Catch The Bus Part 3

The difference between a toy bus and a bus model appreciated by adults is more than how it looks. It is about its connection with the real bus in its place and time.

I am in the process of making a model bus kit. When it is finished it shall be placed at Misterton station on my model railway as though it was picking up or dropping down passengers at a bus stop.

I have to hand a number of photographs of the real bus and have poured over these to pick up details that need to be added or adjusted on the model and its intended location. Three issues about the real bus and its location have arisen so far and these are:

1. What does the back of the bus look like? (Photographers have focused only on a view from the front).
2. Did a Conductor accompany the Driver and what were their uniforms
3. What did a Crewkerne bus stop look like in the 1960s?

To help find answers my research lead me to the book, Somerset's Buses - The story of Hutchings & Cornelius and Safeway Services by Laurie James. First plan was to visit the local library to see if they could obtain it as I knew such a specialist publication was unlikely to be on the shelf. The response was, "The county does not have it and a nationwide search of libraries would be needed and no, we don't know how long it would take". My next plan was to buy the book and so I turned to the Internet and a search uncovered several second hand copies being sold by individuals on the Amazon web site. I bought the £12.99 book for £3.25 + postage. It was delivered in 2 days and frankly the book looks brand new - no defects at all.

Eagerly I thumbed through the book for the answers to my questions. There on page 92 was the only picture of 200 APB and no, it was a full frontal! Without a rear view of the bus to hand I will have to be guided by the relief detail shown on the model.

My answer to the Conductor issue was answered though with a photo of both driver and conductress in full 1960s regalia - and even their names! So I can now add an authentic driver and conductress to the bus - You can see with research how the bus begins to tell its own story and gives rise to interesting conversation when showing the model to others.

With regard to a bus stop sign. One picture showed a 1950's bus stop at Yeovil. The pole has alternate black and white banding with a rectangular sign at the top depicting the towns and villages on the route.

Catch The Bus - Part4

Catch The Bus - Part 1