Old Midland Red buses to be celebrated at Transport Museum

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A SPECIAL event will be held at Wythall Transport Museum on Sunday (October 14) to celebrate the old 'Midland Red' buses which used to operate throughout the region.

Midland Red was launched in 1904 and, ironically for a company which went on to such big things, scrapped its early motor buses in favour of a return to the horse and cart because they were considered too unreliable.

The motor buses were reintroduced in 1912 and Midland Red became so big that it used to design and build its own buses, leading the other manufacturers.

As well as offering cost-effective public transport, it was one of the Midlands' major employers and designed the first motorway express coaches - ready for the opening of the M1 in 1959.

The centenary of Midland Red in 2004 was the most popular day ever to be held at Wythall Transport Museum.

At Sunday's event, young people can find out how important the operator used to be and there will be two Midland Red buses dating back to 1940 and 1950 which will be on show for the first time after their refurbishments.

The Wythall Transport Museum boasts around 100 local buses, coaches, milk floats and bread vans and visitors will be able to ride some of the venue's classic buses.

As well as the buses, the miniature ride-on steam railway will be running and youngsters can try out the venue's new play cabin, along with games and films to watch.

For more, visit www.wythall.org.uk

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