A late spot of modernity - a photo on Flickriver

Stockport Corporation served the citizens of that town efficiently between 1901 and 1969. It had the reputation of being a tight ship and a conservative operator - its trams were the last in Greater Manchester, lasting until 1951; and it bought the very last traditional rear-loader double decker bus, number 91, which is now in the Museum of Transport. Its colour scheme was traditional red and cream, and it got the most out of its buses - mid-1930s single deckers lasted well into the 1960s.

Yet it would be a mistake to say that Stockport was unwilling to move with the times. In 1968 it bought a set of Leyland 'Leopard' buses with a clean, new cream and red paint scheme; and it placed an order for rear-engined Bristol 'VR' buses to initiate one-man operation on its double deck buses.

The Leopards duly appeared and we see two of them in their 'lair', in other words Heaton Lane bus depot, just after Stockport was absorbed into SELNEC Passenger Transport Executive in November 1969. They were attractive, even if their high steps to the floor made them a not especially attractive proposition to people with mobility issues. They even had up-to-the-minute dual doors, going through a fashion fad at the time (not counting London). They had a full service life and it's pleasing to note that one of them, number 408, survives in private preservation.

The ten Bristol VR buses weren't so lucky. They were bodied by Stockport's usual coachbuilder, East Lancs of Blackburn, and in 1970 they were virtually complete when the East Lancs factory suffered a disastrous fire, wrecking the facility and destroying all ten Bristols. We've heard a report that several were advanced enough to be ready to deliver, but we have no firm confirmation.

So these Leopards were the only manifestation that Stockport Corporation could look forwards as well as backwards. Fortunately the Museum of Transport has several Stockport buses restored and on display. If you'd like to know more about the Museum of Transport Greater Manchester and its collection of vintage buses, go to www.motgm.uk.

This photo was taken by Alan Gaskell. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction is strictly prohibited and may result in action being taken to protect the intellectual property interests of the Society and it members.

Taken in: UK / England / Stockport (show map)

Taken on: January 1, 1970

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