Thames Valley Region Buses and Coaches in the 1960s and Early 1970s

A fascinating array of operators and vehicles are portrayed in the years leading up to 1972, when National Bus Company amalgamations changed so much. Starting in Oxford, characterised by City of Oxford’s red, maroon and duck-egg green buses, the River Thames is followed through Wallingford to Reading, where the Corporation ran trolleybuses until 1968. A diversion along the Thames’ tributary River Kennett displays both Thames Valley and independent Reliance’s vehicles around Newbury. Back on the Thames at Henley, wartime Bedford OWBs were in service as late as 1966. Looping down river through Marlow and Maidenhead, Windsor and the boundary of London Transport’s monopoly area are reached. Continuing downstream past Staines and Walton-on-Thames, London Transport’s final day of trolleybus operation around Kingston upon Thames in 1962 is illustrated before conclusion with unexpected independent bus operation at Richmond upon Thames.

As well as quality pictures of both major and independent operators, the book contains unique images of buses and coaches bringing supporters to the iconic early 1960s CND Aldermaston Marches, along with second-hand buses on construction sites at AERE Harwell and elsewhere.