Sightseeing Bus in Leeds

Riponian · Post by **Riponian** » Thu 06 May, 2010 11:51 am

As the bus goes roughly the route of the Free City Bus I'd not expect many customers, IMO it's too limited in its range. What about Kirkstall Abbey, and Armley Museum for instance?Having been on the Dublin tour bus - it does the city, not just the centre.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Thu 06 May, 2010 12:09 pm

Suggestions for a 'Western Loop' from the city centreCity SquareHolbeck 'village' - temple worksArmley PrisonArmley millsKirkstall AbbeyHeadingley Cricket/Rugby groundUniversityCity CentreCity Square Park RowTown Hall and LibraryCivic hall, Millenium Square and City museumInfimaryHeadrowMarketsBoar lane and the CallsThe Dark ArchesWhat about to the North, South or East?

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Thu 06 May, 2010 1:13 pm

jim wrote: Blakey, have you experienced the one-man operated double deckers still operated in West Cornwall in the holiday season? Open tops, narrow winding roads, steep gradients, and to top it all, overhanging trees guaranteed to remove hats and anything else that doesn't duck fast enough! I have to admit with regret Jim that I have never set foot in Cornwall, only Devon.I have ridden often in the 1960s/70s on the Southend Corporatiionopen top seafront service (excellent) but always with a conductor on board. The route passed beneath (looks impossible) the famous Pier and there was a strict operating rule which was always adhered to - the Corporation were to be commended on it - whereby the bus would stop before passing under the Pier. The conductor would come to the top deck and inform everybody that they MUST remain seated. Two bells would be given, and the conductor remained upstairs to make sure that no-one did anything daft.After all this moralising, I must confess that only a very few years ago I nearly knocked my own head off through being careless. the samuel Ledgard society had hired one of the open top "Queen Mary" ex Southdown Leyland PD3s for an evening jaunt arounnd the City and I was asked to act as conductor in SL uniform which I often do on such trips. Well, we were approacjing the bridge near the old Holbeck station and I was upstairs in enthusiasts' conversation - I ducked just in time and there were gasps from the passengers, of disappointment from a few and genuine from my friends. If I'd remained standing fully upright I daresay I would just have cleared the underside of the bridge, but it was a close call.Talk about "Do as I say not as I do."

jim · Post by **jim** » Thu 06 May, 2010 2:17 pm

Thank goodness for that Blakey, headless chickens would be no good to this site!

stutterdog · Post by **stutterdog** » Thu 06 May, 2010 5:32 pm

jim wrote: Thank goodness for that Blakey, headless chickens would be no good to this site! What an amazing coincidence thathis subject came up as the other day I came across a photo of yours truly stood next to the very vehicle no. 5047 at temple Newsham. I have not been able to post the photo and emailed Cnosni to see if he would be kind enough to do it but he has not been back to me and has not been on the SL site all week so he may be away. If some one could help me I will try and post it. The bus is in Yorkshire rider livery and the photo was taken in Late 80's I think. I think the sightseeing ran for about 2 years in the summer and was paid for by Leeds Leasure Services who also paid for a courier to describe the route and places of interest. I lved doing this route and would work every Sat. on my weekend off as it was such a doddle! I think it was eventually stopped as it lost money. The young lady stood next to me was the wife of a senior insp. at Swinegate but I forget his name. She worked for LLS. . Regards Stutterdog Ps I managed it somehow! To Blakey I dont think we had another open topper apart from the treelopper? I think 5047 is now used for that purpose.

buffaloskinner · Post by **buffaloskinner** » Thu 06 May, 2010 6:08 pm

I seem to recall that it ran in 1984-85 before deregulation took place and there was money available from WYPTE. It didnt work then and I cannot see it working now.and here it is with the roof on...

stutterdog · Post by **stutterdog** » Thu 06 May, 2010 6:13 pm

buffaloskinner wrote: I seem to recall that it ran in 1984-85 before deregulation took place and there was money available from WYPTE. It didnt work then and I cannot see it working now.and here it is with the roof on... I think your right, it would be too expensive today. Can you imagine what the farewould be? I seem to remember when I did it the most passengers I had aboard was 26!

stutterdog · Post by **stutterdog** » Thu 06 May, 2010 6:17 pm

buffaloskinner wrote: I seem to recall that it ran in 1984-85 before deregulation took place and there was money available from WYPTE. It didnt work then and I cannot see it working now.and here it is with the roof on... Sorry for getting the number of the bus wrong! Nice pic Buff

Steve Jones · Post by **Steve Jones** » Thu 06 May, 2010 7:54 pm

The only trouble with including Headingley is that the bus would end up stuck in trafffic approaching the Shire Oak like so many others I suspect.

stutterdog · Post by **stutterdog** » Thu 06 May, 2010 8:20 pm

Steve Jones wrote: The only trouble with including Headingley is that the bus would end up stuck in trafffic approaching the Shire Oak like so many others I suspect. Hi Steve, well, thats the way the Discovery bus went when I did it. Heres the route as I recall it, City Sq. Wellington St. Armley Giro,Armley Rd. Right turn at Pickering St. Canal Rd stopping in the carpark at Armley Mills. Back onto Canal Rd. to Kirkstall Rd turn left up Kirkstall Rd to turn right at Kirkstall leasure Ctr. up the hill and straight on past the Headingley Cricket Ground. left onto Otley Rd and right onto the road that goes past Brians fish shop. Along there it was pointed out by the courier that as we passed the Hollies ,it contained the national collection of Philadelphus shrubs! Right at the end of this rd. onto the ring rd. going East. as far as the turn for Roundhay.Rd. Onto Roundhay Rd then left onto the rd that leads onto Roundhay Park. Keeping the Mansion House on the right head through the park. Every 100yds would have to remove steel posts that had padlocks on and replace when gone past. Very labourious! After this ,I'm not sure but we went to Temple Newsham. Stopped for a minute or two ,then made our way down towards Leeds lVia the Corn Ex. and then City sq. The journey took about 1hr 50mins and sometime I ran late because of traffic.Apologies for not being able to name some of the roads the route took but it's along time since I did it. We normally did 2 round trips for overtime.