Birmingham City Transport Crossley - JOJ 489

BIRMINGHAM'S CROSSLEY BUSES

Crossley buses are today very rare and this is the last survivor of 270 supplied by the Stockport-based manufacturer to Birmingham City Transport as part of massive fleet renewal after World War Two.

Many buses of that era would have a chassis built by one manufacturer, an engine by another, and the body by a third. The Crossleys were unusual in being built completely by one manufacturer. The 270 buses were all delivered in 1949-50. During that time Birmingham's ideas on design were updated. The earlier Crossleys had the traditional chrome radiator but the last 100, including this bus, had 'New Look' concealed radiators.

JOJ 489 (fleet no. 2489) entered service on 1 August 1950 from Harborne garage and operated routes such as the 11 Outer Circle, 12 Bartley Green, 21/22 Weoley Castle and 5/7 Perry Common - Portland Road. 2489 transferred to Liverpool Street garage in 1967. It was retired on 31 March 1969 with 555,000 miles on the clock.

Preservation

2489 was purchased by David Gallico in September 1969. Simultaneously, a group was being formed with the intention of preserving a Birmingham Crossley, so the two parties joined up. The resulting 2489 Group dedicated itself to restoring and maintaining the bus, acquiring many spare parts as Crossleys are so rare. They attended shows and rallies every year, winning many trophies including 3 prizes in the Belfast & Bangor Rally on a trip to Northern Ireland in April 1997. Personal circumstances changed and renowned author David Harvey became the only member managing and displaying the bus. Sadly David died in August 2021 so The 2489 Group wound up after 52 years. 2489 was generously donated to this museum by the Group and David's family.