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Double Deck Bus

DesignerDesigned by Great North of Scotland Railway (Aberdeen, Scotland, founded 1845)

Manufacturer Great North of Scotland Railway (Aberdeen, Scotland, founded 1845)

DateJune 1904

Object NameDrawing

MediumCoated linen

ClassificationsTransport

DimensionsOverall: Height: 68.5 cm, Width: 35.7 cm

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS016756.2

Keywords

About MeFrom the very first days of the GNSR the railway service had linked to other modes of transport such as the Banks of Deveron coach running between Huntly Station and Banff. In this way the company could extend its services to areas beyond the railway. In 1904 the company introduced its first motor bus service. This connected Ballater to Braemar. Thereafter the GNSR set up a network of motor connections linking many of their stations to more far-flung corners of the North East such as Udny to Methlick in 1904 and Alford to Strathdon in 1906. Milnes-Daimlers were the first motors bought. Taking advantage of their own coach building skills at Inverurie the company developed a policy of buying in chassis and having their skilled men building charabancs and bus bodies. Some routes were seasonal to handle tourist demand and to cope with potentially bad weather and low demand in winter. The company also bought steam driven and motor lorries to carry goods to and from stations. By the outbreak of war in 1914 the GNSR was running 34 passenger vehicles and 11 lorries. The passenger fleet consisted of single decker and double decker buses and charabancs. The motor service became an integral part of GNSR's tours: the "Two Rivers" linked their Deeside and Alford lines and the "Three Rivers" extended this to Speyside. After 1918 there was increasing competition from other bus operators and in the era of control of the LNER routes which had not already been given up by the GNSR were transferred to William Alexander & Sons.