Wolverhampton Daimler Roadliner NJW 719E

EARLY REAR-ENGINED SINGLE-DECKER

Buses without conductors spread to towns and cities in the early 1960s to reduce staff shortages and costs.

Driver only double-deckers were not legal before 1967 so single-deckers had to be used. But underfloor-engined single-deckers had high entrance steps, and rear engines took up space. Operators called for designs with engines moved to the back - but under the floor to allow room for more seats.

Most of the early rear-underfloor models were unreliable including the Daimler Roadliner, introduced in 1964. Orders soon began to be cancelled and the model was dropped after the Leyland Group takeover of Daimler. Roadliners generally ran for a short time with their original operators.

Wolverhampton Corporation bought 6 Roadliners in 1967, specifying Cummins engines and rubber suspension. They passed to the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive 1969 when the Corporation was taken over. No 719 was one of the last remaining when it retired in 1975. It was sold to Heyfordian of Oxfordshire and on again to Brutonian of Somerset.

Preservation

719 entered preservation in September 1981 and passed to the Museum on 1 March 1983. It is now restored to its original Wolverhampton livery. Restoration would not have been possible without the help of Cummins who, at no charge, completely rebuilt the engine.