The Merseyside Transport Trust

L255 is seen in service under both the LCPT and MPTE, in Liverpool City Centre.

The top right picture shows the bus during restoration work, and finally as it is today.

New in November 1956, L255 was one of a batch of 65
Leyland Titan PD2/20 chassis that had been ordered back in
1955, partly to enable the 19 & 44 tram routes to be converted
to bus operation. It was originally painted in the dark green
livery with two cream bands.

The first 35 of these Titans (L245 to L279) arrived with fully
completed Crossley bodywork with seating for 62, this total
being made possible by the rearward-facing seat for five
located against the front bulkhead.

The remaining 30 (L280 to L309) arrived in 1958 with the
Crossley bodywork in shell form only, to be completed by the Corporation's own workforce at Edge Lane Works. However, due to staff shortages and the major bus refurbishment programme in progress at the time, the shells were never completed in Liverpool. After a long period in storage they were finally completed by Metro-Cammell entering service in late 1961.

These buses introduced a more modern internal appearance with green formica between the windows and below the bench seats, rather than the painted half green/ivory of their predecessors. A further 45 similar vehicles numbered L310 to L355 followed in 1957/8.

When new L255 was allocated to Carnegie Road garage, but its stay here was only short-lived as it was transferred to Walton in March 1957. Here it was used on routes such as 19/44/92/93 serving the new expanding housing estates of Kirkby, Southdene and Tower Hill as well as the Corporation's own Kirkby Industrial Estate.

When Walton closed for rebuilding in October 1962, L255, along with the majority of Walton's allocation moved to the new Gillmoss garage. Following overhauls in 1966 and 1971 it returned to Gillmoss. It then moved to Litherland garage in August 1973 and saw use on services 28, 51, 52, 53, 55, 55A, 56, 57, 57A, 58 and 59 to Ford, Netherton and Sefton.

Over the years the Crossley bodied PD2s saw service at Walton, Gillmoss, Edge Lane, Green Lane and Litherland depots. But it was Litherland which was the bastion of back-loader routes until the end of crew operation, even getting Birkenhead PD2s allocated towards the end! L255’s stay at Litherland was a short one as it was transferred for the last time in April 1975 to Green Lane. Here it was used mainly on peak hour extras and industrial workings until it was finally withdrawn from service in March 1976. Purchased for preservation in May 1976 it joined the other vehicles in the growing Mersey and Calder Preservation group in 1977 .

As L255 was in basically good condition, so it was soon rubbed down and painted back into the early 1960's livery of green with cream staircase panel and window surrounds. Over the next ten years or so it attended numerous rallies throughout Britain. Including London-Brighton & Weymouth. It was also borrowed to commemorate the retirement of the MPTE's last clippie (conductress) at Litherland depot, even being used unofficially in service on the occasion on service 28B!

In 1996 after more than 20 years in active preservation and with more than 25 years since a major overhaul, it was time for some major body restoration. After stripping every external panel off the bus, it was soon found that there was a fair amount of work involved.

Over the next 10 years the following work has been undertaken: front and rear bulkheads have been replaced, tin front /bonnet /front wing areas renovated or replaced, complete back end replaced including the platform and staircase, new lower and upper saloon floors installed and new lino fitted, full repaint interior and exterior to mid 1960s livery, seats retrimmed in brown leathercloth, a replacement Leyland O.600 engine fitted, full brake system overhaul, complete rewire and windows re-rubbered.

Following a flurry of activity in early 2007, L255 was eventually completed, finally passing the MOT test just two days before the Trust's annual running day in September 2007, and proving a popular attraction during the day.

Despite being over 50 years old, performance is still up to today's standards in the city traffic. Thanks must go to all the people, too numerous to mention, who have assisted with the restoration of L255 over the years.

During 2009 a re-chromed drivers window surround was fitted, and in 2010 side adverts were added much improving its appearance.