Reg.No: B811 AOP – new 1984
Operator: West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive, but preserved in later colours of Travel West Midlands Ltd
Chassis: MCW Metrobus DR102/27
Engine: Gardner 6LXB 10.45 litre 6-cylinder diesel
Gearbox: Fully automatic, with integral retarder
Body: Metro-Cammell Weymann 73 seats
1980s WEST MIDLANDS DOUBLE-DECKER
During 1981, Metro-Cammell Weymann sought the opportunity of supplying bodies for Hong Kong in kit form, while also investing in new CNC tools for manufacturing metal components with greater precision. This resulted in a redesign of the Metrobus body, using fewer aluminium extrusions, and ‘universal’ brackets that could be used throughout the frame. This became known as the Mk2, and was thereafter adopted by almost all UK customers, the exception being London Transport. Production ceased, along with all other bus work at the Washwood Heath factory, in 1989, the very last Metrobus being delivered to Travel West Midlands in December 1989.
B811 AOP is a typical example of Metrobus Mk2 for West Midlands Passenger Transport, and its successors West Midlands Travel and Travel West Midlands (although there were several variations between 1982 and 1989). New in November 1984, and withdrawn in August 2009, it served at Acocks Green, Birmingham Central (formerly Liverpool Street) and Yardley Wood garages.
Preservation
B811 AOP was acquired for preservation by two Museum members in September 2009, who undertook considerable work, culminating in restoration to its Travel West Midlands blue, white and red livery, complete with turquoise route-branding for the Cotteridge Road service.
It was offered to the Museum’s collection early in 2018, and an appeal to members led to funding for its acquisition to be concluded later that year