On The (Old) Buses

[stpetre 12]

I've mentioned this before, I finished my Army stint (National Service) in Christmas '53, so I am assuming it was close to this date or shortly after. They had a couple of Blackpool buses all decked out in Blackpool livery on the Petre St run which went to Graves Park (whether they were used on any other route I don't know), I suppose the idea was to see if people liked or took to the more modern bus with central doors and stairs etc. I've often thought there had to have been a few accidents over the years on the old style rear open entrance with people falling off or being dragged clinging to the pole (which sounds comical now I suppose), I know I had a few near misses over the years. fleetwood

 

I lived on Petre Street (hence stpetre) then, although I was only five don't recall those buses-not that they didn't exist.That route ran from Upwell Street, Grimesthorpe to Graves Park, or Hollythorpe Rise. I do remember some of them were instead of cream and royal blue were dark green, the same livery as Chesterfield buses. I later learned that around 1953-55 that Sheffield Transport -as it was then-had tested a new livery which didn't seem to be too popular. What were the Blackpool buses colours, green and white like their trams or tangerine like the football team ?

[fleetwood 10]

I lived on Petre Street (hence stpetre) then, although I was only five don't recall those buses-not that they didn't exist.That route ran from Upwell Street, Grimesthorpe to Graves Park, or Hollythorpe Rise. I do remember some of them were instead of cream and royal blue were dark green, the same livery as Chesterfield buses. I later learned that around 1953-55 that Sheffield Transport -as it was then-had tested a new livery which didn't seem to be too popular. What were the Blackpool buses colours, green and white like their trams or tangerine like the football team ?

 

I lived in Grimesthorpe so I knew the local Bus routes where they originated and destinations etc, I know for sure that they had Blackpool buses on or around the times I have stated and again whether they were featured on any other routes at the time I don't know? Somehow one would think they might have been. I'm sorry, I don't recall the colours past or present. fleetwood

[Voldy 10]

I remember riding on one of these buses from Castlegate to Southey (97 or 98 ) when on trial from Blackpool so must have been tried on a few routes as well as the 17/34. They were in cream and green livery and this Blogspot will be of interest to you; http://fyldebus.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/restoring-luffs-last-double-decker.html

Can't remember the year though.

[PeterR 10]

I lived on Petre Street (hence stpetre) then, although I was only five don't recall those buses-not that they didn't exist.That route ran from Upwell Street, Grimesthorpe to Graves Park, or Hollythorpe Rise. I do remember some of them were instead of cream and royal blue were dark green, the same livery as Chesterfield buses. I later learned that around 1953-55 that Sheffield Transport -as it was then-had tested a new livery which didn't seem to be too popular. What were the Blackpool buses colours, green and white like their trams or tangerine like the football team ?

 

I was 10 in 1953 and lived on Adsetts Street from birth. Would like to mention that I don't recall the buses with Blackpool livery either. Neither do I recall the dark green buses being on that route. The route terminus was at the side of the Reform Chapel on the Upwell Lane side, the opposite side from Upwell Street. I often saw the crews having a cig whilst standing against the bus radiator keeping themselves warm. The buses then passed the end of Adsetts Street a few yards from my house, when travelling up Grimesthorpe Road, to the next stop on Carlisle Road.

The terminus bus stop can be seen here on 11 Oct 1965...

 

http://picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?action=zoomWindow&keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;s31783&prevUrl=

Edited November 19, 2016 by PeterR

[stpetre 12]

I was 10 in 1953 and lived on Adsetts Street from birth. Would like to mention that I don't recall the buses with Blackpool livery either. Neither do I recall the dark green buses being on that route. The route terminus was at the side of the Reform Chapel on the Upwell Lane side, the opposite side from Upwell Street. I often saw the crews having a cig whilst standing against the bus radiator keeping themselves warm. The buses then passed the end of Adsetts Street a few yards from my house, when travelling up Grimesthorpe Road, to the next stop on Carlisle Road.

The terminus bus stop can be seen here on 11 Oct 1965...

 

http://picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?action=zoomWindow&keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;s31783&prevUrl=

 

The 'Beehive' pub was a little further up to the right on that photo with the 'Old Bowling Green' a little further still. Also when I was a kid, some of the buses ran only as far as Hunsley Street.

[alexander874 17]

The livery on a number of trams and buses was two shades of green or some were just plain green none had any cream , there was a public outcry and they were all changed back to cream and blue within 18 months .

[stpetre 12]

The livery on a number of trams and buses was two shades of green or some were just plain green none had any cream , there was a public outcry and they were all changed back to cream and blue within 18 months .

 

Wow, Sheffield Council taking notice of the public ? That may have been the last time !

[fleetwood 10]

I remember riding on one of these buses from Castlegate to Southey (97 or 98 ) when on trial from Blackpool so must have been tried on a few routes as well as the 17/34. They were in cream and green livery and this Blogspot will be of interest to you; http://fyldebus.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/restoring-luffs-last-double-decker.html

Can't remember the year though.

 

Thanks Voldy for replying, I may have been out a little on a few dates etc but the gist of it is absolutely correct. fleetwood

 

---------- Post added 19-11-2016 at 10:13 ----------

 

Thanks Voldy for replying, I may have been out a little on a few dates etc but the gist of it is absolutely correct. fleetwood

 

In addition the bus route nos 17/34 is ingrained in my brain along with my Moms Co-op nos and my Army nos. fleetwood

[stpetre 12]

I've mentioned this before, I finished my Army stint (National Service) in Christmas '53, so I am assuming it was close to this date or shortly after. They had a couple of Blackpool buses all decked out in Blackpool livery on the Petre St run which went to Graves Park (whether they were used on any other route I don't know), I suppose the idea was to see if people liked or took to the more modern bus with central doors and stairs etc. I've often thought there had to have been a few accidents over the years on the old style rear open entrance with people falling off or being dragged clinging to the pole (which sounds comical now I suppose), I know I had a few near misses over the years. fleetwood

 

That reminds me of a story than an old work mate of mine told: He lived as kid in Shiregreen (if that matters) and on his way home- he lived between two stops- the bus had to turn a corner and it was more convenient for him to hop off backwards (off the backloaders) at the turn. One day his heel got caught in 2" rubber matting slot as he was about to embark and had to hop, still holding pole until the bus reached the next stop much to the google-eyed response of the waiting boarders !

[trastrick 866]

That reminds me of a story than an old work mate of mine told: He lived as kid in Shiregreen (if that matters) and on his way home- he lived between two stops- the bus had to turn a corner and it was more convenient for him to hop off backwards (off the backloaders) at the turn. One day his heel got caught in 2" rubber matting slot as he was about to embark and had to hop, still holding pole until the bus reached the next stop much to the google-eyed response of the waiting boarders !

 

We always faced the way the bus was going when we "dropped off" as it slowed down.

 

For some reason I had this idea that if I faced back and jumped I would match the speed and direction of the passing pavement better.

 

I was wrong and paid dearly with severe road burn for weeks!

[bracken 10]

Wow, Sheffield Council taking notice of the public ? That may have been the last time !

Yes ! ..but it was back in 1952 !!

[John Heeley 10]

As a schoolboy, I used to get buses each weekday morning from Malin Bridge to the town centre, and then on to Gleadless. Come late afternoon, there would, of course, be the return journey home. I remember those 'smoking permitted' top-decks very well indeed. Indeed, I contributed to the fog of smoke, trying as a callow youth to be 'cool' by puffing away on exotic French and American 'ciggies' procured from the specialist tobacconist shop in Surrey Street. Other, more normal, folk smoked brands like Embassy, Players, and Park Drive.

 

I also remember being really irritated by whistlers on the morning bus into town; that loathing of random whistling has never left me! Invariably, the guilty so-and-so's would be part of a small army of metal-bashing workmen who - armed with their 'snap' tins - would pile off the buses as they headed along Infirmary Road.

 

Only a half century ago, but already a lost world.