RC2721 - 1935 BMMO SOS DON

Brush B - F body

Trent Motor Traction No. 321

Built by the Birmingham & Midland Motor Omnibus Company (also known as Midland Red) for fellow BET (British Electric Traction) Group Company, Trent, whose operations were then based mainly around Derby. Midland Red continued to construct their own buses until the 1960s, although no longer under the SOS classification.

It has been suggested, but never proved conclusively, that the initials 'SOS' stood for 'Shires' Own Specification' - the company's Chief Engineer being Mr L.G. Wyndham Shire.

The SOS ON model was introduced in 1934, when the maximum length of single deck buses was increased to 27 ft 6. Early ONs were powered by the SOS petrol engine. As the demand for diesel engined buses grew, the diesel version of the ON - DON - was introduced, using the AEC 7.7 litre indirect injection engine. SOS developed their own diesel engine in the late 30s, which was fitted to the later SON model.

In common with many pre-war SOS single deckers, the body was built by Brush of Loughborough.

Withdrawal from passenger service came in the 1950's when 321 was converted for use as a booking / enquiry office and waiting room for use at Skegness - this involved widening the doorway, removing seats, and constructing an enquiry counter.

At that time, Trent operated a year-round limited stop service from Derbyshire to the Lincolnshire Coast - augmented by many extra services in the summer season, giving many small villages a direct service to the Coast.

Initially, the bus was driven back to Derby for the winter season, although in later years, it was towed.

Passing to the LVVS in 1962, the bus was used as the Society's support / tender vehicle, and rallied for a number of years. Tthe above photograph shows it in London - probably on its way to the London - Brighton Rally in (we believe) the early 1970s.

Having been off the road since the early 70's, 'The SOS' has in recent years served the LVVS well as a static canteen / mess room, using Trent's counter, now for the service of tea rather than timetables!

The seats are not original to this vehicle, the original seats having been removed by Trent upon conversion.

We hope that one day it will be possible to start on the restoration of this bus - although we will need to find a new canteen first!

This vehicle is currently in the Society's Workshop, and is not on regular display.