Stockton Corporation had a large fleet of Leyland PD2 buses in the 1950s and 1960s, including XUP 475, a 1958 example. Here are pictures of 1:24 scale models I have made, and also a black and white picture of the actual bus taken by Philip Battersby in 1964 at Low Grange, Billingham.
Middlesbrough Corporation had buses with similar Northern Counties bodies, on Guy Arab chassis – my model shows the Stockton bus in company with Middlesbrough’s GDC 295. The ‘O’ service was a joint operation between Middlesbrough and Stockton Corporations, running between Norton and North Ormesby. The 11 service, Stockton Town Hall to Middlesbrough Exchange, was also jointly run by the two corporations. The black and white shot of Middlesbrough’s GDC 295 was taken by RHG Simpson in the mid-1960s, in Bridge Road, Stockton.
Models and details courtesy of Andy Wood.
Picture Stockton Archive 
My late father painted a picture of a green bus with the number 6. He taught in Stockton and Middlesbrough. Does anyone know the service route please? Thank you. Phillip
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Hello Philip
The no. 6 went to Birkdale Road.
Andy.
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When I was a child ( born in 1957) the number 6 bus left Stockton and drove towards Norton. It turned at Norton Avenue, continued to Darlington Lane where it turned right. It then continued along Darlington Lane until turning into Leven Road. It then turned right onto Greta Road, then left onto Norton Avenue, travelling back towards Norton road where it turned right and returned to Stockton.
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I worked on the PD2s most of my electrical apprenticeship, I was always a small youth and when it came to changing the starter motor, that was accessed from the inspection pit most of my co workers thought the task would have been impossible for me. But once you had the starter balanced in your hands it was not that difficult to install. I have fond memories of getting the Christmas bus ready every year to travel all the routes in Stockton.
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More recently I have seen starter motors being lifted into position from the garage floor using a trolley jack –
I doubt that would have been accepted in the days before Health & Safety!
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Thank you for all your interesting comments.
David Jones – I don’t know of any commercial-made Stockton PD2 model, but I see that the EFE Stockton Atlantean is available on ebay. This model came in two versions, the ‘0’ service and the ‘9’ service.
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These are awesome models!
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I must say what exquisite models as well.
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Buses are so interesting. I commuted to Trinity School in Stockton on the O bus, from Norton and from North Ormesby between 1947 and 1951. Between 1958 and 1962 I worked every summer, as a conductor on the blue buses. Most of them were Dennis, the older buses were Leylands. I often worked the O bus shifts. Good pay but hard work. I moved to Toronto in 1962 and California in 1968.
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Lovely models Andy, recreating memories from the past. My Grandmother lived in Railway Street so when I was visiting I could stand at the top of the street and watch the ‘0’ service go up and down the ramp on Norton Road and under the North Shore branch every few minutes. Those were the days when local buses really provided a service.
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That brings back memories, getting a Penny one fare to Norton Board from Junction road on the 7A ( I think) The O bus to Middlesbrough to change for a bus to Marske. And the 7 from Norton to Thornaby to see my Nan.
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Yes, it was the 7A up Junction Road. I lived in the last semi in Norton before the railway bridge and Roseworth and used that service many times. Walking up from the 0 bus at its terminus was quite a hike. 😊
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GREAT MODELS AND MEMORIES OF GETTING OFF THE 0 BUS AT NORTON GREEN AND WALKING HOME TO NORTHUMBERLAND GROVE.
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Those models are amazing
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I was on that 11 bus many times. My uncle Ken Easby was a driver and his soon to be his wife, my aunt Maureen, maiden name Fahey, was a conductress. When I missed my usual school bus to St. Mary’s College in Middlesbrough from Stockton High Street, I’d get the 11 bus. I’d feel very special and proud when Ken and Maureen would give me attention taking me to school.
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We were travelling on them to and from (Grangefield Grammar and) The Grange school between 1972-1977 (including term time visits to Stockton baths). Horrendous being thrown up then landing repeatedly, going home sitting on the side seats downstairs near the open platform on a slushy cold day, especially going along a very ridgy Ragpath Lane with rickety ineffective suspension! Haha!
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Cracking models Andy
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Hello Andy its nice to see a Model of the Stockton corporation leyland pd2 backloader I went to school on one when I was at Primrose Hill School on Durham Road opposite the Childrens Hospital. I have been trying to get hold of a model of it for over 30 years, could I ask you to let me know where I can get one please the no 4 Fairfield route is special to me
thank you
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