Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 1920-1972Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 1915-1971 [Part 1: 1915-1945] Page 5 In 1926 the share capital was increased. Thomas Tilling Ltd had already purchased

Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 1915-1971 [Part 1: 1915-1945]

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© The Local Transport History Library 2020. (www.lthlibrary.org.uk)For personal use only. No part of this publication may be reproduced,stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or distributed in any form orby any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise without the expresswritten permission of the publisher. In all cases this notice must remainintact. All rights reserved. First published 2020.

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Contents

Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd - Fleet History 1915-1971

Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd - Bus Fleet List 1915-1945

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Cover Illustration: No. S304 (NBL734) was a 1957 Bristol SC4LK with ECW35-seat bodywork. (LTHL collection).

http://www.lthlibrary.org.uk


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The Thames Valley Traction Company Limited was incorporated on the 10July 1920 by the British Automobile Traction Company Ltd (BAT) an offshootof the British Electric Traction Co Ltd (BET), but its roots can be tracedback even further to 1915 when it started life as the Thames Valley Branch.

On the 31 July 1915 the very first service (between Maidenhead andStreatley - a distance of some 23½ miles) was inaugurated. However, anorder for 20 Thornycroft J-types had been delayed because of Thorny-croft's involvement in providing chassis for the military during the war,so alternative vehicles were drafted in from Barnsley & District (anotherBAT company) to commence the service. The company's first garage was sitedin Caversham Road, Reading.

Due to the ongoing war the BAT had difficulty securing new vehicles. Thiswas overcome by using lorry chassis fitted with second-hand bodiessourced from other BAT companies and this enabled new routes in the areato be opened up. A second garage at Bridge Street, Maidenhead was openedearly in 1916. This was in the grounds of a large house called 'TheCedars' and a new route between Windsor and Cookham established.

In 1919, following the cessation of World War I, the previously orderedThornycroft J's began to arrive. This enabled many of the older chassisto be withdrawn and the fleet updated. New routes were quicklyestablished, centred on Maidenhead and Reading and tours and excursions


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commenced. A number of second-hand charabanc bodies were acquired andfitted to new Thornycroft chassis for the summer season. This became afeature of Thames Valley's operations over the following years.

Following the incorporation of the company in 1920 several operatingagreements were made. A territorial agreement with neighbouring Aldershot& District was established, as was a protective fares agreement withReading Corporation. An arrangement with the London General OmnibusCompany (LGOC) to operate routes on contract in the Uxbridge area wasalso agreed, which also included a depot in Oxford Road, Denham, althoughthis expired in the 31 December 1928 and the services and garage revertedto the LGOC. By 1920 services had reached Newbury, Wallingford, Mortimer,Riseley Common, Crowthorne, Sunningdale, Staines, Cliveden, West Wycombeand Stoke Row. Garages were established in Reading (Somerset Place) in1922 and Maidenhead (Bridge St.), Ascot and High Wycombe in 1924.

From 1924 onwards, the company carried out a programme of converting allits normal control vehicles to forward control, so that more spaciousbodies could be fitted. At the same time the BAT's saxon green liverywith gold fleetname, that had been used from 1915 was changed to a redand white livery.

In 1926 the share capital was increased. Thomas Tilling Ltd had alreadypurchased a 14% stake in the company in 1920 and purchased another 25%


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now and it was not surprising that following this many of the new vehicleswere of Tilling-Stevens manufacture, although subsequently Leyland becamethe favoured marque. In November 1930 the Great Western Railway (GWR)purchased a 35% stake in the company and transferred operations of itsservices at Maidenhead, Twyford, Newbury and Windsor to Thames Valley.At the same time the Southern Railway purchased a 15% stake, although noservices were involved. In April 1932 more GWR services, based on Slough,were taken over.

In May 1928 a new head office was opened at 83 Lower Thorn Street inReading adjacent to the garage which was completely rebuilt and enlargedin 1933, at the same time an additional storey was added to the officebuilding.

In 1931 Thames Valley purchased shares in London Coastal Coaches Ltd whowere in the process of constructing Victoria Coach Station in London,this subsequently became the terminus for the company's Reading to Londonexpress services.

During the 1930's many of Thames Valley's smaller competitors wereacquired along with vehicles and services, which brought a motleycollection of non-standard chassis into the fleet. Among the largerconcerns acquired were Marlow & District Motor Services, which had beenestablished in March 1925 by the Claytons, a well-known Marlow family who


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had a major interest in the Karrier company. Therefore the company usedKarrier vehicles on its routes which extended to High Wycombe,Maidenhead, Henley and Wokingham. The company was taken over by ThamesValley in 1929 but retained its independent identity until 1933. TheLedbury Transport Company, which traded under the name ‘Thackray’s Way’was a Reading-based operator that, among other things, ran an expressservice to London using a fleet of coaches mostly made by HighWycombe-based Gilford. It had started operations in 1929 but was acquiredby the Tilling group in 1935 who passed it to Thames Valley early in 1936.The London route continued and became service B, Thames Valley havingalready started a Reading to London express service but via Ascot whichbecame service A. Ledbury also brought with it a garage at CemeteryJunction which Thames Valley used for overhauls and as a paintshop.

With the onset of World War II in 1939 Thames Valley had a number ofvehicles impressed by the War Department and had to be replaced by hiredvehicles in order to maintain services. The company only managed toacquire 22 new vehicles over the duration of the war due to austeritymeasures, and it was not until after the cessation of the war that ThamesValley were able to acquire sufficient new vehicles to update the fleet.On the 1 January 1948 Tilling Motor Services Ltd (the major shareholderin Thames Valley) sold out to the British Transport Commission (BTC) andThames Valley became a nationalised company. Tilling also owned themanufacturing works of Bristol and Eastern Coach Works (ECW) and these


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were now supplied solely to nationalised companies; the company's firstBristol/ECW vehicles arriving in 1951.

In 1950 the Red & White group also sold out to the BTC which transferredtwo of its subsidiaries to Thames Valley management. Newbury & Districtgave the company its first real presence in west Berkshire (along with agarage) and was soon absorbed, but Oxford-based South Midland, whichoperated express services to London, the South Coast and Worcester wasretained as a wholly separate subsidiary, although it was transferred tothe City of Oxford Motor Services in 1971.

In common with other operators, Thames Valley began to suffer from fallingpassenger numbers and shortage of staff during the 1960's and in an effortto keep costs down a move to one man operation began. To stem therecruitment problem all suitable single decks and routes were convertedto one-man-operation as were double decks when the law (and suitablevehicles) allowed. But as each year passed services contracted incoverage and frequency. There was, however, a brief respite from thistrend when Bracknell new town was established together with a new garagewhich replaced Ascot.

In 1968 the Transport Holding Company (the successor to the BTC) purchasedthe bus operations of the BET group and on the 1 January 1969 the NationalBus Company (NBC) was formed to integrate the services of the former


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Tilling and BET companies. The NBC in its wisdom decided the way forwardwas to amalgamate its constituent companies into larger operating units.As a result Thames Valley was amalgamated with the neighbouring Aldershot& District Traction Company Ltd from 1 January 1972 to form a new company- the Thames Valley and Aldershot Omnibus Company Ltd, which traded underthe contrived name of 'Alder Valley', bringing to an end the separateexistence of the Thames Valley Traction Company after 52 years of service.


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Bus Fleet ListPart 1: 1915-1945

This listing is in the format - Year into stock; Fleet No; Reg. No;Chassis; Chassis No; Body; Seating.

1915

- DP1655-60 Belsize 3-ton ? Tilling B26R - HE8 Leyland S3.30.T S210/955 Brush B27F - HE9 Leyland S3.30.T S267/1036 Brush B27F - HE10 Leyland S3.30.T S249/995 Brush B27F - HE11 Leyland S3.30.T S256/1028 Brush B27F - HE12 Leyland S3.30.T S253/1020 Brush B27F

The bodies on DP1655-1660 were second-hand from other BAT companies thathad been removed from chassis impressed by the War Department. Theyprobably dated from around 1913/14.HE8-12 ex-Barnsley & District Electric Traction Co Ltd (Nos. 1-5; new1913); HE10 and HE11 had chassis numbers shown but the order is uncertain;HE8 is also quoted with chassis number S194/941.Withdrawn 1916 (HE8-12), 1919 (DP1655-1660).


Awaiting departure on the inaugural service on 31 July 1915 is HE12, a 1913 Leyland S3 withBrush 27-seat bodywork, acquired from Barnsley & District Traction Company. (LTHL collection).


Remarkably HE12 survives today in preservation after a painstaking restoration by MikeSutcliffe. It is seen here at Crich Tramway Museum in Barnsley & District’s BET green livery.(LTHL collection).


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1916

- DP1756-57 Belsize 3-ton ? Tilling B26R - DP1759 Belsize 3-ton ? ? B??? - DP1794-95 Belsize 3-ton ? Brush B26R - DP1798 Belsize 3-ton ? ? B??? - DP1801 Belsize 3-ton ? ? B??? - DP1826-27 Belsize 3-ton ? Brush B26R

The Tilling bodies were second-hand from other BAT companies that hadbeen removed from chassis impressed by the War Department. They probablydated from around 1913/14. The Brush bodies were new.Withdrawn 1919 (DP1756-1757, DP1759, DP1794-1795, DP1798, DP1801, DP1826-1827).


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1919

244-247 DP2111-14 Thornycroft J 7084/52/62/74 Tilling B26R248-251 DP2115-18 Thornycroft J 95/97/96/120 Tilling B26R252-255 DP2119-22 Thornycroft J 7117/54/66/209 Brush B26R259 DP2123 Thornycroft J 7283 Birch B26R260-262 DP2124-26 Thornycroft J 7305/11/14 Birch B26R263 DP2127 Thornycroft J 7572 Birch B32R275 DP2128 Thornycroft J 7580 Birch B32R276 DP2129 Thornycroft J 7144 Bayleys B24D278 DP2130 Thornycroft J 7583 Harrington Ch28279-280 DP2377-78 Thornycroft J 7647/52 Lorry/Bus B32R283 DP2127 AEC YC 14398 Birch B32R290 DP2128 AEC YC 14417 Birch B32R292 DP2130 AEC YC 14419 Harrington Ch28

Nos. 244-251 received the Tilling bodies from withdrawn Belsize chassisDP1655-60 and DP1756-57.No. 244 to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 1; convertedto forward control and re-bodied with Brush O28/26RO body in 1926.No. 245 to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 2; received theLGOC O18/16RO body from No. 41 in 1923; converted to forward control and


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1919 (continued)

re-bodied with Brush O28/26RO body in 1924; received the Dodson O26/24RObody from No. 127 in 1927.No. 246 exchanged bodies with No. 278 in 5/20 receiving the HarringtonCh28 body carrying registration DP2130; to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd7/20 re-numbered 3; converted to forward control and re-bodied with BrushO28/26RO body in 1926.No. 247 re-bodied by Brush to B32F in 1920 re-numbered 298 andre-registered DP2605; to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered4; re-seated to B29F 11/21.No. 248 re-bodied by Brush to B32F in 1920; to Thames Valley Traction CoLtd 7/20 re-numbered 5.No. 249 to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 6; exchangedbodies with No. 14 in 4/22 receiving the Birch B26R body; re-seated toB23R in 5/22.No. 250 re-bodied by Brush to B32F in 1920; to Thames Valley Traction CoLtd 7/20 re-numbered 7; re-seated to B29F in 1927.No. 251 to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 8; convertedto forward control and re-bodied by Brush to O28/26RO in 1925.Nos. 252-255 received the Brush bodies from withdrawn Belsize chassisDP1794-95 and DP1826-27.


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1919 (continued)

Nos. 252-254 to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 9-11respectively.No. 255 exchanged bodies with No. 260 by 7/20 receiving the Birch B26Rbody; to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 12; re-seated toB23R in 5/22.No. 259 to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 14; exchangedbodies with No. 6 in 4/22 receiving the Tilling B26R body; received theLGOC O18/16RO body from No. 44 in 3/23; converted to forward control andre-bodied with Brush O28/26RO body in 1924; fitted with the DodsonO26/24RO body from No. 128 in 7/28.No. 260 exchanged bodies with No. 255 by 7/20 receiving the Brush B26Rbody; to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 15; re-seated toB22R in 5/22.No. 261 re-bodied by Brush to B32F in 1920; to Thames Valley Traction CoLtd 7/20 re-numbered 16; re-seated to B29F in 2/22.No. 262 to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 17; re-seatedto B23R 5/22.No. 263 to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 19; re-seatedto B26R c.1920; received the Hora B28F body from No. 41 in 8/22; converted


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1919 (continued)

to forward control and re-bodied with Brush O28/26RO in 5/25.No. 275 to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 18; re-seatedto B26R c.1920; re-seated to B23R in 6/22.No. 276 to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 13; rebuilt asCh28 following an accident in 4/21; converted to forward control andre-bodied with Brush O28/26RO body in 2/26.Nos. 279-80 were probably built for War Department use and had rearentrance with wooden bench seats and canvas roof.No. 278 exchanged bodies with No. 246 in 5/20 receiving the Tilling B26Rbody carrying registration DP2113; to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20re-numbered 20; converted to forward control and re-bodied by Brush toO28/26RO in 2/26.No. 279 re-bodied by Brush to B32F in 6/20; to Thames Valley Traction CoLtd 7/20 re-numbered 21; re-bodied with Birch Ch28 body 3/21.No. 280 re-bodied by Brush to B32F in 6/20; to Thames Valley Traction CoLtd 7/20 re-numbered 22; re-seated to B29F in 3/22.Nos. 283, 290, 292 were obtained pending the delivery of the Thornycroftchassis.No. 283 fitted with Birch experimental B32R body with tip-up gangwayseats. The body and registration (DP2127) were subsequently transferredto Thornycroft No. 263.


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1919 (continued)

No. 290 fitted with Birch experimental B32R body with tip-up gangwayseats. The body and registration (DP2128) were subsequently transferredto Thornycroft No. 275.No. 292 fitted with second-hand Harrington Ch28 body. The body andregistration (DP2130) were subsequently transferred to Thornycroft No.278.Withdrawn 1919 (283, 290, 292), 1923 (252[9], 253[10], 254[11]), c.1927(279[21]), 1928 (245[2], 247[4], 248[5], 249[6], 250[7], 255[12],259[14], 260[15], 261[16], 262[17], 275[18]), 1929 (251[8], 263[19],280[22]), 1931 (244[1], 246[3], 276[13], 278[20]).


Typical of the Thornycroft chassis purchased by Thames Valley in the early years is thisunidentified vehicle. Possibly No. 52 (MO307), dating from 1917, which was converted toforward control and re-bodied by Ransomes to B32R in 1924. (The Bus Archive).


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1920

247 DP2114 Thornycroft J 7720 Tilling B26R310 KN3652 Thornycroft J 7329 LGOC O18/16RO311 KN2873 Thornycroft J 7117 LGOC O18/16RO316 DP2600 Thornycroft J 6613 Birch B26R336 DP2597 Thornycroft J 2992 Brush B32F337 DP2599 Thornycroft J 5063 Tilling B26R338 DP2598 Thornycroft J 4157 Brush B32F339 DP2602 Thornycroft J 3268 Brush B32F340 DP2601 Thornycroft J 9003 Brush B32F341 DP2603 Thornycroft J 4721 Brush B32F352 DP2604 Thornycroft J 6815 Brush B32F353 DP2606 Thornycroft J 2871 Tilling B26R

No. 247 purchased as chassis only 8/19; fitted with Tilling B26R bodyfrom 1919 Thornycroft DP2114 (also No. 247) retaining registrationplates; transferred to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 23;converted to forward control and re-bodied by Brush to O28/26RO by 2/26.Nos. 310, 311 ex-East Kent Road Car Company (new 1919 to Sayer & Sons,Margate); re-bodied by Brush to B32F 6/20; transferred to Thames Valley


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1920 (continued)

Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 25, 26 respectively; re-seated to B29F10/21.Nos. 316, 336-339, 341, 352-353 ex-War Department lorry chassis (new1918, 1915, 1917, 1916, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1915 respectively).No. 316 fitted with Birch body from No. 261 (DP2125); transferred toThames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 24; re-seated to B23R 6/22.No. 336 fitted with new Brush B32F body; transferred to Thames ValleyTraction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 28; re-seated to B29F 9/22.No. 337 fitted with 1913 Tilling B26R body from No. 248 or No. 250;transferred to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 27.No. 338 fitted with new Brush B32F body; transferred to Thames ValleyTraction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 30; re-seated to B29F 12/21.No. 339 fitted with new Brush B32F body; transferred to Thames ValleyTraction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 31.No. 340 transferred to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 29;re-seated to B29F 2/21.No. 341 fitted with new Brush B32F body; transferred to Thames ValleyTraction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 32; re-seated to B29F 8/22.No. 352 fitted with new Brush B32F body; transferred to Thames Valley


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1920 (continued)

Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 33; body removed and used as lorry9/20-3/21; fitted with Birch Ch28 canvas roofed body 3/21.No. 353 fitted with 1913 Tilling B26R body from No. 248 or no. 250;transferred to Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 7/20 re-numbered 34; fittedwith LGOC O18/16RO body from No. 38 3/23; converted to forward controland re-bodied by Brush to O28/26RO by 5/24; fitted with Dodson O26/24RObody from No. 130 1/28.Withdrawn 1923 (337[27]), 1927 (352[33]), 1928 (310[25], 311[26],316[24], 338[30], 353[34]), 1929 (336[28], 339[31], 340[29], 341[32]),1931 (247[23]).

1921

35 DP3647 Thornycroft J 4914 Birch Ch2836 DP3633 Thornycroft J 6419 Birch Ch28

Nos. 35, 36 ex-War Department lorry chassis (new 1917, 1918 respective-ly); fitted with new Birch canvas roofed Ch28 bodies.Withdrawn 1927 (35, 36).


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1922

37 BL9892 Thornycroft J 5274 LGOC O18/16RO38 BL9752 Thornycroft J 5370 LGOC O18/16RO39 MO52 Thornycroft J 4676 LGOC O18/16RO40-41 DX2174-75 Thornycroft J 7466/52 Hora B28F42 DX2173 Thornycroft J 7463 Hora B28F43 MO129 Thornycroft J 5051 LGOC O18/16RO44 BL9751 Thornycroft J 5353 LGOC O18/16RO45 MO51 Thornycroft J 6000 LGOC O18/16RO46 MO128 Thornycroft J 4529 LGOC O18/16RO47 MO62 Thornycroft J 4741 LGOC O18/16RO48-49 MO159-60 Thornycroft J 2580/3145 LGOC O18/16RO50-51 MO150-51 Thornycroft J 4465/68 LGOC O18/16RO52 MO307 Thornycroft J 4749 LGOC O18/16RO53 MO158 Thornycroft J 2220 Birch B23R54-55 MO773-74 Ford T 6486788/8073 Vincent B14F

Nos. 40-42 ex-Eastern Counties Road Car Company (new 1919 to Great EasternRailway; Nos. 18-19, 17 respectively); No. 40 had roof replaced withdetachable top 8/23; converted to forward control and re-bodied by Brushto O28/26RO by 5/25; No. 41 re-bodied with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO bodybefore entry into service; No. 42 fitted with LGOC O18/16RO body from No.


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1922 (continued)

37 5/23; fitted with LGOC O18/16RO body from No. 58 2/24 after accident;converted to forward control and re-bodied by Brush to O28/26RO by 5/25.Nos. 37-39, 43-53 ex-War Department lorry chassis (new 1917, 1917, 1917,1917, 1917, 1918, 1917, 1917, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1917, 1917, 1915respectively).No. 37 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body; replaced with anotherLGOC O18/16RO body in 5/23, again in 5/24 (from No. 34) and again in 6/25.No. 38 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body; replaced with anotherLGOC O18/16RO body in 3/23 and again in 4/25.No. 39 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body; replaced with anotherLGOC O18/16RO body in 5/23.No. 43 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body; replaced with anotherLGOC O18/16RO body in 7/23; converted to forward control and re-bodiedby Brush to O28/26RO by 4/25.No. 44 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body; replaced with anotherLGOC O18/16RO body 3/23 and again in 5/25.


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1922 (continued)

No. 45 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body; replaced by anotherLGOC O18/16RO body in 5/23 and again in 4/25.No. 46 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body; converted to forwardcontrol and re-bodied by Brush to O28/26RO by 5/25.No. 47 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body; replaced with anotherLGOC O18/16RO body in 6/23 and again in 5/24 (from No. 44) and again in6/25.No. 48 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body; replaced by anotherLGOC O18/16RO body in 7/23; converted to forward control and re-bodiedby Brush to O28/26RO by 6/25.No. 49 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body; fitted with lorry body11/22; replaced with LGOC O18/16RO body from No. 39 5/23; converted toforward control and re-bodied by Brush to O28/26RO by 5/24; fitted withDodson O26/24RO body from No. 131 11/27.No. 50 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body; replaced by anotherLGOC O18/16RO body in 7/23; converted to forward control and re-bodiedby Brush to O28/26RO by 6/25.No. 51 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body; replaced by anotherLGOC O18/16RO body 8/23.


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1922 (continued)

No. 52 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body; replaced by anotherLGOC O18/16RO body 8/23; converted to forward control and re-bodied byRansomes, Sims & Jefferies to B32F 12/24.No. 53 fitted with Birch B23R body from No.19 (DP2127).Nos. 54-55 were 'chaser' vehicles (nicknamed Scarlet Runners) to competewith other operators. They were liveried in all red and did not carry afleet name.Withdrawn 1923 (55), 1924 (51, 54), 1926 (37-39, 41, 44-45, 47), 1928(43, 46, 49-50, 53), 1929 (40, 42, 48), 1930 (52).


Seen here when new as Great Eastern Railway’s No. 17 (DX2173) is 1919 Thornycroft J withHora 28-seat bodywork. It became Thames Valley No. 42 in 1922 and by 1923 had been fittedwith a double-deck body. (LTHL collection).


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1923

56 DP4400 Ford T ? Russell & Paddick B14F57-58 MO1503-04 Thornycroft J 4847/6591 LGOC O18/16RO59 MO1625 Thornycroft J 2307 LGOC O18/16RO60 MO1627 Thornycroft J 2321 LGOC O18/16RO61 MO1626 Thornycroft J 4631 LGOC O18/16RO62-64 MO1715-17 Thornycroft J 2277/2494/4443 LGOC O18/16RO65 MO1803 Thornycroft J 5055 LGOC O18/16RO

No. 56 ex-Simmonds, Reading (new 1922).Nos. 57-65 ex-War Department lorry chassis (new 1916, 1918, 1915, 1914,1916, 1915, 1915, 1916, 1916 respectively).No. 57 fitted with LGOC O18/16RO body from No. 45 (MO51); fitted withLGOC O18/16RO body from No. 52 (MO307) 10/23; fitted with LGOC O18/16RObody from No. 63 (MO1716) 5/24; converted to forward control and re-bodiedby Brush to O28/26RO 7/24.No. 58 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body; fitted with LGOCO18/16RO body from No. 47 (MO62) 6/23; fitted with LGOC O18/16RO bodyfrom No. 51 (MO151) 9/23; converted to forward control and re-bodied byDodson to O26/24RO 2/24.


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1923 (continued)

No. 59 fitted with LGOC O18/16RO body from No. 43 (MO129); fitted withLGOC O18/16RO body from No. 47 (MO62) 6/24; converted to forward controland re-bodied by Brush to O28/26RO by 5/25.No. 60 fitted with LGOC O18/16RO body from No. 46 (MO128); converted toforward control and re-bodied by Brush to O28/26RO by 5/24; fitted withDodson O26/24RO body from No. 139 (MF6914) 2/28.No. 61 fitted with LGOC O18/16RO body from No. 58 (MO1504); converted toforward control and re-bodied by Brush to O28/26RO by 5/24.No. 62 fitted with LGOC O18/16RO body from No. 48 (MO159); converted toforward control and re-bodied by Brush to O28/26RO 8/24.No. 63 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body; converted to forwardcontrol and re-bodied by Brush to O28/26RO 6/24; fitted with DodsonO26/24RO body from No. 124 (XP5450) 2/28.No. 64 fitted with LGOC O18/16RO body from No. 50 (MO150); converted toforward control and re-bodied by Bruszh to O28/26RO 6/24.No. 65 fitted with second-hand LGOC O18/16RO body.Withdrawn 1923 (56), 1925 (65), 1928 (57-63), 1929 (64).


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1924

66 MO2610 Thornycroft J 4283 Birch B32R67-69 MO2611-13 Thornycroft J 4677/4654/2832 Brush O28/26RO70-72 MO2614-16 Thornycroft J 4955/3055/2681 Birch B32R73 MO2617 Thornycroft J 1918 Brush O28/26RO74 MO2618 Thornycroft J 2455 Birch B32R75-77 MO2619-21 Thornycroft J 2425/3640/3519 Brush O28/26RO78 MO2622 Thornycroft J 2893 Birch B32R79-80 MO3565-66 Thornycroft J 4081/4438 Brush O28/26RO81-82 MO4154-55 Thornycroft J 4042/4047 R S & J B32R84 MO4157 Thornycroft J 4489 R S & J B32R86 CD6353 Thornycroft J 6065 Harrington Ch3287 CD5379 Thornycroft J 2697 Grimaldi Ch27

RS&J - Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies.Nos. 66-82, 84 ex-War Department lorry chassis (new 1917, 1917, 1917,1915, 1917, 1915, 1915, 1914, 1915, 1917, 1916, 1916, 1915, 1916, 1917,1916, 1916, 1917 respectively); all converted to forward control beforebeing re-bodied as shown.


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1924 (continued)

No. 66 re-registered MOP4610 9/24 (when it was discovered that MO2610 hadalready been issued to a car).No. 67 fitted with Dodson O26/24RO body from No. 117 (XP9081) 10/27.No. 68 fitted with Dodson O26/24RO body from No. 129 (XR4559) 10/27.No. 69 fitted with Dodson O26/24RO body from No. 122 (XP4705) 3/28.No. 73 fitted with Dodson O26/24RO body from No. 123 (XP5449) 3/28.Nos. 86-87 ex-Southdown Motor Services (Nos. 30, 31 respectively; new1918, 1915 as War Department lorries); charabanc bodies removed,converted to forward control and re-bodied by Brush to O28/26RO by 3/26.Withdrawn 1928 (67-69, 73), 1929 (75-77, 79-80), 1930 (66, 70-72, 74, 78,81-82, 84), 1931 (86-87).


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1925

83 MO4156 Thornycroft J 4134 R S & J B32R85 MO4158 Thornycroft J 5086 R S & J B32R88-89 MO4306-07 Thornycroft J 4628/4718 Brush O28/26RO90-91 MO4308-09 Thornycroft J 4461/4826 Brush O28/26RO92-93 MO4310-11 Thornycroft J 4079/4873 Brush O28/26RO94 MO3530 Lancia Z Z3394 Vincent/Manners B20F95 MO2213 Lancia Tetraiota 224E Bartle B20F96 MO4648 Lancia Pentaiota 702 Strachan & Brown B25F97 MO5443 Lancia Pentaiota 846 Strachan & Brown B25F - MO6184 Dennis 2½-ton 45158 Strachan & Brown B30R

RS&J - Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies.Nos. 83, 85, 88-93 ex-War Department lorry chassis (new 1916, 1916, 1917,1917, 1917, 1917, 1916, 1917 respectively); all converted to forwardcontrol before being re-bodied as shown.No. 88 fitted with Dodson O26/24RO body from No. 118 (XP4051) 11/27.Nos. 94-97, MO6184 ex-Progressive Bus Service, Bracknell (new 1924, 1923,1925, 1925, 1925 respectively); MO6184 not operated by Thames Valley; No.94 had a body started by Vincent of Reading but completed by Manners ofBracknell.Withdrawn 1926 (94-97), 1928 (88), 1929 (89-93), 1930 (83, 85).


Page 32

1926

98 MO6842 Thornycroft J 2342 Brush O28/26RO99-102 MO6843-46 Tilling-Stevens B9A 4837-40 Tilling B32R103 MO6847 Tilling-Stevens B9A 4841 Birch B32R104-105 MO6848-49 Tilling-Stevens B9A 4842-43 Brush B32R106-110 MO6850-54 Tilling-Stevens B9A 4844-48 Tilling B32R111-114 MO6855-58 Tilling-Stevens B9B 4849-52 London Lorries C29F115 XP4706 Thornycroft JB 10436 Dodson O26/24RO116 XP9831 Thornycroft JB 10463 Dodson O26/24RO117 XP9081 Thornycroft JB 10443 Dodson O26/24RO118 XP4051 Thornycroft JB 10432 Dodson O26/24RO119 XU2191 Thornycroft JB 10552 Dodson O26/24RO120 XP6421 Thornycroft JB 10447 Dodson O26/24RO121 XP9080 Thornycroft JB 10446 Dodson O26/24RO122 XP4705 Thornycroft JB 10437 Dodson O26/24RO123-124 XP5449-50 Thornycroft JB 10438/39 Dodson O26/24RO125-126 XP5984-85 Thornycroft JB 10435/40 Dodson O26/24RO127 XP6422 Thornycroft JB 10444 Dodson O26/24RO128 XP9325 Thornycroft JB 10434 Dodson O26/24RO129 XR4559 Thornycroft JB 10517 Dodson O26/24RO


Page 33

1926 (continued)

130 AN6452 Thornycroft JB 10555 Dodson O26/24RO131 XR9847 Thornycroft JB 10531 Dodson O26/24RO132-136 MO7942-46 Tilling-Stevens B9A 4915-19 Brush B32R137 XR4694 Thornycroft JB 10508 Dodson O26/24RO138 XR999 Thornycroft JB 10485 Dodson O26/24RO139 MF6914 Thornycroft JB 10526 Dodson O26/24RO - DP4919 Fiat 15TER ? ? B20F - DP5628 Dennis 2½-ton ? ? B20F

Nos. 115-128 ex-London General Omnibus Company (Nos. T103, T113, T111,T101, T114, T108, T110, T102, T104, T105, T106, T107, T109, T112respectively; new 1923 or 1924 [T110, T111, T112, T113, T114] to CambrianCoaching & Goods Transport Omnibus Company, London [T113 new to ShamrockTraction Company, London passing to Cambrian 4/25]).Nos. 129-130 ex-London General Omnibus Company (not operated; new 1924to Ubique Omnibus Co [AN6452]; 1924 to Diamond Omnibus Company [XR4559]).No. 129 fitted with Brush O28/26RO body from No. 68 (MO2612) 3/28; fittedwith the Ransomes B32R body from No. 82 (MO4155) 2/30.


Page 34

1926 (continued)

No. 130 fitted with Brush O28/26RO body from No. 34 (DP2606) 1/28; fittedwith Ransomes B32R body from No. 83 (MO4156) 2/30.No. 131 ex-Fleur-de-Lys, London (new 1924); fitted with Brush O28/26RObody from No. 49 (MO160) 11/27; fitted with Ransomes B32R body from No.84 (MO4157) 2/30.No. 137 ex-Grangewood Omnibus Company, London (new 1924 to Myers, London).No. 138 ex-Casagrande, London (new 1924).No. 139 ex-London General Omnibus Company (not operated; new 1924 toLegion Omnibus Company, London; fitted with Brush O28/26RO body from No.60 (MO1627) 2/28; fitted with Ransomes B32R body from No. 85 (MO4158)2/30.DP4919, DP5628 ex-Lovegrove Bros., Silchester (new 1923, 1924 respective-ly; not operated by Thames Valley).Withdrawn 1931 (98, 115-131, 137-139), 1932 (113), 1933 (108, 111-112,114), 1937 (99, 106-107, 110, 132-133, 136), 1938 (100-105, 109, 134-135).


No. 102 (MO6846) was a 1926 Tilling-Stevens B9A with Tilling B32R bodywork.(The Bus Archive).


No. 120 (XP6421), a 1923 Thornycroft JB, acquired from the London General Omnibus Companyin 1926, originally with a Dodson body it is seen here with a Brush O28/26RO body. It hadbeen withdrawn by 1931. (The Bus Archive).


Page 37

1927

140-143 MO9312-15 Tilling-Stevens B9B 5268-71 London Lorries C30F144-157 MO9316-29 Tilling-Stevens B9A 5272-85 Brush B35R

Nos. 145-154 re-seated to B32R in 1931.Withdrawn 1932 (140-43), 1937 (146), 1940 (145, 147-48, 151, 154-55,157), 1944 (144, 149-50, 152-53, 156).

1928

158 RX1397 Tilling-Stevens B9A 5374 Brush B35R159-60 RX1394-95 Tilling-Stevens B9A 5375-76 Brush C28F161 RX1396 Tilling-Stevens B9A 5377 Brush B35R162-63 RX1398-99 Tilling-Stevens B9B 5335/33 London Lorries C30F164-72 RX1753-61 Leyland TD1 70126-34 Leyland L24/24RO173-74 RX1762-63 Leyland TD1 70135/94 Short L24/24RO175 RX1764 Leyland TD1 70195 Short L24/24RO

Nos. 158, 161 re-seated to B32R c. 1930.No. 171 rebuilt by Thames Valley to L24/24R 1944/45.Withdrawn 1932 (162-63), 1940 (158, 161), 1944 (159-60), 1949 (164-170,172-175), 1950 (171)


No. 152 (MO9324) is a 1927 Tilling-Stevens B9A with replica ‘Brush’ 35-seat bodywork. (ColinPickett).


Page 39

1929

176-77 RX4338-39 Tilling-Stevens B10B2 5959/60 London Lorries C28D178 RX4340 Tilling-Stevens B10B2 5965 London Lorries C28D179-91 RX4341-53 Leyland TD1 70669-81 Leyland L27/24RO192 HE2323 Leyland Z7 25131 Ransomes B20F193-95 HE2325-27 Leyland Z7 25133-35 Ransomes B20F196 HE2331 Leyland Z7 25139 Ransomes B20F197 HE2336 Leyland Z7 25144 Ransomes B20F198 HE2339 Leyland Z7 25147 Ransomes B20F199-200 RX5561-62 Leyland TD1 70954-55 Leyland L27/24RO

Nos. 179-180, 182-183, 185-187, 190 refurbished and rebuilt to L27/24Rby ECW 1944-45.No. 181 refurbished and rebuilt to L27/24R by Willowbrook 1944.Nos. 184, 199-200 refurbished and rebuilt to L27/24R by Beadle 1944.Nos. 192-198 ex-Yorkshire Traction Company (Nos. 112, 114-116, 120, 125,128 respectively; new 1925 to Barnsley & District Traction Company).Withdrawn 1931 (192-198), 1933 (188-189), 1935 (176-178), 1939 (191),1950 (179, 181, 200), 1951 (199), 1952 (180, 182-187, 190).


Page 40

1930

201-208 RX5563-70 Leyland TD1 70956-63 Leyland L27/24RO209-218 RX5571-80 Leyland LT1 50770-79 Brush B32R219-221 RX6110-12 Leyland TD1 71323-24/72 Leyland L27/24RO222-224 RX6242-44 Leyland TD1 71435-37 Leyland L27/24RO225-229 RX6245-49 Leyland LT2 51208-12 Brush DP32R230 RX6250 Leyland TS3 61065 Brush C28D

Nos. 209-218, 225-229 re-seated to DP29R and fitted with entrance doorsby the end of 1930.Nos. 201-204, 206, 208, 219, 221-223 refurbished and rebuilt to L27/24Rby Willowbrook between 1943 and 1944.Nos. 205, 207 refurbished and rebuilt to L27/24R by ECW 1944.Nos. 209, 215-217, 226, 229 refurbished by Beadle 1944.No. 220 refurbished and rebuilt to L27/24R by Beadle 1944.Nos. 210-214, 218, 225, 227, 228 refurbished by Santus between 1944 and1945.No. 224 refurbished and rebuilt to L27/24R by Vincent 1944.No. 230 fitted with LT2 radiator from new; to War Department 7/40.Withdrawn 1940 (230), 1949 (220, 224), 1950 (207, 209-218, 226-227, 229),1951 (201-204, 206, 208, 219, 221-223, 225, 228), 1952 (205).


Page 41

1931

231-237 RX8164-70 Leyland TD1 71938-44 Leyland L27/24RO238 RX188 Thornycroft A2 Long 14060A Challands Ross B20F239 GU7544 Dennis 1½-ton 54233 ? B14F239 RX9307 Leyland TS4 100 Brush C28F242 YK3822 Thornycroft A1 11488 Vickers B19F243 RX3131 Dennis 1½-ton 53685 Willmott B14F1102 YW5366 Morris Z2 5622 London Lorries B12F1202 YR1089 Maudslay ML3 3939 Buckingham B32R1225 YH3797 Maudslay ML3A 4101 Buckingham C32D1228 YH3800 Maudslay ML3A 4102 Buckingham C32D1229 YW1721 Maudslay ML3B 4177 Buckingham C26D1238 UC4865 Maudslay ML3 4242 Buckingham B32R1285 YF3921 Guy FBB FBB22309 Buckingham C32D1655 UV9121 Guy OND OND9158 Guy B18F1657 UV9413 Guy OND OND9145 Guy B18F1659 UV9414 Guy OND OND9162 Guy B18F1664 UU5011 Morris Z2 1816Z Buckingham B14F


Page 42

1931 (continued)

Nos. 232-235, 237 refurbished and rebuilt to L27/24R by Willowbrookbetween 1942 and 1944.No. 236 refurbished and rebuilt to L27/24R by Beadle 1944.No. 238 ex-Rambler Coaches, Burghfield Common (new 1927).No. 239 (GU7544) ex-Premier Motor Omnibus Company, Cookham Green (new1929); No. 239 (GU7544) withdrawn 10/31 and replaced by No. 239 (RX9307)new 12/31.No. 242 ex-Great Western Railway (No. 928; new 1925); operated with GWRnumber until 10/31 when re-numbered as shown.No. 243 ex-Lower Road Bus Service, Cookham Rise (new 1928).Nos. 1102, 1202, 1225, 1228, 1229, 1238, 1285, 1655, 1657, 1659, 1664ex-Great Western Railway (retaining GWR numbers; new 1928, 1926, 1927,1927, 1928, 1928, 1927, 1929, 1929, 1929, 1929 respectively).Withdrawn 1931 (239[GU7544], 1102, 1225, 1228, 1229, 1238, 1285, 1655,1657, 1659, 1664), 1932 (242, 1202), 1934 (243), 1938 (238), 1940 (231,239[RX9307]), 1949 (233), 1950 (236), 1951 (232, 234, 237), 1952 (235).


No. 239 (GU7544) was a 1929 Dennis 1½-ton chassis with bodywork by an unknown builder,acquired in June 1931 from the Premier Omnibus Company. It had been withdrawn by October1931 and replaced by a new No. 239. (The Bus Archive).


Page 44

1932

240-241 RX9308-09 Leyland TS4 185-86 Brush C28F244 RX9541 Leyland TS4 383 Brush C28F245-249 RX6399-403 Leyland TS4 585-89 Brush B32R250-256 RX9704-10 Leyland TS4 590-96 Brush C28F257 UV4080 Thornycroft BC 18816 Vickers B26R - YF6815 Guy FBB FBB22303 Vickers B32R - YX5680 Thornycroft A1 15764 ? B18F

Nos. 257, YF6815, YX5680 ex-Great Western Railway (Nos. 1606, 1269, 1468respectively; new 1929, 1927, 1928 respectively); No. 257 operated withGWR fleet number 1606 until 6/32 when re-numbered as shown; YF6815, YX5680not operated by Thames Valley.Withdrawn 1938 (257), 1940 (240-241, 244, 251-256), 1950 (246), 1951(245, 247, 250), 1952 (248), 1953 (249).


No. 244 (RX9541) was a 1932 Leyland TS4 with Brush C28F coachwork. It was requisitioned bythe War Department in 1940, returned in 1946, refurbished and rebuilt to B31R as a servicebus. (The Bus Archive).


Page 46

1933

1 PP4388 Karrier WJ ? ? Ch182 PP5930 Morris T 9258T Morris B14F3 YW1721 Maudslay ML3B 4177 Buckingham C26D4 MO9316 Tilling-Stevens B9A 5272 Brush B35R5 MO9327 Tilling-Stevens B9A 5283 Brush B35R6 KX3900 Karrier CL4 35069 Ramsden B24F7 KX3869 Karrier CL4 35072 Ramsden B24F8 KX3870 Karrier CL4 35070 Ramsden B24F9 KX3638 Karrier CL4 35073 Ramsden B24F10 KX3901 Karrier CL4 35077 Ramsden B24F11 KX3898 Karrier CL4 35076 Ramsden B24F12 KX3899 Karrier CL4 35075 Ramsden B24F14 KX8482 Karrier Coaster 35190 Weymann B24F15 KX8481 Karrier Coaster 35189 Weymann B24F258 GN5145 Leyland TS3 61810 Leyland C26R261 GW540 Dennis 1½-ton 55654 Willmott B14F - EF3469 Chevrolet LM 16050 Strachan & Brown B14? - KX1523 Guy OND OND8924 ? B20F - PP4107 Karrier CY 20847 ? B20F


Page 47

1933 (continued)

- PP6302 Karrier CL4 ? ? B26F - PP8371 Karrier CL4 35011 ? B20F - RF1625 Karrier CL4 ? - - - RF1708 Karrier CL4 ? Lawton B28F - RM3889 Chevrolet 15372 ? B14? - RT4952 Chevrolet LP 46367 ? B14F - RX1162 Chevrolet LM 17081 ? B14F - RX8373-75 Dodge 8341677/07/784 Willmott B14F - TM1258 Chevrolet ? ? B14F - TW8979 Chevrolet LM 15202 ? B14? - VF3004 Chevrolet LO - - -

Nos. 1-12, 14-15, PP4107, PP6302, PP8371, RF1625, RF1708 ex-Marlow &District Motor Services (Nos. 1-12, 14-15; new 1925, 1926, 1928 [to GreatWestern Railway; No. 1229], 1927, 1927, 1929, 1929, 1929, 1929, 1929,1929, 1929, 1929, 1932, 1932, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1926 [to StaffordTransport Company], 1926 [to Stafford Transport Company] respectively);Nos. 4, 5 were licensed to Marlow & District by Thames Valley from 4/32


Page 48

1933 (continued)

and were Thames Valley Nos. 144, 155 and reverted to those numbers onacquisition; PP4107, PP6302, PP8371, RF1625 [chassis only], RF1708acquired as withdrawn vehicles and not operated by Thames Valley.No. 258 ex-Eastern National Omnibus Company (not operated by ENOC; new1931 to Premier Line, London); re-seated to B31R 3/42.No. 261, RX8373-75 ex-Reliance Motor Services, Maidenhead (all new 1931);RX8373-75 not operated by Thames Valley.KX1523 ex-Lane End Bus Service, Lane End (new 1928); not operated byThames Valley.EF3469, RM3889, RT4952, RX1162, TM1258, TW8979, VF3004 ex-Pixey Bus,Fifield (new 1927 [to Eastern Express, West Hartlepool; No. 25], 1927 [toWoods, Heads Nook], 1928 [to Kerridge, Needham Market], 1927, 1927 [toCooper, Elstow], 1927 [to Gray, London], 1928 [to United AutomobileServices; No. H19] respectively); VF3004 was acquired as a chassis only;none were operated by Thames Valley apart from RX1162 which ran in servicefor a few days only.Withdrawn 1933 (RX1162), 1934 (1-3), 1935 (6-12), 1936 (261), 1937 (15),1938 (14), 1949 (258).


No. 15 (KX8481) was absorbed with the fleet of Marlow & District in 1933 and was a 1932Karrier Coaster with Weymann 24-seat bodywork. (The Bus Archive).


Page 50

1934

259 GN5139 Leyland TS3 61804 Leyland C26R260 GN5150 Leyland TS3 61671 Leyland C26R

Nos. 259-260 ex-London Transport Board (new 1931 to Premier Line,London); re-seated to B31R 8/41.Withdrawn 1940 (260), 1949 (259).


Page 51

1935

262-264 JB5841-43 Leyland TS7 7126-28 Duple C32F265-271 JB5844-50 Leyland TS7 7135-41 Brush B32R272-277 JB5851-56 Leyland TD4 7129-34 Brush L24/24R278 PP4875 Dennis 2½-ton 31245 Wycombe B26F279 PP5166 Dennis 2½-ton 31296 Wycombe B26F280 PP9657 Leyland LSC1 46414 Strachan & Brown B32F281 KX498 Dennis 2½-ton 45542 Strachan & Brown B25F282 KX1734 Dennis 2½-ton 45558 Strachans B26F284 KX3484 Gilford 166OT 11070 Wycombe B32F285 KX5733 Gilford 168OT 11312 Wycombe B32F286 KX7382 Gilford 168OT 11967 Wycombe B32F287 KX8092 Dennis Lancet 170008 Wycombe B32F288 KX8744 Dennis Lancet 170116 Dennis B32R289 APP271 Dennis Lancet 170657 Dennis C32F290 APP272 Dennis Lancet 170652 Dennis B32F291 APP273 Dennis Ace 200003 Dennis B20F292 BKX431 Dennis Lancet 170827 Dennis C32C293 BKX898 Dennis Lancet 170904 Dennis C32C294-299 JB7494-99 Leyland TS7 8543-48 Brush B32R - KX1541 Dennis E 17614 Strachans B32R - KX7843 Gilford 168OT 12008 Wycombe B32F


Page 52

1935 (continued)

- PP2245 Dennis 2½-ton 30773 Wycombe B26F - UV7778 Gilford 166OT 11015 Wycombe B32F - ABH350 Dennis Lancet 170390 Dennis B32F - BBH755 Dennis Mace 240028 Dennis B26C - BKX696 Dennis Lancet 170905 Dennis C32C

No. 272 re-bodied by ECW to L24/24R in 1940 following fire at Readingdepot.Nos. 274-275 rebuilt by Willowbrook to L24/24R 1944-45.No. 276 rebuilt by Beadle to L24/24R 1944-45.No. 277 rebuilt by ECW to L24/24R 1945.Nos. 278-293 ex-Penn Bus Company, Tylers Green (Nos. 7, 8, 16, 17, 18,20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31 33, 35 respectively; new 1925, 1925,1928, 1928, 1928, 1929, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1932, 1934, 1934, 1934,1935, 1935 respectively).KX1541, KX7843, PP2245, UV7778, ABH350, BBH755, BKX696 ex-Penn BusCompany, Tylers Green; did not operate for Thames Valley but wereimmediately transferred to London Passenger Transport Board as part ofthe purchase agreement.Withdrawn 1935 (278-293), 1940 (262-264), 1950 (272, 297), 1951 (265,267-270, 294, 296, 298-299), 1952 (266, 271, 276, 295), 1953 (273-275,277).


No. 275 (JB5854) was a 1935 Leyland TD4 with Brush L24/24R bodywork. It was rebuilt byWillowbrook in 1945, which enabled it to survive until 1953. (The Bus Archive).


Page 54

1936

300 RD6270 Thornycroft Ardent FE 24776 ? B26F301 RD3016 Star Flyer D986 ? B26F302-308 JB8341-8347 Leyland TS7 9394-400 Brush DP32R309-311 JB8348-8350 Leyland TS7 9401-403 Brush B32R312 VG1631 Star Flyer VB4 VB949/C630 United C23F313 RO9027 Star Flyer VB3 B686 United B20F314 KX7157 AEC Regal 662644 Petty C32F315 GT9324 Bedford WLB 108037 Willmott B20F316 GT9199 Bedford WLB 108017 Willmott B20F317 KX6094 AEC Regal 662599 Petty B30R318 MY639 AEC Reliance 660311 Short B32F319 MT1330 AEC Reliance 660002 Hall Lewis B31D320 UR3767 AEC Reliance 660239 Craven C31R321 KX2558 Graham Bros. D204010 ? B26F322 KX978 Graham Bros. GB4689 ? B20F

Nos. 300-301 ex-Reading & District Motor Services (new 1934, 1931respectively).Nos. 312-313 ex-Vimmy Bus Service, Winkfield (new 1929 [to EasternMotorways, Norwich], 1928 [to Express Motor Service, St. Albans; No. 3]respectively).


Page 55

1936 (continued)

Nos. 314-322 ex-Chiltern Bus Co., Lane End (new 1931, 1931, 1931, 1930,1929 [as AEC demonstrator], 1928 [as AEC demonstrator], 1929 [to LMSRailway, Watford; No. 51F], 1929, 1928 respectively); Nos. 321, 322probably not operated by Thames Valley.Withdrawn unknown (312), 1936 (313, 315-316, 321-322), 1938 (300, 314,317-320), by 1940 (301), 1950 (307-308, 310), 1951 (302, 311), 1952(303-306, 309).


Page 56

1937

321-334 ABL751-764 Leyland TS7 12599-12 ECW B32R335-336 ABL765-766 Leyland TD4 12613-14 Brush L26/26R337-338 ABL767-768 Leyland KPZ2 6821-22 Brush B24F339-341 AJB811-813 Leyland TD5 14198-200 Brush L26/26R342-348 AJB814-820 Leyland TS8 14374-80 Brush B32R349 BMG703 Albion PK115 25001H Duple B26F350 BPP141 Albion PW69 16404A Duple DP32F351 CPP80 Albion PK115 25009E Duple C31F352 VX6549 Reo Pullman GE193 ? B20F353 UU5749 Reo Sprinter FAX10410 Wray C20F354 GC9901 Reo FB1144 Wray B20F355 KX6376 AJS Pilot 210 Petty C24F356 KX7575 AJS Commodore 5048 Petty B32F357 KX8533 Bedford WLB 108479 Duple B20F358 YT5420 Reo Sprinter 145268 Wray C20D

No. 333 refurbished by Harding, Cookham 1944; re-seated to B35R at a laterdate (post 1945).No. 339 rebuilt by Willowbrook 1945.No. 340 rebuilt by ECW 1945.No. 341 rebuilt by Willowbrook 1945.


Page 57

1937 (continued)

Nos. 342-344 re-seated to B35R at a later date (post 1945).No. 345 refurbished by Brislington Body Works and re-seated to B35R1945/50.No. 346 refurbished by Harding, Cookham 1944; re-seated to B35R at a laterdate (post 1945).No. 347 re-seated to B35R at a later date (post 1945).No. 348 refurbished by ECW 1945/46; re-seated to B35R at a later date(post 1945).Nos. 349-358 ex-Crook, Booker (new 1934, 1935, 1936, 1930 [to Bird MotorServices, Halstead; No. 7], 1929, 1930, 1931, 1931, 1932, 1927respectively); No. 358 not operated by Thames Valley.Withdrawn 1937 (354, 358), 1938 (352-353, 355-357), 1944 (349-351), 1950(330), 1951 (327, 333, 342-344, 346-347), 1952 (321, 324, 326, 329, 331,337-338), 1953 (322-323, 325, 328, 332, 334-336, 339-341, 345, 348).


No. 337 (ABL767) was one of two Leyland KPZ2 chassis purchased in 1937 specifically for theMarlow Bridge route which had a 5-ton weight limit. It carried a Brush B24F body. (The BusArchive).


Page 59

1938

359-368 ARX981-990 Leyland TS8 16986-95 ECW B32R369-370 ARX991-992 Leyland TD5 17183-84 ECW L24/24R371-380 BBL557-566 Leyland TS8 300218-27 ECW B32R

Nos. 362-368 re-seated to B35R at a later date (post 1945).Nos. 371, 372 refurbished by Brislington Body Works 1950 and re-seatedto B35R.No. 375 received the Brush B32R body from No. 267 (JB5846) 1951 onwithdrawal. No. 267 was fitted with the ECW B32R body from No. 375 fordisposal.Nos. 379-380 re-seated to B35R at a later date (post 1945).Withdrawn 1950 (359-360, 364-365, 367, 376), 1951 (368, 372, 377, 379),1952 (362), 1953 (361, 369-370, 373, 375, 378), 1954 (363, 366, 371, 374,380).


Page 60

1939

381-390 BMO980-989 Leyland TS8 301936-45 Harrington C32F391 BRX656 Bristol K5G 51.094 ECW L24/24R392-409 BRX908-925 Bristol K5G 53.003-020 ECW L24/24R

Nos. 393,394 rebuilt to L24/24R by ECW following fire damage 1940; No.393 rebuilt by Thames Valley to L27/24R at a later (unknown) date.Nos. 397, 400, 401, 402, 404, 405, 409 rebuilt to L27/24R by Thames Valleyat a later (unknown) date.Withdrawn 1953 (395-396, 398, 403, 408), 1954 (381-390, 393, 397, 399,401, 404, 406-407, 409), 1956 (391-392, 394, 400, 402, 405).


No. 393 (BRX909) was a 1939 Bristol K5G with ECW L24/24R bodywork. It was badly damaged byfire at Reading depot in 1940 and rebuilt by ECW. It was refurbished by Thames Valley in1949 and rebuilt again to L27/24R at a later date. (The Bus Archive).


Page 62

1940

101-103 AHJ401-403 Bristol K5G 45.20-22 ECW L27/28R104-105 BHJ532-533 Bristol K5G 53.087-88 ECW L27/28R106-108 JN9541-543 Bristol K5G 42.25-27 ECW L27/28R410 CJB131 Bristol K5G 55.101 ECW L24/24R411 FM7455 Leyland KP3 969 Brush B24F

Nos. 101-108 on hire from Westcliff-on-Sea Motor Services between 11/40and 2/42.No. 411 ex-Crosville Motor Services (No. N45; new 1932).Withdrawn 1952 (411), 1954 (410).

1941

109-114 JG8205-210 Leyland TD4 11601-06 Park Royal L27/26R412 HF6041 Leyland TD1 70687 Leyland L27/24RO

Nos.109-114 on hire from East Kent Road Car Company between 2/41 and 8/42.No. 412 ex-Alexander & Sons, Falkirk (No. R174; new 1929); rebuilt toL27/24R by ECW 1944/45.Withdrawn 1952 (412).


No. 110 (JG8206) was a 1936 Leyland TD4 with Park Royal L27/26R bodywork that was on hirefrom East Kent Road Car Company during the Second World War. (The Bus Archive).


Page 64

1942

413-417 CJB132-136 Bristol K5G 57.017-19/31/76 ECW L27/28R418-419 CJB137-138 Guy Arab I FD25486/508 Duple L27/28R

Withdrawn 1955 (413-414, 418-419), 1956 (415-417).


Page 65

1943

230 RX6250 Leyland TS3 61065 Brush DP29R252-253 RX9706-707 Leyland TS4 592-93 Brush C28F255-256 RX9709-710 Leyland TS4 595-96 Brush C28F262 JB5841 Leyland TS7 7126 Duple C32F420-421 CJB139-140 Guy Arab I FD25546/97 Strachans L27/28R422 CJB141 Guy Arab I FD25825 Brush L27/28R423-425 CMO653-655 Guy Arab I FD25828/55/935 Brush L27/28R

Nos. 230, 252-253, 255-256, 262 ex-War Department (new to Thames Valleyand acquired 7/40) re-acquired in a decrepit state and rebuilt andrefurbished by Cawood & Sons, Doncaster (except No. 255 rebuilt andrefurbished by Markham, Reading); Nos. 230, 252-253, 255-256 rebuilt asservice buses to B29R; No. 262 rebuilt as coach to C32F.No. 420 rebuilt and re-seated to L27/26R by Strachans following anaccident at an unknown date.No. 421 rebuilt by Santus to L27/28R 1944 following an accident.Withdrawn 1950 (230, 262, 255), 1951 (252, 256, 420), 1952 (253), 1955(424), 1956 (421-423, 425).


No. 421 (CJB140) was a 1943 Guy Arab I that had Strachans L27/28R bodywork. It was rebuiltby Santus in 1944 after an accident and carried on to give 13 years service, being withdrawnin 1956. (The Bus Archive).


Page 67

1945

426-428 CRX196-198 Bristol K6A W1.034/70/120 Strachans L27/28R429 CRX540 Bristol K6A W1.150 Strachans L27/28R430-434 CRX541-545 Bristol K6A W2.001/05-06/58-59 Strachans L27/28R435 DR9636 Leyland TD2 283 Mumford L24/24R436 DR9846 Leyland TD2 1265 Mumford L24/24R437-438 CRX546-547 Bedford OB 11097/2005 Duple B26F

Nos. 426-428 re-seated to L27/24R in 1946.Nos. 435, 436 ex-Plymouth City Transport (Nos. 137, 57 respectively; new1932); rebuilt and refurbished by Vincent, Reading 1945/46.Withdrawn 1952 (436), 1953 (435), 1956 (437), 1957 (426-434, 438).


No. 432 (CRX543) was a Bristol K6A with Strachans L27/28R bodywork new in 1945. (The BusArchive).

© Local Transport History Library 2020

Additional information, corrections and photographs are always welcome.Our general email address is: [email protected]

In producing this booklet reference has been made to the following publications; ThamesValley - British Bus Systems 3, Peter Holmes, Transport Publishing Co, 1984; PSV FleetHistory PK19, PSV Circle, August 2016.

Photographs courtesy: The Bus Archive, Colin Pickett.

Series Editor: Peter Gould ([email protected])

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Documents

Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 1920-1972Thames Valley Traction Co Ltd 1915-1971 [Part 1: 1915-1945] Page 5 In 1926 the share capital was increased. Thomas Tilling Ltd had already purchased