1960s MIDLAND RED DOUBLE-DECKER

While BMMO was manufacturing its own D9 double-deckers at Carlyle Works, it supplemented its double-deck fleet by purchasing Daimler Fleetline chassis from 1963 onwards. These were fitted with Alexander bodywork, based on a style introduced for Glasgow Corporation, but with two-piece flat windscreens on both decks instead of Alexander's usual curved screens. (BMMO no doubt had a view on cheaper spares!) There were 50 in 1963, designated DD11 type, 149 from 1966 to 1968, designated DD12 type, and 103 from 1969 to 1970 designated DD13 type. There were detail differences between the types, most notably that the DD13 type had a centre exit.

GHA 415D (fleet number 6015) is one of the DD12 type, and was new in November 1966. It served at Leamington, Kidderminster, Worcester (twice), Evesham (twice) and Tamworth before a few months in store at the end of 1979. It then resumed service at Coalville in 1980, and became part of Midland Red East when the company was split in 1981. Finally, it was withdrawn in December 1983.

Preservation

GHA 415D was bought by a preservationist in Leicester in March 1984, but was donated to Wythall by his family in March 1985, after he had died. In August 2021 it returned to Wythall from a four-year restoration programme supported by First Worcester, successor to Midland Red West.