Reg.No: 750 BHA – new 1957 (as a bus), 1972 (as a towing wagon)
Operator: Birmingham & Midland Motor Omnibus Co Ltd (“Midland Red”)
Chassis: BMMO D7
Engine: BMMO ‘KL’ 8 litre 6-cylinder diesel
Gearbox: Crash
Body: Metro-Cammell / Carlyle
BUS CONVERTED TO A SERVICE VEHICLE
Bus operators would often convert a redundant bus into a service vehicle, typically as a towing wagon, sometimes doubling as a mobile workshop. This would be more economical than buying a purpose-built breakdown lorry.
This vehicle was new as a Midland Red double-decker bus with 63 seats, its Metro-Cammell bodywork being to BMMO’s design. It worked from Hereford and Leicester Sandacre Street garages before being withdrawn from passenger duties in May 1972.
It was then converted into a towing wagon. The upper deck and rear platform were removed. However, unusually for Midland Red conversions – there were only two others like it – the main lower saloon was retained with a new roof fitted. Thus it looked rather like a shortened single-decker bus.
As a towing wagon, it served from Midland Red’s Rugby and Cannock garages until October 1978. Then in March 1979, it was sold to Mid-Warwickshire Motors of Balsall Common, where it was used for just short of two years.
Preservation
It was acquired by the Museum in January 1981.