BMMO D9 in Leicestershire

The BMMO D9 was very much a part of the Leicester bus scene for over nineteen years. These web pages (adapted from a publication by Mike Greenwood) take a closer look at Leicester's association with the D9 and chart the rise and fall of the D9 at the Sandacre Street, Southgate Street and Wigston garages. The purists amongst you may say what about Coalville garage, which was in Leicestershire, and its allocation of buses was a regular sight in Leicester. Whilst not disagreeing, time constraints prevented including Coalville's details and they may have to be the subject of a subsequent publication. The same argument could also be levied at Markfield, the garage that was included in the take-over of 'Browns Blue' in March 1963. None of Browns Blue's fleet was acquired and initially two S14s and twelve D7s were transferred to the garage. However, three D9s, 5315, 5334 and 5357, were allocated new to the garage.
All this goes to prove that, as with most titles, a publication often indicates the start of the story rather than the end!
Before actually making a start I would like to thank Mike Jordan, BaMMOT's Midland Red archivist, who responded with my many time consuming requests in his usual prompt, thorough and friendly manner.

Mike Greenwood - December 2000
(adapted for the web by David Hale - January 2003)

Introduction to the D9
As far back as 1951 Midland 'Red' were interested in developing a 30 ft. 0 ins. long, high capacity double-decker. However, such double-deckers were not legally approved until 1956 and, by that time, the success of the BMMO integral vehicle with disc brakes and rubber suspension was to influence the original idea. So, it was not a 30 ft. 0 ins. 'D7' which was unveiled in 1958 but instead a remarkable and very advanced integral 72-seat prototype registered (773 FHA) and numbered 4773.
The bus incorporated power steering, variable rate rubber suspension throughout, independently sprung front wheels, disc transmission hand-brake, servo assisted disc brakes all round and, to complete the package, a new 10.5 litre enlargement of the BMMO 'KL' type engine which was coupled to an electronically controlled, hydraulically operated self-changing gear box.
Production vehicles appeared in 1960 with both Southgate Street and Sandacre Street receiving their first examples, 4881 and 4882, in October 1960. Wigston had only to wait another month before receiving their first D9s in the shape of4883 and 4884, although 4883 was reallocated to Birmingham (Sheepcote Street) during the same month. New D9s then arrived on a regular basis right up to the final 1966 delivery.

4891 was new to Sandacre Street in December 1960. It remained at the garage until withdrawal in March 1973. (photo: Ken Swallow)

Sandacre Street's 5362 had a relatively long life with almost sixteen year's service. New in December 1963, it didn't quite make it to the end of D9 operation, being withdrawn in November 1979. A particular favourite of mine, principally because it retained its front upper deck opening vents right to the end. Most D9s received plain glass front windows in an effort to combat fatigue in the front roof canopies.

5399 came from Stafford to Leicester. It is now preserved as part of the BaMMot collection.

Wigston's 5040 (left) was another one depot bus. New in February 1963, it was withdrawn in June 1974. On 22nd June 1973 she is photographed in NBC all-over poppy red livery.

With the passing of the decade (the seventies) also came the end of an era when Midland Red Omnibus Co Ltd de-licensed the last of its home-built double-deck vehicles. The last survivors were all members of the well-known BMMO D9 class.
Rumours had suggested that the final D9s, based at Leicester (Southgates) depot, would be phased out by February 1980 However, by mid-December, due to the drafting in of Daimler Fleetlines from other garages, Monday 31st December, 1979.was the date set. Due to this short notice the many enthusiasts who, no doubt, would have liked to have paid a final tribute were missing.
The Southgate's D9s had become the regular performers on services 92-95, New Parks to Scraptoft/Thurnby Lodge. Their numbers had been reduced gradually to six vehides - viz 5299, 5314, 5341, 5360, 5370 and 5399 (6299, 6314/41/60/70 HA and BHA 399C respectively), the first five being of 1964 vintage and the last of 1965. They had varied careers with Midland Red; 5399, for example, had seen operation at half-a-dozen Midland Red depots, whilst 5370 had been allocated to Leicester garages throughout its career of 15 or so years.
The last day dawned chilly but was later graced by hazy sunshine. All six D9s were in evidence, 5314,5370 and 5399 on the New Parks to Scraptoft/Thurnby Lodge cross city services and 5299,5341, 5360 on the St Margaret's bus station to Thurnby Lodge service. As it was New Year's Eve, a Saturday service was in operation. A number of operational changes from D9 to Daimler Fleetiines led to D9s coming out of service, for the last time, from late afternoon until early evening. 5314 had the honour of being the last D9 to enter the garage, which it did at 18.36hrs, having operated the 18.25hrs., 94 from New Parks to Leicester (Charles Street). For the record, the final journeys worked by each vehicle were as follows:
5299 17.41hrs service 98 Thurnby Lodge to Leicester
5314 18.25hrs service 94 New Parks to Leicester
5341 18.11hrs service 98 Thurnby Lodge to Leicester
5360 17.56hrs service 98 Thurnby Lodge to Leicester
5370 18.05hrs service 94 New Parks to Leicester
5399 15.41hrs service 93 Scraptoft to Leicester
So, unlike the passing of the famed London Transport RT class, the D9 end came quietly and largely unnoticed with only a brief mention being made on local radio and in the local press. However, the Midland Red D9s may have gone but certainly will not be forgotten.

5360 seen at Scraptoft in the summer of 1979

5370 in Leicester early one morning during the last week of operation

The last journey of them all. 5314 turns into Southgates garage at 18.36 hrs.

The last D9s among replacement vehicles in Southgate depot after their last journeys

Life After Service

Most of Leicester's D9s went the same way as most of Midland Red's own built buses - a one way trip to the scrap yard! However, a few did survive the cutter's torch even if it was in some cases a delay in the final execution.

4974 at Hudley's Scrapyard near Wednesbury. Hudley was a prolific breaker of Midland Red buses in the seventies. 4974 had been withdrawn in 1973. By the time this photo was taken, on 30th July 1973, she had been stripped of many parts and was awaiting her final fate.

Perhaps one of the more surprising events that took place was the acquisition of withdrawn D9s by Thomas Morris & Son of Pencoed and Obsolete Fleet, London in 1976/77. Morris operated five D9s, 4965, 4972, 4976, 5017, and 5336, the first three of which were ex-Leicester vehicles. This also applied to 4993, which Morris acquired for spares. All were eventually withdrawn in 1977.

4972 with Thomas Morris & Son. Photograph taken at Morris's yard, 23rd September 1975

Obsolete Fleet had seven D9s converted to open-top for sightseeing service in London. Of the seven three, 4903, 4959 and 5043, were ex-Leicester machines.

4959 on the 'Round London Sightseeing Tour' (Photo in the Ernie Charman Negative Collection from Dinnages Transport Publishing.)

Dealer 'Ensign' put no less than eleven D9s on to Lesney Products (the makers of Matchbox toys) contract services in and around London and South Essex. Once again Leicester vehicles were well represented by 4892,4966,4989, 5004, 5038, 5040, and 5303.

5040 in Lesney Products guise (photo by J. Law)

Even more bizarre was some of the uses the buses were put to after Ensign had finished with them. 4989 was converted into a mobile wine bar for export to Germany, 5004 was resold as a children's playroom at 'The Red Lion', Boreham, near Chelmsford (but fitted with the front grille from 5310) and 5038 was exported to France as a promotional vehicle for the French Electricity Authority! I wonder whether any of these are still about?
Certainly still about are preserved ex-Leicester vehicles 5314,5370, and 5399.

Bammot's preserved 5399 in service at the Midland Bus Museum at Wythall on 7th September 1986

View Allocations of D9's in Leicestershire


5356 - 19th May 1979	5314 - 29th December 1979