: Geoff Stainthorpe, by kind permission.
Notes: Acquired from Milton Bus Service Ltd. (their no. 24) in 1952. It had originally been ordered by Hants and Sussex, but the delivery was cancelled.
LEYLAND TIGER OPS1/1 - SN420-430 (Total 11)
Built in 1949
Chassis: Leyland Tiger OPS1/1 (export version of the PS1). 8.6 litre engine, crash gearbox, 8 feet wide chassis.
Body: Burlingham B35F
Leyland Tiger S428 (MEH 428). Photo: Geoff Stainthorpe, by kind permission.
Notes: Intended for export, but diverted due to cancelled order. The first 8 foot wide vehicles acquired by P.M.T. The entire batch was withdrawn in 1961.
LEYLAND TIGER PS2/5 - S431-444 (Total 14)
Built in 1949
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS2/5. 9.8 litre O-600 engine, synchromesh gearbox, 8 feet wide, 17 feet 6 inch wheelbase.
Body: Brush B34F
Leyland Tiger S443 (NEH 443). Photo: Geoff Stainthorpe, by kind permission.
Notes: All withdrawn around 1962.
LEYLAND TITAN OPD2/1 - 445 - 468 (Total 24)
Built 1950, entered service May 1950
Chassis: Leyland Titan OPD2/1. Leyland O.600 9.8 litre engine, synchromesh 4-speed gearbox.
Body: Delivered with Weymann B35F bus bodies, with leather-trimmed seats and luggage boots. 445 to 457 and
468 were rebodied as double deckers using 1951 Northern Counties bodies (some lowbridge, some highbridge) during 1954-56, from pre-war
Leyland Titan TD4 chassis. 458 to 467 were fitted with new Northern Counties bodies at the same time. The redundant Weymann single deck
bodies were then used on other buses in the fleet, as detailed below.
No. 466 is one of two survivors from this batch of single deckers converted to double deckers in
1954-55. It is currently operated by the Potteries omnibus preservation
society. Photographer and location unknown. Notes: This batch of Leyland Titan OPD2/1 buses were a cancelled export batch, delivered to PMT in
1950-51 as numbers 445-468 (NEH 445-468). Redesignated as SN445-468 in the renumbering scheme of 1953.
LEYLAND TIGER PS2/3 - C481 (Total 1)
Built 1950
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS2/3
Body: Metalcraft C35F coach body
One-off Tiger PS2 no. C481 (TRF 693). Photo: P.Yeomans Collection by kind permission of the PSV Circle.John Bishop wrote to say The PMT Tiger PS2 C481 is, with other interesting relics, in Stoke Garage, the scene of all the body swapping which the company did after taking over bit by bit all the independents. The whole of that side of the site was burnt down some years ago. More vandalism!. Thanks John.
Notes: Acquired from Milton Bus Service Ltd.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1 - S484 (Total 1)
Built in December 1947
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1
Body: Brush B34F bus body
Tiger S484 at Stoke in the late 1950s. Photo by kind permission of the PSV Circle.
Notes: Acquired from Yorkshire Woollen District, where it had been No.564. Many examples of the Yorkshire batch (originally 558-632, HD 7841-7915) were converted to double deck in 1954-55, so it may have been bought by P.M.T. around that time.
LEYLAND TIGER PS2/3 - S495 (Total 1)
Built 1950
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS2/3
Body: Hassall Coachcraft DP35F body. Rebodied as double decker in 1955, using a 1951 Northern Counties H56RD body from a pre-war Leyland Titan TD4 chassis.
PS2 Tiger S495 with a body by local firm Hassall Coachcraft, acquired from Davies Transport (Stoke) Ltd.
Notes: Acquired from Davies Transport (Stoke) Ltd. in 1954, withdrawn 1967.
LEYLAND TIGER PS1 - S499 (Total 2)
Built 1950
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS1
Body: Brush B34F body.
Leyland Tiger S499 (HD 7856). Photo: Geoff Stainthorpe, by kind permission.
Notes: Acquired from Yorkshire Woollen District, where they had been nos. 572 and 573.
LEYLAND TIGER PS2 - S503 (Total 1)
Built in 1950
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS2, 9.8 litre O-600 engine, synchromesh gearbox, 17 feet 6 inch wheelbase.
Body: Lawton B35F
Notes: Acquired from Dawson's Reliance Coaches in 1958, after being withdrawn due to accident damage.
LEYLAND TIGER PS2/3 - C504 (Total 1)
Built in 1949
Chassis: Leyland Tiger PS2/3. 9.8 litre O-600 engine, synchromesh gearbox, 17 feet 6 inch wheelbase.
Body: Lawton C35F coach body
Leyland Tiger C504 (NVT 678). Photo: Geoff Stainthorpe, by kind permission.
Notes: Acquired from Baxter Ltd., Hanley (their no.6) in 1958. Some reports indicate that the chassis was actually a double deck Titan PD2, and not a Tiger, but I am confident that this vehicle was built as a PS2 and remained so throughout its life.
TOTAL 79 (with 2 survivors, 453 and 466 )
Email Events diary Past events list Classified adverts Classic U.K. Buses Classic Irish Buses Classic Manx Buses