Incoming Plymouth Citybus

Not content with the Brighton & Hove Tridents which are currently working their way through the workshops, Citybus have secured a batch of Dennis Dart MPDs from GA London, the first of which will arrive in Plymouth this week:

They are London General LDP263-272 LX05EYP, LX05EYR, LX05EYS, LX05EYT, LX05EYU, LX05EYV, LX05EYW, LX05EYY, LX05EXZ, LX05EYA

© KL Connected (cc) 13 September 2014

 

© Aubrey Morandarte (cc) 22 December 2014

© Aubrey Morandarte (cc) 22 December 2014

© Eddie - Eastleighbusman (cc) 23 May 2011

© Eddie - Eastleighbusman (cc) 9 May 2011

These have been purchased for the Go Cornwall network. It remains to be seen what happens to the Optare Solos. No fleet numbers have been confirmed so far but looking at the current fleet list numbers 1 to 10 are available. These buses are no stranger to Plymouth either as they were all refurbished by Plymouth Citybus for London a few years back.

Speaking of the Tridents, the first Trident is due in the paint shop this week with another planned for the following week. All buses being re-trimmed internally beforehand. Eventually these will see off some of the Volvo B7TLs which are still dual door.

Finally for now a sad announcement on the WNPG web site:

Following discussions with members of the Group,  the Chairman, Paul Derrick, has decided that there will be no more Annual Bus and Vehicle Rallies organised by the Group.  This decision has not been taken lightly but with the uncertainty of the venue’s availability in forthcoming years, it has been decided to hand over the reins to the Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group (PCTPG) who are organising a similar event this year on Sunday 26th July, our Anniversary Day, at the George Junction Park and Ride site.  The WNPG intends to support this event as far as is possible and in so doing requests our members who are PCV licensed, together with other members of the Group, to offer their assistance where possible.  If you wish to help, non PCV holders please contact the PCTPG outlining your ability to assist with a reference to WNPG membership.  PCV qualified drivers should contact the PCTPG Chairman, if you are available to assist, providing their contact details to enable opening up a dialogue relating to their licence details, willingness to conduct if required etc.

The PCTPG have always supported us in past years and we now wish them success in their new venture.  We will support them to the best of our ability.  A link to the PCTPG Rally website is on our Links page.

As someone who has managed to attend all of the bus rallies held by the group and enjoyed them all it is indeed sad to see the group call it a day, especially on what would have been their 30th event. As Derrick points out the event itself is to continue under the care of the PCTPG which is great news and I am sure we will all rally behind them and support the event to ensure it continues for many years to come. Thanks again to the team at the WNPG for all the hard work over the last 29 years.

Target Travel

Target Travel were sponsors of the rally on The Hoe at the weekend and were well represented. They also produced one of the main surprises of the event with the new livery of recently acquired Dart Y184CFS:
This does really raise the game as far as Target are concerned and is a real credit to the company. It also shows how well the Pointer 2 body has aged especially when compared with the MAN next to it This is not the most reliable bus in the fleet and is not in brilliant condition bodywork wise. Last week saw Optare Solo operation on the Derriford Park & Ride service which is not ideal when you see just how busy this service can get
New to the fleet and looking very smart is this Bova Futura. It carries the latest style fleet names for Target Travel on the front.
Finally, Target also had two of their Volvo Olympian double-deckers as rally support vehicles. I didn't manage to get a photo of either but Richard Smith did...

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The Hoe Yesterday

Yesterday was the Western National Preservation Groups Bus Rally on Plymouth Hoe, and despite the weather forecast at the start of the week it was a nice sunny day. When the weather is this good you cant beat it as a location for a bus rally. I only managed a short time on The Hoe myself as I had my puppy with me, which also stopped me from getting any rides. I did get to speak to plenty of people, though it was mostly about the dog!
Over the next few days I will present you with a selection of photos, taken by myself and Richard Smith who sent a few in too. We start off with a collection from the PCTPG fleet:
Cant wait to see this one restored!

Looking nice in her new coat as the groups Exhibition Unit

Her sister has also been given a new coact bringing her back to the livery as new. I was never a fan of the grey skirt livery but its nice to see it back again on one vehicle

Another bus with a new coat, again back to as new livery.

Still in as withdrawn livery but always a welcome sight B175VDV. Very much at the start of her preservation journey, TTT162X arrived complete with her matching tow truck
Congratulations to the organisers and the sponsers who have worked really hard and got the weather they deserved and put on a great show. Thanks also to everyone who brought buses to the event. When you look back over the years and see how so many of these buses have been transformed over time you can appreciate the amount of hard work that they put in. Brilliant job by all concerned!

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The Hoe Event

It has to be said that the WNPG Rally on Plymouth Hoe at the weekend was a bit disappointing in terms of  vehicle turnout. There were not as many buses there as previous years. This has been noticeable in many bus rallies across the country this year from what I hear so its clearly not a criticism of the Plymouth event. The PCTPG sales strand did good business and it was good to catch up with friends and put faces to a few more names. This for me has always been the main benefit of this annual event. The following photos are just a taster of the day.Thanks as always to the organisers of the event, the volunteers, and also to the PCTPG was without there support it would have been very disappointing. They would have had more buses there but several had mechanical issues which sadly kept them away.

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PT RECOMMENDS

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A great day on The Hoe

Well who would have thought that Sundays WNPG Rally on The Hoe would have such fantastic weather? When you get weather like that then Plymouth Hoe is the place to be. It may not be the biggest bus rally these days but there were plenty of people up on The Hoe to enjoy it and also to enjoy the free rides. I have over 200 photos on my hard drive so it will take a while to get them uploaded so this is just a quick snapshot of what was on offer:

Well done to all involved in planning and working to make sure the rally was such a success. In todays financial climate its a wonder that events like this are still able to take place at all. It was also nice to catch up with friends and finally meet a few others for the first time too.

Thanks also to Brian George for the trip up to Milehouse where many more photos were taken. More on that later!

 

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Its on Sunday

so much to post at the moment yet so little time!

Just a quickie this morning – a reminder of the main event this Sunday on Plymouth Hoe:

Western National Preservation Group 27th Annual Rally

This year, although we are all suffering from the effects of the recession, we are expecting close to 100 exhibits at the Rally.  Enthusiasts will also notice that we are again publishing a Fleet List in the Programme however, for first time, the List will be of our main sponsor  “Target Travel ” vehicles.

Also included in the programme will be a list of all exhibits together with a programme of the attending vehicles providing Free Rides and their departure times.

There will be plenty of stalls selling models, books etc. and our own WNPG stand selling Western National items and much much more.

WNPG

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Date for your diary

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Saturday Photos

"Now I just have all the Sunday photos to get sorted” Omnibuses2.0 Bendys Out

I have now finally managed to upload all my photos from Saturdays Running Day... Now I just have all the Sunday photos to get sorted!

What a difference a day makes

"the worst of the rain did hold off till later in the afternoon”

Well today was the main rally, and the weather was awful! To be fair the worst of the rain did hold off till later in the afternoon so it wasn't a total wash out. The open top buses were still a popular draw even when today. I still have to go through all the photos I managed to take, risking my camera in the process, but most seem to have come out ok, but definitely a lot less photos taken this year compared to last year. All in all though it was a great weekend, a credit to all involved. I will try and detail out who won the individual classes tomorrow. As for tonight, with most of my photos still to be processed 1202 336EDV Bristol SUL4A basking in the sunshine yesterday To admire the same vehicle today you had to dress slightly differently! This was well before it started to rain properly.

The Big One!

"it is possible that up to 300 vehicles may be on display”

Plans are underway for the 2009 Plymouth Rally which will celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Western National Omnibus Company.  It also marks the 10th birthday of the transfer from the Laira Bridge garage to our existing depot at The Ride, Plymouth. It is hoped that it will be a huge two day  event with commemorative memorabilia being on sale.  Additionally, talks are underway to combine the efforts of both WNPG and the West Country Historic Omnibus and Transport Trust (WHOTT) for this special occasion.  It is also envisaged that First Devon and Cornwall will have a service vehicle operating in the livery of yesteryear (i.e. Tilling Green and Cream).  Also it is planned to have buses operating both days on former Western National routes around the city.  With the combined efforts of First Devon and Cornwall, WNPG and WHOTT it is possible that up to 300 vehicles may be on display on the Hoe for this Special Two day Rally on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July 2009. Full details will be released on the WNPG web site over the coming months but pop along there now for a preview of the bus mentioned above. Its looking to be a good year!