Peters Snaps from the weekend

The first set of pictures sent in by others to share on Plymothian Transit

You might like to use some of my snapshots from Saturday. I say Snaps, as they were generally taken to capture a moment, not photographs, which are normally composed with care. So, whilst their photographic qualities might not win any prizes, I do think that they captured the essence of the run over from Exeter that you sadly missed.

I would also like to record my appreciation of everybody who gave up their time over this busy weekend to make it such fun for everybody. This includes the bus and coach owners, their drivers and the many volunteers who gave up their time freely to help both the Devon General Omnibus Trust and the Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group. It was a great weekend guys, and girls, enjoyed by many.

Peter Murnaghan

Also the view on Laira Bridge, which you will be familiar with. After causing much traffic congestion, which attracted the attention of the Devon & Cornwall Police, the recovery truck arrived after about an hour and towed 162 back to depot.  I don't think that the Conductor was blameworthy for this failure!

A letter box view, which reminded me of Del Trotter's Reliant, which was lettered up for Trotters Independent Trading New York, Paris, Peckham.  My view captures European cities mixed with more mundane places like Bridport and Guildford.

Thanks again to Peter for the excellent shots especially from the Exeter to Plymouth run.

More shots over the coming days from others who have sent them in. (feel free if you still want to send some in !)

Celebrating Exeter & Plymouth Bus Stations

From the PCTPG:

As promised the big announcement today is....there will be a cavalcade of buses and coaches leaving Exeter bus station to arrive at Bretonside in time for the closure event there..this event is being run in association with our friends at the Devon General Omnibus trust.

This promises to be a great weekend!

Facebook Page for the event

Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group

Devon General Omnibus Trust

PCTPG Rally 2015

Despite the poor weather, which did at least clear up a bit in the afternoon, there was a good turn out for the PCTPG Rally yesterday. It has to be said that The George site is ideal for this kind of event, even if its not the easiest place to get to on a bus on a Sunday! I didnt take that many photos this time as I used my time catching up with a few friends and meeting some new ones, always the highlight of these events. Here are just a few of the photos taken yesterday…

Thanks and congratulations to the whole team involved putting on this event, at fairly short notice too. Already looking forward to next years!

Reminder!

Just a little reminder that Sunday is the new Plymouth Bus Rally at The George Park & Ride site.

Sadly the weather does not seem to be too good although hopefully it will brighten up a bit mid day for awhile at least. I look forward to catching up with friends and hopefully meeting a few people who read this little site. Lets all have a good time, whatever the weather throws at us. At least its a lot more sheltered than being up on The Hoe which probably wont be a good place to be tomorrow!

Plymouth Bus and Classic Vehicle Rally 2015

Links:

Rally Facebook Page

PCTPG Main Page

Next weekend

Most of you will already be aware of this but dont forget next weekend sees the annual First Devon and Cornwall Rally on Sunday - and the Running day on Saturday.

At least I have it down as being next weekend - cant say I have seen any publicity for it yet!?

Over and Out.

© Nick Rice - used with permission.

Sadly I could not make it to the Bristol VR farewell running day yesterday but Nick Rice was one of the many that did so I am happy to post these two photos of the best looking buses ever to grace the Barbie livery.

© Nick Rice - used with permission.

Of course the VR was around in the fleet for long enough to wear lots of different liveries so as a tribute to this fine workhorse I am happy to be able to include a few more of Phil Doddridge's photos showing the highly standardised Bristol VRT ECW in a range of different liveries.


1199 LFJ843W

1202 LFJ846W

1228 RTH929S

1257 PWY38W - the best livery!

A few of the many sites of interest on the internet:

Southbus tribute to the VRT Click Here

Wikipedia entry for Bristol VRT click here

Gallery of the excellent EFE model in all its liveries click here

And of course the main place for anything on the VR - Rob Slys site - click here

Western National VR Good Bye

It has been confirmed that First Devon and Cornwall be holding the official Bristol VR Farewell Running Day down in Penzance on Saturday 25th NOVEMBER. I will post more details here as they get confirmed but one bus that is almost certain to be there is this one - OTA290G, seen above in the unlikely surroundings of the Plymouth Citybus Depot at Milehouse.

Although it is looking like I will be unable to attend I will I am sure be able to post a few photos from the event here, as even though its not Plymouth - the Bristol VR was as big a part of the Plymouth transport scene as the Atlantean was.

I will also be starting a small series of Bristol VR photos over the years, many of them from Phil Doddridge as a tribute to these fine machines. So with thanks to Phil I will start with OTA290G whilst in prep at the old Laira Depot.

© Phil Doddridge - used with permission.

As you would expect with such a fine bus there are plenty of photos out there on the net of OTA290G try this page for the ones on Fotopic for a start!

The last one

171 TTT171X the last Leyland Atlantean in regular service with Plymouth Citybus poses next to the Mercedes Citaros at Milehouse Bus Depot. By the time this photo had been taken the bus had officially been transferred to the Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group.

For those that missed it, it was a great day out and a credit to all involved.

More photos of the event will follow!

Previous posting of TTT171X

Running Day

Today was the last day of the Atlantean in normal service with Plymouth Citybus as 171 was placed under the care of the Preservation Group. The running day saw several Atlanteans giving free rides around the City (and even a couple of imposter Olympians!) although sadly the Enviros did not make their public debut as they are still being signwritten - they are due to be launched on Thursday apparently. Starting this week I will be posting a selection of Atlantean photos. I will also be adding a few photos taken at the event itself.
Finally a big thank you to all at Citybus and the Preservation Group for an excellent day out.

Pre National Express!

Pre National Express and a classic Royal Blue coach from the 1970's. I still think these were more comfortable than many of the newer coaches since then - but maybe I am being sentimental!

didbygraham

National Express 2

Thought it would be good to show a previous typical National Express coach from the 1980's. FDV803V now in preservation is an excellent example of the standard Leyland Leopard Plaxton coach operated in large numbers by Western National.
didbygraham

First Routemasters

The main event today was the bus rally on Plymouth Hoe. The weather was certainly a lot better than Saturday! With a great collection of buses new and old it was a good day spent on the Hoe. The full collection of photos can be seen here.
Above we see all three of First Devon & Cornwall's Routemaster fleet. These buses are used for general hire, promotional work and even hired out for weddings. Opinion is divided on the green one. Although its more in keeping with the local area than the red ones it just looks fake! That said I am sure they are going to be popular with general 'non-anorak' passengers!
didbygraham

ftr

The 23rd July was the "Running Day" of the Plymouth Bus Rally organised by First Devon & Cornwall. It was not brilliant weather but it didn't spoil the show with a good selection of buses to ride on covering several different routes around Plymouth. Highlight for me was the first prototype of First's new "ftr" built around a Volvo chassis by Wrights. This was a very special bus and it certainly gave a quality ride. In the right conditions this bus will be a winner for First Group. Cant quite see it happening in Plymouth though - far to good for us I am afraid!
see my fotopic album for more pictures of the event - including more of the ftr.


didbygraham