| Reg | Photo | Year | Make | Exhibitor | History |
| 221 JVK |  | 1961 | Leyland Atlantean PDR1/1 with Alexander double-deck body. | David Slater | The bus was new to Newcastle Corporation and was operated until 1977. It was bought for preservation by the Four to One Group, who carried out much work on it. It later passed to Jimmy Storey who completed the restoration work. |
| 6249 UP |  | 1963 | Leyland Leopard PSU3/3RT, Alexander DP51F | Gordon Noble | New to Venture Transport as fleet no. 249, passing to Northern as 2830, later 4264. Withdrawn in 1980 and sold to APT, Lincoln. Purchased by the late Michael Reed and partly restored. Completely restored to as-new condition over a couple of years. |
| JJD 551D |  | 1966 | AEC Routemaster Park Royal H40/32R | Steve Griffin | This Routemaster entered service as London Transport RML2551 in 1966, initially on route 6, and after refurbishment on route 12. Refurbishment was of both interior and of the driveline, when a Cummins engine replaced the AEC original. The current owner intends to preserve it with its route 12 branding. |
| TMS 585H |  | 1970 | Alexander Y type bodied Leyland Leopard C49F | David Herron | New to RTITB (Wembley) - Restored in Venture Transport Colours |
| GBB 516K |  | 1972 | Leyland Atlantean PDR2/1 Alexander H48/30D | David Warren | Fleet Number: 680 Body Number: AR J40/2369/9
New: June 1972
History of Tyneside PTE Leyland Atlantean GBB 516K
Introduction. In June 1972, the Leyland Atlantean 680, with registration number GBB 516K, was introduced to the Tyneside PTE as part of a fleet of 25 long wheelbase PDR2 Atlanteans. This iconic bus became a familiar sight on the streets of Newcastle, operating out of Byker depot.
A Journey Through Time. The Leyland Atlantean 680, affectionately known as GBB 516K, served the Tyneside PTE faithfully for nearly a decade before embarking on a new chapter in its illustrious history. In 1981, along with fifteen of its counterparts, 680 was sold to the Isle of Man National Transport Company, where it was re-registered as N875 MAN and given the fleet number 65. Why was the Leyland Atlantean 680 sold to the Isle of Man? The decision to sell 680 and its fellow Atlanteans to the Isle of Man was driven by the need for newer, more advanced buses on the streets of Tyneside. The Isle of Man provided a new home for these iconic vehicles, where they continued to serve the community for another four years. What happened to the Leyland Atlantean 680 on the Isle of Man? During its time on the Isle of Man, 680 saw service as a reliable mode of transportation before being replaced by the newer AN68 Atlanteans. While some of its counterparts returned to the UK mainland or met their demise, 680 found a new purpose as a racing support vehicle at the Jurby Racetrack, where it remained for fifteen years. How was the Leyland Atlantean 680 preserved? Despite being earmarked for scrap, 680 was saved by local enthusiasts on the Isle of Man who recognized its historical significance. The bus was purchased, stored, and eventually restored to its original Tyneside PTE livery. On May 3rd, 2003, 680 made its triumphant return to the Northeast, where it has been a prominent feature at various classic vehicle displays. It was repainted in 2017.
Present Day: The Legacy of Leyland Atlantean 680 The Warren family acquired ownership of the Leyland Atlantean 680 in November 2018, ushering in a new era of preservation and appreciation for this iconic bus. A great deal of cosmetic and mechanical work has been carried out on the vehicle, complementing the 2017 repaint and restoring it to its former glory and ensuring its continued presence at local events. For enthusiasts and historians alike, the Leyland Atlantean 680 serves as a tangible link to the rich history of public transportation in the Tyneside area. Its journey from everyday commuter bus to beloved classic vehicle is a testament to the passion and dedication of those who recognize the value of preserving our transportation heritage. |
| WFS 300K |  | 1972 | Alexander bodied Leyland Atlantean PDR1/1 | David Warren | Travelling from Scottish vintage bus museum. Vehicles second rally after 4 years restoration |
| 321 YHN |  | 1973 | Bedford YRQ with Plaxton Panorama coach body. | Peter Elliott | The coach was new to National Travel South East as VYH 500M. Then it worked for James Meffan of Kirriemuir from 1985, before becoming a motor home in 1997. Bought from a scrapyard in 1999, it has been totally refurbished by the current owner. Restored in United Tyne-Tees livery. |
| NDL 656R |  | 1977 | ECW bodied Bristol VR. | Quentin Thomas | New to Southern Vectis 1977. Bought by Lowland Omnibuses Ltd. 1991 |
| YSF 87S |  | 1977 | Alexander Y type bodied Leyland Leopard PSU3D/4R | Rob Hughes | New to Alexander Fife in September 1977 as FPE87 it later passed to Strathtay as no. 560, becoming Stagecoach 25787 when the latter group acquired Strathtay as part of the Yorkshire Traction Group. |
| SCN 268S |  | 1978 | Leyland Atlantean AN68A/2R Alexander H49/37F | North East Bus Preservation Trust Ltd | This Tyne and Wear standard Leyland Atlantean entered service based at South Shields, and passed to South Shields Busways after deregulation in 1986. It is preserved in the livery of South Shields Busways. |
| FTN 708W |  | 1981 | Leyland National MK2 B49F | Jonothan Ruddick | FTN708W was new to Northern General in 1981.
The bus remained within the old Sunderland and District area until withdrawal in 2003. The bus was acquired for preservation in 2007, and since that time has undergone an extensive rebuild due to serious corrosion that was present to the body.
Initially presented last season in Tyne and Wear PTE livery, the bus has been professionally repainted into Go Wear Buses livery, over the winter season. |
| JFT 413X |  | 1982 | Scania BR112DH Alexander H47/31F | Kieth Buckley & Vince Minto | New to Tyne & Wear Transport in 1982 as fleet no. 413. Only two of these vehicles were purchased, and only this vehicle survives. It has been recently refurbished at Gardiners of Spennymoor. |
| C38 CWT | | 1986 | Leyland Tiger 245/Plaxton Paramount MkII 3200 Express. | Julie Aylward | New to West Riding, later passed to United, in whose livery it is now presented |
| D65 BSC |  | 1986 | Duple 340 bodied Leyland Tiger new to Lothian Region Transport | Iain Docherty | |
| F106 UEF | | 1989 | Leyland Olympian Northern Counties H47/35F
| David Slater | |
| G251 SRG |  | 1989 | DAF SB220 Optare Delta. | Mick Rochford | Optare Delta 251 was the first of a batch of four vehicles (251 to 254) ordered by Northumbria Motor Services Ltd of Newcastle upon Tyne on the 4th of July 1989
251 was delivered to Northumbria in October 1989 after it appeared in the Bus & Coach Show at the N.E.C. It then travelled to France & Holland with the Directors & Senior Managers at the end of November 1989.
Originally based at Gallowgate depot, 251 worked out of most of the Northumbria depots at some time in her life before the sale of the Company to British Bus then ultimately Cowies (Arriva) Ironically on the 15th of January 1998 251 became the first bus to be painted in Arriva livery!
Between the 11th of January 2006 and the 21st of September 2008 251 was expertly restored by Gardiners of Spennymoor before making her debut at Showbus 2008.
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| M223 SVN |  | 1995 | Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympian | 500 Group | Delivered new to Stagecoach Transit in 1995, but in Transit livery, and working at Stockton depot for 4 years before transferring to Stagecoach in Hull. Finally withdrawn by Stagecoach in 2010 and disposed of to Ensignbus (Dealer) whence it passed to independent Red Kite, Leighton Buzzard, who operated her for the better part of a decade.
Approaches were kindly made by Red Kite during 2019 and the group successfully purchased her in June 2019. We showed her in as acquired condition at the Seaburn and Keighley rallies towards at the end of the 2019 season.
During early 2020, 223 was given a full external restoration, regaining her iconic green, white and yellow Transit livery, complete with the authentic Part of The Stagecoach Group strapline. Because of Covid it would be mid-2021 before she debuted in her new, as original, guise, attending the NEBPT MetroCentre and Seaburn rallies and providing an evening Group outing. |
| R855 PRG |  | 1998 | Volvo B10BLE Wright Renown. Volvo D10H engine with ZF HP400 gearbox. | Northern National Restoration Group (Craig Smith) | New to Chester le Street in June 1998 4855 was the final member of the second batch of 8 B10BLE that were bought to run the service 21 and morning 734. After 2 years the batch was reallocated to Stanley for use on the service 775 and 778 replacing the popular DAF SB220's.
Then in 2008 48 found herself back at Chester LE Street to run the "branded" lime. From there she was withdrawn in 2015, displaced by Wrightbus Streetlite's.
The NNRG took delivery of 4855 from Saltmeadows Road bodyshop in September 2015. Restoration started straight away and she was unveiled in her original livery in 2016 as a surprise entry at the North East Bus and Coach Show.
4855 has the distinction of being the first low floor bus that was preserved from Go Northeast in 2015, and has been a popular attraction on the rally field since 2016. |
