Reluctant as I am to question the legitimacy of the claim that (Ezra) Laycock & Stephenson ran Yorkshire's first motor bus service in 1904, between Kildwick and Cowling, but I keep coming across references to the fact that the North Eastern Railway Company ran feeder services using Stirling petrol-engined buses from Beverley as early as 1903. Can anyone verify this please?
Paul Haywood
25/01/12 - 16:53
In "The First Bus in Yorkshire" (Turntable publications 1975), a history of Ezra Laycock, Philip Lingard questions the claim that Laycock was the operator of the first motor bus in Yorkshire. Perhaps an explanation comes in "North Eastern Railway Buses, Lorries and Autocars" (Nidd Valley Narrow Gauge Railways 1969) in which Ken Hoole details the entry into service of 3 Stirling buses on 31 August 1903 on a service from Beverly to North Frodingham, definitely predating Ezra Laycock's claim.
But with all such claims read the small print. Without proper licensing be clear on the definition of a bus service and for how long any such service ran, indeed there is always some dispute as to whether the railway companies were legally able to operate bus services.
But I would say NER won.
David Grimmett
26/01/12 - 10:56
I fear you're right, David. NER seem to have got the edge on Ezra. I bow to the knowledge of others as to whether the NER's Beverley services were classed as stage-carriage or private hire, but the fact remains that NER ran motorbuses first in Yorkshire. Perhaps Ezra's history book now needs to be re-titled "West Riding's First Motor Bus"?
Paul Haywood
26/01/12 - 17:09
Hi Paul and Dave Yes Ezra lost out I long questioned this but John Cummings-Railway bus services-confirms the NER as first in Yorkshire the NER would have been no 1 in the UK but owing to the Stirling bus Co failing to complete delivery on time ie 15 June 1903, thus letting the GWR into 1st place August.
Two of the NER buses arrived at Beverley by Train August 31st the third bus delivered by rail to York then presumable driven to Beverley from York but this is not confirmed. The vehicles had to be trialled for a week from Beverley garaged Mill Lane the service proper began Monday 7th September Beverley, Leven' Brandesburton, Nth Frodingham to Beeford terminus. The Bus Service was not the original idea but the failure to complete purchase of land etc under a light railway order (the NER bought out one LRO in haste but expenses caused them to abandon the project) Public outcry ensued so the NER cut losses and promised a bus service in lieu.
A big mistake as the winter set in and the buses could not cope on the lousy roads that broke up in frost timetabling shot and more embarrassment for NER. eventually the bus service was cut drastically back so that by 1921 there were just 3 buses a day.
The NER sold the bus service to Newington Motor & Elec Engineering Co 1923 and let NMEECo have the use of the station yard.
One point the Stirling-bus porter in Beeford took passengers luggage off the roof rack including a Petrol Can of bus fuel causing mirth and merriment among villagers probably the only time you got a laugh on Beverley-Beeford buses.
When the NER Beeford garage was abandoned it was taken over c1921 by a village bus service Beeford to Driffield and Beeford - Hull the service took 2 shillings in first week! happily it did prosper.
Ian Gibbs
27/01/12 - 06:21
Many thanks, Ian for your interesting and comprehensive reply. What a shame that NER was pipped at the post by GWR! Your information opens up more questions. Was the Light Railway Order's planned route merely to serve Leven, Brandesburton, North Frodingham and Beeford? Would the line have continued to Skipsea, Ulrome and then to Bridlington or circle round to join the Hornsea - Hull line? Sorry - this is off-topic (and subject) but fascinating nevertheless. Perhaps someone with East Yorkshire knowledge can tell us which EYMS service covered (still covers?) this pioneer route.
Paul Haywood
29/01/12 - 10:54
Hi There were two LROs to open up the country between Bridlington and Hornsea by connecting Beverley to North Frodingham, named the North Holderness Light Railway plus a connecting rail link North Frodingham to Carnaby south of Brid, the Bridlington & North Frodingham Light Rly both 1898.
as noted NER quickly bid to take over Beverley-N Frodingham but not the second part the NER Act got Royal Assent 1899-they were now locked into a liability to complete within 5 years but failed due to rising costs.See Ken Hoole booklet NER Buses Lorries Autocars 1969 Nidd Valley Narrow Gauge Publishers also Cummings Railway buses Vol 1.
My info comes from these.
Ian Gibbs
29/01/12 - 16:43
Hi Paul In a 1927 EYMS Timetable the route stages are Hull, Beverley, Leconfield, Beswick, Hutton Cranswick, Driffield, Nafferton, Burton Agnes, Carnaby, Brid, there were six full journeys weekdays two hourly intervals from 9.15am to 7.15pm Sats - Suns frequency Hourly from 9.15-7.15.
I think this route was standard for many year’s
Ian Gibbs
29/01/12 - 16:54
Glad this question has been more or less cleared up. I say more or less since I suspect many of us know of the claim for Ezra Laycock but has anyone actually seen it in writing and if so what is the claim? Operator of the first motor bus, first motor bus operator, operator of first route served by motor bus. It may be pedantic as all these three are very nearly the same but different. Anyone know the origin of the claim?
David Grimmett
30/01/12 - 16:03
You're right, David. If a so-called fact is repeated often enough it becomes self-perpetuating and taken as gospel. In deference to Philip Lingard, the author of "First Bus in Yorkshire" - he acknowledges that the claim has been challenged, but only mentions the reporting of similar machine crashing on Knaresborough Hill in 1902, and makes no reference to the NER Beverley services. Although Beverley is in Yorkshire, it is at least eighty (old road) miles distant from Cowling so perhaps the lack of any challenge to the claim was understandable at the time. Inevitably, the local press hailed the Ezra bus as the first - and of course we must always believe what the newspapers tell us!
Paul Haywood
Comments regarding the above are more than welcome please get in touch via the 'Contact Page' or by email at obp-admin@nwframpton.com
All rights to the design and layout of this website are reserved
Old Bus Photos from Saturday 25th April 2009 to Wednesday 3rd January 2024