The Yelloway Project

Conceived after a strange dream in April 2004, this project, to be carried out by two brothers Richard and Stephen Buckley, began life with a somewhat pessimistic out-look – would we be able to locate any surviving vehicles 16 years after this once prominent company disappeared and, more importantly, if there were any survivors would we be able to find one in a sound enough condition that we could purchase and restore. So, the research began with, frankly, not much hope; but as the saying goes ’oh ye of little faith"….

First port of call was Dave Haddocks’ excellent Yelloway web site which gave us some promise as there were at least some vehicles still extant, although we found out that many had gone straight for scrap when the company then owned by Carlton PSV ceased operating in 1988.

A note was posted on the AEC society notice board requesting information on the whereabouts of ex- YMS coaches and two replies were received – one from the membership secretary (himself an ardent YMS fan) giving a list of possible survivors / last known owners and the other giving us a name and contact details of an owner of several ex YMS vehicles included on the list.

Result! – our first fears had proved un-founded! It turned out that Phil Roberts of Stockport had 3 coaches – CDK 171L, HVU 247N and WDK 563T – the latter certainly being the  most desirable on the list. Contact was made with Phil but 563T was definitely not for sale, however to our surprise, Phil informed us that he had another ex YMS vehicle, which did not appear on the list we had been given and therefore, we assumed, no one knew still existed. This was CDK 172L, sister to Phil’s CDK 171L, and was complete and a runner.

After being convinced of our genuine enthusiasm and ability to carry out a proper restoration (Stephen having worked in the bus industry for 20 years) an agreement was made for a viewing to take place. Phil did stress that 172L was also not for sale but would entertain our enquires as it was obvious we ‘knew our onions’.

So to the evening of May 16^th 2004 and Stephen set off along with a mechanic colleague from work, to a small yard near the Trafford Centre, Manchester, where 172L was stabled. It was a gloriously sunny evening and there sat between two trucks was 172L with Phil in the driving seat. After the expected introductions and exchange of anecdotes 172L was started up and drawn forward and the serious business of the inspection began.

Stephens' specialist area is in coach building and repair thus necessitating the requirement to bring along a mechanic to inspect the coaches’ engine and running gear. 172L was in remarkably good condition for a vehicle over 31 years old and retained the majority of its original fittings including its split boot doors and the Plaxton interior clock! It had six new tyres, new exhaust, had had some attention to its steering, started first time and after a check underneath, was thankfully not dropping any oil! Fantastic! This was an opportunity too good to miss and so negotiations began.