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Worcester, home of Elgar and the sauce, sits proudly on the banks of the River Severn, about 30 miles south west of Birmingham.   It is a true county town, with a wide selection of city centre bus services as well as trunk routes serving such places as Malvern and Birmingham.   The main operator is First Midland Red, with only a handful of smaller operators providing links to rural villages.   Some local express services still exist, although many have been abandoned or cut back and it is a National Express backwater.   A visit to the newish bus station reveals lots of Mercedes minibuses, and Dennis Lances as well as the odd veteran coach.   The main attraction is that it is almost totally Barbie-free - surely an incentive for any enthusiast.
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Photo Facts
Right: First Midland Red 254 (M254MRW), one of a large batch of Paxton Verde bodied Dennis Lances that operate from Worcester depot.   It is seen in Worcester bus station in August 2002, on the trunk Malven Link service.
Upper left: Malvern hosts one of the stages of the Milk Race for cyclists, June 1993.
Lower left: Great Malvern Priory, June 1993.
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Photo Facts
Left: A plethora of Nationals in Worcester Town Bus station in November 1984.
Right: The NBC only bought a few Alexander bodied vehicles, such as this Midland Red Daimler Fleetline 6285 (YHA285J) seen in Worcester bus station in July 1978.
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Photo Facts
Upper left Midland Red were a major body builder from the 1950's to the 1970's.   Their distinctive looks are displayed by this BMMO S21 5862 (JHA862E) heading for Cheltenham in July 1978 on the only recently discontinued 373 service.
Lower left: During the 1980's the local express services of all the Midland Red companies were marketed under the Midland Express banner.   Rather unusually, Midland Red West had a batch of dual purpose Nationals for these routes including A202YWP seen in Worcester Bus Station in November 1984.
Right: Worcester Cathedral in August 2002.
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  Photo Facts
Top left: Old coaches don't die, they fade away in the Midland Red West fleet.   Plaxton/Tiger 1003 (B103JAB) is almost 20 years old, having started life as a toilet coach.   However it is seen here in August 2002 in Worcester Bus Station heading for Droitwich.
Top middle: After the flood of city centre minibus conversions in the 1980's, many services subsequently reverted to big bus operation.   Worcester is one of the few exceptions, which can be seen in this March 1994 view of Mercedes 1339 (C339PNP) and 1315 (C315PNP).
Top right: Midland Red West adopted a variation of their traditional livery in the 1980's as seen on this fine Plaxton/Leopard PHA336M, basking in winter sunshine in November 1987.
Right: Midland Red West JOX451P, a Plaxton/Leopard on National Express service (773) from Wolverhampton to Bristol in November 1984.
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Towns in Focus
Worcester
   Worcester
   
  Click to enlarge photos.
 
  Links
 
First Midland Red in Worcestershire
Comprehensive Midland Red enthusiast website
Great Malvern Priory
 
   
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