NG604 Introduction
Northern General Transport, Gateshead-built chassis. No. 604, reg CN6100, was the first production bus; type SE6 (as built with 3 axles, needed to get the maximum length of 30 ft for 44 seats).
Chassis designed and built by NGT themselves, thus model NGT SE6; body built by Short Bros, Rochester, Kent who built buses post WWI after seaplane orders slumped, until 1935 when seaplane orders increased. (They built the Short Sunderland seaplane for Coastal Command (hunting submarines and German warships, rescuing airmen from the sea) which developed into the 'empire flying boats', of the '30s & '40s).
604 was the first 'modern' single-deck bus to maximum dimensions with engine under the floor, driver control of the entrance and all seats facing forward. It was built for the fast Newcastle - South Shields bus service in competition with the railway. It used a compact American Hercules petrol engine and was successful.
Due to the difficulty with spares during the War, 604 was converted to 2 axles in 1941 (becoming type LSE4) and had to run under a Ministry permit as it was then technically illegal. Converted to AEC diesel engine 1943.
With pressure form the industry to increase bus dimensions, James Callaghan (then at the Transport Ministry) visited NGT to determine whether the operational experience with 604 would allow a change in regulations (to allow 30 ft long buses on 2 axles). NGT reported no problems (as 604 was the only 30ft 2-axle bus) and the regulations changed in 1950 (604's other claim to fame).
At 20 years old, 604 was withdrawn in 1954 but repainted and sent to the British Transport Commission Museum in Clapham, London. With the (disgraceful) closure of the BTC Museum by Barbara Castle MP to set up the National Railway (not Transport!) Museum, London Transport got all their exhibits back but the 'provincial' items just got dumped 604 was brought back to the north east of England for the nascent Beamish Museum. While under tow for recommissioning, the tow-bar broke and 604 crashed into the towing lorry. 604 was left in its damaged condition at Beamish Museum, awaiting restoration.
In 1999, Chris Moyes, then Chief Executive of the go Ahead Group, and I formed the 'Northern Omnibus Trust' to acquire, restore and keep for posterity the historically most important motor vehicle built in the north east of England.
Bob Kell
Contact via nebpt.co.uk