Cheltenham District Bristol Lodekka 802 MHW

Low bridges and trees caused many operators problems and, in the late twenties, a 'low bridge' design of double-decker was evolved with a sunken side gangway on the offside of the upper deck which protruded into the lower saloon. The sunken side gangway, whilst achieving the desired height reduction, meant the upper deck seats were arranged in rows of four passengers which was hardly convenient for those nearest the nearside window or for the conductor collecting fares.

The Bristol company eventually solved the problem with the Bristol Lodekka which went into full production in 1954. The major mechanical development - and the key to reduced height - was the use of a drop-centre rear axle. The design continued to evolve and several variants were eventually offered; this is the 'FSF' shorter length forward entrance option of which only a shade over 200 were produced.

802 MHW entered service on 1 November 1961 with Cheltenham District, carrying the number 6037 in the Bristol Omnibus Company fleet which controlled Cheltenham District at this time. Driver only working was introduced to Cheltenham in 1967 in the shape of four Bristol REs which surprisingly replaced the four Bristol FSFs in the fleet rather than older vehicles. The quartet, along with other FSFs in the Bristol fleet, were sold to Western National. 802 MHW became 1011 with Western National and ran until 1978 at which time it was running from Taunton garage. The bus then became part of the Wythall collection and, after overhaul, was returned to the distinctive Cheltenham District colours. Fairly unusually, it still retains its air suspension.