Moore Brothers (Kelvedon) Ltd

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2 CONTENTS Moore Brothers (Kelvedon) Ltd. - Fleet History Page 3 Moore Brothers (Kelvedon) Ltd. - Bus Fleet List Page 8 Cover Illustration: 19PVX, a 1959 Guy Arab IV with Massey 67-seat lowbridge bodywork. It passed to Eastern National 4 years later where it was re-numbered (LTHL collection). First Published 2015 by The Local Transport History Library. Second Edition With thanks to John Boylett (courtesy John Kaye) for illustrations. The Local Transport History Library ( For personal use only. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise for commercial gain without the express written permission of the publisher. In all cases this notice must remain intact. All rights reserved. PDF Booklet:

3 The history of Moore Brothers can be traced back to W. E Moore, who, in 1815, first commenced operations as a carrier using three donkeys and a cart. The business was gradually developed and by 1865 a horse drawn (passenger and goods) carrier service was operating between Chelmsford and Colchester (the use of donkeys was discontinued in 1877!). The first horsebus service was introduced in 1881, between Kelvedon and Coggeshall, to link with the Great Eastern Railway line to London. By the end of the century, Charles, Horace and Basil Moore, now trading as Moore Brothers were also operating a passenger service between Braintree and Colchester as well as continuing the carrier service. In 1912 the first motorised vehicle, a Ford T chassis, was purchased. This was ostensibly for use as a taxi, but also later served in connection with the bus business and in a funerary capacity. Two more Ford T's were purchased in 1913, before the first purpose-built non-horse-powered passenger vehicle, a Clarkson steam bus, was acquired the following year. The new vehicle was used to inaugurate services between Kelvedon and Colchester. On Tuesdays and Fridays journeys would be via Tiptree, whilst on Wednesdays and Saturdays it would serve Coggeshall. An additional route serving Colchester from Braintree was also introduced around this time. In July 1915, Moore Brothers took delivery of a new Thornycroft 30hp vehicle with 14 seat charabanc body, joined by two more Thornycroft J types in 1919, one of which 3

4 (HK4232) came via Berry of Colchester and received the body from the Clarkson steamer. The other (HK6530), although purchased new, carried a second-hand body from an ex-british (British Automobile Traction) bus. The delivery of these vehicles meant that the use of the carrier carts could be discontinued. The final Thornycroft was delivered in 1922, the fleet in the meantime being expanded by the purchase of several more Ford T's, that were used on various duties, including passenger services. Two further routes had been introduced by 1924, Kelvedon to Braintree, via Earls Colne and Halstead on Wednesdays and via Easthorpe and Birch on Fridays. Initially the Ford T's were used to supplement the service, but with the arrival of new vehicles this was no longer necessary. The route between Colchester and Kelvedon was extended to Chelmsford in 1929 and necessitated the purchase of more vehicles. Initially, two Thornycroft A6 buses with 26-seat bus bodies were purchased, joined later the same year by a 20-seat GMC T30, which, along with another GMC that had been purchased the previous year, proved so successful that the larger 32-seat T60 version was ordered. At the same time two Gilford 168 OT models were delivered, and quickly became the standard vehicle, a further eight such vehicles being acquired in the following two years. In 1932 the stage carriage services of Blue Bird Services of Tiptree were taken over, along with a solitary Gilford 166OT vehicle. Bluebird had operated two routes, between 4

5 Colchester and Tolleshunt Knights via Tiptree, and Chelmsford to Malden via Hatfield Peverel, neither of which connected with Moore Brothers routes (apart from a small section on the Colchester to Chelmsford service) and involved dead mileage for Moore's buses. Throughout the 1930's Moore Brothers continued to expand its stage carriage services and added additional routes including Braintree to West Mersea, via Coggeshall, Kelvedon and Tiptree and a Saturday only summer season express service to Great Yarmouth. There were improvements to existing routes, the Chelmsford to Colchester service was now hourly, the Braintree to Colchester every 40 minutes, whilst the Colchester to Tiptree was hourly with additional journeys on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays via Messing. In order to cope with the diverse nature of the routes and an increasing demand for private hire and contract work, the company ordered two Albion PV70's for delivery in The petrol-engined Albions proved popular with passengers and crew alike and accordingly orders over the next few years were predominately for Albion models. In 1937, three ex-city of Oxford Motor Services AEC Regent double-deckers were purchased, breaking the single-deck monopoly, which had been Moore Brothers policy since

6 With the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 the immediate consequences of petrol rationing and the fact that some of the older vehicles were approaching the end of their useful lives, made the economics of double-deckers more viable. Three second-hand buses were purchased to replace the more elderly Gilfords and during the war years further double-deckers (including an 'unfrozen' Bristol K5G) were purchased. The first Guy Arab I (JTW447) was delivered in 1943 and interestingly was still in service at the time of the take-over in 1963! Subsequently the Company standardised on Guy chassis for future orders, including those purchased for coach work. During the war, however, Moore Brothers bus services were radically curtailed and some sections of route (including the journeys on the Colchester service via Messing) were abandoned altogether and never re-instituted after the war. In 1947 though a new Wednesday only service between Braintree and Pattiswick, and a Friday only service between Messing and Colchester, were introduced using exclusively singledeck vehicles. Guy Arab vehicles continued to predominate and in the early fifties a clutch of second-hand vehicles was purchased, four ex-birch Brothers Arab II's and four ex-dartmouth Coaches single-deck Arab III's. These were used to replace the petrolengined Albions and AEC single-deckers and to demote the other surviving nonstandard vehicles to 'spare' duties. The delivery, in 1954 and 1955 of three new 'tin-front' Guy Arab IV's finally allowed the Company to withdraw the remainder of the petrol-engined vehicles and non-standard makes from the fleet. 6

7 A new route was introduced in 1956 between Earls Colne and Colchester, travelling via Coggeshall, Kelvedon and Messing, replacing the Kelvedon to Earls Colne and Messing to Colchester routes. There were only four journeys on weekdays and just three on Sundays, requiring the use of only one vehicle, usually a single-deck Arab III saloon. A surprising choice for the coach intake for this year, given the Company's penchant for Guy vehicles, was two Commer Avenger III chassis with Duple C41F bodywork, which joined the only other two non-guy vehicles in the fleet, two Bedford OB's of A further Commer Avenger, this time a type IV chassis, was purchased in What was to be the final new service introduced by Moore Brothers commenced on December 5th 1960, between Tiptree and Colchester and provided a single inward journey to Colchester in the morning peak and two outward journeys in the evening peak. Two years later, on the last day of 1962, and after several weeks of rumours, the application by Eastern National for the take-over of Moore Brothers services was made official. The then proprietor, Mr. Harold Moore, had taken the decision to sell because there was no one to succeed him now that he had reached retirement age. The date of the take-over was 3rd February 1963, and after almost 150 years of service, Moore Brothers (Kelvedon) Ltd, left the public transport stage. 7

8 Bus Fleet List This list is in the format - Reg. No; Chassis; Chassis No; Body; Seating F6060; Ford T;? ;? ;? Withdrawn unknown (F6060) F7257; Ford T; ;? ;? F7627; Ford T;? ;? ; 4 F7627 ex-grey, Rettendon Common. Withdrawn unknown (F7257, F7627). 8

9 1914 F8536; Clarkson 32hp;? ; Hurst Nelson; O40R Withdrawn F5619; Thornycroft 30hp; 1106;? ; Ch14 Ex-Holmes and Smith, Southend. Withdrawn HK2588; Ford T; ;? ; Ch14 Original seating unknown re-seated as shown at an unknown date. Withdrawn unknown 9

10 1919 HK4232; Thornycroft J; 7116;? ; O40RO HK4696; Ford T; ;? ;? HK6530; Thornycroft; 7773;? ; O36RO HK4232 ex-berry, Colchester; re-bodied to Ch32 by Strachan & Brown c HK6530 re-bodied to Ch32 by Strachan & Brown c Withdrawn 1921 (HK4232, HK4696), unknown (HK6530) HK7284; Ford T; ;? ;? HK8589; Ford T;? ;? ;? HK8599; Ford T;? ;? ; B14? HK7284 was a van with seats. Withdrawn 1920 (HK7284), by 1930 (HK8589, HK8599). 10

11 1921 NO2732; Thornycroft; 4002;? ; O40RO Re-seated to O38RO by 1922; to O40RO by Withdrawn by NO5124; Thornycroft J; 3213; Hurst Nelson; O40R Body transferred from F8536 (new 1914). Withdrawn unknown 1925 PU9308; Chevrolet S; S5166T;? ; B14F Withdrawn unknown 11

12 1927 TW8006; Chevrolet LM; 15327;? ; B14F TW8435; Reo; ;? ; C20F TW9926; Reo; ;? ; B20F VW2275; Chevrolet LM; 18275;? ; B14F Withdrawn 1932 (TW9926), 1934 (VW2275), unknown (TW8006, TW8435) VW2851; Chevrolet LO; 40038;? ; B14F VW2852; Reo Pullman; GB163;? ; B26F VW3178; Reo Sprinter; FAX5031;? ; B20F VW6756; GMC T40E; ; Economy; B26F Withdrawn 1933 (VW2852), unknown (VW2851, VW3178, VW6756). 12

13 1929 VX51; Chevrolet LQ; 52578; Economy; B14F VX ; Thornycroft A6; 18276/298;? ; B26F VX2632; GMC T30; ;? ; B20F Withdrawn 1935 (VX297), 1938 (VX298, VX2632), 1939 (VX2632) VX3808; Gilford 168 OT; 11207; Wycombe; B32F VX4075; Gilford 168 OT; 11247; Wycombe; B32F VX4279; GMC T60D; ;? ; B32F VX4637; GMC T60D; 60924;? ; B32F VX7065; GMC T30C; ;? ; B20F Withdrawn 1937 (VX4279, VX4637, VX7065), 1938 (VX4975), 1939 (VX3808). 13

14 1931 EV ; Gilford 168 OT; 11877/879; Petty; C32C EV2510; Gilford 168 OT; 11948; Petty; C32C Withdrawn 1941 (EV179), 1942 (EV2510), unknown (EV180) EV ; Gilford 168 OT; 12046/47; Petty; C32C EV5301; Bedford WLB; ; Petty; C20F EV6337; AEC Regal; ; Petty; B32F KP7060; Gilford 166 OT; 10770; Wycombe; B32F VX2630; Gilford 166 OT; 11095; Wycombe; B32F EV6337 was re-bodied by Duple to C32F in KP7060 ex-sheppey Motor Transport, Sheerness. VX2630 ex-bluebird, Tiptree. Withdrawn 1937 (EV5301, VX2630), 1938 (KP7060), 1954 (EV6337), unknown (EV ). 14

15 1933 UV3200; Gilford 166 OT; 10843; Wycombe; C30F Ex-Venture, Hendon. Withdrawn BEV ; Albion Valiant PV70; 11509J/9H; Duple; C32F BPU202; Bedford WLB; ; Duple; C20F BPU676; Bedford WLB; ; Duple; B20F VW7483; GMC T42; 479D; Waveney; B26F VW7483 ex-bluebird, Tiptree. Withdrawn 1936 (VW7483), 1945 (BPU202, BPU676), 1950 (BEV ). 15

16 1935 CHK401; Bedford WLB; ; Duple; C20F CHK952; AEC Regal; ; Duple; C32F CHK953; Albion Valiant PV71; 11602A; Duple; C32F Withdrawn 1945 (CHK401), 1953 (CHK952, CHK953) DNO835; Albion Victor PK115; 25009A; Duple; C31F DNO836; Albion Valkyrie PW141; 44001I; Duple; C35F DNO837; Albion Victor PK115; 25010F; Duple; C31F Withdrawn 1947 (DNO ). 16

17 1937 EVW868; Albion Victor PK115; 25014L; Duple; C31F EVW869; Albion Valkyrie PW141; 44011G; Duple; C35F FEV806; Bedford WTB; 8470; Duple; C20F WL ; AEC Regent; /21; Hall Lewis; L24/24R WL9062/9063 ex-city of Oxford Motor Services (Nos. G131/137), new WL9063 re-bodied by Willowbrook to L27/26R in WL9062 re-bodied by Willowbrook to L27/26R in Withdrawn 1947 (EVW868, EVW869), 1955 (WL ), 1957 (FEV806) GNO267-68; Albion Valkyrie SPPW141; 44017K/17L; Duple; C32F GVW634-35; Bedford WTB; 8470/8988; Duple; C20F WL9068; AEC Regent; ; Hall Lewis; L24/24R WL9068 ex-city of Oxford Motor Services (No. G132), new Rebodied by Northern Counties to L27/26R in Withdrawn 1954 (GNO267), 1955 (GNO268, WL9068), 1961 (GVW634), 1962 (GVW635). 17

18 1940 UF6468; Leyland TD1;71409; Leyland; L24/24R VH4875; Leyland TD2; 2244; Leyland; L24/24R UF6468 ex-southdown Motor Services (No. 868), new VH4875 ex-hanson, Huddersfield (No. 60), new Withdrawn 1946 (UF6468, VH4875) WN4762; AEC Regent; ; Brush; L25/26R WN4762 ex-south Wales Transport (No. 262), new Withdrawn JPU640; Bristol K5G; 57078; Duple; L27/28R Withdrawn

19 VH4875 was a 1933 Leyland TD2 with Leyland 48-seat bodywork. Seen here when new with Hanson it was acquired by Moore Brothers in 1940 and withdrawn in (LTHL collection).

20 1943 JTW447; Guy Arab I; FD25917; Brush; L27/28R Re-bodied by Massey to L29/28R in 1960 using chassis frame from OVW757 (ex- Eastern National 1192, Guy Arab III) purchased for spares in To Eastern National Omnibus Company [ENOC] 2/63 (re-numbered 1024) JVW999; Guy Arab II; FD26955; Roe; L27/28R Re-bodied by Massey to L29/28R in 1960 using chassis frame from OWV756 (ex- Eastern National 1191, Guy Arab III) purchased for spares in To ENOC 2/63 (re-numbered 1025). 20

21 JVW999 was a 1944 Guy Arab II which originally had a Roe 55-seat body but was re-bodied by Massey in 1960 with a 57-seat body on the chassis frame from OWV756 an ex-eastern National Guy Arab III (No. 1191) purchased for spares in (John Boylett courtesy John Kaye).

22 1945 JVX223; Guy Arab II; FD27478; Strachan; L27/28R JVX ; Bedford OWB; 26699/799; Mulliner; B32F JVX ; Guy Arab II; FD27433/753/767/775; Strachan; L27/28R Withdrawn 1951 (JVX ), 1958 (JVX223), 1961 (JVX555). To ENOC 2/63 (JVX , re-numbered respectively) LPU ; Guy Arab III; FD28324/325; Strachan; L27/28R LPU940; Guy Arab III; FD29455; Duple; DP35F LTW62; Guy Arab III; FD29466; Duple; DP35F LVW ; Guy Arab III; FD29483/485; Duple; DP35F LPU611 re-bodied by Massey to L29/28R in To ENOC 2/63 (LPU , LPU940, LWV124, re-numbered 1034,1035, 027, 028, [LVW125 passed to ENOC as withdrawn vehicle and was re-numbered 029], respectively). Withdrawn 1961 (LTW62) used as towing vehicle (acquired by ENOC in 2/63, renumbered 040 and retained as towing vehicle), 1962 (LVW125). 22

23 1945 Guy Arab II JVX556 with Strachan 56-seat bodywork, one of four purchased that year. All but one survived to pass to Eastern National in JVX556 being re-numbered (LTHL collection).

24 LPU612 was a Strachan 55-seat bodied Guy Arab III dating from It became No in the Eastern National fleet after the take-over in (LTHL collection).

25 1949 ONO ; Guy Arab III; FD36192/93; Strachan; L27/28R PHK ; Guy Arab III; FD70106/108; Strachan; C35F To ENOC 2/63 (ONO , PHK , re-numbered 1036, 1037, 034, 035, respectively) PHK ; Guy Arab III; FD70153/54; Strachan; C35F Withdrawn 1961 (PHK533). To ENOC 2/63 (PHK534, re-numbered 036). 25

26 PHK532, a 1949 Guy Arab III with Strachan 35-seat coach body. It also passed to Eastern National in 1963 where it was re-numbered 035. (LTHL collection).

27 1951 GYL ; Guy Arab II; FD27550/563; Weymann; L27/28R HYM685; Bedford OB; 51452; Duple; C29F MMT876; Bedford OB; 38520; Duple; C29F RTW222; Bedford OB; ; Duple; C27F HYM685, MMT685 ex-fallowfield & Britten, London. GYL ex-birch Bros., London (Nos. K ), new GYL983 re-bodied by Strachan to L28/28R in GYL984 was re-bodied by Strachan to L28/28R in Withdrawn 1955 (MMT876). To ENOC 2/63 (GYL , HYM685, RTW222, re-numbered 1029, 1030, 025, 026, respectively). 27

28 GYL983 was an ex-birch Brothers 1945 Guy Arab II with Weymann 55-seat lowbridge bodywork that joined the Moore Brothers fleet in It was re-bodied by Strachan in 1954 as shown and passed to Eastern National in 1963 where it was numbered (John Boylett).

29 1952 GYL ; Guy Arab II; FD27533/530; Weymann; L27/28R GYL ex-birch Bros., London (Nos. K ), new GYL981/982 re-bodied by Strachan to L28/28R in To ENOC 2/63 (re-numbered 1028,1027 respectively) KGT ; Guy Arab III; FD33251M/44M/307M/272M; Strachan; C35F KGT ex-dartmouth Coaches, London. To ENOC 2/63 (re-numbered 030, 032, 033, 031 respectively) YEV263; Guy Arab IV; FD72118; Strachan; L28/28R To ENOC 2/63 (re-numbered 1038). 29

30 KGT381 an ex-dartmouth Coaches Guy Arab III with Strachan 35-seat coachwork that joined the fleet in (John Boylett courtesy John Kaye).

31 YEV263, a solitary Guy Arab IV with Strachan 56-seat bodywork purchased in It became Eastern National No in February (LTHL collection).

32 DHK; Guy Arab IV; FD72582/583; Strachan; L28/28R To ENOC 2/63 (re-numbered 1039,1040, respectively) FVW; Commer Avenger III; T85A0431/32; Duple; C41F To ENOC 2/63 (re-numbered 037, 038, respectively) F; Guy Arab IV; FD73709/10; NCME; L31/32R To ENOC 2/63 (re-numbered 1041,1042, respectively). 32

33 1955 Guy Arab IV (52 DHK) with Strachan 56-seat bodywork. It became Eastern National No in (LTHL collection).

34 NO; Guy Arab IV; FD74120/124; Massey; L34/33R To ENOC 2/63 (re-numbered 1043, 1044, respectively) PVX; Guy Arab IV; FD74286/288; Massey; L34/33R To ENOC 2/63 (re-numbered 1045, 1046, respectively) VW; Commer Avenger IV; 94Y8063; Yeates; C41F To ENOC 2/63 (re-numbered 039). 34

35 Guy Arab IV 8935NO with Massey 67-seat bodywork, one of two purchased in Both passed to Eastern Counties in (LTHL collection).

36 WPU; Guy Arab IV; FD74910/911; Massey; L34/33R To ENOC 2/63 (re-numbered 1047, 1048, respectively) The following vehicles were on order but not delivered until March 1963, after the take-over and consequently never operated in Moore Bros. livery. They were numbered 1049 and 1050 respectively in the ENOC fleet AOO; Guy Arab IV; FD75265/266; Massey; L34/33R 36

37 One of the last vehicles to wear Moore Brothers livery was 372WPU, a 1961 Guy Arab IV with Massey 67-seat bodywork. (LTHL collection).

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