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Douglas Corporation 1914 - 1976 (by Shane Conway)

Last updated on 17 August 2024

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Preserved Douglas AEC Regent III 64 (KMN 835) is seen at Banks Circus depot, Douglas on July 17th 2014 while taking part in a road run to commemorate 100 years since the start of Douglas Corporation's bus service. Behind 64 is 410 LMN, the last ever AEC Regent V to be produced.

Public transport in the Isle of Man commenced in 1873 with the opening of the narrow gauge Isle of Man Railway with routes from Douglas to Port Erin and Peel. Three years later, an urban tramway opened for business in Douglas, and control of this passed to Douglas Corporation in 1902, following the liquidation of the operating company. The first buses on the island were a pair of Argus charabancs introduced in 1907 by the Manx Electric Railway, and these linked Bungalow (on the Snaefell Mountain Railway) with the company's hotel and tea-rooms at Tholt-y-Will.

Seven years later, Douglas Corporation bought its first buses, a Tilling-Stevens and a Straker-Squire, both seating 25. After just six years service, they were replaced by a further four Tilling-Stevens, and from 1922 to 1930 a further 34 buses entered service, including the first double decker in 1922.

The Corporation's first Leylands were the two 1936 20 seat Park Royal bodied Cubs, and these became known as Wolsey's midgets, C. F. Wolsey being the then general manager of the Corporation's transport department. Apart from the buses, the horse trams and Douglas Head tramway also came under the local authority's remit. The latter tramway did not survive the second world war, being closed in 1942. Buses which operated on services inside the borough boundary were exempt from road tax, but a small fleet which worked on routes beyond the edge of Douglas were subject to the full rate, and to distinguish them, such buses carried the letters EA (extended area) on the front panels. Thus, in effect, Douglas Corporation ran TWO fleets of buses.

In 1933, the first pair of an eventual fleet of 42 AEC Regents went into service. These were supplemented in 1945 by a trio of AEC powered Daimler utility buses, which were to remain in service until 1970. A varied selection of single deckers were also bought over the years, including Bedford OWB and VAS, AEC Regal and Reliance, Leyland Comet and Cub, and Guy Otter. Some of these buses received outsize destination screens, capable of taking the large scrolls fitted to double deckers, thus giving a distinctive appearance to the vehicles in question.

The 1957 batch of four AEC Regent Mark 5s were the first such buses in the fleet, as well as being the last rear platform buses to enter service. 1957 also saw five Guy Otter buses enter service, the only examples of that manufacturer's output on the island. Two AEC Reliances arrived in 1958, thought to be the only Reliances ever fitted with Mulliner bodywork.

Seven forward entrance Regents arrived during the 1960s, including the last ever one built (one of a pair of Willowbrook bodied buses in 1968), while in 1970, for the first (and last) time secondhand buses were acquired, in the form of eight ex Lancashire United Leyland Tiger Cubs. An unusual purchase in 1974 was a Willowbrook bodied Bedford YRQ, followed by three more in 1975. These were to prove to be the final new Douglas Corporation buses, as on October 1st 1976 the yellow fleet was merged with the red Road Services buses to become Isle of Man National Transport. This move, first suggested in 1966, brought an end to 62 years of Manx municipal bus operation. However Douglas Corporation retained the famous sea-front horse tram route, and happily this still remains as it was.

Fleet history of Douglas Corporation buses

1914

1920

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1933

  • 41 MN 8690 AEC Regent 6612146 - Northern Counties H26/26R new 5/1933; w/d -/1957 and sold for scrap 1/1960
  • 42 MN 8691 AEC Regent 6612147 - Northern Counties H26/26R new 5/1933; w/d -/1957 and sold for scrap 1/1960

1934

  • 43 MN 9517 AEC Regent 6612716 - Northern Counties H26/26R new 5/1934; w/d -/1957 and sold for scrap 1/1960
  • 44 MN 9518 AEC Regent 6612717 - Northern Counties H26/26R new 5/1934; w/d -/1958 and sold for scrap 1/1960
  • 45 MN 9519 AEC Regent 6612718 - Northern Counties H26/26R new 5/1934; fitted with AEC diesel engine -/1954; w/d 1/1963; to Douglas Corporation Water Department 1/1963; w/d 2/1968; to Ballamona Hospital, Braddan -/1972 as playbus; sold for scrap -/1975

1935

The sixth AEC Regent bought by Douglas was the first bus in the fleet with a three letter registration number. Buses 41 to 50 did not have poles fitted to their platforms, a matter not repeated on later batches.

  • 1 MAN 123 Vulcan Low-loader 2744 - Vulcan FO40T new 4/1938; reseated to FO32T 5/1946; rebuilt to FB32F ?/??; fitted with Bedford 28h.p. petrol engine, radiator and gearbox -/1954; w/d -/1957; to Osborne (dealer), Douglas 10/1957 as lorry; w/d 2/1961; to Southern 100 race course, Castletown ?/??; believed scrapped when replaced by Leyland Titan PD3 MN 44 in -/1982 or -/1982
  • 2 MAN 124 Vulcan Low-loader 2743 - Vulcan FO40T new 4/1938; reseated to FO32T 5/1946; rebuilt to FB32F ?/??; fitted with Bedford 28h.p. petrol engine, radiator and gearbox -/1954; w/d -/1957; to Osborne (dealer), Douglas 10/1957 as lorry; scrapped 6/1962
  • 46 MAN 122 AEC Regent 6613575 - Northern Counties H26/26R new 4/1938; fitted with AEC diesel engine -/1954; w/d -/1963; to Douglas Corporation Water Department 3/1963; w/d 5/1971; to London Bus Preservation Group, Cobham by 4/1977; to Bailey, Mansfield 11/1984 for preservation; subsequent history unknown and may have been scrapped

1936

  • 9 BMN 255 Leyland KPZ1 5984 - Park Royal B20F 4348 new 6/1936; w/d -/1958; to Osborne (dealer), Douglas 12/1958, sold for scrap ?/??; body in yard near Union Mills 7/1959
  • 10 BMN 256 Leyland KPZ1 5985 - Park Royal B20F 4349 new 6/1936; w/d -/1959; to IoM Civil Defence Commission, Douglas 1/1959; w/d 9/1963; to farm near Ballamodha until about -/1970; to Southern 100 racecourse ?/??; to Great Meadow racecourse ?/??; still there -/1985; presumed scrapped ?/??

1937

  • 11 BMN 868 Leyland KPZ1 7134 - Park Royal B20F 4812 new 3/1937; w/d -/1959; to R.N.L.I., Peel 5/1959 as mobile display (lifeboat mounted on bus chassis); w/d 7/1965 and scrapped ?/??
  • 12 BMN 869 Leyland KPZ1 7135 - Park Royal B20F 4813 new 3/1937; w/d -/1958; to IoM Civil Defence Commission 1/1959; to unknown, Scard 6/1961 as hen-house; still there 6/1971; scrapped ?/??
  • 47 BMN 866 AEC Regent 6614444 - Northern Counties H27/25R new 3/1937; fitted with AEC diesel engine -/1954; w/d -/1964; to farmer, Greeba 9/1964 as hen-house; scrapped ?/??
  • 48 BMN 867 AEC Regent 6614445 - Northern Counties H27/25R new 3/1937; fitted with AEC diesel engine -/1954; w/d -/1964; to farmer, Ballig 9/1964 as hen-house; remains still visible until at least -/1985; scrapped ?/??

1938

  • 8 CMN 709 Leyland KPZ1 200208 - Park Royal B20F 5110 new 3/1938; w/d -/1957; to Manx Electric Railway 1 11/1957; w/d 5/1959; to farmer, Bride -/1962 as hen-house; scrapped -/1963
  • 49 CMN 710 AEC Regent 6616127 - Northern Counties H27/25R new 3/1938; fitted with AEC diesel engine -/1954; w/d -/1964 and scrapped -/1964

1939

  • 14 DMN 585 Leyland KPZ3 201269 - Park Royal B20F 5641 new 3/1939; w/d -/1957; to Manx Electric Railway 2 11/1957; w/d 5/1959; to farmer, Bride -/1962 as hen-house; scrapped 4/1978
  • 50 DMN 650 AEC Regent O6615965 - Northern Counties H27/25R new 3/1939; w/d -/1967; to Crowther, Leeds 9/1967 for preservation; r/r SWU 222F 9/1967; to Marshall, Burnley and Edgington, Nottingham ?/??; to Jennings, Douglas 9/1985; returned to Isle of Man 3/1986; r/r DMN 650 3/1986; stored at Ballaugh pending restoration **SURVIVOR**

1944

  • 15 FMN 899 Bedford OWB 22705 - Duple UB26F 38949 new 9/1944; w/d -/1957; chassis to Ramsey Motors (dealer), Douglas 2/1958, later to a farmer; body to farmer, Santon 2/1958 as hen-house; scrapped ?/??
  • 16 FMN 900 Bedford OWB 23958 - Duple UB26F 39023 new 9/1944; reseated to UB24F 4/1952; w/d -/1957; chassis to Ramsey Motors (dealer), Douglas 2/1958, later to a farmer; body to farmer, Santon 2/1958 as hen-house; scrapped ?/??

1945

  • 51 FMN 954 Daimler CWA6 12010 - Duple UH30/26R 40578 new 1/1945; w/d -/1970; to Martin (dealer), Weaverham 7/1970; sold for scrap 12/1970; reg number transferred to a Ford tractor, probably in -/1970
  • 52 FMN 955 Daimler CWA6 12009 - Duple UH30/26R 40577 new 1/1945; w/d -/1970; to Reading Transport Society 7/1970 for preservation; r/r FWW 188J 7/1970; to British Trolleybus Society 4/1971; to Dare, Reading ?/??; r/r SVS 281 ?/??; to Sandtoft Transport Museum Society -/2006 **SURVIVOR**
  • 53 GMN 242 Daimler CWA6 12306 - Duple UH30/26R 41580 new 9/1945; w/d -/1970; to Martin (dealer), Weaverham 7/1970; to Cranage Hall Hospital, Holmes Chapel by 11/1971 as playbus; to Cheshire Area Health Authority 4/1974; scrapped by 5/1977

1947

The 1947 batch comprised six Northern Counties bodied AEC Regent IIIs, 54 and 55 having London RT type chassis and 56 to 59 being of the non London styling. 57, seen here, lasted in service for 27 years and was sold for scrap in 1977.

  • 54 GMN 905 AEC Regent III O961186 - Northern Counties H30/25R 3984 new 5/1947; w/d -/1971 and used for spares; sold for scrap -/1974
  • 55 GMN 906 AEC Regent III O961187 - Northern Counties H30/25R 3983 new 5/1947; w/d -/1971 and used for spares; sold for scrap -/1974
  • 56 HMN 687 AEC Regent III O9612066 - Northern Counties H30/26R 4111 new 8/1947; w/d -/1974; to Manx Metals (dealer) Balthane 11/1974; to Sporting Carriage Club, Douglas 7/1976; rebuilt to O30/26R 7/1976; r/r MAN 643J 7/1976; scrapped for spares ?/??
  • 57 HMN 688 AEC Regent III O9612063 - Northern Counties H30/26R 4112 new 8/1947; w/d -/1974; to Manx Metals (dealer) Balthane 11/1974; sold for scrap 1/1977
  • 58 HMN 689 AEC Regent III O9612064 - Northern Counties H30/26R 4113 new 8/1947; w/d -/1974; to Manx Metals (dealer) Balthane 11/1974; to Pochin, Douglas (builder) 4/1975; r/r MAN 691D 4/1975; to Manx Metals c.8/1978; to Andreas Racing Association, Jurby c.9/1978; to IoM Transport ?/?? for spares **SURVIVOR**
  • 59 HMN 690 AEC Regent III O9612065 - Northern Counties H30/26R 4114 new 9/1947; w/d -/1974; to Manx Metals (dealer) Balthane 11/1974; sold for scrap 1/1977

1948

AEC Regent IIIs 60 to 63 arrived in 1948, again with Northern Counties bodies. 62 seen here was the only one of the batch not to pass to Isle of Man National Transport in 1977.

  • 60 JMN 724 AEC Regent III O9612067 - Northern Counties H30/26R 4261 new 6/1948; to IoMNT (128) 10/1976; not used; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978; to London Bus Preservation Group, Cobham 3/1978 for spares; scrapped ?/??
  • 61 JMN 725 AEC Regent III O9612068 - Northern Counties H30/26R 4262 new 6/1948; to IoMNT (125) 10/1976; not used; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978; to London Bus Preservation Group, Cobham 3/1978; to Omnibus Promotions, London (dealer) 4/1978; to Trumps Leisure Service, London 4/1978; r/r WPH 358S 5/1978; to Top Deck Promotions, Margate 8/1979; to Dover Transport Museum Society 11/1986; to London Bus Export (dealer) by 6/1988; to Nadin, York by 4/1996; to Lord, Rochdale by 2/02 for spares; sold for scrap by 11/13
  • 62 JMN 726 AEC Regent III O9612069 - Northern Counties H30/26R 4263 new 7/1948; w/d -/1976; to IoM Commonwealth Games Committee 11/1976; to Craine and Melling, Douglas (dealer) -/1977; scrapped 7/1977
  • 63 JMN 727 AEC Regent III O9612070 - Northern Counties H30/26R 4264 new 7/1948; to IoMNT (127) 10/1976; not used; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978; to Fawcett, Reading 1/1978 for preservation; r/r MSL 294 6/00; to Caine, Douglas 6/08; to Greet, Broadhampston 12/08 for preservation **SURVIVOR**

1949

The 1949 order for buses comprised no less than eight AEC Regent IIIs, 64 to 71, which was the largest single order placed by the Corporation for new buses. 65 was the first to be withdrawn, in 1974, all others lasting a further two years, with 64 now being the sole survivor of the batch.

  • 64 KMN 835 AEC Regent III 9612E2071 - Northern Counties H30/26R 4265 new 6/1949; to IoMNT (135) 10/1976; not used; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978; to London Bus Preservation Group, Cobham 3/1978; to Nightingale, London 8/1978; to IoM Transport 6/1994 for preservation **SURVIVOR**
  • 65 KMN 836 AEC Regent III 9612E2072 - Northern Counties H30/26R 4266 new 6/1949; w/d -/1974; to Manx Metals, Balthane (dealer) 10/1976; scrapped ?/??
  • 66 KMN 837 AEC Regent III 9612E4490 - Northern Counties H30/25R 4474 new 6/1949; w/d -/1976; to Craine and Melling, Douglas (dealer) 2/1977; scrapped 3/1977
  • 67 KMN 838 AEC Regent III 9612E4489 - Northern Counties H30/25R 4475 new 6/1949; to IoMNT (133) 10/1976; not used; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978; to London Bus Preservation Group, Cobham 3/1978 for spares; scrapped ?/??
  • 68 KMN 839 AEC Regent III 9612E4491 - Northern Counties H30/25R 4476 new 6/1949; to IoMNT (134) 10/1976; not used; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978; to London Bus Preservation Group, Cobham 3/1978; to Brakell, Cheam (dealer) 1/1979; to Gutterfast, Castle Carey by 6/1979; r/r 113 KGC 7/1979; to Staines, Jurby 8/1985; r/r KMN 839 9/1985; restoration discontinued and vehicle allowed to become derelict; body to Manx Metals 3/2002 and chassis to Ribble Vehicle Preservation Group by 8/2003 for spares; scrapped 10/2011
  • 69 KMN 840 AEC Regent III 9612E4493 - Northern Counties H30/25R 4477 new 7/1949; to IoMNT (140) 10/1976; not used; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978; to TAMS, Germany by 4/1978; later history unknown; presumed scrapped ?/??
  • 70 KMN 841 AEC Regent III 9612E4494 - Northern Counties H30/25R 4478 new 7/1949; w/d -/1976; to Post & Beam, Ramsey (builders) 7/1976 as mess-room; w/d -/1978; to Sykes, Barnsley (dealer) -/1979; presumed scrapped ?/??
  • 71 KMN 842 AEC Regent III 9612E4492 - Northern Counties H30/25R 4479 new 7/1949; w/d -/1976; to Craine and Melling, Douglas (dealer) 2/1977; scrapped 12/1977

1950

1950 a switch to a single deck order, which were three Park Royal bodied Leyland Comets. Although quite a few Comets were bodied as coaches in Britain, this trio is believed to be the only examples done as service buses.

  • 20 KMN 518 Leyland CPO1 491728 - Park Royal B30F 34278 new 1/1950; w/d 7/1968; to Ballamona Hospital, Braddan 7/1968; to Lavery, Crumlin 3/1974; sold for scrap by 4/1991
  • 21 KMN 519 Leyland CPO1 490414 - Park Royal B30F 34279 new 1/1950; w/d -/1968; to Parkinson, Braddan (builder) 4/1968; w/d 7/1979; to Wilson, Bootle -/1980 for preservation; r/r 528 JKC -/1980; restoration complete by -/1994. **SURVIVOR**
  • 22 KMN 520 Leyland CPO1 491807 - Park Royal B30F 34280 new 2/1950; w/d -/1968; to Parkinson, Braddan (builder) 5/1968; w/d 7/1979; to Manx Metals (dealer) by 10/1982; scrapped by 3/1982

1951

NMN 355 was one of two AEC Regal IV demonstrators acquired in June 1951, both being less than a year old when they arrived on the island. Again both had long working lives, lasting well into the mid 1970s. The registration number was later applied to a locally preserved ex London Transport RF class bus.

  • 30 NMN 201 (OJO 730) AEC Regal IV 9821E029 - Willowbrook B42F 50825 new 9/1950; ex AEC demonstrator 6/1951; to IoMNT (101) 10/1976; not used; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978 for scrap
  • 31 NMN 355 (VMK 271) AEC Regal IV U137523 - Park Royal B38F 34353 new 10/1950; ex AEC demonstrator 6/1951; w/d -/1974; to Manx Metals (dealer) 10/1976; scrapped ?/??

1957

No buses were bought between 1952 and 1956, but four AEC Regent Vs arrived in 1957, these having bodies by Metro Cammell, similar to those bought in the same era by Road Services on Leyland Titan chassis. 72 to 75 featured large destination screens front and back, unlike the earlier buses and those which followed in the 1960s. They also were the last rear platfom buses to enter service.

  • 8 WMN 484 Guy Otter NLL0DP47291P - Mulliner B26F new 11/1957; w/d -/1970; to Runcorn, Frodsham and District Society for Mentally Handicapped Children 12/1970; r/r UTU 595J 12/1970; to Rowbotham, Kidsgrove by -/1977; to Day, Beaminster 9/1983; presumed sold for scrap ?/??
  • 9 WMN 485 Guy Otter NLL0DP47252P - Mulliner B26F new 11/1957; w/d -/1970; to Gateshead School 12/1970; r/r UTU 596J 12/1970; to Heslop, Hexham by 7/1976; to Ellis, Market Rasen 11/1982; to BaMMOT, Wythall by -/2005 for preservation; restored by 8/2009 **SURVIVOR**
  • 10 WMN 486 Guy Otter NLL0DP47280P - Mulliner B26F new 11/1957; w/d -/1970; to Ballamona Hospital, Braddan 12/1970; to Oldham Transport Appreciation Society 12/1976; to Gudgeon, Lytham by -/1977 for preservation **SURVIVOR**
  • 11 WMN 487 Guy Otter NLL0DP47259P - Mulliner B26F new 11/1957; w/d -/1970; to Smith, Chelford 12/1970 for preservation; r/r UTU 597J 12/1970; to Manx Transport Trust 9/2010; r/r WMN 487 9/2010 **SURVIVOR**
  • 12 WMN 488 Guy Otter NLL0DP47288P -Mulliner B26F new 11/1957; w/d -/1970; to St. Lukes Junior School, Prescot 6/1971; r/r UTU 598J 6/1971; to Martin, Weaverham (dealer) 4/1972; to Red Rose Transport Society, Manchester 2/1975; to Salford Council for Voluntary Services by 1/1976; to Clifford, East Acton 12/1982; possible **SURVIVOR**
  • 72 VMN 664 AEC Regent V D2RA349 - MCCW H30/26R new 1/1957; to IoMNT 164 10/1976; w/d 10/1977; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978 for scrap
  • 73 VMN 665 AEC Regent V D2RA350 - MCCW H30/26R new 1/1957; to IoMNT 165 10/1976; w/d 10/1977; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978 for scrap
  • 74 VMN 666 AEC Regent V D2RA351 - MCCW H30/26R new 1/1957; to IoMNT 166 10/1976; w/d 10/1977; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978 for scrap
  • 75 VMN 667 AEC Regent V D2RA352 - MCCW H30/26R new 1/1957; to IoMNT 167 10/1976; w/d 10/1977; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978 for scrap

1958

  • 32 XMN 290 AEC Reliance MU2RA1942 - Mulliner B42F new 3/1958; to IoMNT 190 10/1976; w/d 3/1977; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978 for scrap
  • 33 XMN 289 AEC Reliance MU2RA1941 - Mulliner B42F new 3/1958; to IoMNT 189 10/1976; w/d 3/1977; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978 for scrap

1964

The 1960s deliveries of AEC Regent Vs commenced in 1964 when 8122 to 8124 MN arrived with Metro Cammell front entrance bodies seating 64 passengers. The fleet number series recommenced at 1, and our featured bus, 8122 MN went on to become the final Manx AEC bus in regular service in 1982.

  • 1 8122 MN AEC Regent V 2D2RA1533 - MCCW H37/27F new 5/1964; to IoMNT 122 10/1976; r/n 39 10/1978; w/d 10/1982; to Sharp, Baldrine 11/1982 for preservation; to Brakell, Cheam (dealer) 11/1984; r/r Q825 PGT -/1985; to "Le Chien Qui Fume" (mobile restaurant) East Molesey 6/1986; to unknown (caravan) by 6/2001; to "London Bus Cafe-Canteen", Athens by 1/2009 (last Manx AEC in regular service)
  • 2 8123 MN AEC Regent V 2D2RA1534 - MCCW H37/27F new 5/1964; to IoMNT 123 10/1976; r/n 40 10/1978; w/d 5/1982; to Walker, Eastham 5/1982 for preservation; to Craine, Douglas 9/1986 for preservation; to Purple Helmets motorcycle display team (Isle of Man) -/1995; to Arrowscore, Cullompton by 3/2008; r/r 822 XUX 3/2010 **SURVIVOR**
  • 3 8124 MN AEC Regent V 2D2RA1535 - MCCW H37/27F new 5/1964; to IoMNT 124 10/1976; r/n 41 10/1978; w/d 10/1982; to Wirral Bus Preservation Group 7/1983; to Lister, Bolton (dealer) 1/1984; to Sykes, Carlton (dealer) 2/1984; r/r APB 582A 11/1990; to Lilley, Matlock Bath by 8/1992; to unknown (caravan) by -/1994; to Bowman, Burthwaite for preservation by 2/2011 **SURVIVOR**

1965

Two more AEC Regent Vs arrived in 1965, with yet another change of bodybuilder, this time to Willowbrook of Loughborough. Note that the reg numbers are (a) in reverse order, and (b) not consecutive, for some unknown reason..

  • 4 679 BMN AEC Regent V 2D2RA1697 - Willowbrook H37/27F CF1080 new 5/1965; to IoMNT 179 10/1976; r/n 43 10/1978; w/d 1/1982; to Manx Motor Salvage (dealer) 5/1982; to Wirral Bus Preservation Group 5/1982; burned out on Wallasey Docks by 4/1983; sold for scrap by 5/1983
  • 5 677 BMN AEC Regent V 2D2RA1698 - Willowbrook H37/27F CF1081 new 6/1965; to IoMNT 177 10/1976; r/n 42 10/1978; w/d 10/1982 with engine fault; partly dismantled for spares by local preservationists L.Cannan and D.Sharp at bus yard from 11/1983; to Manx Motor Salvage 3/1984 for scrap

1966

The second pair of Douglas Bedfords arrived in the form of two 30 seat Bedford VAS1s with Duple Midland bodies, which were based on a Willowbrook design with Willowbrook numbers, a matter that has often led to confusion......

  • 6 899 EMN Bedford VAS1 6847048 - Duple (Midland) B30F CF1335 new 7/1966; to IoMNT 99 10/1976; r/n 12 10/1978; w/d 8/1979; to IoM Health Services Board, Braddan 12/1979; w/d 8/1984; to Manx Motor Salvage -/1985 for scrap
  • 7 900 EMN Bedford VAS1 6847692 - Duple (Midland) B30F CF1336 new 7/1966; to IoMNT 100 10/1976; r/n 13 10/1978; w/d 8/1979; to Ballamona Hospital 12/1979; to Dixon, Onchan for preservation 1/1986; to Howe, Andreas by 2/2001 for preservation. **SURVIVOR**

1968

The last new AEC Regents in Douglas arrived in 1968, being a further pair of Willowbrook 64 seaters. The second of the pair was the last ever AEC double decker to be produced, and happily has survived in preservation.

  • 14 409 LMN AEC Regent V 3D2RA2023 - Willowbrook H37/27F CF1615 new 12/1968; to IoMNT 109 10/1976; r/n 37 10/1978; w/d 10/1982 due to body failure; to Manx Motor Salvage 3/1983 for scrap
  • 15 410 LMN AEC Regent V 3D2RA2024 - Willowbrook H37/27F CF1616 new 12/1968; to IoMNT 110 10/1976; r/n 38 10/1978; w/d 3/1982 with engine fault; restored to DCT livery and AV590 engine fitted; r/n 88 5/1983; r/r MAN 1968 8/1983; to Davis, Kirk Michael 10/1984 for preservation; r/r 410 LMN 10/1984; to Andrews Allways, Sheffield 5/1988; r/r BWA 429G 9/1988; to Morgan, Sutton Valence 4/1989; to River Valley, Sutton Valence 10/1989; to unknown 9/1990; to IOM Transport for preservation 11/1992; r/r 410 LMN 11/1992 **SURVIVOR**

1970

The 1970s deliveries were all single deckers, with the first batch of buses also being the only second-hand ones bought. New to Lancashire United in 1957, these Tiger Cubs lasted a few years in service, with only one seing use by National Transport, until 1977.

  • 34 227 UMN (955 BTF) Leyland PSUC1/2 574223 - Duple (Midland) DP41F 485/5 new 6/1957; ex Lancashire United 624 5/1970; to IoMNT 10/1976; not used; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978 for scrap
  • 35 229 UMN (953 BTF) Leyland PSUC1/2 574036 - Duple (Midland) DP41F 485/3 new 6/1957; ex Lancashire United 622 5/1970; to IoMNT (129) 10/1976; w/d 3/1977; to Joughin Bros, Douglas (dealer) 5/1979 for scrap
  • 36 230 UMN (954 BTF) Leyland PSUC1/2 574037 - Duple (Midland) DP41F 485/4 new 6/1957; ex Lancashire United 623 5/1970; to IoMNT (130) 10/1976; not used; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978 for scrap
  • 37 231 UMN (433 DTF) Leyland PSUC1/2 584542 - Duple (Midland) DP41F 485/9 new 6/1958; ex Lancashire United 627 5/1970; w/d -/1974 and sold for scrap 11/1974
  • 38 232 UMN (952 BTF) Leyland PSUC1/2 574035 - Duple (Midland) DP41F 485/2 new 6/1957; ex Lancashire United 621 5/1970; to IoMNT 10/1976; not used; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978 for scrap
  • 39 233 UMN (432 DTF) Leyland PSUC1/2 584541 - Duple (Midland) DP41F 485/6 new 6/1958; ex Lancashire United 626 5/1970; w/d -/1974 and sold for scrap 11/1974
  • 40 234 UMN (434 DTF) Leyland PSUC1/2 584543 - Duple (Midland) DP41F 491/1 new 6/1958; ex Lancashire United 628 5/1970; w/d -/1974 and sold for scrap 11/1974
  • 41 238 UMN (435 DTF) Leyland PSUC1/2 584544 - Duple (Midland) DP41F 485/8 new 6/1958; ex Lancashire United 629 5/1970; to IoMNT (131) 10/1976; not used; to Booth, Rotherham (dealer) 1/1978 for scrap

1974

Seen on display at the 1974 Motor Show, MAN 51B was the first of four Bedford YRQs with Willowbrook bodies. Three of them replaced the Tiger Cubs and, although all passed to National Transport, their non-standard nature saw them leave the fleet as early as 1980, being replaced by ex Ribble 1960s Leyland Leopards.

  • 16 MAN 51B Bedford YRQ DW456271 - Willowbrook B47F 74952 new 9/1974; to IoMNT 51 10/1976; r/n 1 10/1978; w/d 1/1980; to Sykes, Barnsley (dealer) 1/1980; r/r FWB 179V 4/1980; to Walsall Area Health Authority, (St. Margaret's Hospital), Great Barr 4/1980; w/d by 4/1998 and scrapped ?/??

1975

  • 17 MAN 52B Bedford YRQ DW457130 - Willowbrook B47F 73944 new 1/1975; to IoMNT 52 10/1976; r/n 2 10/1978; w/d 1/1980; to Sykes, Barnsley (dealer) 1/1980; r/r JKY 185W by 3/1982; to Alpine, Bootle 3/1982; to North, Sherburn (dealer) 9/1982; scrapped ?/??
  • 18 MAN 138B Bedford YRQ DW456924 - Willowbrook B47F 73946 new 1/1975; to IoMNT 138 10/1976; r/n 3 10/1978; w/d 1/1980; to Sykes, Barnsley (dealer) 7/1980; r/r JKY 186W by 3/1982; to Alpine, Bootle 3/1982; to North, Sherburn (dealer) 9/1982
  • 19 MAN 139B Bedford YRQ DW457143 - Willowbrook B47F 73945 new 1/1975; to IoMNT 139 10/1976; r/n 4 10/1978; w/d 1/1980; to Sykes, Barnsley (dealer) 7/1980; r/r PDJ 362W by 4/1982; to Bolton and Farrimond, Wigan 4/1982; to Berresford, Cheddleton 5/1985; r/r Q609 FVT 10/1986; w/d 8/1987 and sold for scrap -/1987

Total fleet = 118 with 14 (or 15?) survivors

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SB