Birmingham City Transport Daimler Fleetine - 436 KOV

BIRMINGHAM EARLY REAR-ENGINED DOUBLE-DECKER

From 1962, Birmingham began replacing its early post-war buses with newly developed rear-engined vehicles. After comparative tests with Leyland's Atlantean, Birmingham settled on the Daimler Fleetline as best suiting its needs. Large capacity buses would allow fewer vehicles to carry the same number of passengers.

3436 was part of an order for 300 Fleetline chassis, with the body order split equally between Metro-Cammell and Park Royal, and one of 240 to the same basic design by both manufacturers, nicknamed 'flat-fronts'.

3436 entered service at Quinton Garage in September 1964, which became home for most of its working life. However, it also worked from Acocks Green, Cotteridge, Harborne, Lea Hall, Liverpool Street, Miller Street, Perry Barr, and Yardley Wood. It covered 511,572 miles in its 16 years and 5 months of service.

In December 1967, its seating capacity was increased from 72 to 76 by adding four more seats to the upper saloon, and in June 1972 it was converted for driver-only operation by West Midlands PTE.

Preservation

By late 1980, only two 'flat-front' Fleetlines remained in service. The 2548 Group chose to buy 3436 for preservation in February 1981, as it was in better condition. It attended various rallies, but needed engine repairs in 1982 and was laid up in 1984 awaiting other mechanical work, while the
group's other vehicles also needed attention. Outside storage for over ten years took its toll on the bodywork until it eventually went into covered accommodation. In November 2013, 3436 arrived at Wythall to allow the start of restoration to original condition, work which can now be seen in progress.