MERSEYSIDE TRANSPORT TRUST

1054 (FKF 933G) was new to Liverpool Corporation Passenger Transport in 1968. It served until 1981 when the last of the 110 Leyland Panthers were withdrawn. Its final allocation was to Garston Depot. It then went to Liverpool Airport where it carried passengers to planes, but was not frequently used. The Airport disposed of it in 1989, when it was acquired for preservation and stored until 2003.

The Merseyside Transport Trust meticulously restored it to its final livery and, on 10th September 2008 it passed its first MOT test for over a quarter of a century. The photographs on this page were taken during the Merseyside Transport Trust Running Day on 21st September 2008 when it carried its first passengers since 1989.

Driver Ron Reynolds was based at Garston from 1957 until 1991. Eric Duckett was at Garston in the early 1970s and both were "booked in" on services 4 & 5. They are now retired, and Ron moved away to Surrey a few years ago, but they met up with each other and 1054 at Woolton terminus on the 2008 Running Day. During preparation for MOT in August 2008 a Relief Slip completed by Eric Duckett in July 1976 was found in the destination box of 1054 and was duly re-united with him.

Below top: Eric Duckett meets up with "Taffy" Reynolds at the terminus on Hunts Cross Avenue, opposite Manor Road.

Bottom left: The relief slip made out by Eric Duckett in 1976

Below second: Eric Duckett at the wheel of 1054.

Bottom right: "Taffy Reynolds" at the English Rose terminus of service 4 with an AEC Regent V in the early 1960s, and with 1054 at Penny Lane in 2008.