York Bros of Northampton

Any gen available from this forum on the Northampton privateer York Bros, which ran a fleet of beautifully liveried AECs luxury coaches, each bearing an HMS ... Ship name in the rear glass panel under the window? All bought new, I 'm certain. However, they also ran, in their ever spotless condition, two ex-L.T. Craven RTs KGK 736 and 747' possibly for school contracts. I much regret never photographing any part of the York Bros. fleet, though they circulated freely in the county and were the poshest private hire firm for miles around during the 50s and 60s. Dark and light blue and plenty of polished brightwork.

Victor Brumby

14/01/15 - 12:16

This is the only shot I have been able to find of either of the vehicles mentioned, it's a poor b&w one of KGK 747. www.flickr.com/photos/aptisman/10705647316/
To show York Brothers livery, here's a colour shot of HBD 100, an all-Leyland PD2 bought new in 1952. www.flickr.com/photos/30794964@N03

David Call

14/01/15 - 16:20

Neither vehicle seems to be in that good condition. The RT seems to have had its roof box removed in a very 'cobbled' way. Why did subsequent owners ever bother? The PD2 seems, from the roof creases and the window lines, to be suffering from terrible body sag, the only Farington I've ever seen with this problem.

Here's a photo of at least 10 Bedford OB/Duples neatly lined up for inspection!

Chris Hebbron

14/01/15 - 17:54

What a magnificent line of OBs Chris - they look as if a harsh NCO has just ordered them to smarten up or else. The OBs have been lifelong favourites of mine both as a driver and frequently as a passenger in their heyday.
The PD2 certainly does look to have been in the wars, but I just get the feeling, allowing for optical illusion, rather than body sag, that it may have been hit on the offside centre at 90 degrees and "pushed in" slightly - or even maybe overturned onto its offside ??

Chris Youhill

15/01/15 - 05:58

Chris Y- I was going to attempt a similar diagnosis: that Titan is bashed all over the place and although it may be an illusion, strangely out of plumb. My best diagnosis though is that it has tried to slowly get through a space too low for it, and the roof has been flattened, then crudely beaten out.Look at those distorted sliding vents on the top deck. Then yer honour, can I ask you to turn to the pic of the RT: the roof box has been oddly & crudely panelled over, but look to the dome to each side...did this bus too once try some limbo dancing, and has been patched up?

Joe

15/01/15 - 06:00

The company was based in the village of Cogenhoe (pronounced cuck-no) about 7 miles east of Northampton and became part of the Bowens Travel Group in 2008. The group went into administration in November 2012.
This local newspaper report briefly mentions Yorks in the demise of the group: www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/
There is a history of the company, with a picture of the garage and a few vehicle photographs, in a local heritage magazine which may be seen at: www.cogenhoeheritage.org.uk/Dec12%20Heritagenew.pdf

David Slater

15/01/15 - 06:00

I'm not sure I agree with your comments in respect of the PD2, gentlemen - I certainly can't see any damage, all I can see in the side of the vehicle are what, to me, look like reflections of other objects, indicating that the paintwork was, in fact, in very good condition. The light blue mudguards don't do anything for me, however, and I think the wheels/tyres/safety rail definitely needed some tidying.
As for the RT, I think the dome damage is probably down to contact with overhanging tree branches.

David Call

Comments regarding the above are more than welcome please get in touch via the 'Contact Page' or by email at obp-admin@nwframpton.com

Quick links to the - Best Bits - Comments - Contact - Home