All ‘omnibologists’ have their favourite websites and they range from the very serious to the more light-hearted. They all have their uses and there are some that I have found more useful than others.
Bus Lists on the Web – https://bit.ly/3whGrJM
This is an invaluable website that is useful in so many ways. The are over 60k of records in a searchable database that can settle so many different conundrums. Search by owning operator, registration, fleetnumber, body, VIN and much more in the advanced section. It has saved errors when cataloguing slides and images very many times.
Bristol Commercial Vehicles Enthusiasts – https://bit.ly/3Lx0AAh
Another site so very useful for undertaking research on the chassis manufacturer that ended up supplying many vehicles in the period covered by my site. The aim of the website is to be the historical point of reference for all Bristol VR, Lodekka, RE and LH vehicles. It is still being regularly updated with current and historical information.
The PSV Circle – https://bit.ly/3LiXy2c
The PSV Circle was formed over sixty years ago with the aim of ensuring the membership is provided with accurate and up to date information on all aspects of bus and coach operation in Great Britain and Ireland, and in other parts of the world where British vehicles are in use. The publications are comprehensive and again an extremely useful point of reference.
The Southdown Enthusiasts’ Club – https://bit.ly/3Lj5iBr
The Southdown Enthusiasts’ Club started in 1954 as the Southdown Spotters’ Club, and now continues to keep its increasing membership up-to-date with the route and fleet developments of the Southdown Company and its successors, as well as researching its history.
The Club was originally formed for the association of people interested in Southdown Motor Services Limited. Even though the Southdown Company was re-formed into South Coast Buses and Sussex Coastline Buses in 1992, the club continued to record the operation of these successor companies.
As a result of the myriad of changes to the industry during the last 40 years, coverage has expanded to include both the Stagecoach and First Group companies in the South East and Brighton & Hove, along with many independents.
The Bristol Vehicles Web Site – https://bit.ly/3wDZ61q
This expands the coverage of Bristol chassis to all the earlier models, as far back as the Bristol 2 Ton. A site that assists in looking at the older vehicles acquired with BH&D.
Classic Buses Website – https://bit.ly/3Njb5s4
A more general website but containing sections on Southdown vehicles and many others across the UK. The links page is particularly good – https://bit.ly/3wD8ouy
Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach History – https://bit.ly/3wrTZmo
BH&D have a few good pages here. In particular a fleet list from 1986.
Local Transport History – https://bit.ly/3FUQdVH
Another useful site for further investigations which includes a section on the fleet of Mexborough & Swinton Traction to whom Southdown sold a number of vehicles.
Southdown Leyland National (34) PCD 80R – https://bit.ly/3wzhKaM
The site dedicated to PCD80R a Leyland National in preservation. The vehicle is owned by Paul Llewellyn who authored the superb book ‘Leopards Prowl around Southdown and beyond’.
Southdown Buses – Amberley Museum – https://bit.ly/3FV0NM8
This delightful museum has a replica Southdown Bus Garage, typical of the early days and also houses a collection of restored and operational buses. The home of the Southdown Omnibus Trust.
SCT’61 Website – https://bit.ly/3wme3q6
A ‘serendipity’ website with some great images – including a number of Southdown connections.