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Rally reports page 2 (by Shane Conway and Dick Gilbert)

Last updated 24 August 2024

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This page lists personal views of local bus rallies and transport shows at which buses were present. Some are large, some are small, but most reports are biased and way out of date! I have also put together a diary of rallies, events, open days and running days where buses may be featured, and it can be found on the Events Diary page. This colour scheme is a tribute to United Counties.

COVENTRY RUNNING DAY - Monday 1 January 2018 (by Dick Gilbert)

Dave Bickley very kindly sent me some pictures he took at the 2nd Coventry Running Day and Bus Fayre, organised by Roger Burdett in conjunction with Bus and Coach preservation magazine, based at Butts Arena. So let's open the show with Roger's glorious Eastern Belle AEC Regal III NXL 847 with its classic Duple A body. It was new in 1953, which is towards the end of the halfcab coach era.

Roger also owns this rare Beadle / Commer TS3 coach, which was originally a Beadle demonstrator back in 1955.

Another bus from Roger's collection is Western National 994 (LTA 813) a 1950 lowbridge Bristol KS5G.

And another from the Burdett stable is his magnificent Midland Red D9 no. 5424 (EHA 424D) which was built in 1966.

One of the visiting buses was Leicester 48 (GRY 48D), a 1966 Leyland PD3.

Another visitor was this Huddersfield Daimler CVG6. HVH 472D dates from 1966.

You seldom have a running day without something from London Transport showing up, and here is RF627 (NLE 627) in London country area green. There may be lots of them about, but they still look good. This one belongs to Ken Eveleigh, who lives locally and has owned it for about 15 years. Built in 1953 it was green until 1969 when it turned red for central area work until its retirement from Kingston in 1977.

This is a Seddon Pennine, and you don't see many of them about. The body is by Plaxton and it was new to Essex Coachways in 1971. Roger owns this as well, and it was the Seddon's first public outing wearing a new livery for 2018 representing local operator Red House Motor Services.

Finally here's another gem from Roger Burdett's wonderful collection. This is 1969 Southern National 02380 (OTA 640G), a typical ECW-bodied Royal Blue Bristol RELH of the period, but wearing a later livery from N. B. C. days. Thanks very much to Dave for sending the pictures and to Roger for organising what was clearly a fabulous event. He tells me they had seventeen vehicles running, which isn't bad for the 1st of January!

LOTHIAN BUSES OPEN DAY - Saturday 23 September 2017 (by Shane Conway)

As part of the Lothian Buses Central Garage open day, a varied collection of classic Embra buses were operating on route 26 between Eastfield and Atholl Crescent. A total of ten buses were noted in use on the day; Daimler CVG6 FSC 182, Leyland Titans LFS 480 and ASC 665B, Leyland Atlanteans ESF 801C, JSC 900E, BFS 1L and JSX 595T, Leyland National KSX 102X and Leyland Olympians C777 SFS and E322 MSG. Some photos by Kevin Horgan follow to show the variety of buses in service on the day.

FSC 182 is one of a batch of 20 Daimler CV buses bought in 1949, with Metro Cammell bodywork which bears a passing resemblance to contemporary deliveries to Birmingham Corporation in the same era, but fitted with a Manchester Corporation style destination box on the front.

LFS 480 represents the order of 100 Metro Cammell bodies Leyland Titan PD2/20s delivered to Edinburgh in 1954 as part of the tramway replacement programme.

Ten years later, the fleet intake comprised a batch of 50 PD3/6s with Alexander forward entrance bodies, a feature rarely seen on tin-front Leylands. Apart from Edinburgh Corporation, the only other known ones were supplied to Glasgow (139 buses), Bolton (ten full front PD2s), Scout of Preston (5) and Bournemouth, whose 20 examples also featured an open rear platform and a rear staircase, in addition to the front ones. Three others (6 BUP, 736 CVD and TSD 285) were owned by Weardale of Frosterley, Carmichael of Glenboig and Docherty of Irvine respectively. Finally Blackpool Corporation altered LFV 305, one of their 1957 Burlingham bodied buses from rear platform to dual front and rear in 1960, later changing it back to original layout. Thus a total of 228 of this style are known to have existed.

Following on from the PD3s above, Edinburgh turned to the Atlantean for its next delivery, ESF 801C being the first example of a batch of 25 with the panoramic windowed Alexander body. After these Atlanteans came a further 25 PD3s to complete the 1966 delivieries. Behind ESF 801C is seen BFS 1L, the first of the 1972/73 batch of 50 AN68s.

JSC 900E was the final member of the 1967 batch of Alexander bodied Atlanteans, differing from its A type bodied PDR1 sisters by being a J type bodied PDR2, later converted to open-top as seen here.

In 1979 Edinburgh Corporation's successor, Lothian Regional Transport, bought a batch of 23 AN68s with JSX registrations and Alexander bodies, these being similar to BFS 1L, seen above.

While most Edinburgh Corporation and Lothian buses were double deckers, small batches of single deck buses and coaches were also bought from time to time. KSX 102X was the first of 20 Leyland National mark 2s, its fleet number following on from the 1961 Leyland Leopard, YSG 101, now preserved in its original three door layout.

ASTON MANOR OPEN DAY - Sunday 9 July 2017 (by Shane Conway)

As part of a weekend expedition to the West Midlands area, the day prior to my visit to Aston Manor was taken up with a visit to the Severn Valley Railway, sampling the delights of diesel haulage behind a Class 52 diesel, and an evening trip to Bridgnorth and back on a Class 108 DMU, both of these being yet more firsts for me - this year seems to be filled with them!! Aston Manor on the Sunday was to produce yet more of them....

Three shuttle routes were being operated on the day - the most intensive being that to and from Walsall bus station. Kicking off there I boarded a Routemaster (RM506), which owes its Birmingham connections to the fact of being once owned by West Midlands Police as a community bus or some such, and has now been restored to London Transport red. Other than that, the vehicles on display on the museum forecourt were all of West Midlands origins.

One of four survivors of a batch of 30 buses, JOJ 231 was numerically the first of the group. Mostly these PS2s worked on route 27 to Bourneville because of a low bridge en route. It is a curious coincidence that route 27 in Dublin also served a Cadbury's factory, although its buses were usually double deckers.

Not having seen a Bedford VAL for many years, the chance to sample this was too good to miss. In line with the one time Bedford slogan (you see them everywhere) there was a time every small operator seemed to have one parked up somewhere, but that was in the distant past. New in 1972 (despite the G reg plate), this one has (among other things) been adorned in blue and yellow as a Beatles magical mystery tour coach. The present reg is a reference to its model type and engine size.

Another once ubiquitous type, this former Midland Red Leyland National is preserved in the livery of Midland Red West, one of the successor companies created in the 1986 carve up of the NBC empire.

Passing the VAL and a Birmingham Guy Arab, we have one of the 1984 batch of fourteen MCW Metrobuses fitted with guide wheels for the short-lived West Midlands route 65 Tracline service. The buses were altered to standard spec after three years, but 8110 has now regained its guide wheels in preservation.

Another unique machine, LJW 336 is the sole Saunders Roe bodied Guy Arab LUF made. All other bodies of this design were fitted to Leyland chassis. LJW 336 spent its early years as a Guy Motors demonstrator, before sale to Blue Line, in whose livery it is preserved.

The sole survivor of Birmingham's 50 Park Royal bodied PD2s, JOJ 222 was making its first passenger carrying journeys for many years on the day. Its route was a short one to the premises of Sunningdale Classic Cars, where I got this photo.

One hour after the PD2 photo, I had arrived at the Chasewater Light Railway on board the third example of a JOJ registered bus out on the day. This time it was a Metro-Cammell bodied Guy Arab, in impeccable condition as seen here.

The Routemaster referred to above, seen with a selection of native West Midlands buses, all bar the PS2 being used on the Walsall route during the day. JOJ 231 remained on static display throughout the event.

The last run of the day, back to Walsall on this Trent Willowbrook bodied SOS which was new in 1940 and fitted with a replica body in 1978. A fine machine, driven by AMRTM chairman Martin Fisher, seen here in front of the bus. The end of a most enjoyable day.

HAVERHILL HCVS RALLY - Sunday 9 July 2017 (by John Wakefield)

Held in conjunction with Haverhill Town Council the East Anglian Section HCVS Rally was held on the town's South Car Park. The event is open to all classic and vintage vehicles including cars, commercials and buses, some of which are pictured below.

FJE 982D, a 1966 Bedford VAM5 / Duple Bella Venture entered by C G Myall of Bassingbourn. Currently one of only two roadworthy Bella Venture bodied VAMs, it is class 6 tested and used on heritage private hires.

LTA 752, Lodges of High Easter, former Lincolnshire Road Car open-sided Bedford Duple Vista OB new to Southern National. A full psv and part of Lodge's heritage fleet.

LIL 7804, a 1983 Mercedes L608D/Plaxton Mini Supreme owned by Felix of Long Melford, new to Shearings as ANA 114Y. A full PSV and one of only two still surviving as coaches.

GR 9007 and VV 9146, two Crossleys owned and restored by John Jackson and Tony Melia of Wormingfield. GR 9007 with a Crossley body was new to Sunderland and VV 9146 with a Roe body new to Northampton.

WEX 685M is an ex Great Yarmouth 1973 AEC Swift entered by Adam Colby of Dereham.

RF538 (NLE 538) is a London Transport 1952 AEC Regal IV entered by the RM40 Group, Wales.

RF355 (MLL 992) is another 1952 AEC Regal IV entered by Paul McOwan of Ashen, Suffolk and UFM 53F, a 1968 Bristol RELL6G new to Crosville, entered by Chris Sampson of Colchester.

Many thanks to John Wakefield for sending the photos and the information.

90th BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR A LEYLAND LION (by Dick Gilbert)

On 2 July 2017 the Aire Valley Transport Group held a special event to celebrate their newly-restored Leyland Lion KW 1961 which was also 90 years old.

All-Leyland PLSC3 Lion KW 1961 was new to Blyth and Berwick in 1927, moving to Jersey in 1932 where it became JMT no. 51 until 1958 when it went into preservation. The special event took place at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway's Ingrow station and there was also the chance to have a ride on this historic vehicle which hadn't been on the rally scene for over 50 years.

KW 1961 was accompanied by a small display of other West Yorkshire buses, some of which can be seen here:

JUB 29 - a glorious 1928 Keighley-West Yorkshire Leyland Titan TD1.

CWX 671 - Keighley-West Yorkshire Bristol K5G from 1938.

FWW 596 - 1947 Bedford OB, formerly West Yorkshire 646.

LWR 424 - West Yorkshire Bristol KSW6G 4044, now a recovery vehicle.

Details of the Aire Valley Transport Group and their collection of vehicles can be seen on their website and thanks very much to Alex Lawson for sending me the pictures.

I T H BUS and COACH RALLY - 22 April 2017 (by Shane Conway)

April 22nd 2017 saw the staging of the 45th Irish Transport Heritage bus and coach rally at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, with this year's event also marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of Ulsterbus, an organisation from whom much of this year's classic selection originated. As with the previous year's event, there was a good mix of displays, with a couple of surprise entries. This year I managed to sample trips on four vehicles, ex Citybus RELL 2547 initially on the timed road run, changing to sister bus 2446 at a timing point, then to Leyland Tiger 2635, also ex Citybus and with a Gardner engine. A final trip was on a Tiger Cub on the afternon shuttle service to Bangor, and this was the first time I had been on a PSUC1.

This trio of former NIRTB/UTA buses was parked separately from the main display, possibly for space reasons. From left to right, we have a Leyland Tiger Cub, Leyland PS1 and a Bedford OWB.

At the 1994 event I photographed Bristol RELL BXI 2600, numerically the last in the Ulsterbus fleet, but not the last one to be bodied or to enter service. Since its unplanned destruction in 1996, the mantle of youngest RE on the planet has fallen to its sister BXI 2599, which is preserved in Nottingham these days and had not been in Ulster for ten years. However it returned for a week's visit in connection with the 50th, and its owners picked up a bit of silverware when the awards were being dished out.

Ulsterbus bought 100 Bristol LH/Alexander B45F in 1973, of which this was both the first into service, and the last one to be withdrawn. The now unique vehicle has been in preservation for over 20 years, and was the sole example of the Ulsterbus lightweight fleet on display.

Late in the afternoon, this impressive trio arrived together, showcasing the three types of CIE bodied Leyland Leopards. 1966 bus C234 is flanked by E152 (new 1964) on the left and 1972 bus MD177 on the right, the latter only recently restored.

A second triple line-up to be seen was this group of CIE Leyland PD3s, all in different liveries. While the destinations are actual routes in Dublin, for various reasons they are incorrect for each particular vehicle/garage/livery in this case. From left to right RA106, RA73 and RA37.

The stand-in bus for the Routemaster trips was this 1984 General Motors fishbowl citybus, ex Toronto Transit Commission 2290, which is now preserved in the Dublin area. Almost 45,000 of these were produced between 1959 and 1986, a total which makes production runs of UK built buses look like small change!

One of the many trucks entered was this smartly restored 1969 Bedford TK petrol tanker from Co. Wicklow.

Another vehicle entered was this rare lilac-coloured Morris Minor 1,000,000, one of 350 produced in 1961 to mark the 1 millionth car to roll off the production line at the BMC Cowley plant.

EXETER TWILIGHT RALLY - 9 November 2014 (by Shane Conway)

Nick Muir kindly sent in some photos taken in Exeter city centre, depicting some preserved Exeter Corporation buses running late afternoon winter Sunday services in their native city. This event has been run since 2010, which was the 40th anniversary of the takeover of Exeter's green and cream buses by Devon General.

First up is EFJ 666, a 1938 Leyland Tiger TS8 with a Cravens B32R body which entered service in December of that year.

And a rear view of EFJ 666, showing its unusual (for a single deck bus) open rear platform.

Next we see Daimler CVD6 JFJ 873, a 1950 Weymann B35F bodied bus.

TFJ 808 is a 1956 Guy Arab IV bodied by Massey Brothers in Wigan.

Finally, VFJ 995 is one of a batch of five Weymann bodied Leyland PD2/40s, dating from June 1958. Thanks to Nick (conductor on JFJ 873 on the day) for sending in the photos.

Sadly Nick Muir died on 29 October 2022. In recent years he had been involved with community radio in Devon, and in his earlier days he had been a bus conductor with Birkenhead Corporation.

DUBLIN PORT RALLY - 28 September 2014 (by Shane Conway)

The first (hopefully the first of many) Dublin Port Rally took place on on a balmy late summer Sunday and drew an entry of around 200 vehicles, covering classic buses, trucks, cars and military vehicles. A shuttle tour service was also operated, using two Routemasters, one of which had this scribe as conductor, and taking buses and passengers into a secure cargo handling area of the port complex not usually open to the public. Before that got underway, I managed to get photos of some of the exhibits.

Owned by Darren Hall, 464 ZD is one of the 840 Atlanteans bought new by CIE between 1966 and 1977. New in 1972, it later became a sightseeing bus and lost its centre door, but fortunately not its roof, unlike its contemporaries. Alongside is one of the early single door buses, with one of the Van Hool McArdle bodied AN68s on the left of the photo. Also visible are one of the famous GNR-Gardners, a brand new Borismaster, and an ex Toronto GMC fishbowl city bus.

Gerry Mooney's superbly restored Leyland PD3, ex CIE RA106 of 1960, is seen in the company of several other examples of the CIE fleet of Leyland buses. Next to RA106 is Tiger PS2 P347, then Titans R1 (a 1937 TD4), R389 (1949 PD2) and R788 (1958 OPD2), with Leopards C176 and C160 at the far end, and Bedford VAS5 SS1 hiding behind the PD3. P347 and C160 were both allocated to Ballina garage in County Mayo in 1966, but then went their separate ways and were only re-united at this event, after a mere 48 years....

Entered by Wrightbus, LT283 is seen alongside former London Transport green Routemaster RML2434. This was one of the two RMs used on the tour shuttle, which attracted quite good loadings on each run. I had a look inside the LT later in the day, well laid out internally, but the external styling takes a bit of getting used to, especially compared to its more traditional predecessor.

Another green ex London bus, GS84 was the sole Guy bus entered in the event. Ex Trent Tiger Cub HRC 102C is seen alongside, as well as Ireland's oldest working Ford Transit minibus, owned by the same family from new.

One of several examples of the standard Ulsterbus Leyland Leopard now in preservation, 285 was entered by Richard Davis of the Manx Transport Enthusiasts Association in Douglas, Isle of Man, although the bus was outstationed in the U K, meaning its owners undertook no less than four crossings of the Irish Sea to collect the bus, bring it to and from Dublin, and then get back home.

My workplace for part of the day, the former RM1185, seen on the docks area while doing the tour of the port. Usually the only way to see this area is from the deck of a passing ship. Both buses (the other being RML2434) used on the tour last worked together on the final day of half-cab operation on London's route 38 to Clapton, some nine years earlier.

Finally, a couple of examples of the variety of trucks that arrived for the day. JZE 156 and UZO 226 both have bus connections, as their later service years were spent as towtrucks with Dublin Bus. Now reconverted to their original tractor unit format, they are seen here in the company of a rare Commer tractor unit. Shortly after this event, a scale model of JZE 156 in this guise was produced by B-T Models.

Easily the longest vehicle entered, this smart looking Guy Big J truck and drawbar trailer combination was fully restored a few years back. Its owners also have a similarly liveried AEC Mandator with matching trailer; both of these vehicles have been the subject of features in Irish Vintage Scene magazine.

SOUTH COAST EXPRESS - 22 June 2013

The South Coast express was a coach service from Bournemouth to Margate, started in 1929 jointly by Southdown, Hants and Dorset, and East Kent (and later incorporating Royal Blue) and which continued in various forms up to the 1980s. Each year the Thames Valley and Great Western Omnibus Trust organises a road run for coaches - usually with a Royal Blue / Associated Motorways connection - but for 2013 it was decided to re-create the South Coast express. Your Classic Buses Website roving reporter went to check out part of the East Sussex leg of the journey.

We join the procession as it climbs the A259 coast road steeply out of Eastbourne up onto the south downs above Beachy Head and the cliffs of the Seven Sisters. This represents a fearsome ascent of some 500 feet in little more than a mile. First to reach the top was Jonathan Radley's Red and White Bristol RELH RC968 (OAX 9F) dating from 1968. The convoy was scheduled to pass through Eastbourne at 13.35 and Jonathan was right on schedule.

A moment or so later another Bristol RELH reached the summit. This was Mel Williams' Royal Blue 1460 (OTA 632G) with a good queue of cars behind him. In the background you can see the splendid panorama of Eastbourne town, with Pevensey Bay at top right, and the coastline stretching on towards Bexhill and Hastings.

Not far behind was John Handford's Bristol MW6G EDV 502D, Royal Blue 1420 from 1966, with Brighton on its blind. It was really blustery up on the top of the ridge, and the rain had only recently cleared, but the forecast was for improvement, and that's what we eventually got.

More than a decade older was John Grigg's Bristol LS6G, Royal Blue 1299 (OTT 98) dating from 1953. It's quite a challenge for any vehicle to negotiate this long hill, so congratulations to the owners and drivers who made it, particularly with older coaches.

With Eastbourne Downs golf club situated off to the left, here is David Sheppard's 1962 Bristol SUL4A in Western National livery as 425 (275 KTA). The jolly passengers waved happily to me as they went by.

A mile and a half further west, the road plummets back down to the village of East Dean, only to climb rapidly up again to Friston - a climb of 200 feet in only half a mile. This can bring even the strongest to a grinding halt, so it's a relief to see that Richard Johnson's 1966 Bristol MW6G Royal Blue 1423 (EDV 505D) has made it up into Friston, albeit with a fine queue of vehicles in tow.

Also at Friston is Royal Blue 2200 (OTT 43), Roger Burdett's 1953 Bristol LS6G, which has successfully panted its way up the hill from East Dean, and now has a bit of level driving ahead of it before the next onslaught at Cuckmere Haven.

About 3 miles further on, the Cuckmere (pronounced Cookmere) valley, back down at sea level, is crossed by a causeway ending at Exceat (pronounced Exit) Bridge, only wide enough for one vehicle at a time. About half an hour behind the leaders, this is Gary Dwyer's lovely East Kent AEC Reliance KFN 220 crossing the bridge. I love these vehicles and it was a delight to see it.

By the time Lionel Tancock's delightful 1949 Wilts and Dorset Bristol L6B (EMW 284) crossed the bridge over the River Cuckmere, the sun was out and it had turned into quite a pleasant day. After the bridge, the road turns up the west side of the valley, climbing about 150 feet in half a mile to enter the town of Seaford.

Here comes the boss! Colin Billington's 1951 Bristol LL6B, Royal Blue 1250 (LTA 729), came roaring lustily off the bridge and round the corner, so it seemed to be having no difficulty with the ups and downs of Sussex.

In a way, this was the oldest vehicle so far, as the guts of Richard Perry's East Kent Beadle rebuild came from a 1938 Leyland TD5 double decker. I remember when Beadle rebuilds were very common (although I never saw one on the South Coast express) and have a soft spot for them, so it was great to see this old stager in action.

The coaches I recall seeing most frequently on the South Coast express were these, and they epitomised the service as I remember it. This 1961 Bristol MW6G, Royal Blue 2246 (625 DDV), belongs to Graham Thorogood. In the left background you can just see the coast road descending rapidly down the other side of the valley - another challenge for the brakes!

We're now about 50 minutes since the first coach led the wagon train past me, and I had to depart for another appointment, so this fabulous Maidstone and District 1962 Harrington Cavalier (Mike Pack's 28 TKR) is where I had to leave the proceedings. I was surprised that I didn't see any other photographers recording the event over this stretch of the south downs, but I guess that means I'm the only one who got pictures like these!

Anyway, sincere congratulations to the organisers - I thought it was a wonderful thing to have done, and a joy to behold.

P.S. A nice bit of video (not mine) at Winchelsea here.

HCVS LONDON TO BRIGHTON RUN - 5 MAY 2012 (by Dick Gilbert)

Terry Blackman very kindly sent these pictures taken in Madeira Drive, Brighton, at the end of the annual Historic Commercial Vehicle Society London to Brighton run.

Entrant J8 was a fabulous Leyland Tiger TS7, new to Stockport as their number 191 in 1937. David Hoare's JA 7591 has an uncommon English Electric body with a centre entrance. The GSR logo on the side deserves some explanation; several vehicles were used in the filming of the 1999 movie Angela's Ashes (with Robert Carlyle and Emily Watson), and this was one of them. Filmed in Ireland, they were given false Irish registration numbers and liveries, and JA 7591 was painted with this Great Southern Railway insignia, which it still wears.

Entrant K1 was a Leyland Comet - fairly rare in the U. K., but common as muck in New Zealand. MHY 765 was the first Comet p. s. v. chassis, and was delivered to Orient Coaches of Kingswood, Bristol in 1950 but currently lives in Sheffield. The 32-seat body is by Duple. Present owners Terry and Hazel Ellin acquired the coach in 1995 and have been lovingly restoring it ever since.

Entrant K8 was Roger Burdett's fine Bristol MW6G from 1961. It was Western National 2267, but wore Royal Blue livery for express coach services. I remember coaches like this on the South Coast express service swinging through Eastbourne, where we considered them pretty unusual and exotic (Sussex was not renowned for Bristol products). Four of this batch survive out of sixteen delivered that year (2254-2269) but this would seem to be the only one out and about in 2012.

Many thanks to Terry for these photos.

NORWICH BUS RALLY, NORWICH SHOWGROUND - 5 SEPTEMBER 2010 (by Dick Gilbert)

John Wakefield kindly sent me these pictures of some fine coaches seen at Norwich. As usual with John, most of them are Bedfords!

Bedford OB LTT 913 had just emerged from a four-year restoration. New to Sunbeam of Torquay in 1949, it was entered by the BK Museum, Hepworth, Suffolk.

This Plaxton-bodied Bedford SB5 was new to Appleby, Conisholme in 1974 and still wears their livery. Entered by Stones of North Somercotes.

A pair of 1962 Bedford SB/Duple Super Vegas. XDL 730 (an SB8, new to Southern Vectis, Isle of Wight as no. 249) has been a motorhome for about 20 years, but is in very good shape, and was entered by Reuben Youngblood. 675 OCV (an SB3, and the last coach to be acquired by Crimson Tours of St. Ives, Cornwall before they ceased operating) was brought along by Len Wright who has proudly owned it for many years.

LAO 630 is an Albion Victor with a (probably unique) Duple body, new to J. H. Henderson of Alston, Cumbria in 1952, and entered by Easton's of Stratton Strawless.

Thanks very much to John for the photos of these slightly more unusual vehicles.

BRISTOL VINTAGE BUS GROUP, BRISLINGTON RUNNING DAY - 28 MARCH 2010 (by Dick Gilbert)

Ken Jones very kindly sent me these pictures from the Bristol Vintage Bus Group mini running day.

Left to right in this picture at Flowers Hill are DHW 293K (Bristol Omnibus 1972 Bristol LH6L no. 353), LFM 767 (Crosville 1950 Bristol L5G no. KG118), NHU 2 (Bristol Omnibus 1951 Bristol LSX5G no. 2800), and AHU 803 (Bristol Omnibus 1934 Bristol JO5G no. 2355).

Here's a closer view of the delightful AHU 803, which belongs to the Bristol group, and is seen at Willsbridge, near Keynsham. Originally built as a coach, it was rebodied as a bus in June 1947.

Fewer than ten Bristol JO5G vehicles survive today, so we are fortunate to have this outstanding example with us. Here is the beautifully restored interior. Many thanks to Ken for sending these excellent images.

CHATSWORTH PRESERVED BUS GATHERING - 22 JUNE 2008

Chris Wagstaff was travelling through the magnificent Chatsworth Park in Derbyshire on 22 June when he noticed some elderly buses parked in front of Chatsworth House, so he went to investigate. Fortunately Chris thought immediately of the Classic Buses Website, and kindly whipped out his trusty camera. Here are the results.

We must start with one of Chris's favourite types - the Bedford OB. This is ATS 408, a typical Duple bodied example from 1948. Delivered new to a company in Scotland, it is now operated by Simpson and Smith, of Killamarsh near Sheffield, wearing the livery of Cosy Coach Tours.

And here's another one. FWW 596 also has a Duple body, but this time with windows in the roof to brighten up the interior. It was delivered new to West Yorkshire Road Car Co. in 1947 as their number 646 (later renumbered CP1), and now lives in Bradford.

From the other end of the country comes HOD 30, a 1948 Western National (Royal Blue) Bristol L6A with a Beadle coach body. It was wonderfully restored in the late 1990s and is now operated by Yesteryear Coaches of Shipley.

LTA 629 also comes from the West Country, having been delivered new to Devon General (Grey Cars) in 1950 as their number TCR629, although it has more commonly been seen in Scotland in recent years. It is an AEC Regal III with a classic Duple A style of body.

JRA 635 is one of two ex-Chesterfield Leyland PS1 Tigers to survive, although the other one is in poor shape. No. 48, new in April 1947, is now owned by T M Travel back in its home town of Chesterfield. The 35-seat bus body was made by Crossley.

Finally, looking terrific in its Yorkshire Woollen District Transport livery is HD 7905, a 1948 Leyland Tiger PS1 with a Brush 34-seat bus body. This one would have won the Classic Buses Website award (if there was such a thing!). Restoration was completed in 2002, and it now lives in Leeds.

Many thanks to Chris for sending these fine photos.

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