Over time we hope that there will be something here for everyone so with that in mind.
A post for vintage transport enthusiasts. The Dennis Loline was a low-height double decker bus manufactured by Dennis Specialist Vehicles (another story for another time) between 1958 and 1966.
The design was particularly attractive to fleet operators operating bus services where low bridges could be encountered, because of it’s lower height (hence Loline).
If you are of a certain age you’d have seen these as part of your local bus fleet in certain parts of the country.
Summary
The Dennis Loline was a low-height double decker bus. Manufactured and adapted under license the vehicle was based on a Bristol (another commercial vehicles manufacturer) Lodekka.
It was primarily supplied to municipal (local authority) fleets, private sector and independent bus fleet operators in the UK during a time when Bristol’s own sales were restricted to larger state owned bus fleets.
Making her debut in 1958 the Dennis Loline was displayed at the Earls Court Commercial Vehicle Motor Show the same year.
Three versions of the Dennis Loline were built: the Loline with rear entrance, Loline II with front entrance and the later Loline III with a revised front grille in front of the radiator and a different clutch and constant mesh gearbox
In 1961, a private bus company in Nottingham, Barton Transpoert, commissioned No. 861, the lowest ever roofed British double-decker, having low bridge bodywork on a Loline chassis. It was specifically designed to pass under an ultra low railway bridge at Sawley Junction (now Long Eaton station.
A Dennis Loline went into service in 1963 in Hong Kong. It is believed to have became the first double-decker bus on Hong Kong island.
Where Did They Go?
Production of the Dennis Loline was to have finished in 1962, fortunately the decission was quickly reversed.
Production of the Loline ceased in 1966.
Preservation
Today a number of the vehicles still exist thanks to the dedicated work of transport enthusiast groups. One such group is the Teesside 500 group who own a former Middlesbrough Corporation Mk1 Loline. Our thanks to them for a fascinating story of the restoration of the vehicle whilst we enjoyed a trip around Beamish Museum on board their Loline.