RED LEICESTER
The second of the Museum's 2005 tours took place on 11 June. Leicester was a major centre of Midland Red operation and is a stronghold of BaMMOT support. It was therefore appropriate that we caught up with the area during the centenary year with a tour employing D9 5399. The Wythall and Birmingham contingents were joined by lots of familiar faces from BaMMOT's Leicester meetings when 5399 hit that city and the bus was then well laden. Rather than tour suburban estates, 5399 visited some of the attractive towns and villages to the north of the city, handily and speedily linked by the new A46. Just as well as, on the old roads, the county is obviously obsessed with speed humps which stretch right across the highway, unlike the ones around Birmingham that 'calm' cars but allow smooth passage for buses. Leicestershire buses and drivers must be bounced to pieces and the D9 had to be driven very carefully over them.
The photocalls were taken at Meriden (X68), Newtown Linford (632), Rothley (625), Kirby Bellars (662), Asfordby Hill (661 variation via Asfordby), Melton Mowbray (661), Rearsby (619), and Sharnford (X69). All these sites were chosen so that the sun would be in the right direction although, unfortunately, it was a bit reluctant to perform earlier in the day. Perfection was achieved at Rearsby with the bus smartly posed in front of the Horse & Groom public house in full sunshine. Then came a once familiar sound - but from where? The D9 cab door opened and RAF veteran Barry Ware leaned out, scanning the sky. Suddenly a Dakota overflew the scene, creating an irresistible photo opportunity for those swift of lens. Just magic!
The D9 performed excellently and looked superb; the passengers returned to their origin points happy, many openly regretting that the next tour would not be until next year. Thanks to Jim Munro and Barry for assisting me with the driving; Barry no doubt chuffed to have added Melton Mowbray to Leicester to his extensive D9 driving record.
Malcolm Keeley
On Saturday 9 July, Roger Burdett's D9 and S22 took a party from Leicester to Derby over the erstwhile X63 route (or as nearly as practical, given that many main roads have changed in fifty years). This was the successor to the Kemp & Shaw service that Midland Red took over in 1955, and fully absorbed in 1959. There were several photo stops on the way, including the site of the former Willowbrook works, where 5424 was completed in 1966. A break in Derby allowed a farewell visit to the bus station, shortly to be demolished. The return journey was by way of Ruddington to visit the transport museum there. We were made welcome and as well as having a look round we were treated to a couple of circuits of the miniature railway.
Andrew Gardner
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
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