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Surely one of the most imposing coaches British roads have seen in the last near half century. Alexander's 'M Type' was with one exception, produced for the Scottish Bus Group's Anglo - Scottish express services many of which ran overnight. The luxurious bodywork had more than a hint of styling from similar express coaches being used in the USA.
Initial deliveries came on Bristol's REMH chassis with subsequent ones on Leyland Leopards, Volvo B58s and as here with immaculately preserved MSF750P, on a Seddon Pennine VII.
Just catching the Autumn sunshine well, this iconic coach is seen leaving the Scottish Vintage Vehicle Trust's Bridgeton bus garage with a demonstration working a couple of weekends ago.
The tadRed Step Entrance Bus Running Day, organised by Mortons Travel, took place on Saturday 31st December 2016 and utilised around 13 buses of varying ages on a number of routes running into Reading marking the end of step entrance buses in normal service in the UK.
Buses used included former Reading Buses MAN 11.190 / Optare Vecta M957VWY seen passing The Cunning Man pub at Burghfield Bridge when operating the first 143 Reading to Mortimer service of the day.
In late February 2019 I visited the Epping Ongar Railway's Green Line Running Day focussed on North Weald Station. A photographer's trip to Toot Hill was enjoyed by many and proved extremely popular. I also took a few shots at Epping Station.
Preserved former Lothian Region Transport (and later, Lothian Buses) ECW bodied Leyland Olympian, 777 (C777SFS), pictured on Portobello Road, Edinburgh, on the 23rd September 2017, whilst participating in the 2017 Lothian Buses Vintage Bus Running Day on a short working of service 26 between Eastfield and Haymarket.
A visitor from Ireland for the GVVT Open Weekend Event, now carrying Irish plates.
I was told the following day that she actually arrived at the event minus an offside fleet name, which was then added during the day; so I must have caught her shortly after that.
Bridgeton, Broad Street, 12/10/2024.
Prreserved 2007 Optare Solo at Hooton Park Hangars Wirral on Merseyside during an annual running day event.
Of the seven built, only two representatives of Foden's aborted latter day dalliance with Northern Counties and the bus industry remain and both are currently in the same hands. TUB 250R was delivered new to the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, where, like its sisters, it didn't compare well with other 'deckers in the fleet. Thankfully it survived, passing to John Cherry of Aintree Coachlines and Helms of Eastham where it worked for half a dozen more years in sympathetic hands. I'm grateful to John for a ride today at the NWVRT's annual rally, and for a description of the highs and lows of the type. The Achilles heel was a bespoke Foden gear train and casing which took the drive down from the high mounted Gardner 6LXB to the Allison AT640 gearbox ... and in the process stepped the speed up in order to marry the two units to be a workable combination. The component proved to be a weak feature which was further tested by the inclusion of the alternator drive, which, if that unit seized, also had catastrophic effects. Because of the low pre-production numbers built and the fact that mass production never happened, spare parts were always going to be nigh on impossible to obtain and one by one, the few built slipped away. As mentioned, TUB 250R is a fortunate survivor and currently the only one operable. However, the restoration of the ex West Midlands PTE example is gathering pace and perhaps next year, the two might be seen out together.
Above, the Northern Counties bodied bus is seen on a run out this afternoon in Kirkby with the owner at the wheel.
Having been away for the last few days on the Isle of Wight, the ex Easson's Duple Dominant bodied Leopard, JPO 55P, is now safely back at its storage location in Cheshire. For the second year running it was our steed to and from the now annual 'Beer, Buses & Walks' event. On top of the 400 mile round trip it also took two turns on the free services operated in conjunction with proceedings and is seen here heaving itself fully loaded up onto the dual carriageway to cross the viaduct over the quay at Newport.
Easson's of course, were a old established coach firm based the other side of the Solent in Southampton.
"Here... amid the untamed flora... of south Yorkshire... two vintage Bristol RE single-deckers stand... at rest in the afternoon light..."
Northern, Anston 2112 (YFM 282L), with, I think, VOD 102K behind, at the 1994 Northern Bus RE running day.
Dinnington, Bus Station, 10/09/1994.
In late February 2019 I visited the Epping Ongar Railway's Green Line Running Day focussed on North Weald Station. A photographer's trip to Toot Hill was enjoyed by many and proved extremely popular. I also took a few shots at Epping Station.
The tadRed Step Entrance Bus Running Day, organised by Mortons Travel, took place on Saturday 31st December 2016 and utilised around 13 buses of varying ages on a number of routes running into Reading marking the end of step entrance buses in normal service in the UK.
Buses used included former Stagecoach Volvo B10M-55 / Alexander PS SJI1960 (L338KCK) seen here in Mortimer working the TR1 Reading to Baughurst service.
On bank holiday Monday, Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) held a mini running day centred on The Broadway, Winchester.
Dennis 30cwt Dennis 6/OU9286 has unloaded its happy passengers and admiring spectators linger.
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The Southampton & District Transport Heritage Trust provided today's entertainment in the form of a Farewell to Southampton's Red Buses running day. With the busy hub in Pound Tree Road, there were 3 routes to sample using 10 preserved former Southampton buses ranging from a 1951 Guy Arab III to a 1999 Dennis Dart. A great day out and a chance to catch up with a great many people!!
17368 (Y368NHK) [Left], TA1 (S801BWC) [Middle], and 12345 (SN64OGU) [Right] standing together one last time in Brooklands before going home.
The dust flies as preserved Black Prince P441 SWX sets off from Rowsley for a run out to Matlock, 19/06/2016.
Preserved North Western 500 (FDB 500), 299A (KJA 299G).
The Atkinson Alpha on the left has been in preservation for many years and has happily made a return back into the limelight following refurbishment and repaint. She was unfortunately not able to give rides, but was a very welcome visible presence for photographs nonetheless, making the trip on this occasion up to the Woodthorpe turning circle to join up with Paul Williams' rather splendid Bristol RE, which was also on show after a thorough restoration and which was an absolute delight to travel on.
North Western Centenary Event, 23/04/2023.
A pair in heritage Todmorden livery. This was taken around a fortnight after Rider were acquired by Badgerline. 7534 is now preserved.
Halifax, Heart of the Pennines rally, Wade Street, 01/05/1994. Posted 15/02/2022.
Seen here in Skipton Bus Station having worked in on the 13.00 Skipton Circular during the Skipton & Yorkshire Dales Bus Rally & Running Day.
Another first time appearance at today's NWVRT event was this immaculate Fareway's Olympian, still to receive lettering, but looking splendid nonetheless.
December this year marks the 30th anniversary of her entry into service (once again I can feel the years creeping up on me with a big stick), based in a depot just a few streets from this very spot.
Kirkby, taken and posted 03/06/2018.