SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Remember the days before 1974 when we had a proper Bus system?? Real buses, some of which were built here in Leeds at Charles h Roe at Crossgates, running to a timetable that was usually adhered to. Trying not to look through 2 tone green tinted specs here but wern`t us Loiners served better then by our public transport??

HiyaI remember the buses, red ones went city to city and the green ones seemed to be metropolitan. Vicar Lane bus station, battered as it was, was an exciting place to be as a child. the green bus station ws a bit grotty. But be grateful for Metro. I've been to places where it's so expensive to travel by bus. Somewhere in Devon a day return ticket was £7.50, half hour journey, whereas here in Leeds an all day travel ticket is about £3.00???? but even saying all that, i usually travel by train! and I agree the old corporation buses were the best!

I remember that we had regular drivers too! In fact, you got to know them so well back then, that you could have almost invited them to family functions!!!! You could have a laugh and a good natter! Not like now. If you get half a smile you think you're either having a good day, or are suspicious that they know something you don't!!

Hi, I remember going on a tram up to Roundhay park with my mum. It must have been near to the time when the tram system was being closed down. I recall leaflets hanging on string above the seats. I asked my mum what they were and she said there would be no more trams soon.All those wide roads around Leeds made for the tram system, and no trams. What a shame.

Yeah i love the old back loaders. I was lucky enough to travel on them in the last years of service. Unfortunately that makes me middle aged now & it only seems like yesterday. Yep Loiner Pete the service was far better with a (mostly) friendly conductor as he wedged himself between the seats standing up a wound a long roll of coloured tickets off. Here's some old Leeds buses in action http://annualleedsfleetlists.users.btop ... oslist.htm The Leland Atlanteans that replaced them were horrid in summer. Remember they only had 8 windows that opened about 2''.Also the fascinating periscope spy glass we used to peer at the driver from upstairs! Ah the good old days!!!

And there were countless bus depots too. Seacroft, Headingley & of course Swinegate that have all gone!

Atlantean 591 the last bus to be delivered in Leeds city transport livery. A true greenhouse on wheels. PHEW!!

591 was indeed the last in LCT livery, those 2 door Atlanteans and the Fleetlines with the same body were dubbed "tommy lord boxes"...i believe they were sluggish and prone to chassis cracking OUCH!!....Not like the very beautiful 131, isnt she gorgeous???..thankfully preserved in Keighley she was a star of Earls court in the 60`s hence the gold lining, look at those panoramic windows!!...we certainly travelled in style in the 1960`s.A true masterpiece by Charles H Roe of crossgates. Are there any ex Roe workers out there from the 50`s and 60`s???

It's funny Pete when i was a lad & one of these new Atlanteans turned up instead of a beloved back loader it ruined my day.. i disliked them immensly. They look so full of character years later compared to this thing i captured on the streets of Leeds. I believe there called 'purple slugs'

Purple slug is a good description, i think that may well stick!!! I know we need progress but i get the feeling that people of my generation and before witnessed a golden age of public transport in our great city. I make no apology for posting more images of those wonferful vehicles that i spent so much time on in the early sixties, I was hoping some ex workers from Charles h Roe might share some memories with us.