The VRLL
operated by Hulme Hall Coaches

Photography copyright of Michael Freer, also with grateful thanks to Phil Freer

An introductory image of OCK62K when operated by Standerwick.

VRLL's - the express coach version of the Bristol VR's were initially only used by Standerwick - the coaching arm of Ribble, and were used mainly on services up and down the M6 and M1 from the north west.
Upon withdrawal they went to different operators, including Tyne & Wear who used theirs mainly for dock transfers.

Tyne & Wear disposed of them in 1983, most going to Australia, but two - OCK62K and OCK67K which had been numbers 32 and 37 in their fleet, joined the Hulme Hall of Cheadle Hulme fleet.

On Shed...

OCK62K at the Hulme Hall depot. The two VRLL's that Hulme Hall acquired were from a batch of ten that included OCK60K through to OCK69K. Other Standerwick VRLL's were the prototype FCK450G, LRN51J to LRN59J, and finally PRN70-79K (numbered 50 and 51-79 to match the registration numbers.

OCK62K on a different date at the Hulme Hall depot. The staircase on these is above the rear offside wheelarch seen in this view - between the wheelarch and the rear on this side mounted longitudinally (below the line of the lower deck windows) is the Leyland engine. Also featured in the back area is a toilet.

OCK67K still carried Tyne & Wear yellow and white at the beginning of its Hulme Hall use, and fleet number '37', this image shows the front 'driver only' near-side door, the passenger door being just in front of the rear near-side wheel.

Visible in this rear view of OCK67K is the central rear door leading to a large luggage area, the position of the door is obviously only possible due to the positioning of the engine - for which you can see here the grills. Luggage space was also available in racks above the seats. This photo also shows clearly the three skylight windows. On the top deck these are the only windows that could be opened.

In use...

OCK62K at an unknown location with a green VRT disappearing in the background. This is thought to be on the same day as the following selection of images.

OCK67K and OCK62K pose on Manchester Piccadilly's Station Approach.

On the same day, the same pair at another location, possibly in Manchester. The images were taken on an enthusiasts tour organised by Geoffrey Males of the Model Bus Federation some time around 1982.

...is of OCK67K and OCK62K posed outside one of their former haunts - the Frenchwood depot of Ribble in Selborne Street, Preston.

OCK62K - the chassis number for this was VRLLH2/138.

OCK67K basking in the sunshine, also for reference the chassis number was VRLLH2/143.

To finish the selection is this lovely view of OCK67K, again in the sunshine but following a repaint into this version of Hulme Hall colours, during 1984? The photographer left Hulme Hall in 1985 and the two VRLL's were still operating, but did not last too much longer - Rob Sly's Bristol website reports that these were withdrawn in early 1985.
Both were scrapped in the coming years.

Relevant Links to this page: Hulme Hall...
Bristol VR Running Day, 07/10/06
Official Hulme Hall Coaches web page
Standerwick fleet details available at...
Rob Sly's Bristol website