New Dartmoor Sunday Connections

NEW SUNDAY DARTMOOR BUS/RAIL CONNECTIONS FROM PLYMOUTH       

Some of the Sunday trains from Plymouth to Gunnislake on the scenic Tamar Valley Line now have a new connecting bus from Gunnislake station to Brentor, Lydford and Okehampton station where they connect with Okehampton’s Summer Sunday trains which started running from there to Exeter and Crediton last Sunday (19 May)

There are two round trips each Sunday until 8 September allowing people to take the train from Plymouth and make a day trip by public transport to Dartmoor destinations.

The buses also offer the opportunity to do a circular trip around Devon, with travel one way via Dartmoor and the other via the main line through Dawlish.  In addition, they provide a new Sunday public transport option for local residents in Brentor, Lydford and Mary Tavy.

Travellers holding rail tickets to Okehampton or Gunnislake will be able to buy a flat fare £3.00 Single or Day Return for any journey on the bus.   The bus is deemed a tourist service so concessionary and free passes will not be valid and all passengers will need to pay. Local fares will be available between all stops.

Funded by CrossCountry via their Community Engagement fund, the service has been organised by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership and is operated by Plymouth Citybus.

Richard Burningham, Manager of the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership said “It is a few years since the old 187 Sunday bus service finished and we were keen to see a bus link between Gunnislake and Okehampton stations restored. Offering a bus transport option to do a Sunday day trip to Lydford Gorge, for example, which the bus goes right past, is a great opportunity to explore the area.  We are very grateful to CrossCountry for their help and support.”

Jody Ball, Stakeholder Liaison Manager for CrossCountry said “We are delighted to be helping the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership provide a new rail/bus link across Dartmoor. Connecting the two lines gives passengers the chance to make a day trip beyond the railway without a car.”

More information about the bus service can be found at www.dartmoorbus.com . 

© Brett Jones [cc] May 2016 The Tamar Valley Line Calstock Viaduct

As with anything like this, the more people use it, the more likely it will be back again next year!

Sunday Best M52HOD

©Jason Beverley (PCTAtlanteanHunter)2005 Milehouse
With the end of step entrance Darts getting ever closer its easy to forget the three Volvo B6's which have all been withdrawn but have lasted longer than many expected as they were the odd ones out in the fleet. I believe they are all still around at Milehouse along with quite a few of the step entrance Darts and even a few of the Mercedes 709Ds. There must be quite a sizable 'reserve' fleet at the moment which will grow shortly when the 45-57 routes come next month. Certainly if you want to get the step entrance fleet on camera now is the time to do it!
Can anyone remember what the 'flashes' on the windows are on this bus? I can recall seeing them advertising something or other but cant recall what they were advertising! I am guessing it was the return fares being available all day but was this as recent as 2005?

---

Related Links

• PCTAtlanteans photostream Flickr

Elsewhere on the net

• On the holiday we stayed in Orlando, Florida, of course the tourist magnet of the USA PTOTPA
• Nothing to do with genetically modified fruit, more a interweb-based photo album, that, in my eyes at least, is the new Fotopic. Forbesy's Transport Ramblings(NEW BLOG!)
• If there is a theme to 2011, apart from a seemingly magnetic attraction to Hampshire, it seems to be visiting places that I haven't seen in years and this is the case with York. Transport Illustrated
• In his absence the worm grew to an enormous size, terrorised the denizens of the Durham countryside and gobbled cattle and sheep for daily snacks. Public Transport Experience
• One Thursday in March Fylde Bus Blog
• Arriva has held firm over its decision to withdraw Green Line 712 from St Alban’s to London. Omnibuses
• There were certain points that really did impress me with American public transport. Firstly was the ticketing system PTOTPA

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.

---

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 AFJ761T

©AecRegent (Les Eddy)
A Western National VR with the extended white of the Plymouth joint services livery, but without fleetnames, waits for its next journey on the 93 at Plymouth's Bretonside bus station.

---

Related Links

• AECRegent Photo Stream Flickr
• XDV609S - and me! Plymothian Transit October 2010
• LFJ847W Plymothian Transit August 2010
• JNU138N Plymothian Transit May 2010
• AFJ706T Plymothian Transit September 2009
• VOD590S Plymothian Transit June 2009

Elsewhere on the net

• Bluestar serving Lymington Southern England Bus Scene
• Spooners Plymouth Local History Blog
• No cameras! 270KTA
• Omnibuses thinks he's starting to get the hang of blogging! Omnibuses
• London Transport - Value for money? Omnibuses
• Termini - going round the block Fylde Bus Blog
• Termini - from airport to car park Fylde Bus Blog
• Winter in Ryde Southern England Bus Scene
• Not since 1985 Omnibuses
• An interesting move PTOTPA
• A small place in history. Leon Daniels

Sunday Best on Flickr: NFJ591M

©Clive Brown (Sou'Wester) 7th January 1981
Superb atmospheric photo of the Ferry Bus Bristol LH which I thinks works better in black and white. A far cry from the low floor Tridents in use these days (they probably look better in black and white too!)

---

Related Links

• Sou'westers photos on Flickr Flickr
• From Ferrybus to Tamar Link Plymothian Transit June 2008
• Royal Marshall Plymothian Transit November 2010

Elsewhere on the net

• 2011 is the 45th anniversary since the launch of the first of Bristol’s two rear-engined double deck models Omnibuses
• New Year's Geneva Oddity: An interesting Saurer Leyland Dab. Busworld Photography
• Blackpool's Christmas Presents. Fylde Bus Blog
• By the end of 2011, I would have liked to: Southern England Bus Scene
• Our Fair Fares Now campaign is off to a flying start Campaign for Better Transport
• Omnibuses Blog wasn’t short of controversies in 2010 Omnibuses

Sunday Best on Flickr: J375WWK

©Nick Rice: Not a Plymouth allocation at the time of this photo but this ex Volvo demonstrator Lynx 2 was sometimes 'borrowed' by Tavistock outstation

Linx with the past

Creative Commons licensed flickr photo shared by iantherev
This wasn't the first 260ERY. For a good idea of what the original 260ERY looked like check out this photo of sister 259ERY
Creative Commons licensed flickr photo shared by iantherev
I am sure you can all work out the connection between these two

Sunday Best: Western National 274KTA

©AndrewHA: Another favorite Bus for the South Hams Routes were Western National's Bristol SUL4As. About 27 feet long and again 7' 6" wide these were quite common all over Devon & Cornwall. Both Bus Bodies and the Coach Style ones also. Although this Coach has by now, circa 1975, been down-graded to a Service Bus. The little ECW bodies were comfortable to ride in. During the mid to late 1960s and early 1970s the coach versions were regularly seen in London's Victoria Coach Station, reforming a "Royal Blue Relief Car"

---

The news that London bus routes 26 and 30 are following route 25 from East London to First marks a change in direction for bus route contracts over the past couple of years.
Leon Daniels

Bus passengers in a Devon resort were shocked as a large gang of youths pelted their vehicle with rocks and stones.
BBC News

FDC Facebook: "Currently delays to X80s into Plymouth due to accident closing the A38 sliproad onto Marsh Mills roundabout. X80s are being diverted via the next junction, travelling back under Marsh Mills roundabout. Unfortunately with the closure & diversions there are tailbacks and added traffic around Marsh Mills which may also affect service 12. We apologise for any inconvenience caused due to circumstances beyond our control.

I doubt Plymouth strikes most people as one of England’s greener places to live – but it is.
PRSD

In Portchester today, was the Provincial Society's annual flea market in the Community Hall.
Southern England Bus Scene

Sunday Best Western National XDV609S and me

©Jos Van Hemert: Western National Bristol VR 1129 XDV609S BretonSide July 1983.
I dont really need much excuse to put up of Jos' excellent photos especially when when it contains two Bristol VRTs like this shot. The added bonus as far as I am concerned is that I am 95% sure that the young chap looking down at the scene and no doubt watching the photogapher is me! Certainly the date would be right and the clothes are what I was wearing at that time. I never was a trendy dresser. My wife is pretty sure its me as well so that clinches it for me!

Sunday Best on Flickr: LTK91R

© AECRegent: On repaint from the tram style livery, 91 was treated to this all over advert for Rockafellas

---

'Petrol-head Hammond' will say in his speech to delegates next week: "Nothing is more symbolic of Labour's war on the motorist than the M4 bus lane..." A Transport of Delight

We elect MPs to make difficult decisions on our behalves. Scrubbing the controversial M4 bus lane, however, was not difficult Omnibuses

Get a new angle on Burrator Reservoir along an old railway track and enjoy the spectacular views on this fairly level and easy going walk… Peoples Republic of South Devon

Although I wouldn't class myself as a railway or train enthusiast, I love the railway Southern England Bus Scene

Holiday Bus ODV203W

Renown posted this excellent shot on his Flickr account a while back but I thought I would save it for a Holiday so here it is... ©Renown
"I've mentioned before my admiration of this machine and the people who keep it operational... their cause not always aided by the punishment meted out to it by odd members of staff. There can be few thirty odd year old buses in the UK who's daily cycle sees them worked as hard as ex Plymouth East Lancs bodied Leyland Atlantean ODV 203W thrashing up and over the Llanberis Pass from both sides hourly. Again as I've said before, absolutely excellent value at a quid each way... try it out! ;-)"
For more excellent photos Renown on Flickr

---

Omnibuses: Geeky things to do with bus data

Sunday Best: MCO248H

©AECRegent: In a car park near the football ground whilst work was under way to rebuild part of the Depot in 1983
After featuring the nice photo of one of the earlier JJY-G buses having escaped Plymouth we feature a shot of one of the next batch very much and stuck in Plymouth. Not quite sure what the reference to the easiest bus in Britain advert is all about though?

---

AEC Regents Flickr Photo Stream

TGP Dads Daily: SUL MOT
Omnibuses: Innovations from the East
Sparkys Blog: One of these two has impressed him...Bendy bus and Argyle

Sunday Best: First LFJ847W

©AECRegent 38847, Bretonside, Plymouth, October 2004
Never liked this livery myself!

AEC Regents FlickrStream
Leon Daniels: Greyhound Dallas
PTOTPA: Dawlish Air Show

Sunday Best Plymouth 119 OCO519

From WelshPetes collection
Leyland Titan PD2/40, MCCW, H30/26R, New 5/1958, Plymouth 119

---

Sunday best: Western National BUO150B

©Maljoe Western National 2075
A superb shot of a classis design leaving Dartmouth date unknown.

---

---

TGP Dads Daily: Flutterby
PTOTPA: Breakdowns
Omnibuses: Elitism

Sunday Best: Western National MW

One of the good things about last weekends bus rally on The Hoe was meeting quite a few regular visitirs to this blog, and there was one recurring theme to my discussions - and that was how popular the Sunday Best feature is, so I will try and keep these up as I have not done so many recently..
©Fray Bentos
Speaking of old ladies, the Bristol MW in this photo, new in 1959, was into its 21st year when photographed at Plymouth on Friday 25th January 1980

---

Omnibuses: coach trips Unusual destination
TGP Dads Daily: Shame to eat these
TGP Dads Daily: shows off his software The new Darkroom

A Transport of delight: National Excess

Sunday Best: Laira Scrap line

©Edgeworths2000: Centurion 50040 Laira Scrap Line
For more great shots visit his bygone Railways set here

---

PTOTPA: What we all feared? Rumours of more Citybus swaps?
Uncle Terry: 143 Mini crop circle?
Omnibuses: Shorts or less even?
A Transport of delight: Arriva cross fingers First class fares
Busworld Photography: National Express Bova Wallace Arnold Bovas on NX
TGP Dads Daily: Flags go out

Sunday Best: M53HOD

©Ian The Rev
Volvo B6-50/Plaxton Pointer, Charles Street, Plymouth, 15th November 1996

And still plodding on in daily service in 2010!

Sunday Best: TTT172X

The Wilts and Dorset connection started years ago

As soon as I saw this posting by Ian I knew it had to appear here... ©Ian Kirby Leyland Olympian/East Lancs. Bournemouth Triangle 31st July 1993 Plymouth Citybus had three Olympians but the didn't stay long. All three were sold to Stevensons, Uttoxeter before going to Solent BlueLine and then Wilts and Dorset (at least I think that’s the sequence?). Not sure where they went after that though. Of course the traffic is now more likely to be the other way round with Optare Solos due to come to Plymouth from the Go-Ahead South Coast fleets later this year, although how long before any of these hit the roads remains to be seen... As always, I encourage you to visit Ians Flickr pages to see more great shots like this

Uncle Terry 094 Little hands make light work TGP - the other Terry! Cabin in the sky Omnibuses Looking back and forward: the new economics PTOTPA Railway Tours Swanning around Transport Illustrated Plymouth Local History The Kloof 15 May 2010 CITYBUS: There Are No reported incidents or delays

Sunday best: JNU138N

Proper bus to Tavistock

©Ian Kirby Bristol VRT/ECW, Plymouth Bretonside Bus Station, 15th November 1996 New to East Midland, subsequently with Bristol O.C., Badgerline and Durbins. I am pretty sure this one ran in Badgerline yellow and green livery for a while, back in the days when Western national ran a very colourful fleet with many buses arriving here from elsewhere within the Badgerline empire. This was one of the better western National liveries and it was a shame when they lost the flags. More of Ians photos can be found on his Flickr account

Uncle Terry 086 In a bit of a hole 087 Setting off TGP - the other Terry! Wheelies Cheese Feast Omnibuses PollingA polling station with a difference