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[Seth]

I'll be there.. Probably with my parents too, as they will be over and fancy a day out.

Any idea of your ETA in Winchester?

Due in at 1110 dear boy!


Watch out for:



See ya there .... "a cuppa with milk and one sugar, please!"

[tunnie]

"Badgerline" 

[Seth]

Formed during the privatisation of NBC's Bristol Omnibus subsidiary during the Thatcher era.

[Seth]

Slightly off-topic I know ....

These have just arrived from an old mucker who spent Christmas in the Latvian city of Riga.
Some trams first:

















Christmas market in Riga:









And finally, some loco haulage:


The Moscow-bound overnight sleeper service prepares for it's late afternoon departure.

[Kevin Wood]

Nice city, Riga. Went there for my cousin's stag do. Was p1$$ed when I arrived, mind you, and p1$$ed when I left 3 days later. Don't believe I actually sobered-up in-between.

The public transport there shows what a 3rd world country we have become in that respect.

[Seth]

Nice city, Riga. Went there for my cousin's stag do. Was p1$$ed when I arrived, mind you, and p1$$ed when I left 3 days later. Don't believe I actually sobered-up in-between.

The public transport there shows what a 3rd world country we have become in that respect.

You're dead right mate.

[Seth]

does anyone remember evans coaces of new tredegar 

Doubt it Rolf .... but I've managed to source this .... just for you:


A former West Yorkshire Road Car Co ECW-bodied Bristol RELL6G entering Merthyr Bus Station in Summer 1990.

Evans were amongst many independent coach operators to take advantage of deregulation at that time with a foray into stage-carriage work.
Alas, the Thatcher-inspired 'free market' turned-out to be a bitter and costly disappointment for many, and generally, only the fittest survived.

[Steve Brookman]

Knew a few drivers who drove for Evan's. Seem to remember the last new bus they had was a D reg.
Travelled on them many times on trips to Barry.
Seemed to disappear around the same time as Hills of Tredegar.
Steve

[Seth]

Knew a few drivers who drove for Evan's. Seem to remember the last new bus they had was a D reg.
Travelled on them many times on trips to Barry.
Seemed to disappear around the same time as Hills of Tredegar.
Steve

Talkin' 'bout Hills of Tredegar, Steve:


One of their 1977 Bedford YMT/Plaxton Supremes climbing out of Fochriw, against a typical Heads of the Valleys backdrop.

[bored bigyin54]

does anyone remember evans coaces of new tredegar 

Doubt it Rolf .... but I've managed to source this .... just for you:


A former West Yorkshire Road Car Co ECW-bodied Bristol RELL6G entering Merthyr Bus Station in Summer 1990.

Evans were amongst many independent coach operators to take advantage of deregulation at that time with a foray into stage-carriage work.
Alas, the Thatcher-inspired 'free market' turned-out to be a bitter and costly disappointment for many, and generally, only the fittest survived.

it was the son who wrecket the company . took on to much

[Steve Brookman]

Anyone remember Edwards Coaches of Markham?

Steve

[Seth]

Been a long day today, and something of an (ex-) 'Busman's Holiday' for a visit to Winchester for the annual 'Friends of King Alfred Running Day'.

My services were required to drive the feeder service from Bristol to the event, so it was an 0530 start from The Valleys so that an 0830 departure from Bristol could be effected, using:


Considering the chassis is now 35 years old and the body has celebrated it's 30th birthday, it performed extremely well - especially on the spirited dash across Porton Down!

Routed via Bath, Warminster, Salisbury and Stockbridge the scheduled arrival time of 1110 was promptly achieved, as will no doubt be confirmed by OOF's very own Kevin Wood!




After a bite to eat, we decided to sample a trip out aboard this nicely-restored beauty:


One of a surviving pair of 1964 Park Royal-bodied AEC Renowns with the rarely-specified semi-automatic transmission.

Just after starting-out on our return to Winchester it ground to a halt with loss of drive, and the crew sent-out an appeal for help. After some gentle persuasion I managed to engage 3rd gear, so that we were able to sedately cover the last few miles into the city centre!




In the rapidly fading afternoon sun, I managed to capture these:


A 1961 Bedford SB3 with Harrington 'Crusader' body from the King Alfred fleet.
Smooth as silk, it has the straight-six 300 cu in Bedford petrol engine.




A Weymann-bodied Leyland Atlantean of 1961-vintage.
Restored in it's original Silver Star (of Porton Down) livery, it began it's life on HM Forces services.




The King Alfred logo which adorned the buses of R Chisnell & Sons.


And finally, a big 'Thank You' to Kevin Wood (and the rest of the Wood family) for their welcoming hospitality.
That nice mug of tea and lemon drizzle cake was much-appreciated before I safely returned our passengers home across Wiltshire and Bristol!

'Tis now time to 'hit the sack' I reckon ......... 

[Kevin Wood]

It was nice to see you today, Seth.

Apologies that I got dragged off by the family but by the time we found each other they were eager to get on a bus!

The day started for us at the city mill, which we passed on the way to the bus station. Certainly no shortage of water through the wheel or the bypass!



.. and it was making flour!



First bus spotted, and turns out it was one of the stars of the day, a Leyland Olympic that last served Winchester in 1966 on its' first running day following a 22 year restoration that began where it was dumped in a field in Ireland.



.. off to the bus station, where this shady looking character was found, probably casing the joint.



.. and a few more pictures of buses which I don't claim to know anything about.





It was a great day out, a huge number of both buses and enthusiasts, all running like clockwork, which is more than can be said for the buses in the area when Stagecoach are at the wheels.

Thanks for the tip-off, Seth. I know where I'll be spending new year's day in future.

[Seth]

Corrected for ya:


.. off to the bus station, where this shady looking character was found, probably casing the joint. 


"Got some iffy fireworks goin' cheap .... any takers?"

[bored bigyin54]

Corrected for ya:


.. off to the bus station, where this shady looking character was found, probably casing the joint. 


"Got some iffy fireworks goin' cheap .... any takers?"

no heared about you and fireworks