1930s MIDLAND RED SINGLE DECKER, CONVERTED FROM PETROL TO DIESEL

HA9483 was new in September 1934 as a SOS ON ('ONward') with a BMMO 6.37litre petrol engine and Short Bros 38-seat body. Later, it was fitted with a BMMO diesel engine, returning to service in February 1938 as a type CON ('Converted ONward'). Diesel engines were more economic than petrol, having about one-third the fuel consumption per mile, and a lower rate of tax on the fuel oil.

It was based at the following Midland Red garages: Leamington and Hinckley (1935-42), Worcester (1943), Leamington (1944), Leicester Sandacre Street (1944-45), Rugby (1946-1952), Birmingham Sheepcote Street (1952-53), and Redditch (1953-56). Fleet number 1532 was applied in March 1944. Its body was rebuilt by Nudd Bros & Lockyer, returning to service in November 1949. Withdrawn from service in November 1956, it was sold four weeks later.

HA9483 was the last of three SOS single-deckers bought by Birmingham Corporation Water Department as staff transport for its works in the Elan Valley. One was later converted into a lorry for carrying pipes. However, HA9483 had a luckier fate by being acquired by the Digbeth S12 Group for preservation in April 1968.

Preservation

While little or no work was done, HA9483 was fortunately placed into secure undercover storage where it remained for half a century, largely complete, gathering a multitude of cobwebs! HA9483 was donated to the Museum in November 2022, but initially remained in its existing accommodation. It arrived at Wythall in March 2023, after several weeks of preparation to extract it from the corner of the building and manoeuvre it along a narrow track onto a low-loader.