I didn't expect that today!

It's been a miserable, wet, dull day here brightened only by a quick visit to a local bus show.  On display for it's first NE outing was this gorgeous 74 year old Crossley DD42 double decker from 1947.  I photographed it in cream livery in the early 70's when Sunderland Corporation retained it for a polling booth.  It then went to a dealer in Bolton to be 'retained' but not preserved and disappeared for many years reappearing in East Anglia with a private collector.  Early this year it was offered to the North East Preservation Group who collected it just recently. 

The lower pic shows in it service with Sunderland Corporation Transport in green livery when based at Fulwell depot.  GR9006 and GR9008, (left and far right) two of the six sisters in the batch are visible. All the others were scrapped at a yard in Leeds.  (With permission MK Collection)