Cleveland Transit Service Vehicles.
19th January 2008

This selection shows some of the interesting service vehicle fleet operated by Cleveland Transit. Most of these by their nature were very elusive, only appearing outside the depot fleetingly. the only one I saw (and photographed) with any regularity was the Master Breakdown Tender, G16 the Leyland Clydesdale, so there are more pictures of that than the others! In this collection also, you will find examples of the infrastructure, such as Bus Stops and other oddments.

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This was the first picture that I managed to get of G16, I was on my way to a friends and it passed me, so I followed it, and photographed it along with its callout - Fleetline L560. This was in Nov 1987.
This was the first picture that I managed to get of G16, I was on my way to a friends and it passed me, so I followed it, and photographed it along with its callout - Fleetline L560. This was in Nov 1987.
 Rear view of G16 at Stockton Depot in Nov 87.
Rear view of G16 at Stockton Depot in Nov 87.
 This is the oldest view iv'e seen so far of this vehicle- Saltburn Depot c1981, it is seen here with a broken down ex TRTB Leyland Leopard, with a Bedford in the background.
This is the oldest view iv'e seen so far of this vehicle- Saltburn Depot c1981, it is seen here with a broken down ex TRTB Leyland Leopard, with a Bedford in the background.
 Coming back from Scarbrough in 1989, I came across this lot on the A171 Whitby road. After a severe multi manouvre turnaround, I parked up and took some photos. H144 the one with the engine cover up, had broken down, and G16 had just turned up to attend. They got it going again, and all three (and G16) continued to Scarbrough.
Coming back from Scarbrough in 1989, I came across this lot on the A171 Whitby road. After a severe multi manouvre turnaround, I parked up and took some photos. H144 the one with the engine cover up, had broken down, and G16 had just turned up to attend. They got it going again, and all three (and G16) continued to Scarbrough.
The Sherpa Crewbuses were replaced by three Carlyle bodied Transits in the early 90's. Two came from West Yorkshire, the other from East Yorkshire. two of them are shown outside the Inspectors office in 1992.
The Sherpa Crewbuses were replaced by three Carlyle bodied Transits in the early 90's. Two came from West Yorkshire, the other from East Yorkshire. two of them are shown outside the Inspectors office in 1992.
 This was specially built for an open day in 1985, and was designed by the late Johnny Walker, the 500 Group's founder member. On this side, the design shows Bus services in Cleveland which could be illuminated, whilst on the other side was a stylised Bus and Coach upon which you could change the destination screens.I remember seeing this at the 1985 Hartlepool show, and not taking a picture of it!!!
This was specially built for an open day in 1985, and was designed by the late Johnny Walker, the 500 Group's founder member. On this side, the design shows Bus services in Cleveland which could be illuminated, whilst on the other side was a stylised Bus and Coach upon which you could change the destination screens.I remember seeing this at the 1985 Hartlepool show, and not taking a picture of it!!!
 Leyland Sherpa crewbus BEF547Y seen at speed in Stockton High Street in 1983.
Leyland Sherpa crewbus BEF547Y seen at speed in Stockton High Street in 1983.
 This Landrover was acquired with the takeover of Saltburn Motors in 1974. It was their towing vehicle, and was originally red and cream. it is seen here in 1975 displaying its green livery, and carrying the first version of the transit logo.
This Landrover was acquired with the takeover of Saltburn Motors in 1974. It was their towing vehicle, and was originally red and cream. it is seen here in 1975 displaying its green livery, and carrying the first version of the transit logo.
The Landrover survived upto 1987, it is seen here at the back of Stockton Depot out of use a year later, it is believed to have been sold to someone in the Saltburn area, but Iv'e never found it.
The Landrover survived upto 1987, it is seen here at the back of Stockton Depot out of use a year later, it is believed to have been sold to someone in the Saltburn area, but Iv'e never found it.
BDC179T a 1979 Bedford CF was the fitters van.It is seen here parked up near the fence on the eastern side of the depot.
BDC179T a 1979 Bedford CF was the fitters van.It is seen here parked up near the fence on the eastern side of the depot.
 The second of the two Sherpa vans in the later white livery, is seen out of use at Stockton Depot c1990.
The second of the two Sherpa vans in the later white livery, is seen out of use at Stockton Depot c1990.
 Probably the most obscure of the service vehicles was this 'Clark' Forklift truck which I photographed in 1988. Iv'e only ever known of two pictures, and Iv'e got both of them! This vehicle has been around for many years, as there are traces of TMT Turquoise paint visible through the Green, suggesting an early 70's origin. It's main job was to lift engines out of Buses, however, it's long gone now, and the new one isn't half as interesting.It was probably the only Cleveland Transit vehicle not to have a Fleetnumber.
Probably the most obscure of the service vehicles was this 'Clark' Forklift truck which I photographed in 1988. Iv'e only ever known of two pictures, and Iv'e got both of them! This vehicle has been around for many years, as there are traces of TMT Turquoise paint visible through the Green, suggesting an early 70's origin. It's main job was to lift engines out of Buses, however, it's long gone now, and the new one isn't half as interesting.It was probably the only Cleveland Transit vehicle not to have a Fleetnumber.
In 1991 the Master breakdown Tender G16, by now registered Q923DAJ, was refurbished into the new livery for larger non PSV's. This livery instantly earned it the nickname 'The Canary'
In 1991 the Master breakdown Tender G16, by now registered Q923DAJ, was refurbished into the new livery for larger non PSV's. This livery instantly earned it the nickname 'The Canary'
 This caravan was used to promote ticket sales, it was usualy hauled by the Bedford CF van, BDC179T.
This caravan was used to promote ticket sales, it was usualy hauled by the Bedford CF van, BDC179T.
 This was a replacement for the Blue van seen elsewhere on this page. By 1990, white had become an established colour for smaller service vehicles and crew buses.
This was a replacement for the Blue van seen elsewhere on this page. By 1990, white had become an established colour for smaller service vehicles and crew buses.
 A Ford Escort van was used for a while between 1986 and 89, I never found out weather it was on hire or purchased. Blue was not a colour for service vehicles with Transit, so it might well have been hired.
A Ford Escort van was used for a while between 1986 and 89, I never found out weather it was on hire or purchased. Blue was not a colour for service vehicles with Transit, so it might well have been hired.
The Leyland Terrier GPL is seen at Stockton Depot in 1989.
The Leyland Terrier GPL is seen at Stockton Depot in 1989.
 YAJ751T (G8) was a 1978 crew bus, by 1987 it was withdrawn and up against the fence at Middlesbrough depot. Many thanks to Richard Smiles for allowing the use of this and other Cleveland Transit photos elsewhere on this site.
YAJ751T (G8) was a 1978 crew bus, by 1987 it was withdrawn and up against the fence at Middlesbrough depot. Many thanks to Richard Smiles for allowing the use of this and other Cleveland Transit photos elsewhere on this site.
 Perhaps the most obscure item ever to recieve the new de-regulation livery, was this watering can! It was seen at Stockton Depot in 1988.
Perhaps the most obscure item ever to recieve the new de-regulation livery, was this watering can! It was seen at Stockton Depot in 1988.
 Here is the other side of the Exhibition Unit, one could move the destination screens on the two buses. It is seen at Middlesbrough Depot in 1985.
Here is the other side of the Exhibition Unit, one could move the destination screens on the two buses. It is seen at Middlesbrough Depot in 1985.
G16 attends a mishap with L544 on the way to the York Historic vehicle run in 1990.
G16 attends a mishap with L544 on the way to the York Historic vehicle run in 1990.
 G16 provided the Motive Power for an ex TRTB Trolleybus (GAJ15) during the 21st anniversary of the withdrawl of Teesside Trolleybuses in April 91. It is seen here among the vehicles taking part at the starting point of the run - Kirkleatham Hall Museum near Redcar.
G16 provided the Motive Power for an ex TRTB Trolleybus (GAJ15) during the 21st anniversary of the withdrawl of Teesside Trolleybuses in April 91. It is seen here among the vehicles taking part at the starting point of the run - Kirkleatham Hall Museum near Redcar.
 LHN608K is one of three Transit Crewbuses which originated with Teesside Municipal Transport in 1973, it is seen here at the top end of Stockton High Street in it's later Transit Green livery. It was withdrawn around 1978, being replaced by the later style of Ford Transit seen elsewhere on the page.
LHN608K is one of three Transit Crewbuses which originated with Teesside Municipal Transport in 1973, it is seen here at the top end of Stockton High Street in it's later Transit Green livery. It was withdrawn around 1978, being replaced by the later style of Ford Transit seen elsewhere on the page.
 The replacement for Transit's Leyland Clydesdale was this former Hartlepool Leyland Cruiser which came to Transit around Aug/Sept 95, still in Hartlepool livery, but with Transit fleetnames. It was painted in full Stagecoach livery in 1997, and was withdrawn in 1999, being disposed of to Busways, then Northeast Bus Breakers, ending up at Skelton Coaches where it now resides.
The replacement for Transit's Leyland Clydesdale was this former Hartlepool Leyland Cruiser which came to Transit around Aug/Sept 95, still in Hartlepool livery, but with Transit fleetnames. It was painted in full Stagecoach livery in 1997, and was withdrawn in 1999, being disposed of to Busways, then Northeast Bus Breakers, ending up at Skelton Coaches where it now resides.
Rear view of the Recovery Tender showing it's Holmes 600 Twin Boom Crane. This is the same equipment as the original Clydesdale.
Rear view of the Recovery Tender showing it's Holmes 600 Twin Boom Crane. This is the same equipment as the original Clydesdale.
 G16 seen undergoing it's refurbishment at Stockton Depot in 1989.
G16 seen undergoing it's refurbishment at Stockton Depot in 1989.
 A989OBV The former Hartlepool Recovery Tender seen in it's usual parking space at Stockton Depot.
A989OBV The former Hartlepool Recovery Tender seen in it's usual parking space at Stockton Depot.
 G16 at the Preston Park Fire Engine Rally in 1998.
G16 at the Preston Park Fire Engine Rally in 1998.
C551XEF the second of the Sherpa Crew Buses, is seen going through the Bus Wash in Sept 87, at Middlesbrough Depot.
C551XEF the second of the Sherpa Crew Buses, is seen going through the Bus Wash in Sept 87, at Middlesbrough Depot.
 Along the same lines as the watering can seen elsewhere on this page, this interesting throwback was seen in Stockton Depot in 1998. This must surely be the last surviving pre-deregulation artifact at that time. I wonder where it is now?
Along the same lines as the watering can seen elsewhere on this page, this interesting throwback was seen in Stockton Depot in 1998. This must surely be the last surviving pre-deregulation artifact at that time. I wonder where it is now?
 Not often photographed is the nameboard at Stockton depot's gate. Here it is seen in this view which dates from the 1970's. Unfortunately it's a scan from a print, so the quality aint that good.
Not often photographed is the nameboard at Stockton depot's gate. Here it is seen in this view which dates from the 1970's. Unfortunately it's a scan from a print, so the quality aint that good.
 This view, and the other one of this vehicle, came from the 500 Group's acquired collection some years ago now. They show the Leyland Cruiser attending a sick Titan in the Bus Station c1994. If you took them, let me know so I can credit them properly.
This view, and the other one of this vehicle, came from the 500 Group's acquired collection some years ago now. They show the Leyland Cruiser attending a sick Titan in the Bus Station c1994. If you took them, let me know so I can credit them properly.
A rear view of the Recovery Tender attending a Leyland Titan at the Bus Station c1998.
A rear view of the Recovery Tender attending a Leyland Titan at the Bus Station c1998.
© 1998-2009 Mr Chris Hall - All copyrights rest with the Author
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