| On the 8th December 1958, Wallasey Corporation became a trendsetter in Municipal bus operation by placing the first Atlantean into service. The revolutionary 78 seat rear engined bus with the entrance door at the front was to pave the way for bus design of the future.
Wallasey Corporation was swallowed up by the 'New' Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive in December 1969 and fortunately in 1976 this bus was put aside for preservation. 50 years on, to that day, No1 was brought out to re-enact that historic date, along with former MPTE 1003 which was the last new bus delivered to Wallasey's bus garage in Seaview Road, which closed in 1986 and was demolished the following year to make way for a supermarket. Together they roamed the streets of Wallasey for a couple of hours, working routes 1, 2, 14 and 16 which the Atlanteans worked when new. Due to other commitments, I couldn't ride around, but managed to see them set off from Seacombe, get back to Seacombe later on and got down to New Brighton for the final run. |
Virginia Road, New Brighton 1280x960 DSCF0708.JPG |
Virginia Road, New Brighton 1280x960 DSCF0699.JPG |
Pouring down with rain 1003 heads along Rake Lane to New Brighton 1280x960 DSCF0694.JPG |
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Rake Lane Cemetry 1280x960 DSCF0693.JPG |
Inspector blows his whistle again and they are off! 1280x960 DSCF0688.JPG |
Rear Ends 720x960 DSCF0687.JPG |
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1003 rests 1280x960 DSCF0686.JPG |
Proud Toothy shows of his big boys toys and not his teeth for a change! 1280x960 DSCF0682.JPG |
A quick blind change later .... 1280x960 DSCF0681.JPG |
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The old buses pass the modern scene 1280x960 DSCF0674.JPG |
Russell Hotel 1280x960 DSCF0667.JPG |
The stone wall near the lamp post is the only remaining part of the old Seacombe Railway Station 1280x960 DSCF0666.JPG |
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1003 On the cobbles (what is left of them) 1280x960 DSCF0664.JPG |
1 On the cobbles (what is left of them) 1280x960 DSCF0658.JPG |
The Inspector's whistle has blown and the buses leave for their various destinations. 1280x960 DSCF0653.JPG |
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Liver Buildings poking over 1280x960 DSCF0651.JPG |
Where are we??? 1280x960 DSCF0650.JPG |
Argh, someone forgot the walkway that was there in 1958 to guide the passengers to their new front loading buses. 1280x960 DSCF0647.JPG |
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Civic Pride at it's Finest .... unlike Wirral Borough Council smash and grab policy!! 1280x960 DSCF0643.JPG |
Poignant moment 1280x960 DSCF0642.JPG |
26 years span between these buses 1280x960 DSCF0638.JPG |
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The first and last Atlanteans for Wallasey together at Seacombe 1280x960 DSCF0634.JPG |
Seacombe Ferry 1280x960 DSCF0633.JPG |
Wallasey 1 720x960 DSCF0631.JPG |
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John sets the blinds for the next journey .... What would Health & Safety make of this arrangement these days? 720x960 DSCF0629.JPG |
No 1 reverses onto the stand at Seacombe just like it did 50 years before. 1280x960 DSCF0628.JPG |
No1 arrives 1280x960 DSCF0624.JPG |
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1003 poses at Seacombe Ferry 720x960 DSCF0622.JPG |
