I have some random memories of New Brighton in the sixties.Do any of these ring a bell? The shelters and toilets at the end of Victoria Road - these were fine examples of Victoriana . Paddy's cafe (I think that's what it was called) also in Victoria Road . The ghost train in the Tower fair ground - as I recall, it had two huge (or so they seemed at the time - I was only a nipper!) white mountains with suitably horrific decoration. Lastly, in 1970 I went to a flypast commemmorating the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Britain- a great day out .
These might jog a few memories...The cafe prices by the way are 1962 vintage.
On the minature railway subject, theres a guy in Moreton had one in his back garden, just off Uton Rd. Remember it as a kid. There is also some sections of track and carriages stored in a caravan park in Ledsham!
Used to drive them old 11 buses in the early 70's, much more interesting than the Atlanteans, no power steering then. Birkenhead had a couple of old Guy buses as well, with Indian Chief's Head filler caps on the radiators, crash gear boxes. Always an interesting days work. Think they had Gardner diesel engines as well. I wasn't an enthusiast, just a driver, but I still have fond memories of those days. Laird Street, New Ferry depot and proper bus routes with proper buses is the way I look at it now.
Spot on Bandy! There was a great variety of stuff then. Leylands, Guys, Daimlers. All kept in much better nick than the junk today. Yes, the Guy Indian Head Dress radiator cap was very distinctive. "Feathers in Our Cap" I think it had engraved on it. Liked the Daimlers though. Pre-selector boxes that whined like an air raid siren on steroids ! If you missed the change, the operating pedal would spring out of the floor and push your left foot into next week ! How many folk would know how to drive one of them now I wonder ?
Three bells and get your foot down !!!! Hold tight !!
That's the one ! I'm sure the ones on the buses must have been chained internally to the radiator header tank. Nevertheless, I'm sure quite a few "fell off" and ended up on the mantlepiece at home! Thanks bri.
Great to read all these personal memories of New Brighton's Ghost Train and N0 11 bus etc;
My first job leaving school in 1960 was working on the Ghost Train in what was a fantastic summer, the memories of the two 'mountains' are of the Giant Ghosts which were it's trade mark, as a member of staff we had the privelege to escort young ladies on the Train and to 'hold their hands' if they were scared! Later on I joined Wallasey Corporation Motors as a Bus Conductor and worked on the 'cross dock' routes which included the No's 11 , 10 from New Brighton, the last bus was the one to fear the only ones on it sober were, hopefully, the Driver and guard!!!
A biker hey derek?!
