Midland Red buses

I have this photo of what I think is a closed back Midland Red bus. I remember they had a few double deckers around Coventry, but were they closed back and ran in the centre of the city. Could this be one? Were they a different model to Coventry Transport as I never remember Cov Corp Trans having any of them?

Hi Baz, Hi all There's a thing from the past. Notice the destination blind with 'SERVICE EXTRA' Also the Midland Red motorway or touring coach in front.

Thanks Baz for the image - looks like a very busy Corporation Street, with a Midland Red C5 coach in front of the bus

Thanks all for the quick response. Do any know where the 590 bus route went to. This is Corporation St heading towards what is now the Co-op I think.

Up north (!) Crosville ran them as "DUPLICATE" rather than "SERVICE EXTRA"

Originally to Warwick via Kenilworth, then it was extended to Stratford-on-Avon

Here is a wider view of it all. I've taken a photo of a photo. The coach heading towards Pool Meadow is to Manchester. Must have been a Football Special, but don't think it was Cov they were playing.

I used the service occasionally between 1965 and 1970. They were all front entrance by then except I think for the odd "Stratford Blue" on relief duties.

The Co-op is on the right.

My big mistake. The plaque on the corner of the Co-op is just in front of the coach. I stand corrected.

My one time memory of the Stratford bus was a single decker with the emergency exit in the middle at the back. It went around Kenilworth, Warwick, then out to Barford, Wasperton, and Wellesbourne before getting to Stratford. I remember seeing buses like the ones out of "On the Buses" with the front door behind the engine at Stratford. Does any one have any pics of the single decker Midland Reds ?

I use to catch the Midland Red on Wheelwright Lane to Bedworth, just down from the railway lines, opposite the Hub pub in the seventies from Cov to Bedworth via Ash Green, that used to run a double decker also single decker.

Not sure where this was taken. May have been in Leicester, but still a Midland Red bus, from the 50's I think.

Hi Baz, Yes it is Leicester near to St. Margaret's. Midland Red, or BMMO (B'ham Midland Motor Omnibus Co), their correct title, had forged links with other operators & had started services linking towns further away. This included London, Nottingham, Melton & Cambridge. At about the same time they introduced better seating for their package tours. This would be 1962ish. ps. This was the start of what we have nowadays as National Express Coaches. Other big names included Black & White & one of their associate companies Royal Blue, were doing the same in the West Country.

BMMO D9 Willowbrook, Midland Red 5424, EHA424D BUSES Fest, Gaydon - 20 Aug 2017