500 BUS (PRX189B) Transit's Former Southdown Queen Mary.
27th December 2007

Cleveland Transit acquired this Bus in 1988 for private hire use. The 500 Group started taking it to rallies from November of that year, and from this begining we now have an excellent preservation society, specialising in former Teesside vehicles.
The Bus is no stranger to the North East, as it worked on hire to United Automobile Services at Scarbrough along with several of its sisters on the open top sea front services in the summers of 1978/9.
Stagecoach Transit sold the vehicle around 2001, to a preservation society in it's original operating area, however it has not been seen for a while.

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This view was taken in April 1988 at Stockton Depot, and shows 417DCD as it still was then, when it was first acquired. It is seen in the company of a pair of the famous re-bodied 1970 Atlanteans.
This view was taken in April 1988 at Stockton Depot, and shows 417DCD as it still was then, when it was first acquired. It is seen in the company of a pair of the famous re-bodied 1970 Atlanteans.
 During 1992, 500 Bus saw some use in the summer in service on the high frequency 58 Hardwick- Stockton route, here it is passing St Mary's Church at the North end of Stockton High St.
During 1992, 500 Bus saw some use in the summer in service on the high frequency 58 Hardwick- Stockton route, here it is passing St Mary's Church at the North end of Stockton High St.
 The bus was given this attractive Yellow and Green livery, and numbered 500, it is seen here in early 1989, at the now demolished former Middlesbrough Corporation Depot.
The bus was given this attractive Yellow and Green livery, and numbered 500, it is seen here in early 1989, at the now demolished former Middlesbrough Corporation Depot.
 417DCD was quickly put into store in the 'Flowers' extention at Stockton Depot. The building is so called because it originally belonged to the Haulage Company 'Flowers of York' whom Transit acquired it from in the early 70's. Alongside is FTE631B which at that time was owned by one of the drivers.
417DCD was quickly put into store in the 'Flowers' extention at Stockton Depot. The building is so called because it originally belonged to the Haulage Company 'Flowers of York' whom Transit acquired it from in the early 70's. Alongside is FTE631B which at that time was owned by one of the drivers.
500 is seen here next to the impressive Newport Bridge in 1989, this Bridge is one of two magnificent Bridges across the River Tees.
500 is seen here next to the impressive Newport Bridge in 1989, this Bridge is one of two magnificent Bridges across the River Tees.
 One of the first Rallies attended by this Bus was the 1990 Sandtoft Gathering, here it is seen after the almost traditional downpour!.
One of the first Rallies attended by this Bus was the 1990 Sandtoft Gathering, here it is seen after the almost traditional downpour!.
 This is 500 on it's first ever run out, in Oct 88, and is seen outside Stockton's wonderfull Town Hall.
This is 500 on it's first ever run out, in Oct 88, and is seen outside Stockton's wonderfull Town Hall.
 This view was taken at Stockton Depot on the same day as the other view in the Yard, all these Buses have Northern Counties bodies.
This view was taken at Stockton Depot on the same day as the other view in the Yard, all these Buses have Northern Counties bodies.
For a short time in the late 90's 500 Bus worked a special service in Hartlepool called the 'Hartlepool Shopper', this ran from the town to the Marina, and the bus was adorned with appropriate wording promoting this service. Here it is seen at Stockton Depot being prepared for the 500 Group's running day in 1998.
For a short time in the late 90's 500 Bus worked a special service in Hartlepool called the 'Hartlepool Shopper', this ran from the town to the Marina, and the bus was adorned with appropriate wording promoting this service. Here it is seen at Stockton Depot being prepared for the 500 Group's running day in 1998.
 500 is seen here next to the famous Transporter Bridge on the Middlesbrough side in 1988, this was when we took it on a short tour of the local Teesside landmarks.
500 is seen here next to the famous Transporter Bridge on the Middlesbrough side in 1988, this was when we took it on a short tour of the local Teesside landmarks.
 This view shows the Haverton Hill side of the River, the bus was not allowed to cross on the Bridge, as the Bridge's Trolley Cradle is subject to a weight restriction, we had to go round on the A19!
This view shows the Haverton Hill side of the River, the bus was not allowed to cross on the Bridge, as the Bridge's Trolley Cradle is subject to a weight restriction, we had to go round on the A19!
 The Bus is seen here undergoing refurbishment at Stockton Depot, it had much panel replacement on the upper deck.
The Bus is seen here undergoing refurbishment at Stockton Depot, it had much panel replacement on the upper deck.
Front Offside view of 500 undergoing it's refurbishment.
Front Offside view of 500 undergoing it's refurbishment.
 Rear nearside view of it's refurbishment.
Rear nearside view of it's refurbishment.
 500 on Stockton High Street in 1990. this was the start point of the Tyne Tees Run, and in my mind was the best location for the Rally's start as opposed to where it leaves now - the Teesside Park shopping complex.
500 on Stockton High Street in 1990. this was the start point of the Tyne Tees Run, and in my mind was the best location for the Rally's start as opposed to where it leaves now - the Teesside Park shopping complex.
 500 Bus at the Preston Park Rally in 1990, showing the early set up for the trade stand.
500 Bus at the Preston Park Rally in 1990, showing the early set up for the trade stand.
500 and L544 on the Tyne Tees Run. for a couple of years these two were regular preformers on this rally. then 99 was restored, and 500 was history!
500 and L544 on the Tyne Tees Run. for a couple of years these two were regular preformers on this rally. then 99 was restored, and 500 was history!
 500 Bus at Gypsy Green Stadium in 1990. which was the original terminus of the Tyne Tees Rally.
500 Bus at Gypsy Green Stadium in 1990. which was the original terminus of the Tyne Tees Rally.
 In 1990, one of our members created this nice little headboard in the Railway style, for 500's first rally appearence, this was at the Sandtoft Gathering in July.
In 1990, one of our members created this nice little headboard in the Railway style, for 500's first rally appearence, this was at the Sandtoft Gathering in July.
 This is one of the 500 Groups first trips to another operators depot. This is Byker Depot in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1988.
This is one of the 500 Groups first trips to another operators depot. This is Byker Depot in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1988.
500 bus, 189 under Stagecoach ownership, is seen at Stockton Depot lettered up for the Hartlepool Shopper service (it's last work). The bus is being made ready for the 500 Group's 1998 Running day.
500 bus, 189 under Stagecoach ownership, is seen at Stockton Depot lettered up for the Hartlepool Shopper service (it's last work). The bus is being made ready for the 500 Group's 1998 Running day.
© 1998-2009 Mr Chris Hall - All copyrights rest with the Author
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