Crosville Diverted 35: The Leyland Tigers 1949-1964

Crosville Motor Company and Leyland Tiger buses operated in post-WWII period, facing difficulties in re-establishing services due to limited supply of new vehicles and general maintenance. Government intervention redirected 35 Leyland Tiger PS1/1 vehicles to assist with the shortage, but they became non-standard in the fleet due to nationalisation. The book appeals to anyone interested in vintage motor vehicles and UK transport history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 104 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2022
Publisher: The Cloister House Press

Crosville is a captivating tale that chronicles the journey of the Crosville Motor Company and the Leyland Tiger buses they operated during the post-World War II period. Like many other operators across the nation, Crosville Motor Services, based in Chester, faced significant challenges in re-establishing both stage carriage and private hire bus and coach services in the early years following the war. The need to support a weakened economy by exporting goods meant that the supply of new vehicles was limited, while existing fleets had suffered due to a lack of spares, skilled personnel to fit them, and general maintenance. At the same time, the general public needed to see not only local but also long-distance travel re-established. This was particularly important to Crosville, who had built up a network of services in the Merseyside and North Wales areas, with a specific need to provide transport along the North Wales coast. To fulfill this need, Crosville took delivery in 1949/50 of 35 single-deck buses, classified as dual-purpose (bus/coach) vehicles. These 35 Leyland Tiger PS1/1 vehicles, originally ordered by Midland General, were redirected to Crosville to assist with their vehicle shortage. They were Leyland's first post-war design, but due to nationalization that occurred at the time of their delivery, they would eventually become non-standard in the Crosville fleet. Crosville showcases how political decisions enforced changes to the organization of public transport and vehicle design, making it a fascinating read for anyone interested in vintage motoring.

Weight: 586g
Dimension: 226 x 288 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913460488