Celebration weekend for historic Cumbrian transport
Written by John Williamson on 27/04/2022
A fleet of historic buses will gather on Cumbria’s coast this Bank Holiday weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a revolutionary form of public transport built and first seen on British roads here in Cumbria.
The port of Whitehaven plays host to the Leyland National 50 Event to celebrate the famous Leyland National bus which was a game-changer for public transport.
Around 50 heritage vehicles will take part in the event this Saturday and Sunday (April 30 and May 1) including early examples and special one-offs of the Leyland National.
It first entered service on British roads in Whitehaven back in March 1972 and was the result of a collaboration between British Leyland and Cumberland Motor Services.
It was built at a new factory established at Lillyhall near Workington. West Cumbria was chosen as the location to help counter the impact of job losses from traditional local industries like steel making and mining.
The new bus was constructed as a single unit without a separate chassis and body. For the first-time motor car production line techniques were applied to buses. One of the event’s organisers, Mike Morton, says: “The bus was both loved and hated. On one side it represented standardisation and a lack of diversity, on the other it was a step forward in passenger comfort, efficiency and ease to drive.”
Over 7,700 Leyland Nationals were made over the following 13 years. The final one rolled off the production line in 1985 when the model was superseded by the Lynx.
Leyland National 50 is a free event organized by Workington Transport Heritage Trust. Buses will be lined up along the harbour front and operate a park and ride service, free town tours and a run to the Lillyhall factory site which is now used by the Eddie Stobart company. There will also be preserved Cumberland buses opposite the old bus station, a Leyland National 50 exhibition in The Beacon Museum, trade stands and a continental market on the oldest of the quays, the Sugar Tongue.
Michael Morton, says: “This event has been made possible by the invaluable co-operation of local organisations including Copeland Borough Council, Whitehaven Town Council, Whitehaven Harbour Commission, The Beacon Museum, Lakes College, Britain’s Energy Coast, Eddie Stobart and Stagecoach.”
Leyland National 50 takes place in Whitehaven between 10am and 4pm on Saturday April 30 and Sunday May 1.
