Rear-Engine Running Day with Leyland Titan 7001
Published: 04/10/2023
Sunday October 1st saw Transport Museum Wythall celebrating rear-engined buses and in particular, those that followed the Leyland Atlantean which commenced production 65 years ago in 1958. The Atlantean pioneered the design of rear-engined, front entrance double-deck buses in the UK eventually allowing for the introduction of driver-only operation, dispensing with the need for a conductor.
With a wide selection of vehicles from the Museum’s own collection and privately owned visitors attending, there was much to see and ride on during the day. The undoubted star of the show was the recently restored prototype Leyland Titan 7001, WDA 1T, owned by Matthew Parker, on one of its first public appearances. The Titan has been restored in its original West Midlands PTE livery and was one of five procured by the PTE for trials alongside the MCW Metrobus, itself at the prototype stage. 7001 ran in service alongside Wythall’s own prototype Metrobus 6835, WDA 835T both in period and at the event.
TMW provided a busy timetable for the event enabling visitors to sample a wide range of rear-engined types including MRT 9P 1976 Ipswich Open Top Leyland Atlantean/Roe, delivered in closed top form and converted following a fire; H654 VVV, a 1990 United Counties Leyland Olympian/Alexander RL; A952 SAE, a 1983 Bristol Omnibus Leyland Olympian/Roe and two Bristol VRT/ECWs CBD 778K United Counties and GRF 708V First PMT.
Museum vehicles running in support were WDA 956T the unique WMPTE single-deck Leyland Fleetline, WDA 835T, WMPTE prototype Metrobus, OWE 271K Bristol VRT/East Lancs and KHW 306E Cheltenham District Bristol RELL/ECW. A number of rear-engined vehicles from the Museum collection were also on static display.
The signature TMW ‘Happy Hour’ saw eleven rear-engine buses running an intensive service at five minute intervals for over an hour on the circular to the Maypole, rounding off the last but one event of the 2023 season with the Titan carrying full loads to the delight of its passengers.
WMPTE Titan background
WMPTE purchased a trial batch of five of the then new Leyland Titans in 1978 with a view to a large order should it be successful. Initially they were spread around the city garages but all later moved to Perry Barr from which they were eventually sold to London Transport.
At the time WMPTE ‘jumbo’ Fleetlines were suffering body structure problems and the Fleetline was nearing the end of its availability so the success of the Titan and/or the Metrobus (prototypes of which were being evaluated alongside the Titan) was important for future replacement orders. Subsequently, 75 each of the Titan and the Metrobus were ordered but Leyland’s inability to fulfil the order resulted in MCW completing the contract for 75 with its Metrobus, with more to follow.
Following five years of service with WMPTE, 7001 was sold on to London Transport until it was privatised to Stagecoach, Kent. Thankfully, Matthew Parker purchased it for preservation in 2004.
With the 2023 season coming to an end, just one more event day is approaching, the Museum’s much loved Twilight Running Day where buses run into the twilight hour on atmospheric rides, tungsten bulbs aglow.
Watch the website for news of 2024 events in a big year for Midland Red. It’s the BMMO (Birmingham & Midland Motor Omnibus) company’s 120th anniversary year. BMMO went on to become known as Midland Red and the rest is history, a history that will be told by Wythall. Make sure that October 6th 2024 is kept clear in your diaries.
