A BUS that first went into service in Barnsley more than 80 years ago will soon take to the road again.
The Leyland Tiger, built in 1935, was operated by Yorkshire Traction for 22 years before passing through a number of owners and falling into disrepair.
It was salvaged by a group of enthusiasts and, after being returned to its original owners for a restoration, is almost back in roadworthy condition.
However, some more work is necessary to update the 84-year-old engine to allow the wheels to turn again.
The bus currently sits in South Yorkshire Transport Museum in Rotherham, under the ownership of Stagecoach, for display and occasional use by wedding parties.
After a request from the group, Stagecoach has agreed to take on the renovation of the vehicle at its central works in Chesterfield.
“We’d prefer to keep it here in Barnsley,” said Kevin Green, 65, a member of the Transport Museum. “That’s where it spent most of its working life. Quite a lot of older people will remember the old company and this type of bus. They’re probably not even aware it’s still here.
“Stagecoach have agreed to do the work which will mean it will be able to come back into use and people will be able to ride it again.”
Kevin said he had always had a ‘keen interest’ in the bus when he worked as a storeman at Yorkshire Traction’s central works on Sheffield Road during the time in which the Leyland Tiger was being restored, in 1978/79.
“This old bus was found in a field in Darton, and the next thing we know it turned up on the back of a tow truck,” Kevin said.
“The engineers did a very thorough job on it, using some real old school techniques in metal forming and wood working.
“It would be good for apprentices to look at in the future and learn techniques that can’t be trained on new buses.
“So it might appeal to the younger generation to show them how things have changed, and of course the older end will remember it well.”
The group hopes to display the bus in the town centre, and have contacted Barnsley Council with a view to parking it outside the town hall for special occasions.
It may also be used for heritage services from the Transport Museum to Elsecar, Wentworth and Conisbrough Castle but it will first be shipped to Stagecoach’s central works, where a complete mechanical overhaul will take place.
