BUSWORLD PHOTOGRAPHY

I AM CHRISTOPHER LEACH THE ARTIST. I started this blog so that I can share with everyone my vast collection of transport photographs showing a personal and nostalgic view of the industry with images that span some 45 years taking in the U.K and some of Europe. I have no darkroom and so rather than being the perfectionist after tidying them up I upload the images warts and all, and even those that won't scan squarely or are scratched. In a way it adds age and character. You are all free to download these for your personal use but please remember I still own them and you are not just free to use them without prior permission for any knd of publishing. Click on images to enlarge them and if you want to see more leave your comments or visit my website for the mother-site with galleries including those Buses & Girls: PICTUREWORLD

Friday 16 July 2010

1801: Not Berlin's finest bus but I miss them.

As is often the case I tend to take buses for granted till they start to vanish and then they no longer seem so mundane as one has to seek them out for that final ride delicious ride that stirs all those taken for granted memories. Once almost every West Berlin bus seemed to be one of these rather dull Wagon-Union bodied MAN SD200's built between 1975and 1985. Rather like the contemporary Ikarus single-deckers across the dividing wall in East Berlin an attractive front disguised rather a functional design. But they did have character and especially as the engines made a pleasant whine which reminded me slightly of the UK MCW Metrobus an even more favourite bus. No.1801 dates from the 1982 and was photographed in the model's heyday when still quite new and just look at the old 'Bauhaus' inspired bus stop. Like the Berlin double-decker the brewer Schultheiss is another local icon. I've been repremanded for drinking it when 'cool types' swig Becks Lager, but what the hell I can buy that at my local Sainsbury's and what would be the point of coming to Germany if  I just want 'roast beef'.

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