A visitor to the Cobham Bus Museum was this former London Transport Leyland Cub C111 (CLX548), the survivor of a batch of eight delivered in 1936. Park Royal Vehicles supplied the one-and-half deck bodywork. Painted in a dedicated blue and yellow livery, the batch worked the night-time Inter Stations Express service, that connected London’s railway termini to convey passengers during the hours the Underground network was not operating. The raised rear deck provided space for the passengers’ luggage. The service was suspended during World War II, and after being resumed in 1945, the Cubs were replaced in 1950 by conventional vehicles.
Ian’s Bus Stop records that sister vehicle C112 (CLX549) was sold in 4/53 to Tommy Dickson, a Perth-based motor racing driver and garage proprietor, who briefly used the vehicle as a racing car transporter. C112 later went to a Perthshire farm for use as a henhouse.
I was privileged to have known Tommy Dickson (1928-2021). He was the lifelong friend of my late stepfather, Jack Ewart, both being natives of Kirriemuir, Angus, sharing the same impish sense of humour. Tommy’s competitive racing career ended in 1962 (as did that of Stirling Moss), leaving him free to concentrate on his Mercedes-Benz dealership that continues to thrive in Perth. Tommy told me of some of his racing exploits, notably against the young Jim Clark - later to become Formula 1 World Champion in 1963 and 1965. At the time, Tommy drove a lightweight Lotus 11 while Clark was in a Jaguar XK120. Tommy would beat Clark in the corners, while Clark would catch him up along the straights. Tommy Dickson was also a member of the Ecurie Ecosse team (remember the Corgi Toys Ecurie Ecosse car transporter?) Tommy participated in the 1958 Le Mans 24 Hours race and drove the only Lotus that managed to finish. Great friends with Jim Clark off the track, perhaps Tommy’s exploits persuaded Jim Clark to join Team Lotus?
July 1995
Rollei 35 camera
Fujichrome 100 film.
