regentlad
Loading for Birkenside!
In days gone well by, Dalkeith's makeshift 'bus station' was situated at Crystalmount (High St) and this scene from 1965 shows passengers loading a splendid AEC Regent bound for Birkenside. The Regent, (in busman's parlance 'the BB') is working route 89 from Edinburgh to Birkenside via Gilmerton, Easthouses low road and Newtongrange and has arrived at the stop already well-laden which is hardly surprising given that the route was one of SMT's busiest. The route was rostered jointly from Dalkeith and New St depots - BB85A being a New Street working. Seen opposite is SMT's Dalkeith office and garage, note the green gates to left of office which accessed the depot yard. The garage, opened in 1931 closed in 1966 when the new Bus Station/depot was built Eskbank Road.
Passengers on the top deck will be sitting 4-abreast as this bus had a side-gangway, but will 'enjoy' the luxury of two sunlights and of course the smart ornate coach-work by H Burlingham of Blackpool. The downside of side-gangways was watching your head as you got up to get off! New in 1950 the bus had just been re-painted into 'Lothian Green' livery but its rusting radiator chrome perhaps gives away its age. Oh the nostalgia !
Loading for Birkenside!
In days gone well by, Dalkeith's makeshift 'bus station' was situated at Crystalmount (High St) and this scene from 1965 shows passengers loading a splendid AEC Regent bound for Birkenside. The Regent, (in busman's parlance 'the BB') is working route 89 from Edinburgh to Birkenside via Gilmerton, Easthouses low road and Newtongrange and has arrived at the stop already well-laden which is hardly surprising given that the route was one of SMT's busiest. The route was rostered jointly from Dalkeith and New St depots - BB85A being a New Street working. Seen opposite is SMT's Dalkeith office and garage, note the green gates to left of office which accessed the depot yard. The garage, opened in 1931 closed in 1966 when the new Bus Station/depot was built Eskbank Road.
Passengers on the top deck will be sitting 4-abreast as this bus had a side-gangway, but will 'enjoy' the luxury of two sunlights and of course the smart ornate coach-work by H Burlingham of Blackpool. The downside of side-gangways was watching your head as you got up to get off! New in 1950 the bus had just been re-painted into 'Lothian Green' livery but its rusting radiator chrome perhaps gives away its age. Oh the nostalgia !