(BBC documentary series 1980-1)

Episode: Clash of the Titans

Martin Curtis in his book 'Bristol Buses in Camera' describes how the first two Bristol/Leyland B45 prototypes, both bodied by Eastern Coachworks, made their first public appearance in an edition of 'The Risk Business' in May 1980 examining the doubledeck bus building industry. The first resembled a modified Bristol VRT, the second went on to enter the Ribble fleet numbered 2100 (DBV100W). The production B45 was named the Olympian.

Presented by 'Tomorrow's World' regulars Judith Hann and Michael Rodd, this look at competition to provide London's buses also includes much of interest from the rest of the UK.

The opening is less than serious, with a rendition of the Flanders and Swan classic song 'Transport of Delight', aboard London Transport RM2044 (ALM44B):

London Transport Leyland Titan T203 (CUL203V) is seen on test for Leyland:

MCW Metrobus demonstrator TOJ592S is seen in service with Greater Glasgow PTE:

Presenter Michael Rodd compares the Leyland Titan and the MCW Metrobus, with LT's T101 (CUL101V) on the left and M223 (BYX223V) on the right:

London street scenes show hordes of AEC Routemasters and the odd DMS class Daimler Fleetline:


The action switches to Sheffield, and broken down South Yorkshire PTE 215 (TWE115F) a Leyland Atlantean PDR1/1 with Park Royal new as Sheffield JOC 1115. It's passed by the same fleet's 593 (WWB193G) a Leyland PDR2/1, also bodied by Park Royal, new as Sheffield 193:

Presenter Judith Hann arrives aboard South Yorkshire's 522 SHE722S, a Dennis Dominator/East Lancs demonstrator:

Various Routemasters at work:
RM987 (WLT987) and RM1053 (53CLT):

RM666 (WLT666), RM1945 (ALD945B):

RM1400 (400CLT), RM772 (WLT772), RLM2622 (NML622E):

RMs under overhaul including RM1664 664DYE, also DMS590 MLK590L (Daimler Fleetline CRL6/Park Royal):


Judith Hann manoeuvres a DMS; Michael Rodd inspects a DMS engine compartment:

DMSs being scrapped at Wombwell Diesels in Yorkshire, including DMS535 (MLK535L): (Fleetline CRL6/Park Royal):

DMS1868 (GHM868N) Daimler CRL6/MCW in service:

RML2633 (NML263E) and a sister Routemaster:

DMS1869 GHM869N on the limited stop 616:

Aldenham works:

MBS591 (AML591H), an AEC Merlin/MCW on Red Arrow route 500:

RML1430 (430CLT):

A London Country RB-class AEC Reliance/Duple Dominant II in Green Line service:

A lineup of Ts and Ms, the only identifiable is M209 (BYX209V):

BCK706R, the second Leyland Titan prototype on a skid pan:

Titan demonstrator NHG732P passes in background:

FHG592S, the first Titan prototype:

1436 (PNE358R), the second Foden NC/Northern Counties supplied to Greater Manchester PTE:

A pair of West Midland PTE Volvo Ailsas/Alexander including 4756 JOV756P and maybe 4763 JOV763P:

Two Leicester Dennis Dominators and an Ailsa - Marshall-bodied 231 UFP231S and East Lancs-bodie UFPxxxS; I'm open to identification of the Ailsa/Alexander:

A Scania chassis on display for British operators:

South Yorkshire PTE 511 (SWG311S), a Foden NC/Northern Counties:

South Yorkshire's 722 (SHE722S) a Dennis Dominator/East Lancs seen clearly this time:

SYPTE 2005 (CLM346T) a MAN SG192R artic on trial in Sheffield:

Michael Rodd takes the wheel of a unregistered Leyland Olympian/ECW, described as the Olympian's first appearance in public, but there are two different vehicles seen here. B45-01 has a Bristol VRT-type front, while B45-02 has what would now be recognised as an Olympian front. It's unclear which one he's driving:


LT's RM82 (VLT82) undergoes tilt testing:

More 'Transport of delight' aboard RM2044 ALM44B: