Undoubtedly the most famous vehicle in the Stanhope fleet, this remarkable Alexander-bodied bus began life as a three-axle (twin front steering) Leyland Gnu - one of only two built with an entrance forward of the front axle. Introduced in 1937, the front-engined Gnu was produced in very small quantities, usually with a Duple body on which the entrance door was located behind the second axle. The two Alexander-bodied Gnus, one 40-seat bus (WG 6608) and one coach (WG 6676), were supplied to the Alexander Midland company.
Stanhope acquired the bus in 1950 and converted it to conventional two-axle layout, or so it appeared (there is some doubt as to whether the second axle remained in situ without its wheels). In any event it was an example of the skills of Stanhope's innovative fleet engineer. This image depicts the converted bus in Stanhope Motor Services livery, which was possibly a modified version of its original Alexander livery; it was withdrawn in 1954, two years before the business passed to Weardale Motor Services (24-Jan-10).
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