Liverpool Corporation L835

L835 in service before its conversion to OMO.

HISTORY

L835 was one of the final batch of 60 Met - Cam Atlanteans delivered in 1967 to Liverpool Corporation. As seen above, L835 was originally of single door layout with H43/35F seating arrangement, but in September 1969 it was one of 50 of the batch converted for one-man operation by Pennine Coachcraft of Oldham.

This work consisted of replacing the existing staircase with a central forward ascending one and a centre exit. This reduced the seating capacity by seven to H43/28D. Other work carried was the relocation of the simplified destination display which enabled the driver to change the display without leaving the cab, and the fitting of a periscope which allowed the driver to view the upper deck. This dual-door design was known internally as the "Maxi"

It was soon found that the centre exit made little difference to the loading times and was the cause for concern regarding the rise in boarding and alighting accidents. The remaining Atlanteans were converted by Pennine for one man operation by just fitting a periscope and repositioning the destination display. This also resulted in no loss of seating capacity and became known as the 'Mini'.

L835 passed to the MPTE in December 1969 and lead a particular normal life until withdrawn in February 1980. Fortunately it was sold to Rev. Long in Warrington to be converted to an exhibition unit and although work commenced it was never completed.

L835 seen as an exhibition unit.

In 1981 it was acquired by British Telecom, Liverpool District for use as a mobile phone shop/exhibition unit but the work was never carried out as it was found that it would not fit in any of the workshops and the driver/licensing arrangements were more complicated than first thought.

After 3 years of storage at various Telecom depots on Merseyside, L835 was kindly donated by British Telecom to the Mersey & Calder B.P.G. in May 1984. It was restored in 1984/1985, receiving a full set of seat frames and cushions to replace those removed in 1980.

L835 seen outside the Large Objects Store.

During 1990, due to loss of undercover storage at the Large Objects Store (a Merseyside County Museums Project, which closed due to redevelopment) L835 along with some of the more 'modern' examples of the M. & C. fleet had to be stored in the open for a number of years.

Unfortunately, L835's condition deteriorated during this period, a reminder to everyone about the importance of secure undercover storage facilities and although it is now safely back undercover it is now requires restoration once again. L835 has been moved to its custodian’s workshop so that the necessary work can be carried out.

L835 undergoing repanelling and finally completed at Woodvale 2007.

L835 has now been fully restored and a full report of its restoration can be seen here.