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Some open toppers start off as fully enclosed, only to be beheaded later in life. A few start as opentoppers, though new builds are more often convertible so that they spend the winter in normal service with roofs attached. Uniquely Tappins provided Oxford with some brand new half open top buses. The front section of the top deck is covered and lockable. With the access to the rear open deck closed the bus is used on school runs either side of its city tour duties. Tappins 55 (PO55NXU) is an East Lancs bodied Volvo B7TL and is seen near Oxford Station in May 2008. |
Tappins took the opportunity to modernise its City Sightseeing fleet by buying several ex Blue Triangle East Lancs bodied Dennis Tridents which were converted to open top. Here is 904 (V904FEC) in St Giles on a rare sunny day in summer 2011. |
In perfect weather the previous summer, former Blue Triangle DL908 (V908FEC) is seen at work in the ancient university city. |
DL905 (V905FEC) or simply 905 with Tom Tappin, is seen on the same day near the Ashmoleum.
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Seen in all the best company - 908 (V908FEC) passes a Heyfordian Optare Solo, a Stagecoach Oxford MAN and an Oxford Citaro in St Giles. |
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