The readers letter section in the April Mgazine includes several letters on the topic of suitable buses or coaches for use on model railway layouts.
Whilst I have insufficient knowledge regarding local bus services in specific towns the following suggestions relate to operators in the area mentioned whose vehicles might/would be seen on a "layout".
Unfortunately whilst Alan Earnshaw's response to the Bash Street road vehicles is correct in stating that the Leyland Altantean went into production in 1959, however, as Bash Street is supposedly set in Sheepbridge (near Chesterfield) - Trent, one of the local (regional) bus operators who operated Atlanteans did not acquire any of the Highbridge (14' 6" high) type modelled by EFE until about 1960/1. Bash Street is unusual as purporting to represent a specific point in time.
Depending on which year it was built the Chesterfield PD2 (OOC) could be suitable, but the "Midland Red" enclosed radiator style was produced over a number of years and if EFE produce a RLH in Midland General livery this might fit the bill - even if it was on a Private Hire.
Roger Walsh's e-mail suggests his layout is based in Liverpool, depending on which part of the city his layout covers he has a much better range of models available. There are a number of Ribble and Crosville models which could fit the bill if he alters the destination displays on the original models. In fact he could have a Wigan Corporation Leyland PD2 operating on Service 320 Wigan - Liverpool which was a joint service operated by Ribble, St Helens Corporation, Lancashire United Transport (LUT) and Wigan Corporation. However, in order to "balance" mileage the operators concerned might not provide vehicles on a daily basis all the time.
At present Charles Williams is probably restricted to "Utility" model buses or the Leyland TD1 again depending on area.
Personally I do not feel that the Skale Autos buses are suitable for use with the high quality R-T-R locomotives and rolling currently being produced by Bachmann & Hornby. The products produced by Exclusive First Editions (EFE), OOC (Original Omnibus Company - Corgi) and Britbus are available at a similar cost (based on MRP) to the average railway carriage, although Britbus tend to be priced in the £ 30 - 35 bracket.
Modellers seeking further information might well find it useful to contacting a local branch of the Omnibus Society or the PSV Circle who could probably provide more detailed "local" information.
If there is sufficient interest I would be prepared to try and produce a "time chart" for the different PSV models pre 1968, however, it would be necessary for modellers to check locally for more detailed information in local newspaper archives etc.
Regards
Ian Breeden
Whilst I have insufficient knowledge regarding local bus services in specific towns the following suggestions relate to operators in the area mentioned whose vehicles might/would be seen on a "layout".
Unfortunately whilst Alan Earnshaw's response to the Bash Street road vehicles is correct in stating that the Leyland Altantean went into production in 1959, however, as Bash Street is supposedly set in Sheepbridge (near Chesterfield) - Trent, one of the local (regional) bus operators who operated Atlanteans did not acquire any of the Highbridge (14' 6" high) type modelled by EFE until about 1960/1. Bash Street is unusual as purporting to represent a specific point in time.
Depending on which year it was built the Chesterfield PD2 (OOC) could be suitable, but the "Midland Red" enclosed radiator style was produced over a number of years and if EFE produce a RLH in Midland General livery this might fit the bill - even if it was on a Private Hire.
Roger Walsh's e-mail suggests his layout is based in Liverpool, depending on which part of the city his layout covers he has a much better range of models available. There are a number of Ribble and Crosville models which could fit the bill if he alters the destination displays on the original models. In fact he could have a Wigan Corporation Leyland PD2 operating on Service 320 Wigan - Liverpool which was a joint service operated by Ribble, St Helens Corporation, Lancashire United Transport (LUT) and Wigan Corporation. However, in order to "balance" mileage the operators concerned might not provide vehicles on a daily basis all the time.
At present Charles Williams is probably restricted to "Utility" model buses or the Leyland TD1 again depending on area.
Personally I do not feel that the Skale Autos buses are suitable for use with the high quality R-T-R locomotives and rolling currently being produced by Bachmann & Hornby. The products produced by Exclusive First Editions (EFE), OOC (Original Omnibus Company - Corgi) and Britbus are available at a similar cost (based on MRP) to the average railway carriage, although Britbus tend to be priced in the £ 30 - 35 bracket.
Modellers seeking further information might well find it useful to contacting a local branch of the Omnibus Society or the PSV Circle who could probably provide more detailed "local" information.
If there is sufficient interest I would be prepared to try and produce a "time chart" for the different PSV models pre 1968, however, it would be necessary for modellers to check locally for more detailed information in local newspaper archives etc.
Regards
Ian Breeden