Book Extracts

A collection of short stories written by First staff, some of which cover aspects of their jobs (but others are about different subjects)

A second collection of short stories written by First staff, some of which cover aspects of their jobs (but others are about different subjects)

A history of tram and trolleybus services in North London, includes a chapter Tram Men & Women, with an account of Tom Relf’s time working on trams for MET (Metropolitan Electric Tramways) and London Transport, plus short recollections of other staff

One chapter devoted to staff/manager stories at Richmond’s of Barley.

Very brief coverage of his time with Southend Transport

The progress of the mighty Crosville bus company as told by its legendary General Manager – see also the second volume

The progress of the mighty Crosville bus company as told by its legendary General Manager – see also the first volume

Setting up and running the Bath Bus Company

This is mainly Tom Dalton’s memories of his enthusiasm for the industry but with some brief notes on his time as a driver, mainly with Caledonian, United Auto, Ribble and Blair & Palmer. See Buses Illustrated issues 34 to 51 (1957-9) for a more detailed account.

Roger recalls his driving ambitions – conductor & driver, Western Welsh

Includes short sections recording experiences of drivers John Bashford (also available online) and Trevor Ryall, conductors Gareth Morgan and James Sadd and traffic office manager Peter Halls

James describes how his career started as an NBC management trainee through to first General Managership, with time at Hants & Dorset & Bristol in student days, then South Wales Transport to Shamrock & Rambler.

James interviews Nick Knight, a driver with Hants & Dorset and Stagecoach, who has been an officer of the NUR, now the RMT Union for many years

The story of Brighton & Hove buses with Roger’s involvement as Managing Director

Includes short work-related chapters entitled: Fortified by a Special Brew; Arduous Work for a Boy of Thirteen; Could Never Forgive Churchill; Jobs for the Boys; Auxiliary Conductor; Finding her Sealegs; The Heroism of Thomas Chadwick; Volunteer Driver.

His life as an HGV driver but including spells with London Transport, Essex County Coaches and Galleon Tours

The joys of long distance coach driving for Southern National

Learning to drive with Midland Fox, student David then drove for O K Motor Services

Transport by Southern Vectis for the Isle of Wight Rock Festival, including some comments from the driver’s seat

Primarily a history of the Wrightbus company, it includes pen profiles of various personalities etc

Includes Southdown At Work, describing GK-J’s time as a management trainee

Although a history of Premier Travel, much of the coverage comprises stories by various members of staff

Driving for Eynon of Trimsaran

An account of this London Transport, London Country Bus Services, London Country South West and Arriva garage, including considerable coverage of Rod’s time working there.

A particularly valuable account of running a small but expanding rural bus company – Hedingham & District

DVD: not quite “working on the buses” but contains a good insight into depot procedures and a cab ride.

Whilst this and volume 2 are general histories of Grey-Green, they inevitably include aspects of Tom’s work (much of the time as GM) and specific chapters about the founding George Ewer family and both have chapters on “The Establishment” – the senior staff

Whilst this and volume 1 are general histories of Grey-Green, they inevitably include aspects of Tom’s work (much of the time as GM) and specific chapters about the founding George Ewer family and both have chapters on “The Establishment” – the senior staff

A collection of short stories, some chapters cover aspects of working with the RM, including design, driving, conducting, mechanical and operational management

The story of the Fareline Coach Service, so slightly autobiographical

Not strictly working on the buses, but an analysis of the move to OMO and in particular the Sunderland experience (where the author was General Manager at the time)

The story of this coach including driving memories and its preservation and restoration by Jim

Company history with driver notes/stories

Includes Julian’s story as a conductor for Brighton Hove & District in 1973/4 – pages 33 to 43

Looking at the amazing achievements of a famous engineer and busman – founder of Progress Motor Services, later renamed Barton Brothers Ltd and later Barton Transport Ltd

Includes a chapter by Harry Simpson describing his work as a Blackpool tram driver

Of peripheral relevance to the working theme, this is a description of the work of the Traffic Department of Wallace Arnold

Includes a chapter about his time in the 1940s in the drawing office, including track laying site survey work

Includes a short section on driving BMMOs CM5s and also an appendix charting the career of Midland Red GM Donald Sinclair

Life as a conductor in one of London Transport’s smaller depots

Not so much a story of working on the buses, but a collection of pictures assembled by the author recalling his friendship with a London Transport trolleybus crew, Bill Ryder and Jim Feirghley

Includes a chapter on Driver Training and another by Terry Shaw, At The Wheel, driving London Transport trolleybuses

Student conductor for SELNEC in Salford

Includes a chapter about Alan’s time as Press & Publicity Officer for the West Midlands PTE

Includes two very short pieces on Hettie’s experiences as a conductor, Working on the Trams and Sheffield at War

A history of Armchair Passenger Transport. Includes coverage of the managers, Simon & Ann Newman.

After some historical notes, the majority of the book is devoted to aspects of Ashley’s career with Midland Red

Part time driver for Ribble, describing a typical journey on the Manchester to Keswick service. See also his complete book Weekend Bus Driver

A miscellany of short stories about London Transport, including: A Trip to the States in three London Buses – Ted Hearne, driver; The Man who jumped Tower Bridge in an RT – Albert Gunter; Conducting and Driving – John Churchman; Class B Clerk at £200 per annum – Ken Blacker; The 1958 Bus Strike – Ken Tuddenham; Reigate Remembered – Derek Fisk, scheduling & planning work

Mostly a description of the operation of Southern Vectis buses but including observations from his time as a seasonal conductor.

Story from one of the drivers who took London Transport buses to the US and Canada in 1952