‘Wellingborough’ Leyland ST Omnibus

‘Wellingborough’ , a Leyland ST omnibus, is one of only three surviving ‘second generation’ double-decker buses, which operated outside London. It is completely unique.

This bus is one of a cancelled order placed by the New Central Omnibus Company of London. Ben Richardson, a former horse bus operator and later manager of London Central Motor Omnibus Company, moved to Wellingborough and took delivery of these vehicles to form the Wellingborough Motor Omnibus Company, operating in Northamptonshire. This led to the formation of the United Counties Omnibus Company, later a member of the Tilling Group and more recently part of Stagecoach.

‘Wellingborough’ is the earliest remaining example of a Tilling Group ‘bus. Birch Bros, the builders of the body, were an old established Bedfordshire firm.

About this vehicle

‘Wellingborough’ was rescued from the grounds of Wellingborough Sewage Works in 1979 where it was used as a store shed and restored to original condition by specialist Mike Sutcliffe.

The bus was acquired by the Shuttleworth Collection in 2015, made possible with substantial funds from the Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society (SVAS) and a ‘living legacy’ from Mike. It is good to see it in the company of ‘Charabus’ as they worked together in the Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire area.

‘Wellingborough’ has taken part in many events, including the London to Brighton Run, and has featured in films with Peter O’Toole and Helen Bonham-Carter. Its drivers report it to be a light little bus, quite fast and very easy to drive.