Something Special
(BBC children's programme, 2003-)
Umbrella title for a long-running series of shows starring children's favourite Mr Tumble (Justin Fletcher) and introducing Makaton sign language.
Episode 5.02: City:
A starring role for a smart former Ribble Bristol VRTSL/Eastern Coachworks. OCK995K was new as Ribble 1995 in 1972. It was converted to open-top by Eastern Counties in 1986, and is seen here in this cream and maroon livery working for Classic Bus Lancashire:
Episode 9.16: Vehicles:
This 2016 episode includes good footage inside and out of MTU296, a 1950 Foden PVFE6/Metalcraft new to Coppenhall of Sandbach. The spots were added for filming:
Mr Tumble's Busy Bus Day (Easter special, 2022)
Mr Tumble is mistaken for the new cleaner at the bus museum. The museum in question is Manchester's Museum of Transport, and he is a bit of a bus enthusiast:
A nice view of:
North Western 224 (CDB 224) a 1947 lowbridge all-Leyland Titan PD2/1;
Manchester Corporation 3520 (TNA 520) a Leyland Titan PD2/34/Burlingham new in 1958;
Bolton Corporation 77 (JBN 153), a 1956 Leyland Titan PD2/13/Metro-Cammell;
and part of Rochdale 235 (HDK 835) an AEC Regent III/East Lancs from 1951:
SELNEC 7001 (VNB101L), a 1972 Leyland Atlantean AN68/1R with Park Royal body, when new the first of a new standard Manchester double-decker;
Alexander Midland PA164 (CWG 206) a 1950 Leyland Tiger PS1/Alexander;
SELNEC EX30 (TXJ507K), the first production Leyland-National from 1972:
Greater Manchester 3065 (B65 PJA), a Leyland Olympian ONLXB/1R/Northern Counties from 1984:
Yelloway HVU244N a Plaxton-bodied AEC Reliance from 1975:
Yelloway YDK590, a 1961 AEC Reliance/Harrington:
Greater Manchester 3065 (B65 PJA) and Salford 254 (FRJ254D), a Leyland Titan PD2/40/Metro-Cammell new in 1966:
Left to right:
Manchester Corporation 74 (BND874C), a rare 1965 Leyland Panther Cub PSRC1/1 with Park Royal body;
SELNEC 5871 (KJA871F), an East Lancs-bodied Leyland Titan PD3/14 from 1968 new as Stockport 71;
Salford 214 (DBA214C), a Leyland Atlantean PDR1/1/Metro-Cammell new in 1965;
North Western 224 (CDB 224) a 1947 lowbridge all-Leyland Titan PD2/1;
Close-up of the front of the Panther Cub:
An 'extra' to the main programme, in which everyone sings 'The Wheels on the Bus' showcases many of the exhibits.
Mr Tumble sits at the wheel of Stockport Corporation 321 (EDB575), a 1951 all-Crossley DD42/7:
Stockport 91 (MJA891G), a 1969 Leyland Titan PD3/14/East Lancs, is seen behind a 1946 Leyland Beaver brewery lorry:
First Manchester 5083 (ORJ83W), a 1981 MCW Metrobus DR102/21, was new to Greater Manchester PTE. Next to it is Ellen Smith SDK442, a 1958 Leyland Royal Tiger Worldmaster RT3/2 rebodied by Plaxton in 1970. Glimpsed is Yelloway YDK590, a 1961 AEC Reliance/Harrington:
Leigh Corporation 15 (PTC114C) a 1965 AEC Renown/East Lancs alongside Manchester Corporation 3245 (JND646), a Leyland Titan PD2/3/Metro-Cammell new in 1951, in background Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley and Dukinfield (SHMD) 70 (UMA370), the unique Atkinson PMD746/Northern Counties from 1954 - the only Atkinson double-decker built:
More of SHMD 70 alongside Ashton under Lyne 80 (LTC774), a Crossley Empire TDD42/2 trolleybus from 1950:
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A better view of SELNEC EX30:
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Bury Corporation 177 (BEN177), a 1952 AEC Regent III/Weymann, alongside the Ashton Crossley trolleybus and the SHMD Atkinson:
A glimpse of long-time Museum resident RM1414 (414CLT), a 1963 London Transport AEC Routemaster that saw service as a demonstrator for Manchester Corporation in 1963:
Mr Tumble welcomes passengers aboard Salford Atlantean 214: