Wythall Transport Museum - Stratford Blue Leyland Tiger PS1 Offered for Preservation

Published: 04/06/2020

Transport Museum Wythall is offering its long-term stored Leyland Tiger PS1 Stratford Blue single decker to a new owner free of charge with the stipulation of continued preservation only.

The vehicle was withdrawn from service in 1960 and came to Wythall in the 1980s in very poor condition, lacking its main running units. With a significant number of museum vehicles on the list for rebuild/refurbishment, this Leyland is at the back of the queue and is an ideal project for someone looking for a big but satisfying challenge. The running units were built into a significant number of similar vehicles and are likely to be available within the classic bus movement.

These vehicles were Stratford Blue's first new single-deckers.  Ten Leyland Tiger PS1s were built with bodywork built to the standard design of the BET Federation, delivered in 1948-9. BET did not impose this design on its subsidiaries but it was built by several coachbuilders for a number of companies.

The Stratford Blue vehicles were unusual, receiving Northern Coach Builders bodies. GUE 247 was delivered in September 1948 as fleet number 41 and was fitted with a 7.4 litre E181 Leyland diesel engine.  It was withdrawn in 1960, passing to a dealer in Cheshire and eventually arrived at Wythall in the 1980s, the chassis lacking its significant running units and with the body already in very poor condition before its arrival at Wythall. However, it does have its rear axle, prop shaft and one half shaft.  The bus has been kept under cover for most of its time at Wythall to prevent further deterioration.

The vehicle is offered free of charge and will need low-loading to a new home.

Interested parties should first contact Dave Taylor by email at the museum: dave.taylor@wythall.org.uk.