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News plus. The latest from the world of bus preservation.

Cardiff Crossley twice preserved. On Monday 26 February 2024, Cardiff 46 (EBO 900), an Alexander-bodied Crossley DD42/7, new in June 1949, and thought to be the first Welsh bus to be preserved, took up residence at The Bus Depot, Barry. Glyn Bowen reports.

Liverbird! Terry Morris tells the story of now preserved Liverbus 211 (L211 SBG), a Northern Counties Palatine 11-bodied Volvo Olympian.

Out to Grass. Another selection of buses and coaches past their 'sell-by date'.

On the road. David Jukes presents this month's selection of active older service and preserved buses.

After they were famous: recovery! This month we bring you a selection of buses and coaches converted into recovery trucks.

PD Pioneer. Brighton Corporation 23 (23 ACD), a 1962 Weymann-bodied Leyland Titan PD2/37, was the UK's first one-person-operated double-deck service bus. David Jukes find out more.

Return journey: Brighton Blue. We take a journey through the years when Brighton's buses turned blue.

Canvey 90. John G. Lidstone marks Canvey Depot's 'Birthday Bash'.

In the twilight in Kirkby. We visit the NWVRT's twilight event again this year.

Coaching classics: We celebrate 85 years since the first examples took to the roads and the announcement by EFE Road of a revamped version of its 1/76th scale model of this all-time classic British coach.

From banking to buses. Ashley Blackman has dinner with Bob Stanger in York to learn about his passion for London Transport and how he went from a corporate job in banking to his dream of driving buses.

A personal recreation. Simon Gill catches up with Karl Brailsford following the launch of his newly repainted former Crosville Leyland Olympian B190 BLG, which was unveiled at the Transport Museum Wythall during the Midland Red 120 event on 6 October 2024.

Return journey: The early Olympians. Leyland introduced the Olympian in 1981. It proved to be a major success with almost all NBC subsidiaries taking the newcomer into their fleets.

The model page: Bedford OB Recast. John G. Lidstone previews EFE Road's revamped Bedford OB.

Off route. Tributes to Metro-Cammell and remembering the last of the Routemasters now 20 years ago.

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Join us a Wythall! Sunday 6 October will be a special day for Transport Museum Wythall and the history of Midland Red. Denis Chick Reports.

Let the D10 detain you . . . Malcom Keeley reviews a most unusual Midland Red bus.

On the road. David Jukes presents another selection of active older buses and coaches.

Marvelous Macau. John G Lidstone looks back a Bristol L5Gs on frontline service in Macau in the 1980s.

The Leaning Leyland. Doncaster 94 (EDT 703) is a 1947 Leyland Titan PD2/1 fitted with a 1955 ex-trolleybus Roe body in 1963, the restoration of which is now complete. David Jukes reports.

Manchester in the 1960s. Paul Williams reports on an event to celebrate buses from the 1960s at the Manchester Museum of Transport.

Manx centenary celebration. A six-day festival celebrating the Isle of Man's heritage transport network occured in July. Hugh Jones was there to record the event.

A glasgow centenary. Steven Booth reports on a celebration of 100 years of motorbuses in Glasgow.

Coaching Classics: Aldershot express. the 1960s saw a number of coaches built to meet certain operator's specific requirements. Try this one . . .

The 'Wee Bedford' Ashley Blackman speaks with preservationist Jonathan Miller, about the recently completed restoration of his Northern Ireland Road Transport NIRTB) Bedford OWB No V957 (GZ 783)

Kyiv connection. John G. Lidstone looks at Kyiv's Routemaster connection.

Crossville rarity. A former Crosville Motor Services Bristol LWL6B, No KW229 (LFM 810), has changed ownership and, as Simon Gill discovers, it is a welcome rare survivor of the latest Tilling Group half-cab single-decker.

Return journey: Crosville retrospect. Operating buses throughout north Wales and a considerable swathe of North-wet England, demand for Crosville's services was high. Here are some of the buses placed in service over the years with that in mind.

The model page: Berlin return. John G. Lidstone returns to the 1:43 Minichamps Berlin Bussing D2U, to examine it in close-up.

Off route. Tram tickets hidden for 100 years unearthed and meet surely B&CP's youngest reader: Over to Nick Larkin.

After they were famous.: Lodeka learners. Here are three low-decker trainers, two of which have sadly been scrapped.

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Thoroughbred in Scotland. Lindsay White and Philip Lamb take a look at the recent restoration of Tayside 248 (SSN 248S), a 1977 Alexander-bodied Ailsa.

Return Journey: The Tayside Years. We focus on Dundee's Tayside RC era illustrating the main types operated in what was a fairly standardised fleet.

On the road. David Jukes presents another selection of active older buses and coaches.

Euro stars. Robert Krueger has a passion for saving rare European-build coaches new to British operators, not least a new unique Mercedes-engined Van Hool T815 Alicron. Nick Larkin finds out more.

After they were famous: Blackpool ancillaries. We look back at some of Blackpool's Leyland Titans after they had been relegated to non-PSV use.

Citybus comeback. John G. Lidstone savours Eastern National's last new Bristol.

RM70. David Jukes reports on this international event.

A Routemaster weekend. Denis Chick tells the story of Transport Museaum Wythall's AEC Routemaster RCL 2219's visit to RM70.

Sandtoft gathering 2024. This year's well-attended Gathering took place at The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft on a hot sunny Sunday 28 July with a preview the previous day. David Jukes illustrates some of the attractions on show:

Brislington 2024. This year's Bristol Vintage Bus Group's Annual Rally was held at its regular venue, the Brislington Park & Ride site on Sunday 2 August. Ian Williamson reports.

The 'Low-ish' floor running day. This event running between Godstone Green and East Grinstead was organised by The North London Collection. Over to Nigel Appleford.

Coaching classics: Trumpets and Gems. We revisit the Waymann Fanfare and take a look at the Weymann Topaz II arrived in the 1960s.

Dreams do come true. Ashley Blackman sits down with West Yorkshire preservationist Neil Halliday to discover how he came to own a trio of Bristol VRTs from his favourite operator, achieving a full complement of series 1, 2 and 3 to restore and rally.

Return journey: York-West Yorkshire. We look back to the v1970s and 1980s in York.

Celebrating anniversaries. Simon Gill considers the importance of celebrating anniversaries and how these are a golden opportunity

The model page. John G. Lidstone takes a close look at the corgi 1/64 'San Monique Transport' RT.

The model page extra. John G. Lidstone previews EFE Road's London RMC re-releases.

Off route. Happy retirement to a Dennis Dominator after almost 40 years servicing the people of Ipswich and tributes to Mercedes-Benz minibuses. Over to Nick Larkin.

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The big move. John G. Lidstone was on hand to witness an unusual convoy!

Try and try again! Simon Gill explores the history and restoration of former Leicester City Transport Bristol RELL6L No 122 (TRY 122H) that has returned to the rally scene after an absence of 30 years.

On the road. David Jukes presents another selection of active older buses and coaches.

Val adored. A magnificent Duple-bodied Bedford VAL coveted as a special vehicle by successive owners for more than 50 years is the newest member of the Lodge Coaches 'Toybox' heritage fleet. Nick Larkin reports.

Glasgow West End bus fest. Steven Booth, Chair of GVVT, shares pictures of some of the vehicles that took part.

Recalling route 406. The London Bus Museum's latest Running Day saw around 30 heritage vehicles operate over Route 406, David Jukes illustrates some of the runners and riders.

Cheltenham anniversaries. Coaches ruled over the weekend of 4/5 July. Philip Lamb explains.

After they were famous: Second use Lodekkas. Most of the non-PSV Lodekkas seen here are in service in the UK, but were later exported.

Moving into the 'modern' era. Transport Museum Wythall Trustee, James Munro, takes a look at the story of the museum's Dennis Trident. Travel West Midlands 4321 (BX02 ASV)

Out to grass. See what lies sleeping at an undisclosed location.

Coaching classics: Plaxton the Heavyweights. Following on from our round-up of Duple Northern coaches in the last issue, we visit here Plaxtons to take an look at some of its equivalent offerings.

Changing times. Ashley Blackman muses over the ever-changing bus and coach event landscape. Be it a rally, running day of a road run the majority of us can't wait to mark next year's events on our calendar.

South Coast success. Philip Lamb is re-united with a Brighton & Hove Optare Sigma, her first encountered 27 years ago.

Return journey: Brighton Beautiful. Brighon & Hove remains one of our top bus operators. Here we look back in to 1997 . . .

The model page. John G. Lidstone reviews the 1:43 Minichamps Berlin Bussing D2U.

Off route. A titan with a difference, a legendary sign revived and a Routemaster revelation. Over to Nick Larkin.

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BUS & COACH PRESERVATION | AUGUST 2024

ICONIC ISLWYN
Leopard back on the road at Barry

NERVOUS BREAKDOWN OVER
Restoration details of a London Transport survivor

FIRST ENSIGNBUS AT LARGE IN SOUTHEND
A report on an unusual mini heritage running day.

70 YEARS AT THE MAYPOLE
A celebration of one of Birmingham’s most important bus routes

CHASING NATIONALS
Not many buses are restored by the same team that worked on them in service, so Simon Gill discovers how this came about for former Chase Bus Services Leyland National No 2 (OJD 858R)

News Plus. The latest from the world of bus preservation.

Hector the unique Trojan. Roger Burdett has restored a Strachans-bodied Trojan DT, registered OVB 345. Simon Gill brings us the full story about this unique vehicle that is turning heads wherever it goes.

County style. A fascinating London Country 'might have been' has been created right down to a 'flying polo mint'. Nick Larkin reports.

Return Journey: London Country. Formed to take over London Transport's Country Area, London Country Bus Services Ltd was incorporated on 9 October 1968, adopting a green and yellow livery with 'Flying Polo' logos.

On the road. David Jukes presents a selection of older buses and coaches in service and in active preservation.

Coaching classics: 1960s Plaxton Coachwork. Last month we examined Duple coachwork for lightweight chassis from the early-1960s. Here's a selection of what you got, if your preference was for Plaxton.

Out to grass: Bristols out west. We have once again gone West, to Swansea and Port Talbot in South Wales and Barnstable in the West Counter to discover the fate of some once great Bristols . . . .

Spectacular Quorn. Paul Statham visits this joint Leicester Transport Heritage Trust/Great Central Railway.

Penwith running day. Since 2007, the Cornwall Bus Preservation Society, in association with TV&GWOT, has revivid services around Penwith on the West Cornwall Peninsula. Nigel Appleford reports.

Limited stop 740 - 50th Anniversary. Hampshire Bus Preservation celebrated the 740 and other Southdown Motor Services-operated Portsmouth-area limited stop services with a one-off running day on 5 May. David Jukes reports.

Halton before and later . . . Another highlight from the North West Museum of Transport's Running Day on Sunday 3 March.

Prototype Lodekka progress. John G. Lidstone revisits Eastern National 2510.

After they were famous: second use coaches. These coaches once carried happy passengers on days, weeks and even days away! Whilst others rendezvoused with the scrapman these went on to have second lives . . .

It was always buses! Ashley Blackman is taken down memory lane by Dr Michael Walker, who shares the story of his early live, bus industry career, collecting his fleet of over 25 buses and some valuable bus ownership lessons.

The Model page. John G. Lidstone brings us a tale of two Enviros.

Off route. Big changes on the island of Madeira signal the demise of 40 plus-year-old service buses but one is bound for Chesterfield. Also, the photo ruining bird is back! Nick Larkin reports.

Busmart. B&CP's comprehensive advertising section, where you can buy or sell any bus-related item.

News Plus. The latest from the world of bus preservation.

Supersize. Philip Lamb takes a look at a Leyland Olympian 'going large' in Lincoln.

Return Journey: Lincoln goes large. We take a look a Lincoln's fleet of long-wheelbase double-deckers.

On the road. David Jukes presents a selection of older buses and coaches still serving this country.

Merthyr Tydfil re-turns. An event to mark 100 years of buses in Merthyr Tydfil will see the public launch of newly restored Bristol RESL6G 190(NHB 190M). Simon Gill attended its first trip with passengers a few months ago.

Return Journey: Merthyr Tydfil. We look back to the late-1970s/early-1980s when orange and white was the order of the day.

Johannesburg 589's new identity. Former Johannesburg 589 is currently undergoing a long and difficult restoration project. Dave Chick reports on recent progress - and a new identity for 589.

Detling 2024. Hugh Jones was there to record the event.

Sandtoft gathering 2023. B&CP October 2023 featured the motorbus presence at the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft's principal event. We now take the promised look at the trolleybuses operating on 29/30 July 2023, as illustrated by David Jukes.

Olympian new to the Valley. A former Northern General Leyland Olympian has found a new home in the Stoud Valleys' Philip Lamb reports.

Midland RED D9. Midland Red built the first D9 in 1958. A further 344 followed during its production run between 1960 and 1966. We take a look at the Transport Museum, Wythall's No 5399.

Barking Garage 100. John G. Lidstone revisits Barking on a very special day.

The 'Bristol Titan' This month Ashley Blackman learns from Mike Walker about the history of the 'Bristol Titan' and Mike's recently completed restoration of his own 'Bristol Titan'. Bristol Tramways C4019 (KHW 630).

Coaching classics: Bella! We review Duple's initial designs in its Bella range.

Model page. John G. Lidstone reviews a long-lasting casting: EFE Road's 1/76 scale Leyland National.

Off route. Another operator echoed London practice of strategically placing a seat cushion to indicate a broken down bus, an AEC poses outside the AEC and various vehicles are on route! Over to Nick Larkin.

Busmart. B&CP's comprehensive advertising section, where you can buy or sell any bus-related item.

NATIONAL COUNTY
County Motors’ heritage livery restored

MOORE’S GUY
Is back on track

A COMFY RIDE
An update on the ongoing restoration of 999 PPL, a 1960 Bedford J4 coach

STOCKPORT TRADITION
Stockport was among the most traditional of municipals

A WARTIME TALE
The story of BBW 291 a Bedford OWB with Duple 32-seat body built in 1942

News Plus. The latest stories from the world of bus preservation.

After they were famous: London Recovery. If your London bus breaks down- why not send for one of these?

On the road. David Jukes presents a holiday-themed selection of older buses, coaches and trams in active service in this country and further afield.

Dudley Bus Station - now closed. Dudley bus station closed its doors for the last time in January after almost 40 years. We celebrate and look back.

Bradford 758: A Unique Survivor Bradford City Transport 758 (FKU 758), a 1950 Weymann-bodied British United Traction 9611T trolleybus has been undergoing a long-term restoration. John Stainforth recounts 7528's service and preservation histories for us.

Trolley times: The End of the End. Round-up of the UK's best known trolleybuses, those that graced the streets of the West Yorkshire city of Bradford.

Titan of Todmorden - Part two. Ashley Blackman learns more about the epic restoration undertaken by Malcolm E. Exelby on his 1950 all-Leyland PD2/1, Todmorden 18 (HWY 36).

Statfold at night. A winter event at Statfold Barns saw a good turnout of both vehicles and photographers.

Mainline timeline. Nick Larkin visits the South Yorkshire Transport Museum where he finds a selection of Mainline buses in preservation.

Return Journey: On the Mainline. This month we return to the 1990s to take a quick look at South Yorkshire's successor, Mainline.

A National in Russia. Basil Hancock reminds us of a Leyland National exported to Russia.

Model page. John G. Lidstone examines Ixo's Malta Route Bus Fordson Thames ET7.

Off Route. A timeless London practice and an unusual Go North East star at Consett are amongst this month's changes to our route. Over to Nick Larkin.

Busmart. B&CP's comprehensive advertising section, where you can buy or sell any bus-related item.

News Plus. The latest stories from the world of bus preservation.

Titan take one. The oldest surviving former Cumberland Motor Services bus, a 1936 Leyland Titan TD4 rebodied by Eastern Coach Works in 1950, No 291 (BRM 596) has been restored after many challenges as Simon Gill discovers.

Return Journey: NBS's Cumberland. A look back at the Cumberland Motor Services.

Titan Take 2. Owner Matthew Parker tells the tale of his West Midlands Leyland Titan 7001 (WDA 1T).

On the road. More elderly buses in service reviewed by David Jukes.

The Lion Kings. The Friends of King Alfred Buses has recently acquired a former Hants & Dorset 1929 Leyland Lion. David Jukes finds out more.

Twilight in Manchester. The Museum of Transport Greater Manchester held its first twilight running event on Saturday 21 October, deploying an array of buses from its collection. Paul Williams reports.

Twilight in Barry. The Cardiff Transport Preservation group held its first twilight event Saturday 28 October 2023. Tudor Thomas reports.

Twilight in Kiekby. We visit the NWVRT's second twilight running day.

70 years of the Regent V. Ashley Blackman reminds us about the much-loved AEC Regent V in time for its 70th Birthday celebrations.

Return of the Dart. Firts Manchester Dennis Dart 1152 (N652 CBD) made its first appearance - and carried its first passengers - for more than a decade in November. Stephen Morris has caught up with it, and new owner Peter Watts.

Seeing double. John G. Lidstone recounts the remarkable tale of former London Transport 1954 AEC Regent III/Sanders RT4686 (NXP 971).

Out to grass: A visit to South Wales. A trip around operator's and scrapman's yards once yielded some interesting finds. All recorded in the Swansea area.

Return Journey: Taking good care of you. Perhaps some of you, like your Editor, also have an interest in civil aviation, so take a look at these, all of which bar one date from the 1970s, a period of transition at Heathrow.

The model page. John G. Lidstone details Ultra's salute to Moscow's short-lived AEC 664T pioneer and Yaroslav sister Trolleybuses.

Off Route. Spot the difference at a running day and some fascinating survivors on a South Wales tour. Over to Nick Larkin.

Busmart. B&CP's comprehensive advertising section, where you can buy or sell any bus-related item.