Thames Valley Region Buses and Coaches in the 1960s and Early 1970s

The book "Buses and Coaches in Southern England 1950-1972" captures a fascinating period of operator and vehicle diversity in Southern England, leading up to the National Bus Company amalgamations in 1972. It showcases a range of operators, from City of Oxford to Thames Valley and independent Reliances, and includes images of buses and coaches at iconic events such as the CND Aldermaston Marches.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2023
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

In the years leading up to 1972, a remarkable array of operators and vehicles graced the streets, marking significant changes in the bus industry. The journey began in Oxford, where the City of Oxford's red, maroon, and duck-egg green buses set the scene. From Oxford, the River Thames was followed through Wallingford to Reading, where the Corporation operated trolleybuses until 1968. A diversion along the Thames tributary River Kennett showcased a mix of Thames Valley and independent Reliances vehicles around Newbury.

Returning to the Thames at Henley, wartime Bedford OWBs continued to ply their routes as late as 1966. The river then wound its way downstream, passing through Marlow and Maidenhead, reaching Windsor and the boundary of London Transports' monopoly area. Continuing past Staines and Walton-on-Thames, the book illustrates London Transports' final day of trolleybus operation around Kingston upon Thames in 1962.

However, the story took an unexpected turn with the appearance of independent bus operation at Richmond upon Thames. The book not only offers captivating images of both major and independent operators but also features unique photographs of buses and coaches transporting supporters to the iconic early 1960s CND Aldermaston Marches. Additionally, it showcases second-hand buses on construction sites at AERE Harwell and other locations, providing a glimpse into the diverse landscape of bus transportation during that era.

Weight: 310g
Dimension: 232 x 165 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398107748