Here’s a vivid shot I recently found: a 1959 Hebble AEC Regent 3, working Route 40 to Halifax, parked at Cleckheaton Bus Station. What makes this one special is how much atmosphere it captures—and in black and white, no less.
Highlights and observations:
The vehicle is unmistakable—a classic Regent 3, bold yet elegant in its period styling with dual headlights and strong Hebble detailing.
The photo is in monochrome, adding to its timeless feel.
In the background: a bus station shop, modest signage, perhaps a shelter visible behind the hustle, all lending context to the everyday bustle.
A distinctive feature—the Cleckheaton bus station clock, perched on a double-headed lamp post, which anchors the location visually and historically.
The station layout: two-lane bus stands in view, showing how operations were organized—multiple vehicles could align for boarding or departure.
Questions and thoughts I’m hoping to explore further:
Would love to track down documents or photos of Cleckheaton’s bus station shop (businesses that operated there in 1959)—curious who was serving the commuters.
Would appreciate any thoughts—or if you’ve seen comparable period shots of Route 40 or of the Regent 3 in live action. Always fascinating what small details like a man’s coat or the design of a lamp post can reveal about life back then.
- bus1.jpg (1.08 MiB) Viewed 47 times
Martin
