SELNEC PTE 6138 (JDK 738) and 6155 (KDK 655) in Rochdale - Oct 1972

October 1972 – Rochdale Corporation Transport purchased 30 Weymann bodied Daimler CVG6 double deckers in the early 1950s many of which lasted into SELNEC PTE ownership. The SELNEC PTE (South East Lancashire North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive) absorbed the Rochdale Corporation Transport undertaking in November 1969.

The Gardner engine Daimlers were added to the fleet in two batches of 15, the first 15 were delivered in March 1953 and numbered 238-252 (JDK 738-752). The further 15 were delivered in December 1953/January 1954 numbered 253-267 (KDK 653-667). None of them were painted into the SELNEC orange and white livery and they continued to operate in Rochdale’s cream and blue livery until withdrawn from service.

In this view on the Smith Street bus park in Rochdale town centre taken in SELNEC days are examples from the two different batches. Left is 6138 (JDK 738) and 6155 (KDK 655) which had been numbers 238 and 255 in the Rochdale fleet. They are flanked by two more similar buses.
6138 was numerically the first of them all and it was always possible to tell this bus from a distance because it was the only one which had had the black window rubbers painted cream.