VTU 76: Daimler CVG6 Northern Counties H3S/23C 1956
VTU 76 was delivered new to the Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley & Dukinfield Transport
& Electricity Board and was first registered on 2nd February 1956. It was one of
6 vehicles with bodies similar to that on the unique SHMD Atkinson doubledecker,
but with improvements in detail. Features include Northern Counties' patent air-
The centre entrance arrangement was the pet theory of the then General Manager,
L.G.Stockwell. The idea was to create more circulating space in the gangways, hopefully
reducing congestion and boarding delays. A seat opposite the entrance allowed the
conductor to supervise the platform without getting in the way, and there was generous
provision of strap-
The chassis was the standard SHMD bus of the period, with Gardner 6LW engine, Daimler
fluid flywheel, 4-
In 1962, this bus along with the rest of the SHMD fleet, was fitted with a 240v electrical system. Buses parked in the open overnight were plugged into ground sockets powering a fan heater under the rear seat upstairs and an immersion heater in the radiator tank bottom. This protected the bus in freezing conditions and resulted in easy starting and warm saloons whatever the weather. In 1969 the SHMD fleet passed to the SELNEC PTE who renumbered 76 as 5676. The SHMD fleetname and arms were removed but none of the batch received SELNEC livery or fleetnames, retaining SHMD light green livery until finally withdrawn early in 1972. 76 was bought for preservation on withdrawal, and is now with its third private owner. It is very much in original condition with the exception of some minor front end alterations arising from a collision with a terraced house while on service; the bus survived but the house was so badly damaged that it had to be demolished.