Sunday 7 December 1986 – In July 1985 Yelloway Motor Services which had been managed by the Allen family for more than 50 years was sold to a new owner. Changes ensued which might have portrayed an air of an optimistic future that sadly was not going to be.

Amongst the changes made by the new management was the decision to branch out into bus service operation and to hand over the long distance coach services to National Express for which Yelloway then became a contracted operator. Vehicles would wear National Express livery resulting in the famous Yelloway colours and name no longer being seen countrywide.

This photograph shows two original Yelloway coaches flanked by two ageing double deckers acquired ‘second - or maybe more – hand’ which had at least been given Yelloway colours. (So far almost so good).

Left to right:

MLH 313L, an MCW bodied Daimler Fleetline new to London Transport in October 1972 as their DMS1313.

XNE 188S, a Plaxton Supreme bodied AEC Reliance, one of six such coaches new to Yelloway in May 1978. Now adorned with posters, stickers, whatever for the Bolton-Leeds service 403.

WDK 564T, a Plaxton Supreme bodied AEC Reliance, one of five such coaches new to Yelloway in April 1979.

RXA 52J, an Alexander bodied Daimler Fleetline new to W. Alexander and Sons (Fife) Limited in May 1971 as their FRF52.

All the buildings in the background have now gone. Rochdale’s new bus station stands on the opposite bank of the River Roch (left). The Yelloway offices on the right, the parking ground and garage off camera, all became the site of the new Council building (Number One Riverside) which replaced the now demolished former ‘black box’ Council building which is just visible in the background on the right. The old bus station was adjacent to that.