Midland Red 100 - A Centenary Celebration

Midland Red was the largest bus company in the UK outside London. It had 32 Garages in 12 counties and was half as big again as the next largest company in the BET group. At one point, Midland Red employed over 9000 people. The company led the industry in innovative engineering and in operational techniques. “I work for the Midland Red ” was said with pride.

So runs the introduction to this superb DVD which centres around the 100th birthday celebrations for the erstwhile mighty Midland Red which took place at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley in November 2004.

As well as footage of what may have been the largest ever gathering of former Midland Red vehicles, former schedules officer and Black Country Museum member, Stan Letts gives his controversial speech ‘Power vs. Shire’ on the two men who created the empire. Meanwhile historian Martin Hobson, ex chief engineer Ray Braithwaite, ex traffic manager James Isaac, and ex technical assistant Bob Richards all give their own personal views and anecdotes of the company.

As well as this there’s the return to the road of the now unique underfloor engine BMMO D10 double-decker last year, and footage of the first ever picture taken of the bus when it was brand new. As if all this wasn’t enough there’s archive footage of the Carlyle Road central works, a ride on BMMO SON GHA 337, and memories of M1 motorway coaches.

So if you’re a Midland Red fan and you haven’t bought this DVD yet, what are you waiting for?

Reprinted from Classic Bus - June/July 2006 edition