When Stroud's buses were green (and even red)
Stroud's Buses
A Chrismas Carol
Bringing a little bit of Stroud's bus history back to life.
A unique and unusual part of Stroud's bus heritage is being restored for future generations to enjoy by a small group of Nottingham enthusiasts who wish to see a classic double deck bus back on the road. And in what was an emotional event, 10 years after its withdrawal, the bus made a welcome returned to its old haunt. And
70 seat Bristol FLF "Lodekka" FHU 59D was for ten years the Stroud Carol Bus. The bus and its predecessor Bristol double decks were a regular and eagerly awaited feature of Stroud's Christmases as they toured the estates and villages of the area, raising as they did many thousands of pounds for charities. The buses found themselves in many villages not normally seeing double deck operations. It and its predecessors also joined the annual carnival in the town on Stroud Show day.
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| FHU 59D in its pre-restoration condition showing something of what it would have looked like during its last season as Stroud's Carol Bus in 1993. The flaking paintwork makes the body look worse than it actually is |
Often lavishly decorated by local school children - schools taking it in turns - and always abundantly illuminated, the practice ceased in Stroud in 1993 as it became increasingly difficult to raise the necessary volunteers in what had become a very different bus operating climate and one with fewer staff from whom to draw.
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| The rear in remarkably good
condition showing a Christmas depiction |
First registered in February 1966, FHU 59D itself is a standard Bristol FLF Lodekka bodied by Eastern Coach Works and was one of over 300 operated by the former Bristol Omnibus Company. It was one of a small number fitted with an 8.9 litre Bristol BVW engine rather than the usual Gardner and this makes the vehicle rare. As fleet number C7246, the bus was used in revenue earning service on what were then referred to as Bristol Joint Services but from 1978 became Bristol City Services. The red paint exposed upon restoration indicates that it once operated Cheltenham District routes.
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Withdrawn when operating from Bristol's Muller Road garage in 1983, it then passed to Stroud's Carol Bus Committee until 1993. The bus remained unused between 1993 and 1997 when it was bought by an enthusiast. It changed hands to the current owner in July 2000 and work began on its restoration. The bus passed its MOT in June 2001 and has been rallied in the Nottingham area.
Renovation, refurbishment and restoration continue on the vehicle and, in fact, is now almost complete. It will be fully restored into its early life condition in full Bristol Omnibus Company green livery as it might have been when used on Bristol Joint Services. Most parts are now to hand for a full restoration to passenger service all that is now needed to complete the job is a little more money and time... and perhaps a little help from Father Christmas!
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| Taken in April 2002
as work commences, notice the work carried out around the lower deck
windows. The discovery of read paint indicates that the vehicle
would have once been used on Cheltenham routes |
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| Taken on 27 June 2002 on the day FHU 59D passed its MOT, to some amusement from the Vehicle Inspectorate testers. Note the restoration work to the windows, primer and freshly painted front, which gives an indication as to what the vehicle will be like in the near future. |
 Triumphant return to Stroud... 10 years after its withdrawal, 7246 again enters Stroud Bus Station, in April 2003, in what may best be described as "almost complete" condition |