Bus & Coach Preservation - December 2017

21.5 MB·English

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BUSES!
Inside this month:
BEADLE’S ABOUT
ULSTERBUS RE
TODMORDEN FINALE
ALL ABOUT ENGINES
BIRMINGHAM
SHOWBUS 2017
Plus: a whole lot more!
BONANZA BCT STANDARDS
ON PARADE AT
WYTHALL
Vol 20 No 7 DECEMBER 2017 £4.60
S NEWS PLUS 6
T The latest news from the world of bus preservation and beyond. sCottish visit
N
E BIRMINGHAM BONANZA 14 We at B&CP are always mindful that we do not get to Scotland as
T On Sunday 8 October, the Transport Museum, Wythall celebrated 40
often as we should, so this month our introductory feature takes
N years since Birmingham’s rear-entrance buses last ran. There are some
O new arrivals and a new restoration at Aldridge too! a look at Scotland in the 1970s when Lodekkas, Lowlanders and
C Leylands were commonplace.
RETURN JOURNEY: Birmingham in the 1960s 21
What better way to finish off our Birmingham Bonanza than to pay a
ol 20 No7BER 2017 TrOehtNius r mTn oHvnisEtith R’tso Os teAhleeDc ct iiotyn 1 o9f6 o0lsd-estry bleu.s Cesa pantido ncso bacyh MesA dLoCinOgL wMh KatE tEhLeEyY d. o 22 hBaNmnoraedimwsi ntweto o oPlt niuoLC l WDtdth 6UseiGesrs etp eL a:El 4aOinr t( denoN r Gf2 S sH5aeG riArg av7hugi8cgle3aeu,)n s wwdwt h ia1Otih9slms 7 nMt1 enf coIwinbDr vumtoeosnree Sanrscl edWdos otsIenut bisvbsutehleser rO-gsndtom aeSrtcdMnikooiebTnnru s1pas.9nle a16dsy93 e5 d6
VM best is presented by DAVID JUKES.
E Alexander-bodied Albion Lowlander LR1 AL26 (UCS 629)
C
E awaits departure on a local service to Culduthel Hospital.
D RE RETURN 26
Pictures: PRESBUS ARCHIVE
The newest surviving Bristol RE is now restored and becoming a part
of local folklore far away from its original Northern Ireland stamping
right: Western 1768 (RCS 356), a 1961 Leyland PD3A/3 is seen
ground. NICK LARKIN reports.
bound for Irvine in October 1976.

RETURN JOURNEY: Ulster revisited 30
Far right: It’s April 1977 and Western 1627 (RAG 393), a 1961
Our second trip back in time this month takes us to Northern Ireland
Bristol FS6G is seen engaged in private hire duties. Already 16
in the late-1990s.
years old, this venerable Lodekka would, following withdrawal

in 1978, join Top Deck Travel and names Nero, see the world!
SIX OF ONE . . . 34
The seventh Wiston Steam Rally, held on 8/9 July, included quality
line-ups of buses and coaches. DAVID and GRACE JUKES report on the
first day’s attractions.

SHOWBUS 2017 36
Showbus International returned to Donington Park on Sunday 17
September. SIMON GILL brings us a selection of the entries that took part.

BUSES IN THE DALES 38
Sunday 8 October saw this year’s Yorkshire Dales running day take
place in Skipton. Here we bring you some highlights.

BEADLE’S ABOUT 41
Quantock’s latest acquisition is an East Kent Beadle rebuild — it’s
already out and about!

THE FINAL RESTORATION — PART 2 46
SIMON GILL brings us the final part of the fascinating story behind the
restoration of Todmorden Joint Omnibus Committee Leyland Tiger TS6
No 15 (YG 7831).

COACHING CLASSICS: van hool 52
In this feature we take a look at some of the early Van Hool coaches
to find favour in the British Isles.

AFTER THEY WERE FAMOUS: Bristol CoaChes 57
Like their double-deck counterparts, postwar Bristol saloons and
coaches were popular with those looking for indestructible vehicles to
perform a variety of roles, both PSV and non-PSV.

THE HEART OF YOUR VEHICLE 58
ASHLEY BLACKMAN discusses engines.

THE MODEL PAGE 62
NIGEL APPLEFORD examines EFE’s Leyland Titan B15 in post-London
colours.

OFF ROUTE 66
A curious fusion of Marilyn Monroe and Routemaster, a look back at
Bradford and a preservationist’s seeming research for divine guidance are
among this month’s contributions from NICK LARKIN.

BUSMART 69/I
B&CP’s comprehensive advertising section, where you can buy or sell
any bus-related item.
Cover: Birmingham 2222 (JOJ 222) is the sole remaining Park
Royal-bodied Leyland PD2 from the undertaking’s batch of 50
Read all about it on page 14. PHILIP LAMB
2 www.presbuspublishing.com
SCOTTISH VISIT
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YARDLEY WOOD BUS CLUB 28 Oct Transport Museum 19 Nov Aston Manor Museum
Wythall Twilight Event Toy & Model Fair
1100—1900hrs 2/3 Dec Manchester Transport
71 TAYLOR ROAD
29 Oct Swansea Bus Museum Museum
Last Event at this Venue “Christmas Cracker Transport
KINGS HEATH
5 Nov Lincoln Transport Collectors Market”
Museum Bus Rally 1 Jan 2018 Coventry
BIRMINGHAM B13 0PB
& Running Day Running Day and Model Fair
Coventry Rugby Club

SERVICE WITH A SMILE AT YWBC
YARDLEY WOOD BUS CLUB Good housekeeping
L
A
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Editor:
OXFORD MODELS AVAILABLE NOW OXFORD NE W FOR 2018 Philip Lamb 024 7661 6930 O
[email protected] As this season draws to a close, it seems Of late many have you have supplied T
43WFA-001 SOUTH WALES WEYMANN FANFARE (£30) RRP £39.95 Contributing editors: appropriate to share with you some ‘good us with pictures for inclusion in the I
Oxford 25 year Special Simon Gill [email protected] D
David Jukes [email protected] housekeeping’ thoughts. Like all specialist magazine, and for these we are extremely E
76COM-007 SKYWAYS - COMMER COMMANDO (£14) RRP £16.45 Nick Larkin [email protected] magazines we inevitably face a declining grateful. Notwithstanding what other
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SAMUEL LEDGARD
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137 Oxford Circus sales is ploughed back INDEX FEATURED BUS FOR SALE
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EUPuKOr oRSpaTetAe RLsPa: aC t1yeHW msMFA:Wee ooR1 nrdno G tMeoMr Ebllwod oy=Sdw d a Ce£Feicdl3hlR cse=:eeO EPqRp£Zauo4taE ce:sDt Nhe,tEe es C aAbAd:ac id G£tshO d5/hA uAi C,tpIt iNdB roeTed rnaUod inaMtgNiitlko eo TM cntTdIhaLaorereal dld Mr nMe sAsl o f£Rde1Cre. l5H £0 22 e 0ea1ac8chh an“pTSnYlWWeohWanouMesewn eBaw1cbdr2e uCe 6 ts oo6 ”u r BAEOnPWado-uulpmdvebtsie e lnana&irrsiirelto mhe:Cci nsi beanueosnusg nrasa’s.sscaana. bh rGnd liRd lePrvye cre itoeteaeohdwsan oegec sIrushr nevesapd a xrraoutaperifsno restttee nrhesrsi,etea svrU l eaE otEdtnhdnis ieoiigtttn nlaob1y tt@2ro ehr ,nn,e i gsRaoCc m emorfio d amdoavlieeaglfm. nsacnP ezodtorirn menfCy dsea bleC noaudyVsrs eeto 2o, f 2 toNaukPre . ibbueBnnyso&t sooypuCok utrPushre . cae ath nrhmaedes a hiDfgneuagVltpz uyDiirnoneseug ,of r tr sfoo o m BBBBSRBPMMMMEM OAtuuuuheovooociiussssoetsssocreed d stchcntaakoaoesseeeeotenngs murlslllagad,deslrsla maanrn mm /tfwnnCaccdwdoisopoeoeoa araoccghoonaadn ootrsaccs uuatesak zaahhetssweligcsci ednorppahahhoa evrrnaaoeenrsittrr cspste iett e aee ffsfwsfndoasas a fw cdc a rco(ttn ianrsDlsstin a toesfwVlitoaedeteDalr s edln sis ts aeftloeder d s atlhei s montVVVVIIVIVIhIVIVIIXIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII)
www.ywbc.co.uk Leyland Lynx their own precautions before parting with any information We have probably AAnssniostuanncceem aevanitlsa ble
uLso oink 2o0u1t7 f oart omra intuesmc roipf tvsa, lpuhe,o itnocgluradpinhgs, obru tp enrosto lnimali tinedfo trom matoionne yin, lectured you before ABBBouussssoieisknstse a,as nnmsc dfeao gc/riaon zsafiaocnlrheeme ss aa tfnoiodr n Dh wiVreaDn st ewda nted
Email Address: [email protected] Rallies across response to any advertisement within this publication. about supplying a HOPheborittituoaaggrreya pbhuss fsoerr vsiaclees /tours
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CONTACT ADDRESS UPDATED RALLY DATES FOR 2017 SEASON Tromerhes utcerrhrasvandensadimyc. a oiNlt,ft oietn hdpce laiu nrmd tasionn noygt ffp hto hhproimrste o mcbceyaod gapiannyzygiin ntmgeh, e emra ecnacoysov , breeedrle ipndcrgato troeodr.un Abcicyel l od ar rnig yh ts Ecomrraeisl paodnddreenssc ein w ainthy RSSSSSSehioptetorauoucvrrinaneeiatcistogdieoioee nsron ss wsw hvanaipnce tarwensdaht nipt ed VDCEEOHTNIATCIALLCEST::: BNobTupeeetledw Mrdf aortatiorelvd dedCwa wVhbyilAinvet eh.L0 r V7A7s58 0boc6/bf 8P ceE uly6larsw5trx6eeat2ayno9dstn.l0 y5N E(/o7Beln3iwet ,tSe wSbO uCrsRapy5kr NC3ee,smFo ,n. ee kod i In)MV.g ofprToin. ns£t 3 afin, 5tdt0 ep0di.p .b eys ,R saommbele wr oc1rk9 8s3ti.l lL taos td o
information storage and retrieval system, without prior us, but it does seem
YARDLEY WOOD BUS CLUB 28 Oct Transport Museum 19 Nov Aston Manor Museum permission in writing from the copyright owner. Multiple appropriate to jog your ADVERTISING RATES
Wythall Twilight Event Toy & Model Fair copying of the contents of the magazine without prior
1100—1900hrs 2/3 Dec Manchester Transport written approval is not permitted. memory. We like to PRIVATE READERS’ ADVERTISING TRADE ADVERTISING
B IR7M1K ITINNAGYGHLSOA HMRE RBAOT1H3A 0DP B 29 L5O aNcsMtot S uv&Ew s LvReaeinuunnmcnsto nea Bliatnn ut BgThs uriD sRasa n aVMysle lpuynos u eretu m “RCuhnrCi1nsCo itJnmvoagelanl neDs tM2c raC0tyuyo1r srRa8asec nu CukMdgmoe baMrv yr eTko Cnerdattler”unyl b s F paoirr t ©UACEIS-lo nSmd2iNvet0ae r1 1in1lm72:t4 ,rbaP6 yRnur2 ’eseC s1asd GVn8bladu82rncs 6e2d oePN anCuc PbIlhonlpidssrehue,is sn tegrr i avla Etisotnat@e, g mail.com dabtaowseeu aisancoly hgwo i snawi tb ihaimtlse ha p w tlyoole orm gutcaea asnttnt ttir,e.na rs isog ht GFADWAAPeRllellOeldl-r n EaaicemutNsdoEreeivmnr ’ eoirTneamarer o npt siaDtei’lprssge-:ie oEev m Gwm.naLpartdeeAeeie lrn deYnyrtenoeocs, aeusInCwnd rosbdei Ohlrtlur eousaNasqu’cpt surllcTpidiinepaerA peblea CstaeEmr g ps2Timeetnr an ia@avUtttrdheaskvSt e, teee Cb ond Tra oe tPtdOasxvrs vietae nDe ‘nrAsaretAbvttDr auseFYy iVs,loR a !rEWPv bERenuleeErTb e sl tiIitasShs tsnhIMeuNd.i ncepi dGmg.hol,a’o a.1 nynm2d ei snR. cCelduVlda2en 2doN nCePl. ose, TwTsFc0eBhraoh-hEaolmrelid c u 2sooehSaledru i Ma ol ar4e:pdl uA-slrpvarmoiRer tv sreeaTaattist7sp:alset bpn S Uaculdray6roeSnsae matprdE oddasr6p le 2aBsdrer o@aiLtss1t iU aptaerimcblevsacS etq byaei u pn:r6paMiaptdrtteelevyeArd9 e.si nt,r .petfR oi3ltser.iTacn sog0e! m
SERVICE WITH A SMILE AT YWBC
December 2017 5
SamuelLedgardSocietymodelbus
S
Rare Marshall
U
L
To commemorate 50 years since the end model is available from SLS, 58 Kirklees
P bodied Bedford
  of Ledgard services, the Samuel Ledgard Drive, Farsley, Pudsey, West Yorkshire.
S
W Society has produced a Code 3 50th LS28 5TE. Cheques for £25 (includes Believed to be the only surviving
E Anniversary Commemorative Oxford postage) should be made payable to Marshall Cambrette bodied VAS,
N model of Leyland PD2 PNW 91. The ‘Samuel Ledgard Society’. AAX 750A was advertised on an
Internet auction site in October.
New to Brown Motor Services,
Forest Green in June 1963 as 3255 PJ,
the bus was re-registered AAX 750A
in January 2003, before passing to a
private owner in Lower Lydbrook for
conversion into a caravan, having been
with its previous owner near Caernarfon
since 2006.
Report: JOHN WAKEFIELD
Picture: PAUL WILLSHER
BedfordVALcompletes1800mileScrewballrally
A rare 1970 Bedford VAL70 with acquired in July this year from Jim a ramp like the original, it also carried
Willowbrook bus body has recently Locke of Shobdon, by Anthony Barrett a Mini and fake gold on the rally, which
completed the ‘Screwball Rally’ covering of Willenhall, having previously been started on 21 September and fi nished on
some 1,800 miles through Belgium, owned by preservationist Russell Price. 25 September at Dover.
France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland Mr Barrett restored it over two months as Amazingly the VAL completed the trip
and Italy an Italian Job ‘lookalike’ despite it being a without major problems apart from fading
The VAL, former Wigmore of Willowbrook not Harrington Legionnaire brakes, (the usual VAL problem), and
Dinnington FYG 663J had been body. Modifi ed with doors at the rear and was driven with number plates ALR 453B
from the original Italian Job coach! On
arrival back in Willenhall, Mr Barrett put
the bus up for sale on eBay in October
for £35,000, part of which he says he will
donate to charity.
See http://screwballrally.co.uk/
Report: JOHN WAKEFIELD
Pictures: ANTHONY BARRETT
6 www.presbuspublishing.com
ACEPumamovesnorth S
U
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A rare ACE Puma IV with Plaxton being scrapped, Ben Fosker, then trading sold it later that year to Tyneside Heritage
P

Paramount body has recently changed as Venturer Coachways, Debach, Suffolk, Vehicles Group member Reg Sibley. The
S
hands. The Puma, registered E923 LCP, stepped in a second time to save it. interior is a shell at the moment and will
W
one of fi ve built by Alternative Chassis Work was carried out, but Ben had to need seats, luggage racks etc. plus external E
Engineering of Huddersfi eld with relocate premises and did not have the body and mechanical work. N
Plaxton bodies, was new to Abbeyways space to keep it. It was, therefore, sold Report JOHN WAKEFIELD
of Halifax in March 1988. It later passed to his brother Oliver in March 2016 who Picture: NEIL HESKETT
to Holmeswood Coaches, Blackburn,
Lancashire as YSU 991 and Hednesford
Travel Cannock Staffordshire as JIL 8916
before being acquired by Ben Fosker of
Martlesham t/a The Running Footman
c2005, when it reverted back to E923 LCP.
Ben restored the Puma and operated
it in his fl eet until closure of the company
in 2011, when E923 LCP was sold to
Ian Goodwin of Bristol for a caravan
conversion. Apart from stripping out the
interior the caravan project stalled and it
was sold on a year later to Dan Walsh of
Torquay.
When pictures of the coach parked on a
steep driveway in Torquay appeared on the
Internet in October 2015 with an appeal
from the owner for someone to save it from
Obituary: SandraDianeRicketts(1944–2017)
It is with great sadness that Alcester. Sandra ran the cafe to Holiday KKeellssaallll SStteeaamm
the Ricketts Family and the such a very high standard. It was wweeeekkeenndd.. AAtt RRaallllyy oonnccee aaggaaiinn
Llandudno Transport Festival ‘God help anyone who stepped the other aacchhiieevviinngg aa
announce the sad loss of Sandra, out of line’. end of high standard
aged 73 on the 2 September Sandra’s next role in life Llandudno helping to
2017 after a short Illness. took her to the M42 and two Bay lay make the event
Sandra was born in the village sections being constructed some fi elds. oonnee ooff tthhee bbeesstt
of Studley, Warwickshire. After from Alvechurch, Warwickshire With their ttrruucckk sshhoowwss iinn
marrying Len and bringing up to the A34. Sandra got a job experience tthhee UUKK..
three boys Neil, Jim and Stuart, running the canteen in a bus of transport MMaannyy ooff yyoouu wwiillll
Len’s love of transport left her that was towed behind the ffeessttiivvaallss,, rraalllliieess hhaavvee rreeaadd tthhee ssttoorryy
with no option to either join concrete laying machine. After etc it seemed the most of the Ricketts’ Western
in or stay at home. Shortage two summers there the M42 natural thing to do, so without National Marshall-bodied
of fi nances meant the family opened and Sandra and Len a cent between them, ‘The Bristol LHS recently featured
started selling model railways made the decision to ‘up sticks’ Llandudno Transport Festival’ over two months in B&CP.
around the country at toy fairs, from Studley and move to was born with Sandra as the Sandra helped Len to put the
steam rallies, bus rallies etc Llandudno. boss. feature together while in their
during the late 1970s and early A big construction job, the Sandra ruled with a rod of caravan on holiday in yorkshire.
1980s. Conwy Tunnel, was about to iron and a lovely smile, the Whilst at Scarborough, Sandra
Redundancy from Len’s start and after their experience result being one of the best sadly became poorly and never
driving job led to another mad on the M42 they were virtually Transport Festivals in the UK recovered, and did not see part
idea. A Bristol FLF Lodekka bus guaranteed jobs, Sandra running and the biggest in Wales. The two of her work.
was acquired and converted one of the canteens for around bus service alone moved an Sandra will be greatly
into a Transport Cafe, brother three years. After the Conwy average of 26-27,000 people to missed by the vehicle
Mick painting it black. Calling Tunnel, life slowed down for and fro between the Festival preservation movement and we
the venture Midland Trucking, a year or two until Len had to and the Extravaganza each year. will all miss that smile of hers.
the Ricketts parked up on give up work for health reasons. This year was the 25th Sandra leaves behind husband
the A34 between Stratford- Around this time a group of Anniversary of the festival Len, sons Neil, Jim and Stuart,
upon-Avon and Oxford in people in Llandudno started and sadly it took its toll on daughter-in-law Vicci and
‘Paraffi n Annie’s’ Layby at Long ‘The Llandudno Victorian both Sandra and Len’s health. grandchildren Carly, Sophie,
Compton, moving on to a large Extravaganza’ in the town In addition, Sandra was the Daniel, Sam, Harry, Charlotte,
layby between Stratford and streets over May Day Bank commercial steward at the Bethan and Harvey.
December 2017 7
S RareAustinforsale
U
L
A 1948 Austin CXB VVS 913 with
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Barnard body, new in May 1948 to
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Guernsey Motors, is being offered for sale
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E by Simon Hendra of Truro.
N VVS 913 was withdrawn in September
1969 and disposed of to the States Airport
June 1970 for use within the Airport in
yellow livery.
In 1980 it passed to Guernsey Old Car
Club which restored it in original livery,
re-registering it 2725.
Acquired by Island Coachways on 1
January 1984, it was restored to original
condition and registration, entering
service in May 1984 on ‘Discover Old
Guernsey’ tours.
Withdrawn mid-1993 and disposed
of through Wacton Bus & Coach Sales,
Bromyard, it was sold later the same year
to Vic’s Tours of St Mary’s, Isles Of Scilly
in a blue and cream livery and registered July 1998 and then in October 2006 to its Brooklands Classics, Truro in January
VVS 913, still carrying the name ‘Katie’. final owner/operator on Scilly, Glyn Lucas 2015 and is now for sale.
The coach passed next to Gerry t/a Island Rover, St Mary’s. Report: JOHN WAKEFIELD
Twynham t/a Heritage Tours, St Mary’s in It a was sold to Simon Hendra t/a Picture: SIMON HENDRA
VolvoB58underrestoration Enfield Transport
Bazaar date change
Volvo B58-61 with Plaxton Supreme Walkern in January 1981, later passing
IV body, STM 238W, is undergoing to Grayway of Wigan and then into
The Enfield Transport Bazaar will now
restoration for owners Sharpes of preservation in 2012. When completed
be held on Saturday 18 November
Nottingham at Volvo Bus & Coach, the Volvo will join Sharpes heritage fleet.
(NOT Saturday 4 November as
Loughborough. Report: JOHN WAKEFIELD previously advertised) to avoid a
STM 238W was new to Sworders of Picture: NEIL SHARPE clash with the Aldenham Transport
Spectacular. The Enfield event will be
held at St. Paul’s Centre, 102, Church
Street, Enfield EN2 6AR which is just
two minutes walk from Enfield Chase
station (served by Great Northern
suburban services from Kings Cross
to Hertford North and Stevenage) and
within ten minutes walk of Enfield Town
station (served by local trains from
Liverpool Street and Seven Sisters). All
local buses serving Enfield Town stop
within a few minutes’ walk. Up to 40
stalls will be selling a wide variety of
bus and railway memorabilia and light
refreshments will be available throughout
the event. Admission is £3 (accompanied
under-16s free). The Bazaar is open
11.00–14.30. For further information
please e-mail: [email protected],
or send SSAE to: Steve Newman, 58,
Anglesey Road, Enfield EN3 4HZ.
The Aldenham event will be held
at Allum Hall, Allum Lane, Elstree &
Borehamwood WD6 3PJ on Saturday 4
November, between 10.00 and 16.00.
8 www.presbuspublishing.com
MendipMulefinishes S
Oxford Diecast
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new releases The Mendip Mule bus company has Council for buses and coaches to use
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withdrawn its services blaming local on a pay and display-based ticketing
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Oxford Diecast has announced several residents for attacking staff. arrangement,’ the spokesman said, W
new models amongst a number of 2018 The Jurassic Mule, operated by Mendip ‘it isn’t for bus drivers to be shouted at E
releases. Mule Motorbus Co, ran its final service by residents who don’t welcome the N
In 1:76 scale a third release of the
between Beer, Colyton, Seaton, Lyme facility. Not a particularly good welcome
Bristol MW coach has been announced
Regis and Charmouth on Sunday 10 for the much needed tourists bringing
and delivery is imminent; this will be a
September, all 25 members of the part- spending to the town. We no longer wish
model of Eastern Counties LS804 (3804
PW) in National white livery. Catalogue time workforce being laid off. to subject our staff to such behaviour
reference is 76MW6003. Owner Derek Gawn hit out at residents from a small minority of locals. We have
Also announced in 1:76 scale for the who have complained about noise created also experienced people deliberately
first quarter of 2018 are 76COM007,
at the company’s bus park in Seaton. He parking their cars badly on the approach
Commer Commando Coach — Skyways
said: ‘I have finally made my mind up to our depot at Colyton station in an
of London livery; 76OWB013, Bedford
about the Mule, and the final nails were attempt to make access difficult. The poor
OWB Utility — Belfast Corporation
livery; 76PAN007, Plaxton Panorama not mechanical issues or the weather. It’s parking would also obstruct emergency
Coach — Ribble livery and 76SB002, the continual complaints of a few residents vehicles attempting to access the tramway,
Saro Bus — Maidstone & District livery. in Seaton and Colyton. I do realise that 99 nearby houses and the adjacent business
In 1:148 scale the Southdown AEC per cent of people do support us, but I can units.’
Matador Recovery Truck (NAEC014)
no longer cope with the other one per cent.’ To say thank you to customers of the
and the Southdown Bus & Coach Set
A spokesman for the Mendip Mule Jurassic Mule, no fares were charged from
(NSET003) containing five models
(Weymann Fanfare Coach NWFL001, Motorbus Co said that locals had been 13.50 on the last day with customers asked
Leyland Royal Tiger Coach NLRT002, hurling abuse at bus drivers. ‘The bus to make a minimum £5 donation to the
Plaxton Panorama coach NPP002, park is provided by East Devon District RNLI instead.
Leyland PD3 Queen Mary NQM001
and Guy Arab Utility bus NUT001) are
now available. Of the set, four of the
models have previously been released
separately.
For Quarter 1 of 2018 the Weymann
Fanfare is scheduled (NWFL001,
Southdown) together with the Royal
Mail Land Rover Defender Postbus
(NDEF002).
A new development is a 1:43 scale
Weymann Fanfare coach in South
Wales Transport livery (Catalogue ref:
43WFA001) but this is not expected
until Quarter 3 of 2018.
No10isback!
Following serious damage during
flooding at Sowerby Bridge, Halifax 10
(UJX 920M), a Plaxton Derwent-bodied
Leyland Leopard, has, following extensive
repair, returned to the rally scene. It
is seen here on one of its first outings
looking respondent in traditional livery.
Picture: ANTHONY GIDDINGS
December 2017 9
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After a very successful Plymouth Hoe who plans to restore the bus to the ‘Pippy’ open-top PD2 358 (MCO 658) Sir Francis
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event on August Bank Holiday, it has been livery which it wore for a time as part of Drake. No 102 is currently undergoing
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a far from quiet autumn in Plymouth. the series of Dennis Dart book characters. restoration and refurbishment for this role.
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E The Plymouth City Transport No 202 will be remaining as ‘Dennis’ The group was in need of a coach
N Preservation Group collection has been from the same series. for longer-distance journeys to enable
boosted by several vehicles added in the In a ‘reverse swop’ mutually benefiting all it to enjoy, and be represented, at more
last few weeks and new to the preservation involved and unusual in today’s preservation events felt that 312 would afford this
scene. Dennis Dart MPDs Nos 202 and scene, Leyland PD2/12 102 (OCO 502) opportunity. No 312 was the last coach
204 (X202/4 CDV) have both joined the was exchanged with Plymouth City Bus for in the old white City Coach livery and
group collection with individual owners Plaxton Premiere 350-bodied Volvo B10M was donated to the group by the original
Beckee Demetriou and Marcus Woodgate 312 (W312 SDV, JSK 264). The group owners of 102 who wished to see it being
both aspiring young preservationists keen lacked the skill and resource to get 102 used. The group is very grateful for their
to keep these vehicles going. Dennis Dart back on the road, whilst City Bus required support and the continued support of
SPD No 45 (Y645 NYD) has also joined a second vintage double-decker to support Plymouth City Bus.
the group in the hands of Carl Birtles, the private hire work carried out by similar The group are also pleased to announce
that it has again enjoyed the friendship
and support of the owners of Plymouth
PD1 89 (CJY 299). We welcome them
back on board.
A little over a year ago the group
helped celebrate the impending closure of
Bretonside bus station in Plymouth and
its 50 years service as a major transport
hub in the city and the South West, with
a colourful send-off event. So it was only
fitting that PCTPG was invited along to
help celebrate the first birthday of the city’s
new Mayflower coach station in September.
The group provided associated vehicle,
1946 Leyland PD1 89 (CJY 299,) in
conjunction with its owners to help
celebrate the birthday along with National
Express which operates the new facility.
LondonDuckTourssink
London Duck Tours is expected to construction of this much needed Almost two million passengers have
disappear from the Thames for the infrastructure project. Tourists and ridden on the World War 2 amphibious
foreseeable future. Londoners will surely miss our iconic vehicles since London Duck Tours opened
The hybrid bus/boat DUKW vehicles, yellow DUKWs around town. They have in 2002.
which can both drive on land and float on become a landmark in their own right.’ Picture: NIGEL APPLEFORD
the river, have operated in the capital for
15 years, but 17 September was expected
to be their last day in service on the
Thames, at least for the time being.
A slipway on the Albert Embankment in
Vauxhall, which the vehicles utilised, has
just been reclaimed by Thames Water so it
can make way for a £4.2bn sewer scheme.
London Duck Tours has been unable
to find an alternative docking site, so has
been forced to discontinue its tours.
John Bigos, Managing Director of
London Duck Tours, said: ‘The 18
September will be a sad day for the
company, but it was vital not to delay
10 www.presbuspublishing.com