The Midland Explorer

Around 30 members joined drivers John and Joe as they piloted New Enterprise 2921 to the West Midlands for the Club’s first tour of 2007.

First stop was Johnsons Travel at Henley-in-Arden, Staffordshire with a fleet largely comprised of Bova coaches. Some variety was found in a few Mercedes and DAF/Ikarus saloons plus an Optare Solo for Stratford Park and Ride services.

	One of the many Bova coaches at Johnsons depot (photo - David Burrin)
	One of Johnsons Solos liveried for the Stratford Park & Ride contract (photo - David Burrin)

Next stop was the BaMMOT Museum at Whythall with its large collection of Midland Red and other Midlands operator vehicles. Museum staff had put some thought into our visit with former M&D 5771, one of the ex-South Yorkshire VRs, parked outside (now in its original owner’s livery) and a rare chance to see CKO 988, the old Postley Works ex-PSV converted lorry, which is not on public display.

	Sheffield 271 (OWE 271K), an East Lans bodied Bristol VRT at Wythall (photo - David Burrin)


	Midland Red 5073 HA in Solihull having just carried tour participants from Wythall. Our main tour coach from New Enterprise is behind (photo - David Burrin)

Especially pleasing was the chance to be among the first to view the newly-completed third exhibition hall which is due to be officially opened soon. Some members took advantage of a local tour on the Museum’s ex-Crosville Bristol L and our visit concluded with a trip to Solihull aboard a Midland Red Class S15 saloon - chosen for the occasion because such a bus was demonstrated to M&D many years ago.

As the heavens opened and members took cover in the bus shelters, a selection of Travel West Midlands vehicles (including the occasional Metrobus) and buses of Zak’s, Claribels and Hardings were in evidence.

	One of the last surviving Metrobuses in the Travel West Midlands fleet 2900 (C900 FON) in a rather damp Solihull bus station (photo - David Burrin)

Next we were in Coventry at Pool Meadow bus station and while some members visited the excellent (and free) transport museum or strolled into the city centre, others observed the various buses of Travel Coventry, including Mercedes-Benz bendibuses, and vehicles of Arriva Fox County, Johnsons and De Courcey plus visiting National Express coaches. For many, the highlight was the steady procession of Metrobuses, now fast disappearing from the West Midlands scene.

Our final visit was to Mike De Courcey Travel with its large fleet of Metrobuses plus a number of ex-London Volvo Citybuses acquired from People’s Express. On the single deck front, the MAN Evolution was very much in evidence, including a number of unregistered examples.

	Some of Travel de Courcey's fleet of Metrobuses used for schools work headed by C762 OCN (photo - David Burrin)

As we boarded the coach home, all agreed that it had been another enjoyable day even if we had (most untypically) experienced some rather heavy rain showers.