Latest News from the Museum
November 2024
It’s 200 years since horse bus operation began in the Manchester area and every month we are marking this anniversary by highlighting a different vehicle from our collection of buses which spans almost 100 years.
UVL 873M is an Alexander-bodied Bristol RELL 6L and delivered to Lincoln Corporation Transport in 1973, as fleet number 73.
It worked in the city for 9 years before being withdrawn and then heading south for further service in Essex.
Then followed a long period off the road, used mainly as a store by Craig Tilsley Engineers in Staffordshire before being kindly donated to the LVVS in 2001.
It was to be several years before any work could begin, but in a joint venture with the Lincolnshire Cooperative Society (celebrating their 150th birthday at the time), number 73 was superbly restored to full working order in 2011 and wears a special livery to mark the occasion.
Leyland Olympian KTL 45Y is one of several buses receiving some attention through the Autumn and Winter months.
Repairs to the exhaust and mountings are taking place and our volunteers are with dealing with some corrosion around the battery box area.
After running a little too hot recently, Lincoln Corporation 64 (BFE 419) is undergoing investigation work to cure this. The radiator has been removed and tubes cleaned, although all seems to be in order so far.
Lincoln Corporation ’23’, DFE 383 has developed a wheel wobble which has been diagnosed as an issue with the steering box. This has been removed ready for overhaul.
Privately owned Leyland Panther EVL 549E is undergoing a full brake service.
October 2024
Sunday 27th October was the date for our final Special Open Day of the year. Blessed with a dry, sunny day, visitors enjoyed free rides on visiting Routemaster (RML 2364), Bristol K (KNV 337) and several vehicles from the LVVS collection.
A big thanks to all our supporters including Red Recruitment, Pioneer Way, Morrisons of Lincoln for their help with our catering, the owners of visiting vehicles and to all our visitors! Your generous donations and support help to maintain and improve the museum and its collection and are much appreciated.
It’s 200 years since horse bus operation began in the Manchester area and every month we are marking this anniversary by highlighting a different vehicle from our collection of buses which spans almost 100 years.
This time, it’s our 1940 Bristol L5G, FHN 833.
This vehicle was new to United Automobile Services of Darlington and remained with the company until 1956.
During this time, it received a ‘body swap’ from another of the same batch!
Before final withdrawal in 1963, the bus spent time in Lincolnshire, used on contract work by Greyhound of Sheffield to carry workmen who were building power stations on the River Trent.
After then passing to the LVVS, work slowly began on an ambitious restoration project. Our volunteers have devoted a huge amount of time over the years and are deservedly very proud of the result.
FHN 833 now wears its early 1950s livery and is a popular bus at our special open days.
September 2024
It’s 200 years since horse bus operation began in the Manchester area and every month, to mark this anniversary, we’re highlighting a different vehicle from our collection of buses which spans almost 100 years.
This month, it’s our 1951 AEC Regent, new to Doncaster Corporation as fleet number 122
With 8ft wide Charles H Roe bodywork, this bus also has some unusual features which include staggered seats and a platform step arrangement.
It was sold on just 4 years later to local independent operator, Blue Ensign and finished its working life as a driver training vehicle in Nottingham.
In 1980, the bus was acquired by well known preservationist Tony Peart, who completed an immaculate restoration.
Upon his passing in 2006, 122 became part of the LVVS collection and is a regular performer at our Special Open Days.
Normally our paint brushes are reserved for vehicle painting, but one of our board members has been using them to freshen up the front of our museum with some great artwork on the main roller door. Hopefully this will improve our presence in the neighbourhood. Work is still in progress but we hope you agree it looks fantastic so far. Also pictured below is a flashback to when the building was still being constructed!
August 2024
We were delighted to see so many people enjoying our August Bank Holiday Car Running Day. Several historic cars from our collection gave visitors free rides throughout the day. When else do you get the chance to ride in an 1934 Austin 16 or a beautiful SS Jaguar?
It was great to see a variety of visiting vehicles too including a most unusual Citroen Kegresse (pictured below).
A big thanks to all our visitors, supporters and volunteers!
“Never too old for an adventure” – that’s certainly the case for our Leyland Titan TD1! Just a few years away from its 100th birthday, WH 1553 recently spent a couple of weekends away in London. Expertly transported there by our friends at SG Haulage, Saxilby, the bus was used for filming around the Pall Mall and Mortlake areas of London and will hit the big screen next year. We can’t say too much about it at the moment, but will update when we can!
Suitably disguised in a fictitious London Operator’s livery, the TD1 played its part perfectly, thanks to LVVS member David Howe who has meticulously maintained this bus through his many years with the society.
Our Austin 10 car is heading off soon for filming. Check back soon for further news.
To mark 200 years since horse bus operation began in the Manchester area, each month we’re highlighting a different vehicle from our collection of buses which spans almost 100 years.
Leyland Olympian B503 FFW was delivered to Lincolnshire Roadcar’s Scunthorpe depot in June 1985, the last double decker to be bought under NBC ownership.
It was fitted with a high ratio back axle for limited stop services across the Humber Bridge.
In 2003, the bus was repainted to mark the 75th anniversary of the RoadCar and became part of the Stagecoach fleet following their acquisition of the company in 2005.
After withdrawal in 2008, B503 FFW saw further service with Johnson Brothers of Hodthorpe before entering preservation with the LVVS in 2014.
July 2024
The annual celebration of 1940s Britain came to uphill Lincoln on 20th/21st July and the LVVS were proud to be part of this fantastic event. 
It’s 200 years since horse bus operation began in the Manchester area and every month, to mark this anniversary, we’re highlighting a different vehicle from our collection of buses which spans almost 100 years.
This time, it’s a 1946 Roe-bodied Leyland Titan PD1. This was Leyland’s post World War Two double decker and fitted with a 7.4 litres engine which was developed from a military unit.
Although this particular bus was operated by Yorkshire Traction, Lincoln Corporation had a batch of similar vehicles.
After withdrawal in 1961, this bus was used by the British Racing and Sports Car Club.
Eventually rescued for preservation, AHE 163 was in a pretty poor state, but much restoration work has been carried out over the years and was completed in 2021.
Although privately owned, this bus is on display with the rest of the LVVS collection at the museum.
June 2024
Sunday 30th June saw the 2nd of our Special Open Days this year. Once again, it was free entry to the museum and visitors were able to hop on several vintage buses giving free rides around the local area, including visiting Bristol Lodekka OVL 473. Inside the museum, our latest projects on display, stalls and some delicious refreshments, kindly sponsored by Morrisons of Lincoln.
A big thanks to all our visitors and for your generous donations. 
Something new at the museum to brighten up Summer Saturday afternoons, it’s our Simple Saturday! Every 2nd Saturday of the month from 1pm – 4pm, there’s free entry to the museum and enjoy a free ride in one of our classic cars!
Our next Simple Saturday event is on 13th July. Thanks to everyone who came down and supported our first one and we looking forward to seeing you soon. 
To mark 200 years since horse bus operation began in the Manchester area, each month we’re highlighting a different vehicle from our collection of buses which spans almost 100 years.
KTL 45Y is one of four long wheelbase Leyland Olympians delivered to Lincoln City Transport in 1982.
The bus would wear 4 different liveries during its working career and three fleet numbers, initally No.45, then 645, following its acquisition by Lincolnshire RoadCar in 1993 and finishing as Stagecoach 14695.
This Olympian was the only former Lincoln City Transport vehicle to pass to Stagecoach East Midlands and continued to work until withdrawal from the Grimsby depot in October 2006.
After initially entering preservation with Sam Duckering of Lincoln, who restored the bus to original livery, No. 45 joined the LVVS collection in 2011 and is the star of this month’s “Bus and Coach Preservation” magazine.
May 2024
Sunday 26th May saw our popular annual classic car rally take place in the picturesque setting of Lincoln Castle. A mixed day of weather but an enthusiastic turn out and a real variety of vehicles proved popular with the many visitors who came along. We hope you enjoyed the day!
To mark 200 years since horse bus operation began in the Manchester area, each month we’re highlighting a different vehicle from our collection of buses which spans almost 100 years.
Leyland Lion KW 474 is the oldest bus in our collection just 3 years shy of its 100th birthday! Back in the day, the LSC Lion was very successful for Leyland Motors being reliable and giving a lively performance. This example started life with Blythe and Berwick of Bradford, later moving on to the West Yorkshire Road Car Company and then to Jersey Motor Transport.
It joined the LVVS collection in 1959 and has been restored in the livery of Lincoln Corporation fleet number 1, VL300, an identical vehicle.
April 2024
Sunday 7th April saw the first of our 2024 Special Open Days and what a great day! Once again, this was a free event and visitors had the chance to ride on a variety of buses from the museum and several visiting vehicles. These included RML 2364, a rare open top Bristol RE and a 1930s Leyland Lion.
Recent addition to the LVVS collection, Bristol L5G (FFW 830) also made its debut under new ownership.
Morrisons of Lincoln sponsored our catering for this event, the sandwiches and cakes going down a treat!
Thank you to all our visitors, supporters and volunteers for making the day a success and we’re already looking forward to the next one!
Our good friends at the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester have a series of events this year to celebrate 200 years since the first bus service ran in the UK. It was a horse bus service between Pendleton and Manchester!
As part of their celebrations, it was arranged for our Leyland Lion (TF 818), former Lancashire United 202 to make a trip across the Pennines and spend a few months living in Manchester.
It seems 202 was a little reluctant at first with a last minute tyre drama, but this was quickly resolved thanks to Dexel Tyres. And on the 16th April, the Lion took a piggy back from SG Haulage and left Lincolnshire behind for now, returning in the Summer.
If you’d like to find out more about the events it’s part of, click here.
Sunday 21st April was National ‘Drive It’ Day, when owners of classic cars are encouraged to get them out on the road where they belong and enjoy them! As part of this, the LVVS hosted an early morning ‘Cars and Coffee’ gathering at the museum. Thank you to everyone who came along and supported this event and the rain held off this year! We look forward to the next one. 
March 2024
To mark 200 years since horse bus operation began in the Manchester area, each month we’re highlighting a different vehicle from our collection of buses which spans almost 100 years.
This time, it’s the turn of our 1955 Bristol Lodekka.
The Bristol Lodekka was the first production double decker to be built to low height specification but with a normal centre gangway in the upper deck in place of the previous offset gangway design.
This was made possible by a dropped rear axle and offset transmission line, a design that became very popular.
Over 5000 Lodekkas were built and our example was new to Lincolnshire Road Car in 1955 (fleet no 2318) operating mainly from the Skegness and Boston depots. After withdrawal from service in 1973, it was acquired by LVVS founder member, Vincent LeTall.
This bus will be giving free rides around the local area on Saturday 16th March as part of Visit Lincolnshire Weekend. 
Discover Lincolnshire Weekend took place on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th March.
Attractions and businesses from across the county opened their doors to visitors and residents with special offers, discounts and deals.
The Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum was proud to be part of this celebratory weekend by opening an extra day on Saturday and offering free entry and free rides in our 1934 Austin 16 car and on our 1955 Bristol Lodekka bus.
A big thanks to all our visitors and volunteers!
February 2024
To mark 200 years since horse bus operation began in the Manchester area, each month we’re highlighting a different vehicle from our collection of buses which spans almost 100 years.
The 2nd part of our series focuses on a type of vehicle once a common sight all over the country, the Bristol VRT.
In the late 1960s, this type of bus was Bristol’s entry into the rear engined bus market and remained in production until 1981.
The most popular specification was those bodied by ECW of Lowestoft similar to our example in the museum, PFE 542V.
This bus joined our collection from the Road Car in 2001 having being the last VR and indeed the last Bristol in the Road Car fleet.
It arrived wearing a striking yellow and red school bus livery and is now in National Bus Company colours.
A couple of the smaller vehicles in our collection are receiving some attention.
OTL 245P
Our 1975 Honda 50 Stepthru Moped has being given a thorough clean and some work carried out on the carburettor.
HVL 4G
This 1969 Raleigh Wisp Moped has been shown a lot of attention recently, including a brake service, repairs to the number plate/rear light bracket, fuel tank drained and cleaned and all panels removed and cleaned.
January 2024
Austin 10 Saloon (CVL 212)
Repairs to the engine block are complete and reassembly of the car is underway. Much attention has also been paid to the wiring with a new harness and complete rewire of the dashboard being carried out.
BMMO SOS DON (RC 2721)
Exterior painting is on hold until warmer weather returns but work on the interior is progressing well. A newly fabricated entrance door has been test fitted.
Underneath, red oxide primer is being applied to the chassis.
Chevrolet LQ (TE 8318)
Work has been progressing well and the end of this restoration is in sight, although still plenty to do! Dare we say, it should be back on the road this year?
200 years ago, horse bus operation began in the Manchester area.
Although we do not have any horse buses at the Lincolnshire Transport Museum, we do have a collection of milestones in the history of buses dating back almost 100 years.
Each month this year, we’ll focus on one of those vehicle milestones in the LVVS collection and for January, it’s our 1930 Leyland Lion (TF 818) – Lancashire United 202.
Leyland Motors grew from the Lancashire Steam Motor Co Ltd which had its origins in 1896.
Activity in WW1 saw thousands of lorries being produced but a slump in trade followed and by 1922 Leyland declared a loss of nearly £1 million – a huge sum in those days.
A strong demand for buses however, enabled Leyland to be in profit by the mid-twenties, this situation being substantially helped by the recently introduced ‘Lion’ model, a number of which were soon seen on Lincoln’s streets.
This particular bus (TF 818) was of the second generation Lion series introduced in the late 20s and was one of the first vehicles preserved by the museum here in 1959.
Coincidentally it ran in the area of Manchester where public horse drawn buses started services 200 years ago. 
December 2023
Just six years off its 100th birthday, the oldest Plaxton bus body in existence was showing signs of ageing around the step entrance. Repairs are underway to remove and replace rotten wood to restore its integrity.
November 2023
Great news from the LVVS ‘Team Capri’ – the restoration of the Society’s 1969 Ford Capri is complete! This has been a challenging project, certainly testing the welding and fabrication skills of some of our volunteers and all completed on a very limited budget. The team hopes to put the Capri through a voluntary MOT in the New Year and see it out and about at our car events in 2024. 
October 2023
**The directors of the LVVS are delighted to announce that this appeal has reached its target!
Former Lincolnshire Roadcar Fleet No. 2020 (FFW 830) is now in the ownership of the Society.
A huge thank you to everyone (both members and non members of the Society) for financially supporting this project**
A unique opportunity has arisen for the LVVS to acquire a fully restored ex Lincolnshire Bristol L type single-deck bus.
FFW 830 (Fleet Number 2020) entered service in 1950 and served the county’s residents at Louth and Goole during its 14 year working life with LRCC.
Originally secured for preservation by the Society’s founder member, Vincent LeTall, 2020 was acquired by its present owner in 2017, having worked for many years as a vintage tour bus in Wensleydale. Since then, all mechanical and bodywork repairs identified on acquisition have been completed and the bus has received a full external repaint.
The current owner is now looking to dispose of the bus and has offered it to the LVVS at a discounted price of £20,000 so it can continue in preservation in its native county. The Board is keen to acquire this bus for the museum collection and for use at future local heritage events.
That said, the Board is also very conscious of the need to conserve available Society funds to ensure our continued wellbeing in these financially difficult and uncertain times. The Board would therefore like to invite Society members and other interested parties to make donations towards the purchase price. Recently, an appeal similar to this successfully secured a rare 1928 Karrier for the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester.
Please could I ask for expressions of interest to be made to me by 25th October at the latest please, as a deal needs to be in place by the end of October if this vehicle is to be secured for the museum.
Finally, I would add that it is hoped to have the bus on display at the Society’s next Open Day on 22nd October.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Steve Milner
Society Chairman
Phone 07984 872994
Email spm2115@hotmail.co.uk
22nd October saw the last of our special event days for this season. With a Lincolnshire meets United theme, visitors enjoyed free bus rides around the local area and we were delighted to be able to welcome a limited number of visiting vehicles.
The weather was good to us, the homemade cakes were particularly popular and we’re now busy planning next year’s events! 
Thanks to the great work of one of our volunteers, Lee Floyd, the LVVS has been announced as a winner of a National Transport Trust Restoration Award for the ongoing restoration of our 1935 Midland Red SOS DON bus.
Read more [here]
September 2023
Bristol VRT (PFE 542V)
After several years of inactivity, our VR (Fleet No 1958) is undergoing pre voluntary MOT preparations and hopefully will be available to give free rides at our “Special Open Day” on October 22nd. 
August 2023
August Bank Holiday saw our annual Car Running Day take place at the museum. Thankfully, the sun was shining and visitors enjoyed browsing the visiting classics and riding in the vintage cars giving free rides around the local area. Thanks to all our visitors, volunteers, supporters and local businesses for helping to make this a great event! 
After 22 years service, latterly with Kimes Coaches of Folkingham, Daimler Fleetline CKC308L was repurposed as a large storage area for the LVVS. Running gear removed, the shell of the Fleetline arrived at the Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum in 1995.
Here it remained until 2006 when a deal was struck with a preservationist (a member of the Merseyside Transport Trust) and the vehicle was towed back to its original operating area. After a further period of storage, work began in March last year to get this former Merseyside PTE bus running again.
Thanks to the considerable efforts of a Fleetline maestro, Matt Davies, 3008 now moves again under its own power for the first time in nearly 30 years!
There is still a long way to go with the bodywork and chassis but a big hurdle has been leaped. We look forward to seeing further progress.
Ford Capri
Team Capri is now in rebuilding mode with the engine back in, brakes plumbed in and most of the wiring reconnected and gearbox cables fitted.
The exhaust has been challenging as it’s proved impossible to buy a new exhaust to exactly the same match as the old one! So once again, the modification skills of our volunteers have been put to the test! Sadly the steel wheels are in poor condition, so the hunt is on for a new set of period wheels suitable for a Mk1 Capri. If you can help with this, please contact the museum.
Leyland Titan TD1 (WH 1553)
Even the strongest of our drivers found the steering very heavy on this bus, so some remedial work has been carried out which, thankfully, has made a big improvement. At the same time, a full brake check was carried out and adjusted where necessary. We hope to get a voluntary MOT on this bus soon.
The Pit !
One of the much less glamourous jobs around the museum site is maintenance of the pit, an essential area for the maintenance of our larger vehicles. Unfortunately, a troublesome pump led to the pit constantly filling up with water ! Thanks to the efforts of several volunteers, this problem is now fixed and we’re sure it’s as job they won’t be wishing to do again!
August Bank Holiday Preparations
Thanks to great service from Welton Motor Engineers Ltd, four of our museum cars have all passed a voluntary MOT and will giving free rides for our August Bank Holiday Monday car running day. Click here for more details.
July 2023
Some of our members took along several vehicles from the collection to the 1940s weekend held in uphill Lincoln on 22nd & 23rd July. The great British Summertime weather ensured most visitors got a good soaking but the LVVS was proud to be part of this excellent event.
July 2nd saw the second of our Special Open Days. Once again, several hundred visitors enjoyed free entry to the museum and historic bus rides!
Vehicles operating this time were (1411) – Leyland Tiger, (2318) – Bristol Lodekka, (DD2) – Daimler CVD6, (23) – Guy Arab III plus guest vehicle (PDJ 269L) – AEC Swift.
It was great to welcome the immaculate DD7 to the museum, reuniting two former Gash & Sons of Newark vehicles.
Our recently repainted Bristol VRT (36) also proved to be very popular with ‘junior trainee bus drivers’ who were eager to jump in the cab!
Thank you to all our visitors, supporters and volunteers for another very enjoyable day. 
June 2023
The 138th Lincolnshire Show took place on the 22nd and 23rd June and several vehicles from the collection were taken along to put on display.
The Show attracts over 60,000 visitors and this was a great opportunity to showcase the work of the LVVS and increase awareness of the Museum and our events.
The Society first visited the Lincolnshire Show in the 1960s and the last visit was many years ago, so it was great to be back and we hope to return in 2024. 
Thanks to the continued efforts of our volunteers, great progress has made with a number of workshop projects. These include:
1969 Ford Capri – (MVE 397H)
Significant welding repairs to the bodywork have been completed, primer applied where required and a thorough clean up of the reusable areas of interior carpet.
1962 Triumph Tiger – (301 BUH)
This fabulous looking machine was recently donated to the museum by a retired paramedic who has obviously cherished and looked after this bike well. Following the previous owner’s instructions, our team gave the bike a good look over and had it running well. 
Some attention has also been given to two other motorbikes from our collection.
(DVL 992) – which hadn’t been started for many years. After some tinkering and general servicing, this bike is now running nicely.
(610 BRM) – this one is being a little more reluctant to work but team Velocette Viper is applying the usual process of elimination and won’t be defeated!
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1954 Bedford CA Van – (HTL 913)
This little van is our workhorse and is used regularly for transporting larger items. A full brake service has been completed along with sorting a minor coolant leak.
1980 Bristol VRT – (NFW 36V)
A purely cosmetic transformation for this bus (or rather, half of it!) has been completed proving that appearances can be deceptive! After a little more work in the cab area, our younger visitors will be welcome to jump in the cab seat and ‘play bus driving’
1935 BMMO SOS DON – (RC 2721)
This bus has been in the care of the society since 1962 and we can’t wait to get it back on the road. Much work has already been completed including the recent fitting of all seats and missing glass in the cab area, but still plenty to do!
1929 Chevrolet LQ Coach – (TE 8318)
With many hours of paint preparation complete, more coats of gloss will be added to this little coach over the summer.
If you’d like to help with projects like these, volunteers are always very welcome!
May 2023
Set in the beautiful grounds of Lincoln Castle, this event has, once again, proved to be incredibly popular. Around 200 classic cars were on display, the weather was good to us and Lincoln Castle recorded around 16,000 visitors that day! A huge thanks to everybody involved in making the day so enjoyable. 
Leyland Olympian ’45’ is now back on display at the museum. A brief inspection has discovered a few jobs that will need tackling before a full service and voluntary MOT. We’d like to be able to use this bus at a future ‘Special Open Day.’
April 2023
For National Drive It Day on April 23rd, we held a new event at the museum. ‘Cars and Coffee’ invited classic car owners to bring along their pride and joy for an early morning gathering! A chance to admire each other’s cars, chat with like minded people and have a free look around the museum. A huge thanks to everyone who braved the very wet weather and came along. We really appreciate your support and hope you enjoyed it.
April 2nd saw the first of our Special Open Days this year. This was a free event and several hundred visitors enjoyed exploring the museum and experiencing a ride on a classic bus.
Vehicles operating were the (122) -Doncaster Regent, (129)-Northampton Daimler, (202)-Lancashire United Leyland Lion and guest vehicle (RML 2364) – London Transport Routemaster.
A very enjoyable day and a big thanks to all our visitors, supporters and volunteers for making the day a success.
Here’s a photo from the day and also a flashback to 1969 when the LVVS held its first event. Whisby Road traffic was a little less busy back then! 
March 2023
Preparations are underway for the first of our Special Open Days (Sunday April 2nd). We hope to be running this ex Doncaster Corporation Regent III, which means completing some wing repairs! Corrosion had set in around the mountings, which required cutting back and some expert welding by Geoff at T R Weston and Son of Lincoln. Once refitted and secure, some filler to smooth the surface and repainting can begin.
This little 1929 coach has undergone many hours of preparation ready for a repaint, which began last year but the colder weather stopped play. Now Spring has arrived (and hopefully warmer weather!), painting can be resumed along with further work on the interior. 
February 2023
After a great deal of mechanical attention, the back of the AEC Monarch has been cleaned up and painted. This area will be used as an elevated display for our 1970s electric car! 
Through the winter, work has continued on the interior of the ‘SOS’. This includes refitting of windows in the cab area and now that the new flooring is down in the main saloon, the seats will gradually be fitted (and don’t they look great?!)
January 2023
The LVVS Team Capri has been focussed on the driver’s side inner wing, footwell and sill end cap over the last few weeks. The work has involved some tricky fabrication, alignment and MIG welding. The current job is fitting the front valance. This panel was ordered from Germany and a disclaimer advised it may need some modification to fit – which turns out to be quite an understatement! Work is underway to cut, significantly reshape and reweld the new panel. 
To return this East Lancs bodied VRT to roadworthy condition would cost a great deal of money, not to mention many thousands of volunteer hours, both of which we can’t provide at the moment. But never say never! In the meantime, work has started to cosmetically spruce up the exterior and also provide a safe and accessible place for our younger visitors to jump into the driver’s seat and play ‘bus driving’. 
