THE CREAM & GREEN LODEKKAS

 

 

 

The standard Lincolnshire Road Car bus livery of Tilling green with a cream strip was reversed for coaches and dual purpose vehicles and so could be seen applied to some Bristol MWs, SC4LKs, LHs, REs, etc. The smart cream and green livery was also applied to some vehicles deployed to Skegness during the summer season, being first being four open sided Bedford OBs which worked services to Ingoldmells from 1958 - 1968. From 1967 - 1970 three early Lodekkas were given the same colour scheme. The following photographs illustrate these vehicles. Unfortunately I do not have any in colour but if anyone has any or other black and white images of these three vehicles they could send a scan of, or allow us to borrow, please e-mail us.

 

 

 

The first of the trio was 2309 (LFW 317), a Bristol LD6B with ECW H33/25RD body

which was new to the LRCC in November 1954. In that year the Company purchased

nine of their very first Lodekkas. The picture was taken at Lincoln St. Mark's bus station

whilst it was working the 15C to the Open Hearth Hotel. I can find no record of this route

(or the location of the hotel) so if anyone can shed any light on this, please e-mail me.

(Photo : R. Belton Collection)

 

 

 

The same vehicle is seen after being repainted whilst stood at the rear of the Skegness

Richmond Drive bus station. 2309 was withdrawn in 1970 and was sold to Thames Valley

in November of that year being given fleet number 618. It was withdrawn from that fleet

in 1971 and passed into the hands of various dealers and finally scrapped in 1977.

(Photo : R. Belton Collection)

 

 

 

2310 (LFW 318), the second of the cream vehicles, was purchased the same time as 2309

It is seen before repainting departing from Lincoln St Mark's bus station on the 1A to

Bracebridge Heath.

(Photo : R. Belton Collection)

 

 

 

After repainting, 2310 is seen parked in the layby at Richmond Drive opposite the

Skegness bus station after working the 95 to Ingoldmells Village. The cream Lodekkas

were also noted on the 91 (Chapel St. Leonards), 95A (Anchor Lane) and 96 (Winthorpe

Avenue runs).

(Photo : LEYTR Archives)

 

 

 

After working at Skegness during the summer, it appears that 2311 spent some time at

Newark depot and is illustrated at the bus station there working a special run to the

showground. The capacity load indicates that something such as the Nottinghamshire

Show must have been taking place at the time.

(Photo : LEYTR Archives)

 

 

 

2310 at Newark depot. This was the only one of the three not to have received its

distinctive long radiator grill modified. It also went to Thames Valley in November 1970

being given fleet number 619. Like 2309 it was withdrawn in 1971 and scrapped in 1977.

(Photo : R. Belton Collection)

 

 

 

2311 (LFW 319) was the final one of the three, slightly younger than the others being new

to the LRCC in December 1954. This view prior to repainting shows it along a rather grim

terrace street on route 122 from Ashby.

(Photo : R. Belton Collection)

 

 

 

2311 seen at Grand Parade Skegness with the Pier in the background. Not only has 2311

been repainted, but the radiator grill had been modified and the upstairs nearside front

window appears to have been replaced possibly as the result of tree damage to the

original window. It had just worked from Ingoldmells Village and was en route to the

Caravan Camp on Richmond Drive. As there were two bus stations in Skegness at the

time, to avoid confusion, only those vehicles using the Drummond Road location would

display "Bus Station" on their blinds. Those using the Richmond Drive location would

display "Railway Station" due to the latter adjoining these premises.

(Photo : R. Belton Collection)

 

 

 

A rear view of 2311 at the Richmond Drive bus station in Skegness. The three part

destination blind is certainly very informative !

(Photo : R. Belton Collection)

 

 

 

Like 2310, 2311 also appears to have spent some time with Newark depot where it is

pictured. The vehicle ws withdrawn in 1971 and sold to a dealer the following year when

it appears to have been scrapped.

(Photo : K. Pudsey)

 

 

 

Stricly speaking, the two open top FS6Bs which the LRCC acquired from Southdown in

1978, were not cream and green but white and green but did represent the use of the

reverse to the ordinary livery. 2350 (XPM 41) and 2351 (XPM 42) were named,

respectively, the Lincolnshire Imp and the Lincolnshire Poacher, the latter being

shown in this delightful view taken at North Parade in Skegness. The children on

the top deck would indicate that it was on a school outing whilst driver Harold Hewson

stands in front. 2351 was converted to a Driver Trainer after withdrawal from

passenger service.

(Photo : LEYTR Archives)

 

 

 

Contents