A Bit Of Fresh Air: A Potted History Of The Open Top Bus. 

I can remember my Mum taking my two sisters and me on a open top trolleybus tour around bournemouth, when we lived there in the 1960's.

Hi i'm viatron from Sheffield again, I still remember one London open top bus operator were the 'Obsolete Fleet' who operated a very strange batch of second hand B.M.M.O. D9 half cab rear enclosed platform entrance double deck buses had since converted to open top. But surprising they were fitted with the B.M.M.O. KL 10.45 litre 6-cylinder diesel engines via a Hobs/Wilson 4-speed semi-automatic gearboxes with fluid flywheels, plus sounding like a standard A.E.C. Routemaster version subjecting to a similar sound effect from it when they'd operated back in the mid-70s & also all had their original B.M.M.O. radiator badges replaced with the large London Transport bullseye one to pretend they are really from L.T., but they weren't originally & they were from Midland Red & they are home made by them. The B.M.M.O. D9 were a very successful integral double deck bus via the very last ones were finished off by willowbrook. But I hope that you do a story on the B.M.M.O. D9 integral double deck bus in a future episode of Classic Bus Histories video series. Thank you for your co-operation on this very cold breezy subject on open top buses subject from David Viatron Esquire of crookes in Sheffield.

W.J Crosland's "The Sowing And The Harvest" states that it's a close run thing between that first Brighton & Hove operation and Crosville starting an open top service at Rhyl! Actually, my first memory of riding an open top was in your patch, our family holidaying in Broadstairs when I was three! Were they Regents or Guys that ran the East Kent open top route then? Later, I would encounter the Portsmouth PD2s on the 25 in 1975, with a trip on the Hayling Ferry seeing me get to ride an ex Brighton & Hove Lodekka on the 333. Many years later, my honeymoon was in Kewstoke, linked to Weston Super Mare by Badgerline route 100, then in the hands of open top VRs 8619 & 8622, which were on the same turns each day we were there. Happy memories of riding evening journeys on 8619 through Kewstoke Woods. Have been on many more throughout the Uk, but these are particularly memorable!

My first open topper was on route 109 Scarborough seafront service operated by United VR's in white overall livery with light blue and red relief.

I’m like you Jay stated on the Guy Arab 3 then the Guy Arab 4 followed by the PFN double fronted Regent and then Leyland Atlantean “Viking Glory” and Bristol VR(I think) “Pride of Thanet”. Doing the whole route from Pegwell Bay around the coast to Minnis Bay was an absolute joy on a hot summers day. Also enjoyed the open toppers on the Isle of Wight I can remember the old Bristol Lodekkas struggling up the hills. I also had the hairiest ride on an open top bus From Sandown to Shsnklin I don’t know if the drivers wife had gone into Labour but we were gaining along ducking as we clipped the trees what a hoot. A good open top ride if still operating used to be from Minehead onto Exmoor that used to have an old Bristol running. Don’t know if it still runs though

Fascinating video Jake! 👍

I drive the three Gemini 3 open tops in Edinburgh! In fact I was today! 😂❤

Crosville Bristol Lodekka's in North Wales in the Late 70's early 80's. Exactly like the one in the Film "Holiday on the Buses" Though these were painted white.

My Memories of the Open Toppers were East Kent's "0977" & the Atlanteans then a Little later the 3 ex Southdown Convertible VRTs that East Kent had gained UWVs (7613, 7616 & 7622) then Stagecoach Aced the 69

Few buses that had been involved in bridge bashes probably ending up as open top/tree loppers

We've had open top buses in the Lake District for many years. Wonderfully scenic views can be obtained from the top deck of the 78 service from Keswick to Rosthwaite and Seatoller, and the 508 Penrith to Patterdale service. However, the most popular is the 599 Bowness to Grasmere, via Windermere, which not only runs all year round, but is open top all year round. A few years ago a friend of mine went on holiday to Spain, and came back with a picture of an open top bus that he had ridden on whilst there. Not only was the vehicle one of those originally used on the 599 service, but the new owners had yet to paint it, so it was carrying tourists in Spain with a route map of the English Lake District on the outside.

Great video. At some point perhaps you can do one on the Southdown Queen Marys and any close relatives.

That looked to be a grim day for a trip up to the Old Battery ! Ive been riding on the the IoW ones for many years (including The Old Girl) but I think the first one was in Scarborough, but I've no idea now of what it was.

Hi Jake, can I go for an obtuse, totally green one! Bournemouth open-top trolleybus in Cardiff on tour in Autumn 1969. Still exists in preservation.

The Needles Breezer gets ever closer to the edge at High Down. I always sit nearside on the way up just in case the road disappears...

Southport used ex army trucks as beach buses

😎❤️👍

Plesse do a video on MCW birminghams metrobuses