Kingfisher Dennis Lance 4046 is seen in Manchester Stevenson Square waiting to work the maximum length of the service, when it ran through to Bradford. Behind is the Pioneer Leyland Cub seen in the 352 collection. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

Also in Stevenson Square at the time when they were competing for traffic on this service is Blue Bus 18 (ULS 318T), a former Alexander Midland Leopard. Behind can be seen the same Pioneer Cub in the same place although the photograph was taken on a different day. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

After the closure of Clegg Street bus station the Oldham terminus of the 65 was moved to the top of West Street. Metro's 4473 was Huddersfield's first Fleetline when new in 1967. Photo courtesy Paul Wreghitt.

ULS 329T was another Alexander-bodied Leopard in the Blue Bus fleet but it stands out from the others due to the rebuilt destination display. It is on Union Street in Oldham, alongside the Lyceum building. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

4044 is on Clegg Street and about to enter Oldham's Town Square bus station. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

Metro Fleetline 7108 has arrived at Town Square bus station on what looks a pretty miserable evening - the passenger upstairs would see precious little going over Standedge in the dark with windows covered in condensation. To the right 7729 from Tameside depot is waiting to run to Hyde via Mossley. The arched window to the left of 7108 is the Oldham Music Centre, a true success story located in the Lyceum building. Photo courtesy Peter Crichton.

Olympian 5216 is in Town Square bus station headed for Manchester. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

Blue Bus 26 was another former Alexander Midland Leopard, but from an earlier batch. Competition on the 365 is clearly seen here with Yorkshire Rider Atlantean 6313 behind and between them they seem to be blocking the entrance to the bus station. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

When you keep your camera with you occasionally Lady Luck favours you with chance shots like this, showing the two 365s heading in opposite directions on a Saturday in Oldham's Town Square bus station. Two buses of the same type add symmetry to the picture. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

Brand-new Yorkshire Rider Olympian 5215 pauses in Oldham on its way to Manchester. This bus is now 30700 and operating in Bradford. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

By comparison Fleetline 7061 seen a couple of months earlier looks rather dowdy. I don't think the Yorkshire Rider livery suited these Fleetlines with their low driving positions as it exaggerated the effect of the low windscreen. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

Atlantean 6299 in commemorative livery made few visits to Oldham after its inaugural run in 1983 (see later in this collection). However, it is on such a visit in 1991 wearing Yorkshire Rider insignia. The grey building to the left of the photograph is the erstwhile North Western bus station and garage on Clegg Street, now demolished. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

The Leyland National 2 came late to Oldham as none had been purchased by GMT. Yorkshire Rider 1346 was one of a fleet of such vehicles taken over from West Yorkshire Road Car, to whom it was new as 1506. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

Olympian 5083 loads up for Huddersfield. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

The First Calderline livery did not last long before it was overtaken by corporate First colours. It was, of course, a Halifax livery and thus more usually seen on the 562 but Mercedes 2292 had been transferred to Huddersfield and turned out on the 365 on this occasion. Photo courtesy Jon Brierley.

Blue Bus 29 attempts to persuade passengers waiting for Kingfisher 4045 to board but on this occasion there would seem to very few for either. Photo courtesy Peter Crichton.

These Plaxton-bodied Volvo B10Ms made regular but infrequent appearances on the 365 but always eluded me! Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

4049 is one of the Pennine-bodied Seddon RUs new to Huddersfield that were seen regularly on this service in the seventies, bringing them frequently back to their town of manufacture. Photo courtesy Peter Crichton.

Blue Bus 27, carrying a reasonably healthy load, waits at Town Square in the shadows. Photo courtesy Peter Crichton.

Metroriders made only infrequent appearances on the 365. 2021 carries an overall advertising livery. Photo courtesy Jon Brierley.

6300 was put into a commemorative livery at the same time as 6299 to celebrate the centenary of municipal transport. This one carried a representation of the tram livery which did not sit so happily on the vehicle. Photo courtesy Jon Brierley.

1995 was a year that saw a lot of change in Huddersfield. When new earlier in the year 4037 was delivered in Rider Huddersfield livery. The First branding was adopted nationally later in the year and the First logo can be seen behind the side route number display. By the end of the year the Kingfisher identity had been adopted for Huddersfield operations and can be seen in many other pictures in this collection. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

The Flagship concept was a short-lived branding adopted in Huddersfield and not many vehicles received this basically white livery. The appearance of this Flagship-liveried Olympian on the 365 was quite unusual. See also the picture of the Dennis Lance in similar livery in Uppermill. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

Dennis Lance 4034 is virtually brand-new when captured carrying a very healthy load for Huddersfield in Oldham's Town Square bus station. Compared with the similar shot of 4037 this will be seen to not be carrying the First group logo. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

It was a case of 'anything goes' when competing with Blue Bus and on this occasion Dennis Dart 3212 has got out of Town Square in front of the Blue Bus vehicle and is hoping to pick up some extra custom on the way. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

The Blue Bus departs with a slightly greater number of passengers. Personally I would have much preferred riding on this former Rhymney Valley Tiger with superior seating, more refinement and significantly more power. It was an ideal vehicle for a route like the 365. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

Seen a week earlier is another former Alexander Midland Leyland Leopard, this time with Alexander's more modern, but less successful, T-type body. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

Leopard 8506 drops down to Mumps. Photo courtesy Peter Crichton.

Another view of one of the Plaxton-bodied Volvos but taken eleven years after the previous one and the bus is now in First's corporate colours but still carrying its Yorkshire Rider fleet number. It was allocated 60875 in the national scheme but was very soon transferred to First Devon and Cornwall who promptly gave it a local fleetnumber of 2905. The national scheme finally caught up there and it became 66560. 1460 is leaving the bus station at Oldham Mumps. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

Dennis Dart 3339 started work in York but later moved to Huddersfield and is seen approaching the roundabout at Oldham Mumps on a very rare appearance on the 365. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

1312 was one of a batch of Leyland National 2s which had a relatively short life in the fleet. It is passing Regent Stores and the bottom of Wallshaw Street, the road leading to the GMT Oldham garage as it was at the time. Photo courtesy Paul Wreghitt.

1312 is seen again leaving the roundabout at Mumps and heading up Lees Road. Photo courtesy Paul Wreghitt.

Blue Bus 3 was a Plaxton-bodied Dennis Dart that was new to the Huddersfield operation. It had a typical Blue Bus personalised registration and is seen here passing through Clarksfield on Lees Road. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

National 1313 roars up Salem Brow (Lees Road). The road here is now wider with the addition of a bus lane. Photo courtesy Paul Wreghitt.

In Kingfisher livery but now carrying First fleetnames is 2243. It is at Leesbrook and has just passed the point where, in tram days, the tracks of Oldham Corporation ended and the short stretch of Lees UDC track began. The point was, of course, the boundary but although the tracks changed ownership here the trams themselves were owned by Oldham.

This was taken on the first day of operation of the revised Sunday service when buses were diverted to serve Diggle village, although this working is through to Huddersfield. The vehicle was the usual type, an MCW Metrorider, which worked on Sundays until the arrival of the Mercedes in 1994. 2021 is approaching the centre of Lees. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

Blue Bus's Darts with East Lancs bodies were unique in the area and thus more distinctive than the ubiquitous Plaxton-bodied variety. 1 passes Holts chemists on Lees High Street, the shop closed when the new surgery and pharmacy was opened on Mellor Street. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

A few days later 3001, an Alexander-bodied Volvo is seen from the other side of the road approaching the corner by the Red Lion, the junction with Hartshead Street there being something of a traffic bottleneck. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

Speedwell's operated the 365 at the end, when it was only a Sunday service. However, when this was taken in Lees High Street, First were still running the 365 on weekdays. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

Olympian 5091 is in the lay-by at Lees County End on its way into Oldham. The livery publicises the employee buy-out of Yorkshire Rider which had taken place on 21st October 1988. The bus had previously carried an all-over advertising livery for the Huddersfield Daily Examiner - see the picture of it at Lydgate. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

National 2 1347 will be building up some momentum as it passes through Grotton ready for the stiff climb up to Lydgate. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

I doubt whether the Huddersfield Daily Examiner were too pleased that the bus they had paid to be an allover advertisment for the newspaper was running on the Oldham service as you couldn’t buy the paper this side of the Pennines. Nevertheless, it provided a bit of variety at a time when liveries were standardised, even if it did look rather remniscent of GMTs orange and white. We are in Lydgate and the Top to Toe boutique was still trading in the shop to the left. Beyond the house to the right of it, set back from the road, was a small wooden shop which was originally built by Grasscroft Cooperative Society and was the cause of a lot of friction as across the road was a branch of another society. Co-operative stores were not meant to compete!

7110 heads up Oldham Road in Grasscroft, pursued behind by GM Buses 7740 on the 427.

4144 was one of the last genuine Huddersfield buses and is seen on the service climbing through Grasscroft. It carries stickers opposing (in vain, as it turned out) bus deregulation which was to take place later on that year.

The low winter sun shining through the bare trees gives dappled light on 6349 climbing through Grasscroft. Taken the same day as the previous shot, this bus is also acting as a platform for the campaign against deregulation.

5502 was one of the Olympians with high-backed seats which had originally been painted in the “Gold Rider” livery. It is working through Grasscroft on the Saturday extension of the service to Manchester.

A poor view but one that at least goes back almost to Hanson days. That company had only been taken over a few months when Huddersfield Joint Omnibus Committee 3 (formerly Hanson 412 and the last bus bought by the company) was captured in Grasscroft.

Huddersfield Corporation was the first local authority to operate their own public transport and to commemorate the Centenary of that occasion a whole series of events was held during 1983. The first took place on the Centenary day itself when two Leyland Atlanteans were unveiled in commemorative liveries. One (6300) was in a tram livery and the other (6299) was in the traditional Huddersfield Joint Omnibus Committee of red and cream. 6299 did a tour of Huddersfield routes on the day that included a run to Oldham, on which it is seen near the Farrar’s Arms in Grasscroft, pursued by a GMT Leyland National.

This photograph taken just above the Farrar’s Arms in Grasscroft is showing something I think I can explain, but have no evidence apart from memory. The bus is showing a route number K85 which is in a series for Kirklees (Huddersfield) schools and miscellaneous journeys. I recall that this was used for the journeys that served Colne Valley High School. Although by the time of this photograph pupils had ceased to travel there from Saddleworth, it would still provide a link for pupils in Marsden. I should welcome confirmation of this.

MetroBus Olympian 5083 looks a bit shabby, particularly when compared to a very new GM Buses Metrobus 5210, the reflections off which are partly washing out the front of it. Behind the two buses is the Farrar’s Arms and 5083 is heading up Oldham Road, Grasscroft.

Unlike the Olympian in the previous shot, this bus missed the right turn at the Farrar’s Arms and tried this unconventional turning manoeuvre at the top of High Grove Road in Grasscroft. Although the 353 now uses High Grove Road, only minibuses are used on that service and the junction is not well-suited to such large vehicles. I once saw a Manchester PD2 do the same thing and in both cases I still wonder how they regained Oldham Road at the Farrars, as the angle of the junction is so acute.

These Plaxton-bodied Leyland Leopards were some of the best buses bought by West Yorkshire PTE and made for a lively and comfortable ride over the Pennines. 8528 was one of the last series and only a couple of years old when seen near Greenfield station.

On the same stretch of road in much brighter conditions is Fleetline 7057 which has, in common with all the Atlanteans and Fleetlines seen on this service, bodywork by Roe.

The front of the bus is washed out with the very low sun, but this photograph was included as it shows the penultimate Blue Bus working from Huddersfield to Oldham, the last journey being after the light had gone completely.

4163 had been Huddersfield’s Silver Jubilee bus, but I am not aware that it ran into Saddleworth in that guise. By the time of this photograph near Greenfield station it had received standard MetroBus livery.

Seen from an elevated viewpoint when crossing the railway at Greenfield station is 60987, which had been Kingfisher 4049.

Kingfisher 4044 has worked through from Bradford and is helping to carry the exodus of pupils from Saddleworth School. In the background can be seen a marshal and a cyclist for a cycle road race which was taking place and I couldn’t help but wonder at the wisdom of routing a race, with its fast cyclists and escort vehicles, past a major school around finishing time.

Atlantean 6313 crosses the railway at Greenfield station not long before deregulation made its surprisingly positive impact on this service.

This photograph of Fleetline 7126 in almost exactly the same location provides a contrast, not only of liveries but also between the Atlanteans and Fleetlines used on this service. The later West Yorkshire PTE Atlanteans had a much higher driving position and consequently the windscreen and cab side window are set higher up. All the earlier Atlanteans were allocated to Leeds and Bradford and were not seen on the 365.

West Yorkshire PTEs verona green and cream livery was still something of a novelty at the time of this photograph, which shows an unidentified former Huddersfield Fleetline at Greenfield station. The rather unremunerative nature of this trip can clearly be seen from this elevated angle.

The late afternoon sun picks out MetroBus 6294 as it approaches Greenfield station.

Speedwell's Solo MX04 VLY is seen near Greenfield station on the last Sunday before the major Saddleworth service revisions which saw the end of weekday 365 operation and ultimately led to the final demise of the service.

5150, approaching Greenfield station, carried one of the first Optare bodies built and they were virtually identical to the Roe bodies that had previously been built in the same plant. After two small batches for West Yorkshire PTE Optare did not build any more double-deck bodies for over two years. This was mainly as a result of deregulation which led to a nose-dive in orders for double-deckers but a big demand for minibuses.

Public Holidays in Huddersfield have differed historically from those in Oldham and my recollection is that this is one such occasion. It is the day after Spring Bank Holiday Monday but the 65 is working a weekend service as it is also a holiday in Huddersfield. Fleetline 473 was working the 1355 journey from Oldham and carrying no passengers as this journey did not normally run on weekdays!

Yorkshire Rider Atlantean 6272 leaves Uppermill headed for Oldham and Manchester.

Crossing the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Wade Lock, Uppermill, where at the time it was still culverted, is Yorkshire Rider's Daimler Fleetline 7096. Photo courtesy Eric Ogden.

The Flagship livery was not normally seen in Saddleworth, but 4002 is wearing it as it passes Saddleworth Museum in Uppermill.

Leyland Tiger 1658 threads its way through Uppermill. Whilst there have been a lot of details changed in the intervening years, this scene still looks pretty much the same today. Photo courtesy Paul Wreghitt.

Blue Bus 18 speeds through Uppermill square without stopping - Yorkshire Rider's spoiler journey in front has clearly taken all the passengers. Photo courtesy Jon Brierley.

1662 was very new when this atmospheric, if slightly fuzzy, shot was taken in Uppermill square. Photo courtesy Noel Ogden.

When Eric Ogden took this photograph he would little have expected that this bus would still be in service with the descendents of its original operator some eighteen years later in 2008. As First 30652 it has gone on to become one of the last survivors of the West Yorkshire PTE Olympians, running in Bradford for most of its later life. Photo courtesy Eric Ogden.

4044, devoid of fleetnames, has stopped in Uppermill square whilst working the extended 365 service to Bradford. Photo courtesy Eric Ogden.

In the days before the formation of West Yorkshire PTE the 65 was worked by Huddersfield, but not very often with double-deckers. Fleetline 502 made an unusual sight in Uppermill Square, the juxtaposition with a Salford Atlantean (visible in the background) being even more unusual. Photo courtesy Martin Arthur.

5083 was clearly a regular performer on the 365 as there are three pictures of it in this collection, including one in original livery at the Farrar's Arms. It is seen here in Uppermill square. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

About the only time any benefit came out of the competition between Blue Bus and Yorkshire Rider was on weekday afternoons when the extra buses provided additional capacity for schoolchildren leaving Saddleworth school. GMPTE may have been able to save a tendered journey but the competition was too short-lived for that. Rival buses are seen in Uppermill, both getting a significant load. Photo courtesy Eric Ogden.

Olympian 5214 arrives in Uppermill from Huddersfield on a sunny August day. Central Garage was still very much open for business at this time and was a Ford dealer. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.

This particular journey waited some time at Uppermill on its way to Oldham to provide additional capacity in that direction as Saddlweorth School finished. The bus station is full and includes, appropriately, Stott’s ex-West Yorkshire PTE Fleetline.

A distant view of a former West Yorkshire Road Car Leyland National 2 as it sweeps round the curve at Brownhill on the approach to Uppermill.

This scene was to change shorty afterwards as the road was re-modelled in this area in association with the re-opening of the canal. 4041 passes the Navigation having worked through from Bradford. The building behind the bus was formerly a police station built by the West Riding Constabulary.

4027 is seen on Wool Road after the remodelling.

4019 is at the same location. This bus carries Premier service branding, one of the many types of service branding which only served to confuse the passenger, particularly when a bus was used on another service.

Also carrying Premier service branding is 4010. This shot not only shows clearly the Navigation Hotel behind but the new works associated with the re-opening of the canal from which the pub gained its name.

Whilst this bus is on the normal Monday to Saturday route, this photograph was taken on a Sunday and the driver appears to have missed the turn on Standedge. I don’t know whether he retraced his steps and went back into Diggle village or not.

4032 passes a most substantial Harropdale Farm as it descends Standedge Road in Diggle.

The last day of normal operation of the 365 produced a wide selection of vehicles including this Northern Counties-bodied Olympian 31740 which was originally London Buslines 43 before becoming Centrewest LN43.

Heading the opposite way on the same day is 60979 which, as 4041, was once one of the regular vehicles on the 365.

4044 is approaching the junction with the A62 by the sadly-missed Horse and Jockey at Bleak Hey Nook.

Blue Bus 18 is on its way to Oldham during the period of the intensive bus service. Despite several visits I never managed a photograph with more than one bus on it!

4045 at the junction of the A670 and A62 by the Horse and Jockey at Bleak Hey Nook. To the right in the valley below is a helicopter. The use of this site as a base for helicopter operation has been the subject of a long-running and bitterly-fought planning dispute.

Standedge can be picturesque but bleak and cold in the winter, but for all the criticism they receive, the local authorities have an excellent track record in keeping the road open. Certainly 6313 was having no problems on this occasion when photographed at Bleak Hey Nook.

Blue Bus 73 had come from Rhymney Valley District Council in South Wales and was a very lively Leyland Tiger with East Lancs bodywork. It is joining the A62 with the Horse and Jockey at Bleak Hey Nook in the background. A pub of that name opened nearby around 1760 but the new building shown was opened in 1937. It still retains some of the Bents Gartsides signs despite takeover by Bass in 1967. Although closed some years ago these signs still remain.

Heading the opposite way at almost the same spot is another Tiger from the same source. They had a sorry history in South Wales after deregulation as the existing operators struggled to cope with the new world of bus deregulation and huge changes in travelling patterns resulting from the decline of the traditional coal and steel industries.

A Blue Bus Dennis Dart is seen from a high and distant viewpoint as it passes the car park and bunkhouse at Globe Farm. This was a popular place for accommodation for hikers using the Pennine Way which crosses the A62 not far from here. Combined with the welcoming fires of the Horse and Jockey a very pleasant night could be spent here. Sadly both are now closed.

4012 is a Dennis Lance displaying yet another type of service branding used in Huddersfield and occasionally seen on the 365. This is the Premier branding seen on the front and just about visible on the side. Behind the bus is a sign for the Globe Farm bunkhouse and bed and breakfast, together with the estate agent’s “For Sale” sign which heralded the closure of this facility, which is now a private house.

This shot is one of my personal favourites, showing just how difficult the weather conditions can be on Standedge, despite the summit being not much more than 1200 feet above sea level. Snowploughs have cut a way through deep snow and traffic is flowing freely. It was a different matter trying to park a car to get this photograph - the usual off-road parking places were still inaccessible!

4041 to 4046 had certain features to Greater Manchester PTE specification and consequently were the usual vehicles for the 365, which was subsidised in part by GMPTE. 4043 is on Standedge heading for Bradford. Behind can be seen the sign for Globe Farm bunkhouse, whilst just visible to the left is the former Queen Victoria Inn. This is one of many inns on this Trans-Pennine route which are now closed, the difference in this case is that closure was as long ago as 1884.

A small batch of these Alexander-bodied Olympians new to London Buslines moved to Huddersfield and became regualr performers on the 365 and subsequently the 184. 5295 (L27 GAN) is almost at the top of the climb from Uppermill on a glorious winter day.

It’s very difficult to plan a photograph of two buses passing without some sort of arrangement, but occasionally it happens. Atlantean 6316 is headed for Bradford whilst Dennis Lance 4043 heads for Oldham.

6316 is nearer the camera and 4043 has now virtually disappeared from view.

30631 had once been 5124 in the WYPTE and Yorkshire Rider fleets. By the time that they were renumbered in First's national series there were few left at Huddersfield and appearances such as this on the 365 were rare.

The classic Alexander Y-type body was a familiar sight in this area as North Western in particular used it as their standard coach body. However, they always had panoramic windows and the bus version with shorter windows was an unusual sight. Most examples were bought by the Scottish Bus Group, this particular vehicle being new to Alexander Midland as their MPE 316.

Leyland Tiger/Duple Dominant 1658 nears the top of the climb as it approaches the Floating Light on Standedge.

On a bright sunny and snowy day 4031 starts the descent from Standedge towards Oldham on the long straight passing the Floating Light. This is one location where the open road is still truly open and driving remains a pleasure. To the right can be seen the lane dropping down to Diggle which is now used by the 184 service; the section of road being used by 4031 no longer has a bus service.

60982 passes the Floating Light. This pub has an interesting history. It was originally opened slightly further up the hill about 1842 and became more popular with Irish navvies than the local magistrates liked during the construction of the Standedge railway tunnels. The building seen here replaced the original pub in 1940 and closed in 2000. Here it is about 1180 feet above sea level

The standard vehicle on the Sunday service was a Mercedes minibus, so I was a bit surprised when this Dennis Dart arrived at Diggle terminus. The driver was also surprised that he had been given this bus. These buses didn’t have Diggle on the blind and a more makeshift destination has been created.

Another view of 3208 at Diggle. The driver has reset the blind for the return to Oldham.

After returning to Oldham 3208’s next journey was through to Huddersfield and it is seen with a splendid Saddleworth backdrop as it climbs through Brun Clough.

This was an unplanned diversion and it was only by chance that I came across it. I can only assume there had been an accident on the normal route as the road was closed up to the Horse and Jockey from Uppermill and all traffic diverted through Diggle village, hence the long queue of cars behind 4044.

Heading in the opposite direction on the same diversion was 4045. Notice the confusing similarity between the registrations of these two consecutive buses.

3208 heads away up the hill.

This Alexander Dash-bodied Volvo B6 was another unusual vehicle to appear on the Sunday service, again at Brun Clough.

The desolate nature of the moors is only too apparent in this shot of 2217 dropping down to Diggle on the Sunday service. The only ‘feature’ visible is a spoil heap from the building of Standedge tunnel.

2241 leaves the A62 near the top of Standedge and heads down the back road to Diggle. Many of these Mercedes were transferred from Yorkshire to Manchester. although this was not one of them.

This shot typifies the operation of the period, former Huddersfield Seddon 4040, by now in MetroBus livery, has cleared the summit. The two-track number blinds used by both Halifax and Huddersfield were fine when they were separate undertakings but were not best suited to the larger service numbers that came with a county-wide numbering system. Two digits have had to squeeze into a small aperture and it was a reluctance to do this tht meant routes in Halifax and Huddersfield were renumbered relatively late. Photo courtesy Paul Wreghitt.

This more distant view of 4040 conveys quite well the desolate nature of the road round here. The cutting at the summit was, surprisingly, dug as far back as 1839 - before the coming of the railways. Increased traffic saw it widened in the 1920s. Photo courtesy Paul Wreghitt.

4046 passes the Great Western as it nears the summit on Standedge. This pub is the last survivor on this road, the other long-established ones having closed in recent years as a consequence of changing leisure habits. In contrast, however, is the opening of The Carriage House, visible in the right distance. This was once a filling station and transport cafe (and in that role is glimpsed very briefly in the 1960 film “Hell is a City”), but it has now become a pub/restaurant. Off-picture to the right is Redbrook reservoir, which supplies the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and is also the venue for a New Year’s Day swim for a few hardy souls from clubs in Royton.

By contrast similar 4025 is seen on a pleasant spring day at the same location. The Great Western took its name from the steamship which made its maiden voyage at the time the road was built (1839) and the pub opened.

Although Seddon chassis and Pennine bodies were built in Royton, the only way they could be seen in Oldham was as the Huddersfield (and Metro Kirklees) vehicle on the 365. In the seventies and early eighties these were the normal vehicle for the service. 4051 is approaching the summit with Pule Hill in the background.

One of the final double-deck journeys on the 365 sees First Huddersfield 30752 descending into Marsden. This bus is registered L888 TTT; TTT are the initials of T. T. Tsui, owner of Capital Citybus who bought the bus new and 888 is a lucky number in Hong Kong whence that company originates. The chassis is a pre-production Volvo Olympian, numerically the first and it was exhibited at 1993 Coach and Bus Show.

4022 approaches the bus station in Huddersfield. As can be seen, this was quite new at the time and was working the service as the vehicles which were to feature regularly (4041 to 4046) had yet to be delivered. Photo courtesy Mark Amis.