Two for Today: Twelve Hundred

Its about time I had a VR on this feature so here we have 38844 July 2006

Restored to her full glory by July 2010 and looking rather lovely…

Two for Today: Bristol VRs

I must admit its hard to keep motivated at the moment with not a lot going on for obvious reasons and yet loads to catch up on. Working from home is a lot harder than I thought it would be so I have not spent as much time on PT as I would normally.

To keep things going I will now be posting Two for Today – with two connected photos from my archives. It might not be every day but hopefully most of them! If anything interesting does happen at all then there will be other posts in between

1229 First Western National VRT looks quite smart in its North Devon red version of the dumbed down livery which started so promisingly as the Badger & flags livery

Speaking of which the badger may have gone but the flags remain on 1199 which it has to be said looks well past its best, as did many of the fleet at this time (2002).

Invincible Frankie is saved

Excellent news from the PCTPG:

We are pleased to announce our latest addition to the group collection ....

PCTPG are this month pleased to announce another new arrival in this expanding collection of buses and coaches local to Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall.

Fresh out of service with its most recent operator Rail Riverlink group member Steve Salter has secured convertible open top Bristol VR UWV614S which will be arriving at our Colebrook Base shortly.

UWV614S was new to Southdown in 1978 NBC era days one of a large fleet of convertible open tops delivered in that year to NBC subsidiaries along the South coast.

It and several sisters passed into Stagecoach ownership and we're transferred to Devon General as replacements for VDV/S convertible open toppers that DG under Transit Holdings ownership had sold to EYMS.

They were replaced by convertible open top Scania and UWV614S was snapped up by Riverlink for use on its 100 service and open top routes too where it has survived until the end of the 2016 summer season the last season of Bristol VR operation.

UWV614S will make appearances across the region in the 2017 rally season.

© Ian Kirby June 1999

Invincible was very definitely closed top only by this stage as the upper deck floor required substantial remedial work. I suspect that had the Titans proved more reliable, it might well have been withdrawn by this stage. However 937 survived to be the first vehicle acquired by River Link

PCTPG Expands its remit

A notice just recently released by the PCTPG. (I cant seem to reproduce the full news letter on the blog)

Dear Member,

75 years ago, 1st October 1942, to be precise, the Plymouth Joint Services agreement was commenced  and this formed a firm, working relationship, between the Western National Omnibus Company and Plymouth City Transport.

This year, 2015, we find our group needing to review its objectives and identity in recognition of the increasing vehicle fleet and interests of our growing membership which is not solely that of the former council undertaking.

Thus formally, on 1st October 2015, we became the Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group. This changes nothing for you, our membership, our interest in vehicles of PCT and PCB has not lessened.

However we now properly cater for the non PCT PCB vehicles in our fleet and look forward to increasing our appeal and welcoming enthusiasts as we grow and cater for their needs.

 

This seems as good a time as any to feature an excellent shot for Plymouth City Transport 103 taken by Andrew Wickham current MD of Go South Coast, formerly of this parish.

103 14 September 1984.

and then this one from the same time of Western National over at Torpoint.

As much as I am fond of the old Atlanteans, they could never compete with the old Bristol VRTs, especially the old flat screen ones like these.

Torpoint 9 September 1984

 

Thank to Andrew for the evocative shots!

Life after Plymouth ODV78M

©BKP550
"This was a prototype VRT3 built in 11/73 but not licensed until 8/74 Converted for use as a bus for spreading the message of Jesus. Whitehaven 6/89"

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Council check: Bracknell Forest Council Today, we take a look at Bracknell Forest Council's provision of information on the buses that run in their area.

GREEN LINE v LUTON AIRPORT Arriva the Shires, responsible for the Green Line services operating from Herts, Beds and Bucks have announced the recommencement of their flagship service, Green Line 757, operating between London Luton Airport and London Victoria.

Fleet Update ~ Konectbus: Given number 22, the service will operate hourly from 1000 to 1700 seven days a week and will be operated by an open top double-decker which is to be cascaded from another company within the Go-Ahead Group.

Stupid Security Questions: Poor TfL, about to get a bout of my ire, and while they are not the only miscreants in this area, what I just saw is pretty high up the rankings of poor practice.

Manx Heritage Transport Festival: 4 - Snaefell & MER Farewell By the Saturday morning my leg had declared war on me so my mobility was getting rather compromised so the photo count dropped rapidly over the weekend and days 3 and 4 can be fitted into one final report.

Charivari Whilst waiting, fbb watched a previous machine customer performing amazing feats of potentially panicky prestidigitation to pocket their pre-ordered tickets

Metroline CELF Centre Part 42 The Centre since its opening nearly 7 years ago has been accredited for its excellency and is widely utilised by other companies, namely London United and Tower Transit, whose vehicles can be seen here on a regular basis.

TRAINS ON STAMPS & A BRIEF ENCOUNTER A set of stamps celebrating four of Wales' classic steam locomotives is being unveiled by Royal Mail.

EYMS Driffield Depot To Close here is the official EYMS Press Release on the closure of their Driffield depot, including comments regarding punctuality on service 121.

Northampton's new bus station causes gridlock It's been bedlam on the first day of Northampton's new bus station. BBC News reports that the city centre has been more or less gridlocked all day because of the new traffic flows in and out of the gleaming terminus.

A Higher Coach to Lucy Hall [2] he ride, built entirely from wood, was billed as the “longest, widest, steepest ever erected on Earth'. Unfortunately, several people were injured in 1900 when a hawser broke from a carriage, so it was quickly removed.

A very special bus

I guess most bus enthusiasts have a favourite bus, well this is mine. Western National 1078 ODV78M was the first series 3 VRT and served Plymouth well for many years.

©Tipperman July 1984

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Tipperman Flickr

Elsewhere on the net

A regular returns Fylde Bus Blog

Perhaps you may feel sorry for folk who have bought the new flats alongside the access path to the closed station. They'll now get a train every 10 minutes each way past their bedroom window! Public Transport Experience

By producing a rather stand-out timetable, First has chosen *not* to spoil the ship for a ha’peth of tar. Indeed, there have been a variety of good promotion materials Omnibuses

Are you a train station spotter? find out in our quiz Ordanance Survey Blog

The ECW body for the Bristol VRT was available in four heights. TGP

Which begs the question. Are there any town and cities today that will be lauding their transport facilities? Is there a civic guidebook anywhere in GB that will include, as an example of the town's excellence, a picture of a bus garage Public Transport Experience

After a long wait, the Royal Blue Motorcoach website is now up and running Dorset Bus Blog

Now that Boris is back, we really can expect up to 600 Wrightbus NBfLs. I wonder how many will have rear platforms. Omnibuses

Did you know that Torbay Bus Routes recieves no commercial funding, nor do any of our Team take a wage? We're all volunteers, and do what we do because we are so passionate about making public transport information accessible and high quality in Torbay.Torbay Bus Routes has grown to become Torbay's source of bus information when at home and when out and about. But in order to keep the service that thousands know and love going, we need your help. Torbay Bus Routes

A completely new concept in bus travel in Southampton, OR an attempt to pinch business from Go-Ahead's Bluestar subsidiary? Public Transport Experience

Today’s “thank you” is of a blog that is probably unique. It’s a collection of historic photos with added blog functionality: a photo-blog that allows the author to embellish his selected image with some well-chosen words. Omnibuses

My one and only picture of a Wilts & Dorset Bristol VR in service... Southern England Bus Scene

Sunday Best on Flickr: AFJ705T

©Andrew Harvey-Adams
Bowling down Royal Parade on Plymouth Joint services Route 6 to Torpoint Ferry is Western National's 1140 AFJ705T. Bristol VRT /SL3 / 6LXB - ECW H74F. Note the common 'Launa Windows' advert, which at the time seemed to be on every Western National and Devon General Bus ! A Plymouth City Transport Leyland National scurries away in the other direction.

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Related Links

• Andrew HA Photostream Flickr
• Western National AFJ761T Plymothian Transit January 2011
• Western National AFJ706T Plymothian Transit September 2009

Elsewhere on the net

• FOKAB Panther 419 arrives Busworks Blog
• Double Decker returns to The Hoe PTOTPA
• Visit to Caerphilly August 2007 Southern England Bus Scene
• Surprise! Omnibuses
• Grey Green at Stamford Hill. Busworld Photography
• Union Street Plymouth Local History Blog
• Excel 224 returns home Fylde Bus Blog
• 40 Years and counting Omnibuses

Sunday Best: Devon General

"a VRT really has to be in NBC Green” dbg Elsewhere... 1028 Cyber security Others... TGP Sea Sun’d Wood Tornado Omnibuses2.0 How do we measure up? Contrast

©AecRegent Back before the X80 was the 129 with the 128 becoming the X38. I am not sure when this change was made but I guess it was early 1980's. Hopefully someone out there will know and tell us? Devon General VOD590S departs from Bretonside to Torbay. It looks like there are a few unpainted panels on the right hand side, presumably after accident repairs. As far as I am concerned a VRT really has to be in NBC Green but even in red, this is a lovely scene!

Evolution of TavyLinx

From Jeff Lloyds collection - photographer unknown

From Jeff Lloyds collection - photographer unknown

One of mine - taken this last weekend.

I know which ones I prefer!

A long time ago...

© Terry Partridge

I have no time tonight for my next Architectural posting so just a quick Blast from the Past. Terry has just posted this excellent photo taken at Saltash Station. No dates given but the buses look pretty new to me in this shot. I can only assume that the Tamar Bridge was closed or something as I cant think of any other reason that the 76 would call in here at Saltash Station?

Those were the days!

© aecregent

My son isnt well at the moment so computer time has been very limited. Just got to work and first thing I see is this great shot by aecregent. Back from the days when the 7 was run by real buses.

Do drivers always know best?

Well I am back in Plymouth after a very successful course up in the big city of London. I would like to say it was a very relaxed trip with all the transport links working brilliantly. I would like too - but it wasn't all plain sailing. In fact to be fair most of it was excellent with the train journies both running exactly to time, with plenty of room and no problems whatsoever. The buses in London were brilliant with a great value day ticket for £3.50 and buses seemingly all running full all through the night. Even my few trips on the Tube were great with no problems at all. Sadly the one bit that let me down was right here in Plymouth.
I had arranged to catch the 14:03 service 86 from Derriford Hospital as it stopped at Plymouth Station. This would give me plenty of time to get some lunch etc. before getting on the train. At 14:06 service 7 came in and sat at the bus stop for a few mins. Right behind it was the 86, just a few mins late. I stood behind the 7 and waved at the driver expecting him to pull in behind the 7. Sadly he decided I didn't need to catch his bus, and just pointed at the 7 and drove straight past. It was clear that he expected me to catch that one and not bother him. I was rather angry at this to say the least and had a good moan at the other driver who at least was still sat there. She tried to excuse the driver by saying that they both went the same way anyway so it wasn't a problem, until I pointed out that she didn't go the the station - then she understood why I was angry. I did catch my train on time, but only after a 15 minute dash down from North Hill leaving me no time for a wander around the station shops. Not a good start to the trip!

I will be sending in a complaint as it did make me very angry and was totally needless as the driver of the 86 was only a few mins down and could have stopped quite easily - I would have been the only passenger getting on and I had a pass so no need for the driver to stop and count out cash and issue a ticket or anything.

Like I said, everything else that First ran for me over the days went brilliantly and I will be posting a few photos during the week when I get chance to process them.

In the meantime here is another one of aecregents excellent photos he has posted on Flickr. If this one had turned out on the 7 I probably wouldn't be complaining about having to catch it!

Western National 1085

© Bocley

"Caught at speed at Postbridge, Devon in the summer of 1977, this is Western National 1085, a 1975 Bristol VRT with ECW bodywork."

As I didnt get chance to post last night I will post this excellent photo of a VRT on the 82. Those were the days!

ODV78M

©aecregent (Flickr blog)
After a few days out of action Google have cleared my blog and opened it for action again. I guess it does at least show that Google do care about spam blogs and that they do actually check for these things. To celebrate I am thrilled to be able to post this photo from aecregent of 1078 ODV78M the prototype VRT series 3 which served in Plymouth for most of its life and was my favourite bus ever. It was probably the one bus that really got me interested in buses as I always kenw it was different to the others - so I had to find out more about it. The rest just grew from there.
I believe that this bus is currently in New Zealand, it certainly was exported to New Zealand back in 1991 and was last listed in 2005. Rob Slys site for more.

WNPG Rally

Like many people I have been watching the weather forecast this past week full of doom and gloom for the prospects this weekend, but today the Western National Preservation Group annual bus rally on Plymouth Hoe took place in glorious sunshine!
In fact it was at times too sunny as it made photography that little bit more awkward!
I am still going through the many photos I have taken but have already uploaded the first 18 pictures to my Flickr account. I have chosen this one for tonight as I feel it just sums up the rally overall.

Well done to all involved in another great day. Many of the buses on display also went out giving free rides and most of these were pretty full. Thanks also to Brian George who gave my son Zak a key ring and a Stagecoach Calender - the highlight of his day as far as he is concerned!
More photos to follow during the coming week

Blast from the Past

From the Peter Horrex Collection - used with permission.

John Hill lighting were well know for their advertising buses "The John Hill Specials" were among the better advert liveries carried by Western National. Seen heading towards Newton Abbot is 1117 VDV117S.

Devon General also had one - AFJ772T

Blast from the Past

From the Peter Horrex Collection - used with permission.

1100 SFJ100R Western National. Seen sitting in the sun at the old Laira Depot.

Joanne & Peter Horrex
Eye
Suffolk
Visit my brand new web site:
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Previous Posting of SFJ100R

Double Blast from the Past

I have been going through my Google main in-box catching up on the many excellent photos that come through all the photo groups I belong to and by coincidence there were these two photos for the same bus looking very different...

Above we have Peters photo in a quiet looking Bretonside looking fairly tidy in the smart blue and cream livery...

Then below we have Nicks photo from January 2005 - looking a lot less well cared for and in the insipid blue and white livery complete with First group fleet number.

© Nick Rice - used with permission

Nothing in this picture bus wise is the same now as it was back when it was taken. Sadly no more VRs or 709Ds and the Citybus has had a repaint and LEDs fitted.

Blast from the Past Livery oddity

© Terry Stapley - used with permission

Seen in Plymouth July 1988
1096 PTT96R is seen in an unusual variation of the blue and cream livery. I seem to recall there were one or two variations of the livery probably as they were experimenting to get it right. The extra bit of blue certainly makes a big difference from the standard which can be seen below. I think they made the right choice!

From the Peter Horrex Collection - used with permission.

Adverts from the past

From the Peter Horrex Collection - used with permission.

A great photo of a bus that for once I cant remember at all! 1131 XDV601S in a very bright and colourful advert for Plymouth Pavillions.
Its so bright I am really amazed that I dont recall seeing it!