40 Years of History

Yesterday’s Thamesdown Transport Fleetline Farewell was more than a celebration of 40 years of Swindon Daimler Fleetlines. For those remembering the Alexander-bodied Fleetlines (and Atlanteans) of Bournemouth Corporation Transport, the parade of the last two remaining FE30AGR Fleetlines, both ex-Bournemouth, was particularly memorable.

Bournemouth Corporation Transport

It was from 1969 till 1981 that all new Bournemouth double decks—Fleetlines and Atlanteans—came with Alexander bodywork. This gave Bournemouth a standard look and feel. Thamesdown as an enthusiast-led operation amassed a modest school bus Fleetline fleet of ex-Bournemouth Fleetlines to supplement its own. Thamesdown only began to withdraw the Bournemouth examples from last autumn. The last two, Bournemouth 163/4 (Thamesdown 263/4) had been in service till 8 February 2008 when contract changes meant they fell foul of age restrictions. Shame.


I doubt very much whether the current generation of scholars appreciated the history of the vehicle upon which they travelled daily.

The last two Fleetlines were pure ‘Bournemouth’, even down to their almost authentic yellow livery and blue relief. They looked just as elegant as they did when they graced the once genteel roads and avenues of Bournemouth. They even retained their four-way destination indicators.


Not surprisingly, the interiors were largely as they used to be (save for reupholstered seating), with typically few upper deck grab rails or handles. And there were subtle Yellow Buses signs still remaining, as well, such as those small ventilators at the very rear of the upper and lower saloon windows, peculiar to Bournemouth (unless you know different). The Marshall-bodied Olympians that followed the Fleetlines retained this interesting feature. The cab was, well, minimalist as ever. Even the mid-morning condensation brought back memories.


Thamesdown Transport

Swindon Corporation Transport's first native CRG6LX Fleetlines arrived in 1968. The G-reg examples were also Swindon’s first rear engined buses. Up to then, Swindon was still receiving half cab Daimler CVG6s with—it has to be said—not the finest looking bodywork, especially the Weymann Orions. The Northern Counties Fleetline bodies were a distinct improvement. And the post-1976 ECW versions, rare in England, though appearing slightly out of proportion as highbridges when compared to the similar bodywork on the Bristol VR, were even better looking.

Like at Bournemouth SCT, by then Thamesdown, stuck with Fleetlines till the bitter end, buying 54 in total, including those badged as Leyland, till Leyland finally killed off the model. Thereafter, Thamesdown would chose Dennis Dominators. Up till last autumn, there were as many elderly Fleetlines as younger Dominators on the fleet.


Open top duties meant Yellow Buses’ Fleetlines lasted well in Bournemouth. But not a well as the ex-Yellow Buses vehicles have done in Swindon, albeit on light duties. The last Thamesdown Fleetlines from front line frequent local bus work were withdrawn in 2001. The last Thamesdown Fleetlines ever are now gone.