Britain’s only operational Midland Red D7 returns to the road following launch at Transport Museum Wythall

ONE of Britain’s most significant historic buses has returned to passenger service following a special launch ceremony at Transport Museum Wythall.

The fully restored Midland Red D7 No. 4482 was officially unveiled by broadcaster Alan Dedicoat and television motoring presenter Mike Brewer, before carrying its first public passengers for more than half a century.

Built at the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company’s Carlyle Works in 1956, No. 4482 is the only surviving Midland Red D7 double-decker and has been restored to full operational condition.

One of a fleet of 350 buses designed and built entirely by Midland Red, it represents a remarkable period in British engineering when one of the country’s largest bus operators designed and manufactured its own vehicles.

The restoration marks the culmination of several years of painstaking work by volunteers at Transport Museum Wythall and Trailways of Bloxwich.

Almost 100 visitors gathered for the launch including invited guests, supporters and members of the heritage transport community.

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Following the official unveiling ceremony, No. 4482 carried passengers once again on a trip to the newly restored Henley in Arden station, now The Station Bar, allowing many visitors to relive memories of travelling on Midland Red buses during the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s, while younger generations experienced the distinctive character of a D7 for the very first time.

A celebratory Midland Red D7 Light Ale was on tap, specially brewed for the occasion by Bewdley Brewery – with thanks to John Wright, the Brewery’s co-founder and Midland Red fan.

Alan Dedicoat, Patron of Transport Museum Wythall and one of Britain’s best-known broadcasting voices, and Mike Brewer, presenter of Wheeler Dealers unveiled the bus.

Both praised the dedication of the Museum’s volunteers and the exceptional quality of the completed restoration.

Alan was born and brought up locally in Hollywood and waxed lyrical about using the Midland Red to travel to school, college and just about everywhere else.

Mike added: “To think that a team of volunteers put this together at this level is gob smacking, it inspires me to work harder and do more.

“We live in a world these days where things are so disposable, we just throw things away, so I think that to restore and retain our heritage is really important. Thank you for doing stuff like this and thank you for keeping it alive.

Denis Chick, Trustee at Transport Museum Wythall, said: “The return of 4482 to passenger service is a day that many of us have worked towards for years.

“This remarkable achievement belongs to our volunteers, our supporters and everyone who believed this bus deserved to live again. Midland Red designed and built these buses in Birmingham, and they served communities across the Midlands for generations.

“Today we have ensured that this unique example will continue to inspire, educate and carry passengers for many years to come.’

Originally entering service on March 25 1956, No. 4482 served Midland Red from depots including Ludlow, Digbeth, Stourbridge, Worcester, Leamington Spa and Hinckley before withdrawal from passenger service at the end of 1971.

Saved for preservation in 1973, it joined the collection at Transport Museum Wythall in 1979, where it has become one of the Museum’s flagship vehicles.