tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35548115536150225032024-03-12T20:48:55.386-07:00Workshop Blog: TV&GWOTTVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-26319584374468756032020-03-27T11:30:00.000-07:002020-03-29T05:34:28.763-07:00Taunton Bus Station - The End?<b>By TV&GWOT Chairman, Colin Billington</b><br />
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Today (27th March 2020), the last bus and coach services will leave Taunton Bus Station and from tomorrow the new bus and coach station will be distributed around the bus stops in the centre of Taunton. This is a very sad and puzzling ending to a centrally located bus station which has served the public for 68 years since it was opened in 1952.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This remarkable panorama combines three shots taken by the late Dave Farmer, capturing the construction of the current bus station, with foundations of the main building taking shape on the bottom-left. Western National service buses layover to the right, while a Royal Blue Bristol L takes centre stage as it mingles with an impressive selection of Black and White coaches. (Dave Farmer)</td></tr>
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Buses and long distance coach services had arrived and departed at this location and nearby Castle Green since 1947. The principal reasons given at the time of opening the new station in 1952 were to provide passenger facilities (enclosed, heated waiting room and information desk and displays, refreshment kiosk and toilets) and, also, in order to relieve congestion on The Parade to where many of the departures are now to return!<br />
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In 2015 the importance of the Bus Station and its transport heritage was marked by the unveiling of a Transport Trust Red Wheel. At the unveiling ceremony both the Mayor of Taunton and the Managing Director of First South West, owners of the Buses of Somerset brand, made much of the importance of the bus station in its provision of high quality passenger facilities and a transport hub enabling coach and bus passengers to interchange conveniently at one location.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HMnVXseC0r0/Xn4QyvBZjtI/AAAAAAAAAvU/b358q6_VTGQJ1hXIOD7YfpB3pYyqGlB2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/A065M2%2B1877%2BRTT996%2BTN%2BBus%2BStn%2B19650730%2BCB%2BCol%2BA054N2%2B063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HMnVXseC0r0/Xn4QyvBZjtI/AAAAAAAAAvU/b358q6_VTGQJ1hXIOD7YfpB3pYyqGlB2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/A065M2%2B1877%2BRTT996%2BTN%2BBus%2BStn%2B19650730%2BCB%2BCol%2BA054N2%2B063.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some well insulated ladies make a beeline for Bristol LD6B No. 1877 (RTT 996), a majestic centrepiece of a busy bus station as it awaits departure on Service 213. 1877 survives today, and is currently awaiting restoration at TV&GWOT's South Devon base.</td></tr>
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My association with Taunton Bus Station goes back to 1958 when my family moved from Comeytrowe in the South West of Taunton to Jeffreys Way, Stonegallows, named after the infamous Judge Jeffreys who committed many to be hung at the Bloody Assizes following the defeat of the Monmouth Rebellion. The Stonegallows were situated at the top of Stonegallows Hill on the A38 between the Taunton Borough boundary and the village of Rumwell. Previously we had used Taunton town service No. 210 to travel into Taunton which did not terminate at the bus station but travelled through the centre of Taunton with several stops between the Parade and the Railway Station before heading out to Dorchester Road on the Pyrland Estate. By the time we moved I had graduated to senior school and was travelling to Wellington to school six days a week so the proximity of our new abode to the bus stop was a great improvement to the long walk I had been making from Comeytrowe to the nearest stop of the buses to Wellington on the A38 at Hicks’s Garage. Also the choice of buses was much increased with services 203 to Rockwell Green or Tonedale, 262 to Cullompton and 277 to Tiverton all virtually passing the door and, in the Summer, a constant stream of express and touring coaches from all over the country taking holiday makers to Torbay and the Cornish Riviera.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kR6r3ygQ4PI/Xn4QyNLj48I/AAAAAAAAAvM/LEU1-jc_YDIf7MSUPc6tHKa49Ft-_3RsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1967%2B519BTA%2BTN%2BBus%2BStn%2B19640801%2BCB%2BCol%2BAlast%2B02%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="1600" height="138" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kR6r3ygQ4PI/Xn4QyNLj48I/AAAAAAAAAvM/LEU1-jc_YDIf7MSUPc6tHKa49Ft-_3RsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/1967%2B519BTA%2BTN%2BBus%2BStn%2B19640801%2BCB%2BCol%2BAlast%2B02%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bristol FS5G No. 1967 (519 BTA), one of only two of its type in the Western National fleet, departs Taunton Bus Station on Service 203 to Rockwell Green. Both the bus and the route were regularly used by Colin on journeys to and from school. No. 1967 later became Taunton's driver training bus, TV5, and was rescued for preservation by Colin in 1992. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-20QzkstlHs4/Xn4Q0-grkJI/AAAAAAAAAvc/vPkiOjzMVpEjJbxNTG9M-7FVUao29hUowCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/A210E1%2B2600%2BVDV769%2BTN%2BBus%2BStn%2B19650324%2BcCB%2BCol%2B%2BA210E1%2B082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-20QzkstlHs4/Xn4Q0-grkJI/AAAAAAAAAvc/vPkiOjzMVpEjJbxNTG9M-7FVUao29hUowCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/A210E1%2B2600%2BVDV769%2BTN%2BBus%2BStn%2B19650324%2BcCB%2BCol%2B%2BA210E1%2B082.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laying over in the necessarily spacious bus station is Bristol MW No. 2600 (VDV 769), with sister 2606 (904 AUO) further down the line, LS saloons 1673/58 (MOD 964/49) and an unidentified SUL. 2600 has arrived from Cullompton on Service 262, regularly used by Colin on his way home to Stonegallows.</td></tr>
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With all this activity and also the gradual decline in steam on the railways it was perhaps not surprising that my principal interest would gradually move from train spotting to bus and coach (and British Road Services) which had no alternative to the A38 in the pre-motorway era. The 203 to and fro’ Wellington was half hourly leaving Taunton on the hour and half hour but with an extra school service leaving Taunton at 8.15am. This seemed unnecessarily early to me and the 8.30 from Taunton was usually a wartime K type either 343 or 346 compared to the more mundane KSW (1825 or 1861) which was the usual steed on the homeward journey anyway. Saturdays were different as there was no school special so we were supposed to catch the 8am from Taunton. Getting up and going out in the dark was not palatable so I opted for the Saturday only 8.05 departure on the 277 to Tiverton. There were many advantages to this service which left the A38 at Three Bridges (just before Sheppy’s Cider) to meander over to Bradford-on-Tone and on to Nynehead before rejoining the A38 just outside Wellington town. It required 7’6” wide single decks, normally an early L with a post war Beadle rebody (e.g. 297, 299 or 303). The approach to the River Tone bridge at Bradford was down a steep hill always taken at the highest speed to almost take off over the humped back. Great skill was needed by the driver as the width between parapets was less than a foot wider that the bus.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WMdVfOMBICI/Xn4QyCq7ZGI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/BqyzUYV8B-0TCb2n3aJQDNeuFksgKsxtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1235%2B-%2BHOD98%2BTN%2B1959%2BGKelly%2B-%2B049%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1210" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WMdVfOMBICI/Xn4QyCq7ZGI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/BqyzUYV8B-0TCb2n3aJQDNeuFksgKsxtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/1235%2B-%2BHOD98%2BTN%2B1959%2BGKelly%2B-%2B049%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driver George Kelley with Colin Billington, Aged 12.</td></tr>
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My interest was really inspired by meeting Royal Blue driver George Kelley who drove his Royal Blue L type Monday-Saturday during the summer from Westward Ho! To Taunton and back, arriving at 11.12am and returning at 4pm. During his layover George had another job as a swimming instructor so I first met him when I was learning to swim. He had been working for the National since the mid-1920s and had taken his own photographs in those early days. His knowledge and experience was encyclopaedic and he opened our eyes to the extent of the National’s territory and the size and variety of the fleet. He was also involved in early preservation activities have arranged for Dennis Mace No. 668 to be saved for conversion to a mobile caravan and kept on the road for many years by the Gameson family and then the purchase of L type 262 and its transfer to the Cotswold PSV Group.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uk9eS9KmtY/Xn4Q38a5EuI/AAAAAAAAAvw/XGNC0j_OMHMjVGpg1WnTv2-vu6LsIyH-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/TN%2BBus%2BStn%2Blayover%2Bpark%2B1964%2BcCB%2BCol%2B%2BA%2BLAST03%2B081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1600" height="181" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uk9eS9KmtY/Xn4Q38a5EuI/AAAAAAAAAvw/XGNC0j_OMHMjVGpg1WnTv2-vu6LsIyH-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/TN%2BBus%2BStn%2Blayover%2Bpark%2B1964%2BcCB%2BCol%2B%2BA%2BLAST03%2B081.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An early attempt at photography, but atmospheric. As these Taunton K types lazily await their next turn of duty, one imagines their drivers must have been pedalling to the bus station; the ample provision of bicycle parking shows there's nothing new about firms encouraging eco-friendly transport to work </td></tr>
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This encouraged me to start taking my own photos and some of my early attempts are somewhat bashfully revealed here. I say this because a common feature of the first roll of film was a cut-off rear caused by a bent stay on the lens of an old bellows camera which my father had dug out for me, no doubt thinking it was expendable. I soon developed a trick of pressing the bracket forwards to compensate and later attempts weren’t half bad! I quickly made a real nuisance of myself until I got a new Russian Zenith SLR for a birthday which then over many years produced thousands of photos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZ3aY7Rf4nY/Xn4Q003GjRI/AAAAAAAAAvg/482-I1tCLYoW2_ZjxXr7l2iLkiFbmkQTACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/A201B3%2B1612%2BLTA771%2B651%2B420HDV%2BTN%2BBus%2BStn%2B19650310%2BcCB%2BCol%2BA201B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1600" height="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZ3aY7Rf4nY/Xn4Q003GjRI/AAAAAAAAAvg/482-I1tCLYoW2_ZjxXr7l2iLkiFbmkQTACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/A201B3%2B1612%2BLTA771%2B651%2B420HDV%2BTN%2BBus%2BStn%2B19650310%2BcCB%2BCol%2BA201B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two generations of Taunton stalwarts lurk together at the back of the bus station, in the form of Bristol LWL5G No 1612 (LTA 771) and SUL4A saloon No. 651 (420 HDV), dating from 1951 and 1961 respectively.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGArlomSrsw/Xn4QzV23w9I/AAAAAAAAAvY/H24VrjDfCX8b39RlzyA9iXHyF96WIplnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/A086L1%2B995%2BLTA814%2BTN%2BBus%2BStn%2B196512%2BcCB%2BCol%2BA086L1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1600" height="283" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGArlomSrsw/Xn4QzV23w9I/AAAAAAAAAvY/H24VrjDfCX8b39RlzyA9iXHyF96WIplnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/A086L1%2B995%2BLTA814%2BTN%2BBus%2BStn%2B196512%2BcCB%2BCol%2BA086L1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The south western boundary of the bus station was, for many years, marked by the building of the Taunton Gazette. Posing alongside it is Bristol KS5G No. 995 (LTA 814). The clock shows that it's perhaps too early to visit Applegates.</td></tr>
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Please look kindly on these early attempts which I think capture the atmosphere of the time during the late ‘50s and the Swinging ‘60s. I have continued to take photographs throughout the West Country and the Thames Valley graduating to colour slides, prints and digital SLR, returning to Taunton at least a couple of times each year to see and capture the changing transport scene. I hope you can understand my sadness and regret at the passing of Taunton Bus Station, not just out of nostalgia but a strong belief that public transport should have a greater role in both local and long distance travel, and the loss of such a facility – a true transport “hub station” interchange as stated in the Red Wheel citation.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immaculate Bristol MW saloon No. 2628 (FTA 240D) awaits its call of duty on Service 262 to Cullompton.</td></tr>
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TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-10251724346753590542020-02-13T06:34:00.003-08:002020-02-13T08:59:28.678-08:00'National' Centenary<span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>2020 is a year of significant anniversaries from our transport heritage along the Thames Valley & Great Western corridor.</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Today, 13 February 2020, marks </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">the centenary of the <b>National Omnibus & Transport Company Ltd</b>. On this day in 1920, the company's name was officially registered and changed from </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">the National Steam Car Company Ltd, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">recognising that, by then, all of the company’s operations used petrol engined motorbuses. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'National' 2009, originally a World War 1 army lorry, purchased by <br />
the National Steam Car Company in 1919. It was fitted with this <br />
second hand clerestory roofed body, re-registered XA8366 and <br />
moved to the West Country in 1920. (TV&GWOT Archive)</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>'National'</b> was expanding rapidly to the east and north of London and establishing new operations in the West of England. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">It completed the purchase of a business in Stroud whose licence was transferred to 'National' on 17</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> February 1920. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">By the late Spring of 1920, services had been established from Stroud, Bridgwater, Yeovil and Taunton which hailed the development during the 1920s of a bus network covering the South West from Land’s End as far as Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, Devizes in Wiltshire and Bournemouth in Hampshire. These were, of course, important foundations of the much celebrated </span><b style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Western and Southern National Omnibus Companies</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> that would later be formed, incorporating the road operations of the local railway companies.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AD 6863 was an AEC YC, pictured on one of the earliest routes from Stroud, this<br />
one running from Chalford through Stroud to Stonehouse. (Peter Davey Collection)</td></tr>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">We will be celebrating the centenary of 'National' throughout the year, particularly at <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/events.htm">Penzance Vintage Bus Running Day</a> on 19</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> April, on our <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/events.htm">Royal Blue Run</a> in June, and at <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/events.htm">Kingsbridge Vintage Bus Running Day</a> in September. </span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"><i>For more details of these events visit <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/">www.tvagwot.org.uk</a>, where you can also sign-up for <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/shop-toandfro.htm">our quarterly magazine</a> </i><i>and find out more about <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/supporters.htm">getting involved and supporting</a> the Trust.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rcyvkAFUvX0/XkVbB7OOnMI/AAAAAAAAArs/apZ22U8q39AoH40LtoXW26aaB5UenmYCQCEwYBhgL/s1600/2018%2BBM7763%2BTN%2BBVeale%2BXDB00835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1600" height="204" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rcyvkAFUvX0/XkVbB7OOnMI/AAAAAAAAArs/apZ22U8q39AoH40LtoXW26aaB5UenmYCQCEwYBhgL/s320/2018%2BBM7763%2BTN%2BBVeale%2BXDB00835.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'National' 2018 (BM 7763), an AEC YC, at the terminus in<br />
Corporation Street, Taunton awaiting departure to Wellington<br />
in 1920. (Brian Veale Collection)</td></tr>
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TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-82118482133558810162017-09-24T12:16:00.000-07:002017-09-24T12:38:55.821-07:00Backstage at Kingsbridge<b>This year's was our 10th Kingsbridge Running Day and we wanted to make it special...</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well loaded Bristol K6A 353 (FTT 704) - (c) Barrie Whitehall</td></tr>
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This majestic scene at Slapton Sands is typical of the magic achieved, thanks to the efforts of our Supporters, vehicle owners and other volunteers. Free bus services were operated by <b>43 vehicles</b> - more than ever before - on <b>24 routes</b> through the glorious South Hams. Visitors came from as far afield as Australia as well as all corners of Great Britain; and, of course, our army of local residents turned out for what we're told has become one of the town's favourite events.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLHIgD67u0Q/Wcd1Ny9EMcI/AAAAAAAAAn0/33nmM0i1KN4NwdksLnWUCnQXyGRq5K8HgCLcBGAs/s1600/21641679_10155520189315977_1651499424_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLHIgD67u0Q/Wcd1Ny9EMcI/AAAAAAAAAn0/33nmM0i1KN4NwdksLnWUCnQXyGRq5K8HgCLcBGAs/s320/21641679_10155520189315977_1651499424_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(c) Ben Woolvin</td></tr>
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Consequently, we gave a record <b>6,550 free passenger journeys</b>, each one creating a big a smile and furthering public interest in our transport history.<br />
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Not a bad day's work, you might think; but for our Trustees and Supporters organising 'KE' is a year-round operation. No sooner have the vehicles returned to their various bases across the country, we are already reviewing the lessons learned from this year's event, making arrangements for the use of the bus station next year and telling the world to 'save the day'.<br />
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For some vehicles, the return from Kingsbridge signals the start of Winter maintenance and restoration, though many have other events still to attend before the end of the season, so any faults or issues developed during 'KE' must be put right.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7QznUPd1WMw/Wcd9lbaHdmI/AAAAAAAAAoE/UHOfT4U9M6409DcHtsqT0DiVLdjdTMqcACLcBGAs/s1600/20170924_102653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7QznUPd1WMw/Wcd9lbaHdmI/AAAAAAAAAoE/UHOfT4U9M6409DcHtsqT0DiVLdjdTMqcACLcBGAs/s200/20170924_102653.jpg" width="200" /></a>Early in the new year, vehicle entry forms and posters are prepared, programme sponsors are approached and early calls for bus crews and other volunteers are made in our Supporters' magazine <i>To and Fro'</i>. We try to give lasting value to our event programmes by including historical information and articles that will ensure its place on your bookshelf long after the event itself. Many months of hard work go into researching and writing these through the year.<br />
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The Summer months are dominated by the mammouth tasks of researching 'new' routes (every one is actually an authentic route from the past or present), creating route instructions for crews, scheduling the free bus services, allocating vehicles and crews and fashioning the timetables you will use on the day to plan your journeys.<br />
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The amount of work in preparing the vehicles might surprise you, too. The 'home' fleet alone - those vehicles belonging to Trustees and Supporters which are based locally - comprises some twenty vehicles which must all be fully prepared by volunteers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bristol SUS 600 (672 COD) awaits its 5am departure for MOT Testing (DS)</td></tr>
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Eight of these require their annual MOT tests in early September, entailing staged departures for eight drivers, the first at 5am, for a 140 mile round trip to our 'local' Class V test station in mid-Devon. (1,120 bus miles in total!) The promise of participation in the annual drivers' breakfast at Sourton Services acts as an incentive, but only for those who pass their tests...<br />
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Pre-1960 participants may be exempt from MOT, but to ensure the highest safety standards at Kingsbridge we require these buses to undergo a full fitness inspection by a qualified tester. For the 'home' fleet these inspections are carried out locally, while visiting vehicles must show documentation to confirm they have been inspected. We also collect evidence of suitable insurance, taxation and driver qualifications for every vehicle and driver taking part.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bristol LL6B 1218 fuels with LWL5G 1613 on their return move to Devon. (DS)</td></tr>
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For some vehicles, preparation includes heavy maintenance or repairs, either carried out on site or elsewhere. This year, four vehicles each made the 400 mile round trip to our Berkshire base to ensure they would be ready for 'KE', each individual move requiring a full day, a tank of diesel and sometimes a low-loader plus crew. And pasties...<br />
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Bristol LWL5G 1613 (LTA 772) underwent treatment for major oil leaks plus some bodywork; LL6B 1218 (JUO 983) received attention for some engine idling issues; Bristol LHS 1560 (FDV 790V) received a major engine rebuild alongside other work to remedy ongoing problems with the clutch; and Bristol FLF6G 2019 (824 KDV) underwent a programme of mechanical improvements following return to its owner from First.<br />
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The two months leading up to Kingsbridge involve many more tasks than you might imagine when you're enjoying the big day. Every volunteer receives a detailed instruction pack which must be individually prepared and distributed. Programmes must be completed and printed in time for pre-orders to be satisfied, and stocks must be distributed to the local Tourist Information Centres who experience great demand from local people.<br />
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Arrangements for accommodation and catering must be made, not just for the volunteers over the weekend itself but also the various work parties in the immediate run up to the event. Pre-orders must be taken for the post-event volunteers' dinner. Hundreds of sandwiches and revitalising cups of tea are made and consumed during preparations - this year, some of the cake and bread was even baked by volunteers!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ntP_CrvTKfc/Wcfu_DvnFtI/AAAAAAAAApA/REf_Rd47hHMepw4pKI9Xj_aFClcvS3Y0gCLcBGAs/s1600/20170909_193109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ntP_CrvTKfc/Wcfu_DvnFtI/AAAAAAAAApA/REf_Rd47hHMepw4pKI9Xj_aFClcvS3Y0gCLcBGAs/s400/20170909_193109.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warwick Hulme's Devon General SN 839 arrives from Bristol (DS)</td></tr>
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Many vehicles travel long distances to take part in 'KE'. Some are brought by their owners for the weekend, others are loaned to the Trust for the duration of the event, and these must be collected and returned by volunteer drivers. This year, Albion Nimbus SN 839 (XTA 839) was ferried from Bristol and SUS4A 603 (675 COD) was collected from Herefordshire. We are grateful to all owners for allowing their buses to take part and for generously covering the cost of the fuel used by their vehicles.<br />
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During the last few days of preparation, fuelled by adrenaline, every participating vehicle is washed and dried externally, hoovered and mopped internally, windows are cleaned and appropriate destination blinds from our archive are installed. Uniforms are allocated to volunteer crews and ticket machines are issued to conductors from our growing fleet of working Setrights.<br />
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Despite a demanding build-up during the days, weeks and months preceding the big day, our volunteers somehow always find the energy and enthusiasm to put on a spectacular show like no other for our thousands of grateful visitors.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy passengers enjoying the adventure of a South Brent School Bus journey. (DS)</td></tr>
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<b>We send our thanks to each and every one who helped to make our 10th 'KE' so special. </b><br />
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<i>If you'd like to get involved with planning and delivering our events, there's plenty to do - as you can see! Tasks big and small can be found to suit all skills. Visit <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/supporters.htm">our Supporters' page</a> for more information on how to get involved with the Trust, and sign up online. </i>TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-89762921578658459982017-06-20T10:39:00.000-07:002017-06-22T03:44:09.374-07:00Royal Blue Run 2017: "Right Along the Coast"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tm5rdybNOwQ/WUk3qFTA3-I/AAAAAAAAAlI/GoQX2sdF3UAQSf00oTLD-QTNpfQbUFFmgCLcBGAs/s1600/00000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="1600" height="227" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tm5rdybNOwQ/WUk3qFTA3-I/AAAAAAAAAlI/GoQX2sdF3UAQSf00oTLD-QTNpfQbUFFmgCLcBGAs/s640/00000.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All photos and videos (c) Thames Valley & Great Western Omnibus Trust (DS)</td></tr>
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<b><br /><br /><br />'Have you ever said to yourself "I wish I could get there without the trouble of going"?'. </b><b>So asks a leaflet advertising Royal Blue's new express service 'right along the Coast'.</b><br />
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For the owners, drivers and passengers of the fifteen vintage coaches taking part in our Royal Blue & Associated Motorways Coach Runs, it's <i>all</i> about the going. Our annual long-distance run is unique in recreating a bygone era of coaching as faithfully as possible. For most, the journey back in time along spectacular country and coastal roads is as much of an attraction as the destinations.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFTvrDOqYTs/WUk3t7VPuuI/AAAAAAAAAlM/8BQM5YQw_rQS1JXiD9Si_JYArRNBp5hZQCLcBGAs/s1600/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="1600" height="130" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFTvrDOqYTs/WUk3t7VPuuI/AAAAAAAAAlM/8BQM5YQw_rQS1JXiD9Si_JYArRNBp5hZQCLcBGAs/s200/01.jpg" width="200" /></a>The runs stick as closely as possible to the original roads, submitting to bypasses only where essential. After months of careful research, each proposed route is driven in advance by car, inspected and interpreted in a comprehensive book of instructions and maps, issued to each coach. This year's three day run took us from Northampton to Bournemouth, along the coast to Exeter, then east along to A30 towards the Trust's Berkshire base.</div>
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'Every coach is warmed' the leaflet continues, 'with rugs to every seat'. There was no need to deploy such features this year, thanks to the carefully planned heatwave which gave rise to some spectacular sunny views of the coaches along the way, enjoyed by countless spectators across eight different counties.<br />
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<b>In this virtual journey, we hope you'll enjoy a few sights we captured along the way.</b><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YvhOTZrZPTA/WUk3noqosYI/AAAAAAAAAlE/U_TKEZTvvwMROGBFpbr1ZGElHe9p5I8KACLcBGAs/s1600/02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YvhOTZrZPTA/WUk3noqosYI/AAAAAAAAAlE/U_TKEZTvvwMROGBFpbr1ZGElHe9p5I8KACLcBGAs/s320/02.jpg" width="320" /></a>The coaches joined us from various parts of the country, including the West Midlands, Home Counties, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. Many had a long journey to make before the run began, with an overnight stop for most in <b>Northampton</b>. Western National 420 and Royal Blue 1250 nap after their journeys from South Devon (224 miles) and Berkshire (52 miles) respectively.<br />
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Welcome to <b>Sixfields Stadium</b>, Home of the Cobblers - and, on Friday 16 June 2017, the start of our run. Representing Royal Blue in this all-Bristol line up are LL, RE and MW types, with relief cars consisting of a Hants & Dorset MW, two Crosville REs, a Wilts & Dorset L-type, and the inevitable Western National SUL - the latter not just for the cases, despite jibes!<br />
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A drivers' briefing gets underway ahead of the 1030 departure. As can be seen, the run is a spirited and informal occasion, with some drivers extending the visual spectacle to their own attire and others choosing to wear a vintage uniform...</div>
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The coaches avoid travelling in close convoy to minimise inconvenience to other road users, but natural clusters do form and allow for 'on the road' shots such as these, showing (above) Royal Blue 1299 near <b>Bicester</b> and (below) Red & White RC968 near <b>Abingdon</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GN7oiho4gYM/WUk4DmMGeeI/AAAAAAAAAlk/qGtRTYaAaWwqeKzEoSsqtuAUz1das4tBwCLcBGAs/s1600/07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1364" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GN7oiho4gYM/WUk4DmMGeeI/AAAAAAAAAlk/qGtRTYaAaWwqeKzEoSsqtuAUz1das4tBwCLcBGAs/s200/07.jpg" width="170" /></a>Lunch on Day 1 was taken in <b>Newbury</b>, where coaches parked on the site of the former Thames Valley bus station at The Wharf.</div>
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The run south took us across green and pleasant lands through <b>Andover</b>, into the quaint city of <b>Winchester</b>. Here, our Northampton to Bournemouth service coincides with the route of the London to Exmouth service whose later stages were to be recreated on Day 2 - the one described in the leaflet.<br />
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Onwards to <b>Southampton</b> where Friday rush hour traffic slowed our circuit of the city.<br />
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Terrain is notoriously varied on our runs. Only half an hour separates these shots of Royal Blue 1460, seen exiting the suburbs of Southampton (above) and later resting in the wilds of the <b>New Forest</b> with Western National 420 (below); meanwhile, Royal Blue 1250 forges on at some considerable speed...<br />
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A major attraction of the runs is to witness similar vehicles working alongside one another. Here, at <b>Bournemouth</b> West Coach Park - journey's end for Day 1 - three of the five participating Bristol RELH coaches flaunt their stylish attributes.<br />
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<b>Day 2</b> began at Bournemouth West, picking up the route 'right along the Coast' after some Saturday morning congestion had been negotiated.<br />
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In the same week the town of <b>Wareham</b> has been celebrating its newly reinstated railway service to Swanage, resident spectators must have been hopeful that Royal Blue might also make a return, with an incredible fifteen coaches an hour!</div>
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Now firmly into former Southern National (and later Western National, and even later, 'Southern National' again!) operating territory, the coaches were enjoyed by hundreds of beach goers as they passed along The Esplanade.<br />
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The journey then passed along the spectacular undulations of the B3157 to <b>Bridport</b>.<br />
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Here, the familiar bus and coach station survives in almost its original form and, aside from modern cars and camper vans (and that very futuristic white RE!), the scene is one of a busy Summer Saturday in the 1960s. The former Royal Blue refreshment stop opposite, the Cafe Royal, survives as a Domino's pizza outlet - so modern day passengers adapted accordingly!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EBUm8r92tW4/WUk4bl5BVTI/AAAAAAAAAmA/dhtAc5ASXoAxq_AlryOcwHPJRcot1Gu8ACLcBGAs/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="1600" height="138" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EBUm8r92tW4/WUk4bl5BVTI/AAAAAAAAAmA/dhtAc5ASXoAxq_AlryOcwHPJRcot1Gu8ACLcBGAs/s320/14.jpg" width="320" /></a>Coaches were able to choose between two alternative routes west of Bridport, according to size and disposition. Smaller coaches were able to negotiate the 'service car' route along the Jurassic Coast via <b>Lyme Regis</b>, <b>Seaton</b> (left, alongside the former Southern National depot) and <b>Beer</b>, while larger coaches travelled inland.<br />
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These two intrepid duplicate cars tackled the winding lanes and hills to complete the scenic route, with Wilts & Dorset 279 climbing towards <b>Beer</b> (above) and resting in the village (below) with Western National 420, looking characteristically pleased with its achievement.<br />
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Both routes lead coaches into, and out of, <b>Sidmouth</b>, creating some useful passes for photographers on the main road. There are many occasions on Royal Blue Runs when coaches pass one another travelling in opposite directions on the same road, but this time it was deliberate! Royal Blue 1250 makes a fine sight as it enters the town....</div>
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... as does the shorter L6B on its way through <b>Budleigh Salterton</b>, flanked by Royal Blue 1299 and its reflection.</div>
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Day 2 concluded in <b>Exmouth</b>, where the early evening sunshine made for spectacular scenes such as this, the coming together of Royal Blue MWs 2256, 2250 and 2246.<br />
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<b>Day 3</b> began at <b>Exeter Coach Station</b>, earmarked for redevelopment last year but mercifully still extant.<br />
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The journey to Berkshire took us along the course of the original A30, these days substantially by-passed between <b>Exeter</b> and <b>Honiton</b>, so the quiet and scenic roads made for scenes from quite another era.<br />
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An early start from Exeter meant that coaches were away before breakfast (although some were carrying substantial provisions!), so a longer-than-scheduled* stop was made at <b>Yeovil Bus Station</b> for bacon sandwiches. Here, Rodger's National Express RE meets its contemporary.<br />
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*Here, during a <i>much</i> longer than scheduled stay at Yeovil, we see fitters Helliker and Sheppard engaged in jubilant horseplay, having just secured Western National 1420's continued participation following a puncture. This was to be the only major issue to affect any of the fifteen coaches on a run totalling some 450 miles.<br />
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The run concluded at our Berkshire base with a party to celebrate, amongst other things, Royal Blue 1250's 45th year in preservation with TV&GWOT Chairman, Colin Billington (although there was a different number on the cake). <br />
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We'll therefore conclude our virtual trip with a shot of 1250 in action on its way home from another hugely successful and enjoyable Royal Blue Run. Our thanks to everybody who made it possible.<br />
<br />TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-47404347891519211102017-06-14T05:52:00.000-07:002017-06-14T11:03:26.728-07:00Holidays Are Coming<b>Our 16th Royal Blue & Associated Motorways coach run sets off on Friday, with fifteen vintage coaches crossing seven counties on a three day, long distance adventure.</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Ken Jones</td></tr>
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This year we'll travel from Northampton to Bournemouth (Friday), Bournemouth to Exeter (Saturday) and Exeter to Berkshire (Sunday). Why not give us a wave en-route? Route details and approximate timings are <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/">here</a>.<br />
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<b>To whet your appetite, take a virtual trip on some of our previous runs:</b><br />
<a href="http://tvagwot.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/a-virtual-trip-on-royal-blue-run.html"><br /></a>
<b><a href="http://tvagwot.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/a-virtual-trip-on-royal-blue-run.html">2016: London - Reading - Bristol - Bath - Bournemouth - Lulworth - Lyndhurst</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://tvagwot.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/royal-blue-run-2015.html">2015: Windsor - Salisbury - Exeter - Newquay - Penzance - Tavistock - Plymouth - Exeter </a></b><br />
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<a href="http://tvagwot.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/royal-blue-associated-motorways-coach.html"><b>2014: London - Bournemouth - Bridgwater - Exeter - Minehead - Bridgwater. </b></a>TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-7448567480464846822016-09-22T12:41:00.001-07:002016-09-22T12:43:08.596-07:00Kingsbridge 2016: A Unique Day<b>There's nowhere quite like Kingsbridge.</b><br />
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And there's nothing quite like our annual Kingsbridge Vintage Bus Running Day, which is unique for its scenery, its authenticity and its team spirit. This year's event was the most successful yet, with almost 6,000 free rides given to the public, and was characteristically full of adventure.<br />
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The terrain poses unique challenges for the drivers, who must always expect the unexpected. These sheep were encountered by Driver Luke Farley and clippie Zoe Williams on their way to East Portlemouth with Bristol SUL coach 420. We were once treated to a story by a former Western National driver who'd encountered cows crossing on this route in the 1960s, halting the bus on its way down a hill, and causing significant wheelslip on its way back up! Now we (including Luke and Zoe's full load of passengers) know how he felt...<br />
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Meanwhile, passengers on SUS 600 looked-on with relish as its Driver and Conductor grappled with a huge fallen tree branch in a narrow lane near East Charleton. This had apparently been pulled down minutes earlier by a tractor and trailer carrying hay, and had to be moved to a safe place to enable the bus to get underway. Following a quarter mile-walk (drag?) and much applause, the bus eventually did....</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2h7LBfbW0l4/V-PgCFvZCiI/AAAAAAAAAi8/uNB8lFUH5EI-5nFSVuJ3jcnSTQA_tuX-QCLcB/s1600/Nigel%2BCanham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2h7LBfbW0l4/V-PgCFvZCiI/AAAAAAAAAi8/uNB8lFUH5EI-5nFSVuJ3jcnSTQA_tuX-QCLcB/s400/Nigel%2BCanham.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unSUSpecting 600 at Gara Bridge earlier in the day. <br />
Photo: Nigel Canham</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Whilst it certainly poses challenges, the terrain compensates with spectacular views of the unique South Devon scenery. Our free luxury coach tours to Blackpool Sands (formerly a location for scenic Royal Blue publicity shots) were once again very popular, as were trips operated by visiting open-top vehicles.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qnwnJoql2jE/V-PhHuwlRXI/AAAAAAAAAjA/Th9GNJhlmSgeVXfY-WZQKAykyXKkk1npwCLcB/s1600/Bus%2BBoy%2BTo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qnwnJoql2jE/V-PhHuwlRXI/AAAAAAAAAjA/Th9GNJhlmSgeVXfY-WZQKAykyXKkk1npwCLcB/s400/Bus%2BBoy%2BTo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bristol LS 1376 is chased through Torcross by a Leyland PS2 (FNV 557). <br />
Photo: 'Torbay Bus Boy' on Flickr</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tn2MjWry3Mw/V-PkpSQEqCI/AAAAAAAAAjI/7ozuenR2N6MfhxBqjGUfCFlVhW_W2y8egCLcB/s1600/Bus%2BBoy%2BT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tn2MjWry3Mw/V-PkpSQEqCI/AAAAAAAAAjI/7ozuenR2N6MfhxBqjGUfCFlVhW_W2y8egCLcB/s400/Bus%2BBoy%2BT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passengers aboard Leyland PD2 LRV 992 enjoy Kingsbridge Estuary.<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: 'Torbay Bus Boy' on Flickr</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In addition to our 5,972 passengers, others turned out with their cameras to enjoy the spectacle of the buses at work. Many terrific photographs are appearing online and we're always pleased to see how the vehicles looked as they assumed their place in the landscape. In many cases, it was as if they'd never been gone.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P8KrORVMGSc/V-PbHfANAKI/AAAAAAAAAiw/cE4ki-YnCosiCWpzMP0D3buxaw-N9NzIgCLcB/s1600/William%2BSpencer%2B%2528PERM%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P8KrORVMGSc/V-PbHfANAKI/AAAAAAAAAiw/cE4ki-YnCosiCWpzMP0D3buxaw-N9NzIgCLcB/s400/William%2BSpencer%2B%2528PERM%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bristol VR 1141 looks at home in the South Hams as it heads for Slapton.<br />
Photo: William Spencer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Kingsbridge is a hugely sociable running day, made great by the people. Our visitors are a unique mix of local people, keen to experience an important historical aspect of their area, and enthusiasts from across the country. This makes for a lively atmosphere on board the vehicles and in the bus station itself.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dlMZ9y51knA/V-PqCND1OoI/AAAAAAAAAjU/Y6gMF0HEQCIjys12O0oWyF434Rg-qYq8wCEw/s1600/bus%2Bstn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dlMZ9y51knA/V-PqCND1OoI/AAAAAAAAAjU/Y6gMF0HEQCIjys12O0oWyF434Rg-qYq8wCEw/s400/bus%2Bstn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bristol FLF 2019 and LD 1943 await departure to Salcombe, the day's <br />
most popular destination. Photo: Paul Featherstone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Authenticity is an important aspect of the day, as our mission is to educate the public in how bus and coach travel has evolved in the area; to that end we take great care to ensure that the correct vehicle types are used on the various routes. This recreates the original experience precisely and gives rise to some unique, magical recreations as history comes to life in all the right places. Even the former Western National depot in Kingsbridge, closed in 1971, came back to life as our overspill yard for the day, evoking scenes from a half-century ago.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H0FVVIeDTuE/V-Ps_8JRM9I/AAAAAAAAAjc/A1A0LUgIIYYrbSUI95XEX0CeC5JGiZfXQCLcB/s1600/KE%2BThen%2B%2526%2BNow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H0FVVIeDTuE/V-Ps_8JRM9I/AAAAAAAAAjc/A1A0LUgIIYYrbSUI95XEX0CeC5JGiZfXQCLcB/s400/KE%2BThen%2B%2526%2BNow.jpg" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The former Kingsbridge depot then, now a factory for Jades Electronics.<br />
Photos: TV&GWOT (DS)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We're very lucky to have the support of many vehicle owners to compliment the Trust's 'home' fleet, and many travel long distances to take part. We're especially grateful to the Isle of Wight Bus Museum who, despite an unavoidable mechanical problem with their bus, beat the odds to attend with this fine Wilts & Dorset Bristol VR as a substitute, surely a first time visitor to Devon.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LjoAu8qTpVI/V-PvGqKJokI/AAAAAAAAAjk/iQIjKJwi4I4v1BOhROGhO6TcG96GtZAugCLcB/s1600/_20160918_075829%25255b1%25255d.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LjoAu8qTpVI/V-PvGqKJokI/AAAAAAAAAjk/iQIjKJwi4I4v1BOhROGhO6TcG96GtZAugCLcB/s320/_20160918_075829%25255b1%25255d.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bristol VR BFX 666T navigates through the stone walls of Malborough. <br />
Photo: Charissa Bartram</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ql5yG6y7TbA/V-P3Gvjz2II/AAAAAAAAAjw/3kp-NyKSJZ0CJZb1QGvkGqWECd7Od47_QCLcB/s1600/20160916_114730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ql5yG6y7TbA/V-P3Gvjz2II/AAAAAAAAAjw/3kp-NyKSJZ0CJZb1QGvkGqWECd7Od47_QCLcB/s1600/20160916_114730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ql5yG6y7TbA/V-P3Gvjz2II/AAAAAAAAAjw/3kp-NyKSJZ0CJZb1QGvkGqWECd7Od47_QCLcB/s320/20160916_114730.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supporters round off the preparations... and the cake. <br />
Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, we love the terrain, the scenery and the adventures, but the running day is only possible thanks to the help of our Supporters. Many have volunteered their time over several months to help with preparations and planning; on the day itself they crewed buses, acted as controllers and marshalls, they sold programmes and helped our thousands of visitors to get the most from the day. Kingsbridge Running Day is a great team effort with a unique sense of team spirit.<br />
<br />
<b>To all our visitors, our sponsors and our Supporters, a heartfelt thank you for making Kingsbridge 2016 such a unique and successful event.</b><br />
<br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">If you'd like to help us stage events like this for the public to enjoy, you might consider joining our Supporters Group. As a Supporter you will enjoy several exclusive benefits of working closely with the Trust, including our quarterly magazine To and Fro'. Visit </span><a class="" href="http://www.tvagot.org.uk/supporters.htm" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px; text-decoration: none;" target="">www.tvagot.org.uk/supporters.htm</a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;"> for more details and join us online today.</span></i>TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-32046221034894725032016-09-19T05:55:00.000-07:002016-09-19T05:55:36.578-07:00A Special 70th Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Kq6eyk5RAE/V9_bPvUA0vI/AAAAAAAAAiA/yUhqlegkIRMTS98eVI0MYCvVhiXxGkxewCLcB/s1600/PK001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Kq6eyk5RAE/V9_bPvUA0vI/AAAAAAAAAiA/yUhqlegkIRMTS98eVI0MYCvVhiXxGkxewCLcB/s400/PK001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>Tuesday 20 September 2016 marks precisely seventy years since Thames Valley 446, our Bristol K6A, was first registered. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>So we're counting this as its official 70th Birthday!</b><br />
<br />
The bus has a <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/collection-dbl154.htm">rich history</a>, both in service and during its long career in preservation. We'd like to celebrate that history by collecting together as many photographs of it as we can for display and archive purposes.<br />
<br />
A gallery is now beginning to grow on our website and it is hoped that, with your contributions, this will soon flourish into an extensive collection charting 446's first seventy years.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZf2emLPWSY/V9_epe9kxfI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/Ng8AszxxshcnBmCivuC-WPwmRhNOrctlACLcB/s1600/446%2BNewbury%2B%2528Robert%2BF%2BMack%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZf2emLPWSY/V9_epe9kxfI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/Ng8AszxxshcnBmCivuC-WPwmRhNOrctlACLcB/s400/446%2BNewbury%2B%2528Robert%2BF%2BMack%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">446 at Newbury Wharf in its latter years of service with Thames Valley (c) Robert F Mack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We'll also be celebrating 446's coming of age by taking it along to <a href="http://www.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk/#/rally-running/4586827378">Oxford Festival of Vintage Transport</a> on 2 October. New and existing Trust Supporters are invited to join us - <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/supporters.htm">sign up</a> as a new Trust Supporter <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/supporters.htm">here</a> and <a href="mailto:colinbillington@tvagwot.org.uk">email us</a> for details if you'd like to attend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kfm3PAjxCk8/V9_fihY2_iI/AAAAAAAAAiY/n0FwP5WK_SMNywpPM1Henw4-CrvlHj7tACLcB/s1600/20150328_160633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kfm3PAjxCk8/V9_fihY2_iI/AAAAAAAAAiY/n0FwP5WK_SMNywpPM1Henw4-CrvlHj7tACLcB/s400/20150328_160633.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
In the meantime, please submit your photographs of 446 via our <a href="http://www.facebook.co.uk/tvagwot">Facebook page</a>, or by <a href="mailto:davidsheppard@tvagwot.org.uk">email</a>, stating any permissions or copyright restrictions there may be.<br />
<br />
We can also accept photographs via our registered postal address, listed <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/contactus.htm">here</a> (please include an SAE if you require photographs to be returned after scanning).<br />
<br />
<b>Happy 70th Birthday, 446!</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-78872109746400294512016-06-21T12:59:00.000-07:002016-06-21T15:38:17.213-07:00A Virtual Trip on the Royal Blue Run<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hc8xAogYgRg/V2lM0GAJclI/AAAAAAAAAa8/ptfY3vUrqoE_AI-1vNkH_xI0kHbM2nK0QCLcB/s1600/b01%2B20160617_074927%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hc8xAogYgRg/V2lM0GAJclI/AAAAAAAAAa8/ptfY3vUrqoE_AI-1vNkH_xI0kHbM2nK0QCLcB/s200/b01%2B20160617_074927%2Bblog.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</td></tr>
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<div>
<b>"Do they run every Friday?" asked a lady at London's Victoria Coach Station on Friday morning, gesturing to the eight vintage coaches which had just pulled onto the stands as if fifty years had slipped down the back of the sofa... </b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>"And where do I book a ticket for next week?"</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
As it happens, there's only one Royal Blue & Associated Motorways long distance coach run each year; it takes much of the remaining year to recover and plan the next one! But it's an opportunity for drivers and passengers to experience what was once an every day occurrence for the coaches and the people they served.</div>
<div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-txDf2nbHdEg/V2lMubqKxFI/AAAAAAAAAa0/GUset60zBWwnYe86NGmgKTJKdBln4xQ-wCLcB/s1600/b02%2BEx%2BFlickr%2BKeith%2BValla%2B%2528Permission%2BGranted%2529%2B27694315156_355d97b041_k%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-txDf2nbHdEg/V2lMubqKxFI/AAAAAAAAAa0/GUset60zBWwnYe86NGmgKTJKdBln4xQ-wCLcB/s320/b02%2BEx%2BFlickr%2BKeith%2BValla%2B%2528Permission%2BGranted%2529%2B27694315156_355d97b041_k%2Bblog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Keith Valla</td></tr>
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In case you missed our run last weekend, here's a virtual run for which no booking is required. We begin at Victoria Coach Station, nowadays the start of almost 10 million journeys each year, so we were delighted to be invited back and accommodated so well by Transport for London (TfL).</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xwdePdLIpaM/V2lNAnlzZrI/AAAAAAAAAbE/UZWD_KgpjzAuBG-AcltMeNDydKbDiRHeQCLcB/s1600/b03%2BEx%2BFlickr%2BKeith%2BValla%2B%2528Permission%2BGranted%2529%2B27694315096_a01cd678d9_o%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xwdePdLIpaM/V2lNAnlzZrI/AAAAAAAAAbE/UZWD_KgpjzAuBG-AcltMeNDydKbDiRHeQCLcB/s640/b03%2BEx%2BFlickr%2BKeith%2BValla%2B%2528Permission%2BGranted%2529%2B27694315096_a01cd678d9_o%2Bblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Keith Valla</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ahead of our 1030 departure, coaches assembled in familiar surroundings for the public to view, while drivers received their briefing for the day ahead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5WpeqHXw1Sc/V2lNLXIfkLI/AAAAAAAAAbU/d4UF2HWujrkj_MxSoCJ4_WkTZBO-A5INQCLcB/s1600/b04%2B20160617_102612%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5WpeqHXw1Sc/V2lNLXIfkLI/AAAAAAAAAbU/d4UF2HWujrkj_MxSoCJ4_WkTZBO-A5INQCLcB/s400/b04%2B20160617_102612%2Bblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gW9WA35taZE/V2lNJuo4AaI/AAAAAAAAAbM/OKnMnsQAjhYO8fuQU9kuuQIfn_2VYOaPgCLcB/s1600/b06%2B20160617_074938%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gW9WA35taZE/V2lNJuo4AaI/AAAAAAAAAbM/OKnMnsQAjhYO8fuQU9kuuQIfn_2VYOaPgCLcB/s200/b06%2B20160617_074938%2Bblog.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This year's journey - using authentic Royal Blue routes wherever possible - was to take us from <b>London to Bristol</b> (Day 1), from <b>Bristol to Bath and Bournemouth</b> (Day 2), then on an excursion to <b>Lulworth Cove and the New Forest</b> (Day 3). The days would be long, as they would have been in bygone days of coach travel, with refreshment stops en-route.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ExmfpjyHGzI/V2lNN9Rx-NI/AAAAAAAAAbg/uCbe6-l_hAwoCj3aS4Ed7cX6GOgHpW6pwCLcB/s1600/b05%2BEx%2BFlickr%2BKeith%2BValla%2B%2528Permission%2BGranted%2529%2B27191125184_ec4f5a50e7_o%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ExmfpjyHGzI/V2lNN9Rx-NI/AAAAAAAAAbg/uCbe6-l_hAwoCj3aS4Ed7cX6GOgHpW6pwCLcB/s400/b05%2BEx%2BFlickr%2BKeith%2BValla%2B%2528Permission%2BGranted%2529%2B27191125184_ec4f5a50e7_o%2Bblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: Keith Valla</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The assembled coaches departed <b>Victoria Coach Station </b>at 1030, with the lead coach - Royal Blue Bristol LL6B 1250 (LTA 729) - driven from the coach station by Leon Daniels, TfL's Managing Director of Surface Transport.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mq83UI2rW1g/V2lNfeDiUEI/AAAAAAAAAb8/uPp8ACf69nkpCZZ5EE_6rQL0_kdsrTnHgCLcB/s1600/b07%2BEx%2BFlickr%2BKeith%2BValla%2B%2528Permission%2BGranted%2529%2B27731080195_efed270b81_o%2B%25281%2529%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mq83UI2rW1g/V2lNfeDiUEI/AAAAAAAAAb8/uPp8ACf69nkpCZZ5EE_6rQL0_kdsrTnHgCLcB/s400/b07%2BEx%2BFlickr%2BKeith%2BValla%2B%2528Permission%2BGranted%2529%2B27731080195_efed270b81_o%2B%25281%2529%2Bblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: Keith Valla</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Passing through the coach station's famous exit onto Elizabeth Street, coaches travelled via Buckingham Palace Road onto the Embankment and along the River Thames. Picking up the A4 at Earl's Court, they negotiated heavy traffic through Hammersmith and Chiswick before moving out onto the open road towards <b>Heathrow</b>, <b>Colnbrook</b>, <b>Slough</b>, <b>Maidenhead</b> and <b>Reading</b>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGEuvQ4wXMM/V2lNZ1glcyI/AAAAAAAAAb0/Yt6AJFwphp0XOM2TbIqUXMqsDuQ8BahhgCLcB/s1600/b08%2B20160617_134134%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGEuvQ4wXMM/V2lNZ1glcyI/AAAAAAAAAb0/Yt6AJFwphp0XOM2TbIqUXMqsDuQ8BahhgCLcB/s640/b08%2B20160617_134134%2Bblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here are some hungry coach drivers, assembling for a canteen lunch which was very kindly hosted by our friends at Reading Buses. Best of all, it was Fish 'n' Chip Friday! The more hardy photographers worked through lunch as can be seen, as 1250 receives attention from one of Reading Buses' off-duty drivers. The variety of traction can be seen, with dates of manufacture spanning 1947 (Lionel's Bristol L6B on the right) to 1968 (the Bristol RE coach in the centre, flanked by two slightly earlier REs, including Ruby complete with lipstick).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6-9_EN3LR8/V2lNXFXGy9I/AAAAAAAAAbo/c1LLEpoc0VkAU8NbK6KM3867RFcjbVljwCLcB/s1600/b08a%2Bruby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6-9_EN3LR8/V2lNXFXGy9I/AAAAAAAAAbo/c1LLEpoc0VkAU8NbK6KM3867RFcjbVljwCLcB/s640/b08a%2Bruby.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jz8VVNDwVkI/V2lNoSIf3WI/AAAAAAAAAcY/dwKB-OEPq-4VsPKo1V-yM7E3WFsiWeilACLcB/s1600/b09%2B20160617_145015%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jz8VVNDwVkI/V2lNoSIf3WI/AAAAAAAAAcY/dwKB-OEPq-4VsPKo1V-yM7E3WFsiWeilACLcB/s320/b09%2B20160617_145015%2Bblog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Whilst the route is meticulously planned and documented, we have to respond to live traffic conditions and we were kindly tipped-off about some delays in <b>Thatcham</b> which would affect our proposed route out of Reading along the A4. Consequently, coaches (mostly good for 50mph or more) followed the M4 for a short stretch to Junction 13, where we picked up the A4 at <b>Newbury</b>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhimHNRlDSo/V2lNiKiKr-I/AAAAAAAAAcI/I_JyT19cW5c3jYdVy7PHQmXNWP3AmDYHgCLcB/s1600/b10%2B20160617_155406%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhimHNRlDSo/V2lNiKiKr-I/AAAAAAAAAcI/I_JyT19cW5c3jYdVy7PHQmXNWP3AmDYHgCLcB/s400/b10%2B20160617_155406%2Bblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At <b>Marlborough</b>, the pretty town scene is often dominated by cars, but fine sights such as this were to be recorded as RE 2351, enjoying a break, is passed by an energetic 1460. (The latter has a semi-automatic gearbox, while the former has constant-mesh, so the need for a left-leg break is quite understandable.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7r8XnzgZwwI/V2lNvlIVypI/AAAAAAAAAco/VMB6zaAa1BcZBPz7hLz9n2pU_TTGk-RagCLcB/s1600/b12%2B20160617_165024%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7r8XnzgZwwI/V2lNvlIVypI/AAAAAAAAAco/VMB6zaAa1BcZBPz7hLz9n2pU_TTGk-RagCLcB/s320/b12%2B20160617_165024%2Bblog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Typical of the view enjoyed by passengers, the open road and rolling countryside are seen here from Wilts & Dorset Bristol L6B, 279 (EMW 284), very at home bowling through the Wiltshire countryside near <b>Calne</b>. The weather for Day 1 was mixed but generally kind, with coaches remaining clean after days of polishing before the run.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c9i_EpW0d3k/V2lNjx0vAPI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/VoRMPLsSh1wz8AVdPvLa--oYgK7iBXZoQCLcB/s1600/b11%2BEx%2BFacebook%2BStuart%2BTurner%2B%2528Permission%2BGranted%2529%2B13482966_10209548307449753_8564370443623408542_o%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c9i_EpW0d3k/V2lNjx0vAPI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/VoRMPLsSh1wz8AVdPvLa--oYgK7iBXZoQCLcB/s640/b11%2BEx%2BFacebook%2BStuart%2BTurner%2B%2528Permission%2BGranted%2529%2B13482966_10209548307449753_8564370443623408542_o%2Bblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: Stuart Turner</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We're very grateful to the many photographers who share their roadside shots with us, as the weekend can be very intense for drivers who often don't get the chance to observe the coaches in action. Here, in a superb shot by Stuart Turner, newly restored Bristol LS6G 1286 (MOD 973) - on loan to the Trust - is caught ascending <b>Sidbury Hill</b> having unusually claimed pole position from LL6B 1250 back in Newbury. 1250 gives chase, as does enthusiastic Bristol Greyhound Bristol MW 2138 (BHU 92C).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AbFnbYLGEZM/V2lNo2lyHpI/AAAAAAAAAcg/Tmrc0blM6-gnL3iIjMUQN16gM3HQBFnygCLcB/s1600/b13%2BEx%2BFacebook%2BStuart%2BTurner%2B%2528Permission%2BGranted%2529%2B13497982_10209548360291074_8626984080398643911_o%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AbFnbYLGEZM/V2lNo2lyHpI/AAAAAAAAAcg/Tmrc0blM6-gnL3iIjMUQN16gM3HQBFnygCLcB/s400/b13%2BEx%2BFacebook%2BStuart%2BTurner%2B%2528Permission%2BGranted%2529%2B13497982_10209548360291074_8626984080398643911_o%2Bblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: Stuart Turner</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Beyond <b>Bath</b>, late MW 1423 is seen reaching a summit towards Newton St. Loe.<br />
<br />
In <b>Bristol</b>, we were welcomed to the City's fine M-Shed museum, celebrating its fifth anniversary that evening with a special on-site party for staff. The arrival of the coaches (by now swollen in number to fourteen) was kept as a surprise by their Managing Director and we
duly delighted both staff and public alike.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KkR_AELPC-0/V2lN8raMAII/AAAAAAAAAc8/IplYmvdGLYsv0Mk76JKQSn8oQ1GsVyOOQCLcB/s1600/b15%2B20160617_183453%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KkR_AELPC-0/V2lN8raMAII/AAAAAAAAAc8/IplYmvdGLYsv0Mk76JKQSn8oQ1GsVyOOQCLcB/s400/b15%2B20160617_183453%2Bblog.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
279 is seen beneath the dockside
cranes while below, items of Bristol's maritime past rise from behind a line-up
that is very much 'Made in Bristol'.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lQKp2U-0uUY/V2lN6ThoTYI/AAAAAAAAAc0/vOen6k_ovbEEap6wYgFU5EzrGcxcs7LgwCLcB/s1600/b14%2B20160617_184356%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lQKp2U-0uUY/V2lN6ThoTYI/AAAAAAAAAc0/vOen6k_ovbEEap6wYgFU5EzrGcxcs7LgwCLcB/s640/b14%2B20160617_184356%2Bblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JZJBGpuHbG0/V2lN-wpgOLI/AAAAAAAAAdE/2QDPz1gn2gYJcuEsBGukv0RHyG7G6gYsgCLcB/s1600/b16%2B20160617_184704%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JZJBGpuHbG0/V2lN-wpgOLI/AAAAAAAAAdE/2QDPz1gn2gYJcuEsBGukv0RHyG7G6gYsgCLcB/s640/b16%2B20160617_184704%2Bblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6oUTfrAKUb0/V2lOK6kz3lI/AAAAAAAAAdg/DBgUefEKnAIup3Zz8Z2SFR8LBxt4LBqVwCLcB/s1600/b17%2B20160617_194144%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6oUTfrAKUb0/V2lOK6kz3lI/AAAAAAAAAdg/DBgUefEKnAIup3Zz8Z2SFR8LBxt4LBqVwCLcB/s400/b17%2B20160617_194144%2Bblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whilst
M-Shed was our official destination for Day 1 of the run, several coaches
completed a tour of the famous Downs en-route to their hotels. Seen 'up on the
Downs' (an expression which makes perfect sense in Bristol), 2270 makes a
fine sight alongside the Avon Gorge and Brunel's Clifton Suspension bridge.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L50HH0oIqgo/V2lOIQUxvkI/AAAAAAAAAdY/0AsqLYHrQW8Q95GRHIkyknYKGyIuqhofwCLcB/s1600/b18%2BIMG_7321%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L50HH0oIqgo/V2lOIQUxvkI/AAAAAAAAAdY/0AsqLYHrQW8Q95GRHIkyknYKGyIuqhofwCLcB/s200/b18%2BIMG_7321%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
route for <b><span style="color: #20124d;">Day 2</span></b> was designed to commemorate 50 years since the final train on
the Somerset & Dorset railway, a much loved and mourned route that ran
through Royal Blue heartland from Bath to Bournemouth.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our route intertwined
with several famous S&D locations, recreating in part the former rail
replacement service that was created when the line closed in 1966.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_bIUZ1AXVhE/V2lORzj33zI/AAAAAAAAAdo/HdYpx-Ysx20RliUt4VlOloOJB8tMf3nrQCLcB/s1600/b19%2B20160618_095205%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_bIUZ1AXVhE/V2lORzj33zI/AAAAAAAAAdo/HdYpx-Ysx20RliUt4VlOloOJB8tMf3nrQCLcB/s640/b19%2B20160618_095205%2Bblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Courtesy
of our friends at First, we were invited to begin the day's run at <b>Lawrence
Hill depot</b>, the former Central Works of Bristol Omnibus Company. By now
totaling fifteen, the coaches assembled amongst the contemporary First buses
not already out earning their keep on a Saturday morning, somewhat outnumbering
them in our corner of the depot! </div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vr0yivGaOEk/V2lObVttGsI/AAAAAAAAAd8/QT7wBMJzckwuYetzUzUBgqrvZ4bYfV1MACLcB/s1600/b20b%2B20160618_092129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vr0yivGaOEk/V2lObVttGsI/AAAAAAAAAd8/QT7wBMJzckwuYetzUzUBgqrvZ4bYfV1MACLcB/s640/b20b%2B20160618_092129.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A range of Associated Motorways operators was represented on the run, including Crosville and Bristol Greyhound alongside Royal Blue. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Py6pCTh7QXU/V2lOYAiGOwI/AAAAAAAAAd0/fgW-QfFfRkoJTIbTi9liapuIRxxZJel6gCLcB/s1600/b20%2B20160618_095436%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Py6pCTh7QXU/V2lOYAiGOwI/AAAAAAAAAd0/fgW-QfFfRkoJTIbTi9liapuIRxxZJel6gCLcB/s400/b20%2B20160618_095436%2Bblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Comradery
is a big feature of the run, with high spirits prevailing over even the most
heated disputes about navigation! Below, Team Widdly Diddly (Wilts &
Dorset), confident in their impeccable route knowledge, recite lines from The
Titfield Thunderbolt as they approach an appropriate part of the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NKD1EBRFGNY/V2lOqQHv8KI/AAAAAAAAAek/MVYou5kVvzkuqhzhTtR99-ahmRxfL7SJACLcB/s1600/b22%2B20160618_084851%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NKD1EBRFGNY/V2lOqQHv8KI/AAAAAAAAAek/MVYou5kVvzkuqhzhTtR99-ahmRxfL7SJACLcB/s400/b22%2B20160618_084851%2Bblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kstAncvMmuE/V2lOd3BTSmI/AAAAAAAAAeE/U7RG84fEn6MYW3exPav9L6LmebIciOCNgCLcB/s1600/b21%2BEx%2BFlickr%2BJeff%2BDay%2B27767761646_a8b7646085_o%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kstAncvMmuE/V2lOd3BTSmI/AAAAAAAAAeE/U7RG84fEn6MYW3exPav9L6LmebIciOCNgCLcB/s320/b21%2BEx%2BFlickr%2BJeff%2BDay%2B27767761646_a8b7646085_o%2Bblog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: Jeff Day</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having
passed <b>Bath Green Park</b> station (the S&D's northern terminus), coaches
climbed Devonshire Hill (through which the S&D tunnelled) and descended
into <b>Radstock</b>, where they passed over the former level crossings of both the
S&D and the Great Western Railway. Climbing up Silver Street past <b>Midsomer
Norton</b> station (where a stretch of the S&D has now reopened as a preserved
railway) the two early-style MWs appear to be having great fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JTA2NCG7y2o/V2lOlp38C1I/AAAAAAAAAeY/xb8qa63B-CIsvLtWx9WLh3mi9WxuM8tSQCLcB/s1600/b23%2B20160618_115534%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JTA2NCG7y2o/V2lOlp38C1I/AAAAAAAAAeY/xb8qa63B-CIsvLtWx9WLh3mi9WxuM8tSQCLcB/s640/b23%2B20160618_115534%2Bblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
former <b>Evercreech Junction</b> station is a place of pilgrimage for S&D
enthusiasts and the adjacent Natterjack Inn couldn't have been a more
appropriate venue for a lunch stop. Also highly appropriate, Mike Walker's
Bristol Greyhound MW is said to have been amongst those to operate the S&D
replacement service, so appears on familiar ground here as it crosses over the
site of the former level crossing towards lunch. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aTzB_EbXBTk/V2lOu0qmwpI/AAAAAAAAAes/QbNEyEZPQcELJExvy3WbNlSuHoPKLJACwCLcB/s1600/b24%2B20160618_131012%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aTzB_EbXBTk/V2lOu0qmwpI/AAAAAAAAAes/QbNEyEZPQcELJExvy3WbNlSuHoPKLJACwCLcB/s320/b24%2B20160618_131012%2Bblog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Evercreech
Junction is a remote location, defined where the S&D main line to Bath
diverged from the first-built line to Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea. Much of
the station site is now an industrial estate, although previously it was used
for the storage of withdrawn Southern National vehicles in the 70s and 80s.
Paying tribute to its less fortunate ancestors, 1250 enjoys a break alongside
the former station buildings.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96ndn57064w/V2lOyj4OZlI/AAAAAAAAAe8/wMeO31l51FQRpwwt8M-Ayx4L--_O9IPfQCLcB/s1600/b25%2B20160618_122704%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96ndn57064w/V2lOyj4OZlI/AAAAAAAAAe8/wMeO31l51FQRpwwt8M-Ayx4L--_O9IPfQCLcB/s400/b25%2B20160618_122704%2Bblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Driving
coaches burns many calories, and those of the bygone age must have been fit
men. (Unless, of course, they replenished with chips.) Our Natterjack lunch was
a 'Proper Job' and we're very grateful to them for such a warm welcome - plus
an excellent photo shared on their Facebook page.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0lPeHMC7U4/V2lOxn91ReI/AAAAAAAAAe0/oz2-DMIDEic8CdSPMppM6h2QAmx1Z0KswCLcB/s1600/b26%2BEx%2BFacebook%2BNatterjack%2BPage%2B13413644_1085895438099736_8239851442194670153_n%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0lPeHMC7U4/V2lOxn91ReI/AAAAAAAAAe0/oz2-DMIDEic8CdSPMppM6h2QAmx1Z0KswCLcB/s640/b26%2BEx%2BFacebook%2BNatterjack%2BPage%2B13413644_1085895438099736_8239851442194670153_n%2Bblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: The Natterjack Inn</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqZzRt5D6Rs/V2lO3lPCnHI/AAAAAAAAAfE/WtUYaP-V-TcieEZo_htR3mUc2_SsRFO-QCLcB/s1600/b28%2B20160618_145044%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqZzRt5D6Rs/V2lO3lPCnHI/AAAAAAAAAfE/WtUYaP-V-TcieEZo_htR3mUc2_SsRFO-QCLcB/s320/b28%2B20160618_145044%2Bblog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Onward, via <b>Castle Cary</b> and <b>Bruton</b>, we tracked the
S&D through <b>Henstridge</b> and <b>Shillingstone</b>, where coaches ran for a time in a
pleasing convoy for photographers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
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After
a stop for ice creams in <b>Blandford</b>, coaches travelled via <b>Poole</b> into
<b>Bournemouth</b>. Our destination here is known today as Queens Road Coach Park,
built on the site of the S&D's former terminus station at <b>Bournemouth West</b>. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PuxJGFBT6JE/V2lO8UzUbmI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/OwE3zQCB3jsW2VT8bMfkuoHHZ6dSoZBhQCLcB/s1600/b29%2B20160618_160825%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PuxJGFBT6JE/V2lO8UzUbmI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/OwE3zQCB3jsW2VT8bMfkuoHHZ6dSoZBhQCLcB/s400/b29%2B20160618_160825%2Bblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here, RE 1460 looks out to the former Midland Hotel (now flats), which derived its name from the Midland Railway who jointly operated the S&D. A
victorious line-up of smiling coaches concluded the route for Day 2, all
fourteen coaches having completed the journey without trouble.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gSCJJaF6rSw/V2lPC7lzOaI/AAAAAAAAAfk/ob0dkmkXD9QNJS4QBmSXvNn5mL8-51TSwCLcB/s1600/b30%2B20160619_085550%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gSCJJaF6rSw/V2lPC7lzOaI/AAAAAAAAAfk/ob0dkmkXD9QNJS4QBmSXvNn5mL8-51TSwCLcB/s640/b30%2B20160619_085550%2Bblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ySLgJ0xXS4c/V2lPFEkfbeI/AAAAAAAAAfs/mlG-txuB_y4724ihBfPW5LaoIUtHQGKAACLcB/s1600/b31%2B20160619_090952%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ySLgJ0xXS4c/V2lPFEkfbeI/AAAAAAAAAfs/mlG-txuB_y4724ihBfPW5LaoIUtHQGKAACLcB/s320/b31%2B20160619_090952%2Bblog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Day
3</b></span></span> was to be an excursion from <b>Bournemouth</b> to Lulworth Cove, followed by a trip
across the New Forest to Lyndhurst. Tired but happy faces were in attendance at
the morning briefing, some passengers in dark glasses after a night out in
Poole... </div>
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<br /></div>
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Note the Co-Op's new medium-weight range on display in the window.
Something for slimmers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IL-mTvNDQm8/V2lPOqAy_vI/AAAAAAAAAf8/fzbIihidJ6gPE2K_dLK319NYWRWQ60f6QCLcB/s1600/b32%2B20160619_102647%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IL-mTvNDQm8/V2lPOqAy_vI/AAAAAAAAAf8/fzbIihidJ6gPE2K_dLK319NYWRWQ60f6QCLcB/s640/b32%2B20160619_102647%2Bblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The
journey to <b>Lulworth Cove</b> was spectacular, as was the sight of the coaches
descending the hill en-masse. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NtH7y7hLm58/V2lPTmEAqfI/AAAAAAAAAgI/BjRG7WwwbYcwPR2do7l4QH8ynp4AndXQgCLcB/s1600/b33%2B20160619_105951%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NtH7y7hLm58/V2lPTmEAqfI/AAAAAAAAAgI/BjRG7WwwbYcwPR2do7l4QH8ynp4AndXQgCLcB/s320/b33%2B20160619_105951%2Bblog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
After morning tea in the secret garden (it was Sunday, after all), a walk to the cove itself gave participants an opportunity to swap stories about the route, nights out in Poole, all-night Birthday parties with the Village People or any other unexpected sidetracks from the Royal Blue Run!<br />
<br />
If only all were as focussed as Team Widdly Diddly.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nyUc3f5jxxg/V2lPfzOD6RI/AAAAAAAAAgY/lxGI9IEOW4M3zVM6CR4sPqk2-wtbHzqNgCLcB/s1600/b35%2B20160619_111953%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nyUc3f5jxxg/V2lPfzOD6RI/AAAAAAAAAgY/lxGI9IEOW4M3zVM6CR4sPqk2-wtbHzqNgCLcB/s320/b35%2B20160619_111953%2Bblog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: Tim Stubbs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Umu8DykhO_E/V2lPMwHpbEI/AAAAAAAAAf0/OonIQTtia7kysjMEateEr0vDtDJU8e8PACLcB/s1600/b34%2B20160619_110430%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Umu8DykhO_E/V2lPMwHpbEI/AAAAAAAAAf0/OonIQTtia7kysjMEateEr0vDtDJU8e8PACLcB/s640/b34%2B20160619_110430%2Bblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
coaches attracted much interest from the public visiting Lulworth Cove, including
one who asked if they were "always here?"... perhaps a sister of
the passenger at Victoria?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f5fUXoB_asg/V2lPftiWnvI/AAAAAAAAAgU/WuItfcGVcaAeO4MLv7krfukQYkrCBbojwCLcB/s1600/b36%2B20160619_131317%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f5fUXoB_asg/V2lPftiWnvI/AAAAAAAAAgU/WuItfcGVcaAeO4MLv7krfukQYkrCBbojwCLcB/s320/b36%2B20160619_131317%2Bblog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The
penultimate leg of the run took us to <b>Milford-on-Sea</b> for lunch, where coaches
and passengers alike were able to enjoy a clear view of The Needles across the
Solent. Here, the two L-types perform a PV2 salute to their Southern Vectis
cousins, helped by a late MW plotting to steal its owner's picnic.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sQxiNJHaTis/V2lPiHTn7MI/AAAAAAAAAgs/edryKYl6lVsm-_Ch3H4-9ghUgPhbT81fwCLcB/s1600/b38%2BxIMG_0836%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sQxiNJHaTis/V2lPiHTn7MI/AAAAAAAAAgs/edryKYl6lVsm-_Ch3H4-9ghUgPhbT81fwCLcB/s640/b38%2BxIMG_0836%2Bblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: Tim Stubbs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A
trek across the New Forest to Beaulieu Motor Museum brought natural hazards for
the drivers to negotiate, much to the enjoyment of their passengers, as well as
spectacular views of the kind that had once made these sorts of day tours so
popular. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KJzxeHNUrbY/V2lPn8Cv7AI/AAAAAAAAAg0/Mtvi7N8o_3wE5GPczMZiCP5liBKvPG8eQCLcB/s1600/b39%2B20160619_152658%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KJzxeHNUrbY/V2lPn8Cv7AI/AAAAAAAAAg0/Mtvi7N8o_3wE5GPczMZiCP5liBKvPG8eQCLcB/s320/b39%2B20160619_152658%2Bblog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Reaching
Lyndhurst on time, all thirteen of the day's participants completed the run
without incident. Eight had made the full three day trip from London, with only
the journey home to locations as disparate as the Midlands, the West Country
and the Home Counties to make before a good rest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>Where
to next? A question for next year certainly - but definitely not for next
Friday...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X-CnHl4XOrU/V2lPhN7JunI/AAAAAAAAAgk/yS4ckHA7tTgSUhA-Odc6CCJ2ZphO25WbwCLcB/s1600/b37%2B20160619_132459%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X-CnHl4XOrU/V2lPhN7JunI/AAAAAAAAAgk/yS4ckHA7tTgSUhA-Odc6CCJ2ZphO25WbwCLcB/s640/b37%2B20160619_132459%2Bblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: TV&GWOT (DS)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i>Our
thanks to everybody who makes the run happen, the owners and drivers, those who
allow us to use their facilities along the way and, of course, our Supporters
for their tireless work in researching the routes and preparing vehicles.
Thanks also to those who have shared their excellent photographs of the run so
far, many of which are featured here with kind permission - we hope you'll continue
to post on our Facebook page (using #RB16) or email them to the Trust via <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/">www.tvagwot.org.uk</a>.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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</div>
TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-69863891167251906942016-06-07T05:20:00.000-07:002016-06-07T06:20:33.377-07:00Return to Didcot<b>Our second Didcot Transport Rally took place on Sunday, a joint venture between the Trust and Didcot Railway Centre.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gFBDcvUqqA/V1a2geJuf9I/AAAAAAAAAZk/PpFx7SuGUFAlezduBHTmmaj_rqfMY7duQCLcB/s1600/20160605_094255%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gFBDcvUqqA/V1a2geJuf9I/AAAAAAAAAZk/PpFx7SuGUFAlezduBHTmmaj_rqfMY7duQCLcB/s400/20160605_094255%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
With more than 30 buses on display, 14 in use on free bus services, traction engines, vintage cars and steam at the railway centre, there was much for our visitors to enjoy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MdwKFpJRTZE/V1a2sR0VXhI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/J5BOaUMpm6cPsIpZQDdAXfLKACKOkgAHwCKgB/s1600/20160605_121619%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MdwKFpJRTZE/V1a2sR0VXhI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/J5BOaUMpm6cPsIpZQDdAXfLKACKOkgAHwCKgB/s400/20160605_121619%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nRDfr0Qthiw/V1a2rnp1XxI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/8suCrpJoKEIHq5PeLxIM1X7-6FGhOa12QCKgB/s1600/20160605_150550%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nRDfr0Qthiw/V1a2rnp1XxI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/8suCrpJoKEIHq5PeLxIM1X7-6FGhOa12QCKgB/s320/20160605_150550%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>As well as shuttling between the rally site and Didcot Parkway station, free vintage bus services ran on authentic former GWR Road Motors routes to Wantage, Blewbury, Wallingford and East Hendred. We recorded 2,409 passenger journey across all routes.<br />
<br />
Thames Valley vehicles from the 'home' fleet included 446, our Bristol K6A; 152, 556, and D40, respectively the Tilling Stevens, Bristol LL6B and FLF6G currently on-loan to the Trust; and 748, Peter Pribik's Bristol KSW6B. There was a welcome star-appearance from 620, an ex. United Welsh Bristol LD6G which joined Thames Valley in 1969. This has been owned and cared for by Brockham Scouts since its retirement from Alder Valley in 1975. 620 is the only Bristol LD with a Thames Valley pedigree known to survive.<br />
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There was an exotic selection of visiting traction, including contrasting Bristol REs from Ulsterbus, Crosville and Eastern Counties, an AEC Regal from Oxford Bus Museum, a former Reading Mainline Routemaster, plus Bristol VRs from Southdown and Western National - and many more.<br />
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As ever, we're very grateful to the owners and crews of visiting vehicles, as well as our Supporters who worked hard on the day. Trust Supporter Jonathan Radley was responsible for the bus and coach element of the event and his tremendous organisational skills, plus months of hard work, ensured the event was a great success for our visitors. We are also grateful to the teams at Didcot Railway Centre for their help and support.<br />
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Meanwhile, some Supporters may still be there now, working out how to get our tent down...<br />
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<br />TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-12002836478171069922016-05-24T05:05:00.000-07:002016-05-24T05:14:48.994-07:00A Special Garden Party<b>We were invited to a very special garden party this weekend, to celebrate the 80th Birthday of Sir William McAlpine. Here's the 'garden'...</b><br />
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The party was the unique Fawley Hill Steam & Vintage Weekend, laid on by the McAlpines as an opportunity for charities like ours to showcase what they do to the public, to fundraise and recruit new support.<br />
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Our stand and display had a strong Thames Valley flavour, appropriate for the area, with five 'Valley vehicles joined by our Great Western Guy FBB and friends from neighbouring fleets. Tilling Stevens 152 (MO 9324) arrived under its own power, along with our Bristol K6A 446 (DBL 154), Graham Tyler's LL6B 556 (FMO 938), Peter Pribik's KSW6B 748 (JRX 823) and FLF6G D40 (GRX 140D).<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tCI4HcBqc0k/V0RBq3pXUWI/AAAAAAAAAZU/3crkRQ5ALNIjzqLJH7Al1E1TG9I0rdQWwCK4B/s1600/20160522_145431a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tCI4HcBqc0k/V0RBq3pXUWI/AAAAAAAAAZU/3crkRQ5ALNIjzqLJH7Al1E1TG9I0rdQWwCK4B/s320/20160522_145431a.jpg" width="200" /></a>Besides our buses, attractions included camel racing, a ride on Sir William's full sized garden steam railway, parachutists, stunt aviation, a railway museum and a full fairground. Here's our stand as viewed from the helter skelter!<br />
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There was great interest in the vehicles and our forthcoming events, particularly Didcot Railway Centre Transport Rally, now less than a fortnight away on 5 June. If you came to see us for the first time, we hope you'll consider returning your form to become a Supporter of the Trust to continue the good work you inspected at the weekend.<br />
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As always, many thanks to the volunteers who helped to assemble the display, crew our stand and answer questions from visitors. And, of course, our thanks to Sir William and Lady Judy for welcoming us to the event.TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-42011005962504676632016-05-24T03:52:00.000-07:002016-05-24T03:52:38.620-07:00Penzance: Painting By Numbers<b>If you came along to our 2016 Penzance Running Day, jointly organised with our pals at Cornwall Bus Preservation Society, you'll know what all the fuss is about. </b><br />
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The glorious scenery of West Cornwall, together with guaranteed sunshine, makes for an excellent day out in itself. Add to that 30 vintage buses, many of them native, and this is the kind of magic our visitors enjoy.<br />
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Passenger numbers were up 20% on the previous year, at 5,836 journeys. The most popular destinations were St. Ives (visited by 1,609 passengers on three different routes), followed by St Just (903 passengers) and Land's End (640 passengers).<br />
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For the first time, we had 10 Bristol VR double decekers in service, the type whose retirement from service was celebrated by the inaugural Penzance event in 2006. a decade later, they were out in force, and Western National blue/cream/red-liveried 1230 carried more passengers than any other bus on the day (400).<br />
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The two native Bristol SUS single deckers, 600 and 603, proved to be the most popular vehicles by percentage utilisation (running 91% and 85% full respectively).<br />
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Despite a mechanical problem with one bus (a Bristol LH) and two buses which were unfortunately unable to attend on the day, all our timetabled services ran as planned.<br />
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Our thanks go to everybody who helped to make the day such a success for all the passengers and onlookers.<br />
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<b>Save the day for next year: Sunday 16 April.</b><br />
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<b><br /></b>TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-35670136817462408442016-04-03T05:38:00.000-07:002016-04-07T04:34:08.598-07:00A Happy Easter<b>688 passengers joined us for our first event of the year: a free heritage bus service to compliment the South Devon Railway's Easter Gala.</b><br />
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As in previous years, our services connected Buckfastleigh with Ashburton and Staverton, following the course of Western National Service 169, the rail replacement service which ran when the Ashburton branch line was closed temporarily for works and, ultimately, by Dr Beeching. In addition, we introduced a new route connecting Staverton and Landscove, recreating a portion of Western National Service 165.<br />
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Bristol H5G 137 (FJ 8967) was in use throughout the three days, accompanied by a second vehicle that varied each day.<br />
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On Saturday, Bristol SUL 420 (270 KTA) was used for Ashburton runs in the morning. Its (7'6") width allowed it to relieve the 'H' on the Landscove route in the afternoon, making for this pleasant Spring scene at the terminus.<br />
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On Easter Sunday, Ashburton services were provided through the day by Bristol LWL5G 1613 (LTA 772), a regular performer on our South Devon Railway Gala services.<br />
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On Easter Monday, Bristol FLF6G 1969 (468 FTT) made its first appearance at an SDR Gala, again for use on Ashburton runs. Here it is seen pausing at Buckfast Abbey on its outward journey to Ashburton.<br />
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Despite mixed weather the services proved popular, with some near-full loads on the 'H'. Our next collaboration with the South Devon Railway will be their 1940s Festival on July 2 and 3. See you there?<br />
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<br />TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-56327736143177677542015-11-04T16:53:00.000-08:002015-11-05T04:12:15.709-08:00Joining Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Keeping old buses alive for the public to enjoy takes bus loads of time, effort, passion and funds. </b></div>
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Earlier this year we formed a group to help the Trust with these ingredients. Known as our Supporters, over 100 individuals have already signed-up and many are starting to play some vital roles in the Trust's charitable work, from assisting with vehicle restoration and maintenance to helping at our public events. Some are supporting our activities from afar, contributing vital funds and sharing their knowledge via our new Supporters' magazine.</div>
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If you haven't already joined, now is a really exciting time to <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/supporters.htm">become a Supporter</a>.</div>
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The Trust has just enjoyed its busiest Summer to date, with a record number of events attracting more members of the public than ever before. We now have a Winter of activity to plan and look forward to, with vehicle restoration, archiving and 2016 event planning projects already in progress.</div>
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The first two editions of <i style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 21.3px;"><b>To and Fro' </b>, </i><span style="line-height: 21.3px;">our exclusive quarterly magazine, </span><span style="line-height: 21.3px;">have received rave reviews from Supporters, who have quickly made it their own with a range of contributions. </span><span style="line-height: 21.3px;">In each edition, we try to combine a mix of Trust news with articles and features that have a lasting value to the bookshelf, always catering for a broad range of interests across the eras and geography of the patch. </span></div>
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Issue 001 includes an illustrated history of the early 'British' operations in the Thames Valley area, celebrated at our TV100 centenary event in August. For express coaching fans, there's an illustrated discussion of the paper branding used by Royal Blue and others through the years. As well as an account of the Supporters' inaugural tour with our Thames Valley K6A, there's a profile of our 1927 GWR Guy, including its rescue and restoration. </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 21.3px;">We are honoured to feature, as an ongoing serialisation in </span><i style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 21.3px;">To and Fro'</i><span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 21.3px;">, the memoires of the late Dave Farmer - a former Taunton-based Western National driver - bequeathed to us with their preservation and celebration in mind. Brilliantly observed and recounted with great humour, Dave's tales are a unique and delightful record of life as a West Country bus driver in the 1940s, through the '50s, '60s and beyond. They, alone, are worth signing up to read.</span></div>
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Issue 002 of <i>To and Fro'</i> reports on our Kingsbridge Running Day and TV100 events, and comemmorates the demise of First's bus operations in South Devon (the final incarnation of Western National there). There's a celebration of an important Royal Blue/Bristol Greyhound anniversary, an illustrated profile of the unique South Midland Bristol REX prototype, a profile and history of the Thames Valley K6A and a must-read account of Dave Farmer's driving test in a dubiously braked Leyland Lion!</div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">For a limited time, </span><a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/supporters.htm" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">new Supporters</a></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;"><b> will receive editions 001 and 002 as part of their welcome.</b> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">Issue 003, due before Christmas, will feature articles on Royal Blue coaching refreshment stops and Thames Valley's Bracknell depot, plus discussion in our new 'Letters' column on, amongst other things, Western/Southern National ticket machines.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fQD3LbZgTaU/Vjqk5LqC3vI/AAAAAAAAAXA/JjvXUjdpVx8/s1600/20151103_091653_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fQD3LbZgTaU/Vjqk5LqC3vI/AAAAAAAAAXA/JjvXUjdpVx8/s200/20151103_091653_resized.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent;"><i>To and Fro'</i> is just one of the many exclusive benefits enjoyed by Supporters as a result of working closely with the Trust. As a Supporter, y</span><span style="line-height: 21.3px;">ou will have the opportunity to volunteer for a wide range of Trust activities should you wish, and learn new skills as you go. As well as opportunities to work on vehicles and help at public events, we have a significant archive and museum facility that we'd welcome your help to maintain. </span><span style="line-height: 21.3px;">There is also a thriving social element to the Supporters, offering the opportunity to make new friends across the country.</span></div>
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<b>If we've tempted you to become a Supporter of the Trust, please visit <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/supporters.htm">our website</a> now to join online.</b></div>
TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-41240739636745368992015-09-25T04:10:00.001-07:002015-09-25T05:32:47.775-07:00Kingsbridge 2015: The Stats<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5YT77gllKv0/VgUjeM8duPI/AAAAAAAAAU8/c-wzJJyEhuk/s1600/DSC_0372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5YT77gllKv0/VgUjeM8duPI/AAAAAAAAAU8/c-wzJJyEhuk/s320/DSC_0372.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;"><b>The Trust's 2015 Kingsbridge Running Day set new records, with more visitors, more vehicles and more routes than ever before.</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">TV&GWOT's own team of statisticians has been counting up everything from passenger numbers to paw prints. We thought you might enjoy their findings.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">2015's event saw more passengers enjoying rides on the buses than ever before, with 5,836 single passenger journeys recorded. With a record 39 buses in service, we coped well with the crowds, buses running on average at 61% capacity.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">Wildlife turned out in all its various forms too, with canine ridership up 30% on last year, at 63 dog journeys recorded. No wonder this cat was so concerned...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">(Waybills suggest we even carried a Lodekka-loving parrot, though we're unsure if it was dead or alive.)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Barrie Whitehall</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">Our network of 23 routes gave more choice than ever before, with sea, sand, creeks, leafy lanes, hairpins, hills, narrows and humpback bridges all covered. Here, Bristol SUS 600 overcomes Gara Bridge.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Richard Pearson</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">The most popular routes were to Salcombe, Slapton and Hope Cove, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">while the increased service on the Kingsbridge town circular seems to have been well received, too. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">This was operated by the two oldest vehicles in service, Peter Stanier's 1929 Leyland Lioness and Colin Billington's 1934 Dennis Mace.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Kevin Cripps</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">The most popular vehicle by seat utilisation was Bristol SUL 420 - an original Kingsbridge coach - which ran at 100% capacity on all runs. This was driven in service by our youngest and most recently qualified driver, Luke Farley, its conductor in previous years. Owner David Sheppard was transferred to light duties (a Bristol SUS!) for the day. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">The vehicle carrying the most passengers was David Hoare's Bristol K6B (pictured top, crossing Bowcombe Creek), which gave 296 journeys, every one resulting in a smiling face - and that was just Driver Peter.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Janice Taylor</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">Owners brought their vehicles from far and wide to join in at Kingsbridge. Special mention must be made of Ben Bartram and his team, overseas visitors, who brought their Southern Vectis Bristol LHS from the Isle of Wight. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">We were also delighted that Trevor and Shirley Leach traveled from Yorkshire with their immaculate Bristol SUL. Both are delightful little buses and highly appropriate for the South Hams terrain.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">So, a record breaking day for our visitors, achieved by our Supporters, crews and vehicle owners who worked so hard to make the day so successful. Many stayed on for our Sunday road run to Dartmouth as an opportunity for the Drivers to enjoy a ride themselves. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">This year's run extended to Buckfastleigh for a celebratory trip on the South Devon Railway, complete with pasties and a Devon cream tea. Cream on first...</span><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">If you'd like to help us stage events like this for the public to enjoy, you might consider joining our Supporters Group. As a Supporter you will enjoy several exclusive benefits of working closely with the Trust, including our quarterly magazine To and Fro'. Visit </span><a class="" href="http://www.tvagot.org.uk/supporters.htm" style="background-color: white; color: blue; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;" target="">www.tvagot.org.uk/supporters.htm</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;"> for more details, and join us online today.</span></i><br />
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TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-31401927678142617282015-06-29T17:06:00.000-07:002015-06-30T02:01:43.287-07:00Royal Blue Run 2015<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Ken Jones</td></tr>
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<b>The spectacle of vintage coaches on a long-distance run is one that can be enjoyed by passengers and spectators alike. </b></div>
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Our 15th annual Royal Blue & Associated Motorways Coach Run last weekend attracted hundreds of photographers and wavers along its route from Windsor to Penzance and back to Exeter. Through some of the photographs they've kindly shared, plus those taken by the crews and their passengers, we thought you'd like to enjoy the spectacle for yourself. </div>
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Here's our virtual 2015 run.</div>
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<b>Windsor - Bracknell - Hartley Wintney - Basingstoke - Andover - Salisbury - Shaftesbury - Yeovil - Chard - Honiton - Exeter</b>.</div>
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Drivers convene for pre-run coffee and bacon rolls. The building is a former Thames Valley ticket office and waiting room, originally sited at Maidenhead bus station, and newly reconstructed by the Trust for hospitality and display use. (DS)</div>
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Contrasting traction as Royal Blue 2270 - newly repainted and extensively restored since last year's run - tackles the famous hill alongside Windsor Castle. Viewed under keen pursuit from Western National 425, a First Beeline Mercedes and Duck Tours amphibian await their somewhat more local runs. (DS)</div>
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Formerly home to The Swan, a famous Royal Blue refreshment stop, this is Hartley Wintney in north-east Hampshire. Here, RootyMasters captures 2351 passing through the gateway to the West. (RootyMasters, Flickr)</div>
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Our Royal Blue runs follow, as closely as possible, the original routes taken by the coaches in service. Drivers and crew are issued with detailed instructions (37 pages this year!), which require meticulous research and preparation. Nonetheless, the crews show varying degrees of navigational aptitude, and this anonymous co-driver is about to lead his coach on a circuitous route around Andover - together with those following! (Anon)</div>
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The approach to Salisbury was made approximately on time, enabling this excellent shot of Royal Blue 1250 passing under the West of England main line from Waterloo. (Dave58282, Flickr)</div>
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The seventeen coaches taking part in the run spanned an operational period of 1949 to 1986. The oldest was Lionel Tancock's 1948 Wilts & Dorset Bristol L6B, and the youngest was Lee Shephard's 1973 Royal Blue Bristol LH6L. The latter is seen here with Royal Blue 1250, demonstrating the contrast between Royal Blue's image in the 1950s and 1970s. (DS)</div>
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Arrival at Salisbury took the Coach Station refreshment hut by surprise, and news spread quickly that sandwiches were in short supply. Royal Blue 2351 appears to have been the lucky head of the queue, whilst a wide-open door suggests the crew of Royal Blue 1299 were determined not to starve. Perhaps the Cornish contingent were stockpiling on board 1460? (DS)</div>
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Late running caused by heavy traffic in Crewkerne meant that most coaches headed straight for their hotels in Exeter, while the sticklers battled on towards the Coach Station. Royal Blue 1250 is seen settling in. (DS)</div>
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<b>Day 2: </b></div>
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<b>Exeter - Pathfinder - Okehampton - Wadebridge - Newquay - Perranporth- Portreath - St Ives - Penzance.</b><br />
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This year's run featured what may well be the final visit of Royal Blue coaches to the traditional coach stations in both Exeter and Plymouth, with both scheduled for redevelopment soon. Here, despite cloud, the uplifting sight of fourteen coaches about to begin Day 2 captures the spirit of the coach station on a busy Summer Saturday in its heyday. (CB)</div>
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Drivers concentrate on their morning briefing, this time without the distraction of bacon - in most cases. The dog is, in fact, "Bear", a regular Royal Blue passenger who was so enthralled with the briefing he made his own notes on the tarmac. (DS)</div>
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The journey into North Cornwall was beset by an eerie mist. Here, Driver Farley - new to the front seat for this year's run - pilots Western National 420 with great determination towards Wadebridge. The two SULs had taken an 'alternative' route between Exeter and Okehampton, accidentally reliving the days of Western National's Dartmoor tours... (DS)</div>
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The presence of tea and pasties in Wadebridge made for a longer-than-scheduled pause. Awaiting the return of their refreshed crews, Western National 1423 together with Royal Blue 2246 and 1250 occupy former railway land to the side of the old goods shed. (DS)</div>
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Suitably blinded for Associated Motorways work, Red & White RC968 ("Ruby") arrives at Newquay for a brief stop ahead of the journey yet further West... (Toby Abbs)</div>
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... and departing again, close to the site of the former Western National Bus Station, recently redeveloped beyond all recognition. (Stephen Wren)</div>
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Climbing above Portreath with Driver Grigg at the wheel, Royal Blue 1299 makes good progress towards St Ives. (Rich W, Flickr)</div>
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The famous Malakoff Bus Station in St Ives - notoriously voted "Britain's most scenic bus station" - is small as well as beautiful. To achieve photographs of all fourteen coaches without hampering traffic required two carefully controlled stacking operations. Watch the video as Royal Blue 2380 returns from its moment of glory, passing the two SULs awaiting their signal to proceed from Bankswoman Williams. (DS)</div>
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One of the many superb shots captured by Ken Jones, National liveried 2380 contrasts with Royal Blue 2351 and 1299 of a previous era, in a timeless scene at St Ives Malakoff Bus Station. (Ken Jones)</div>
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Arrival in Penzance afforded views of the UK's most Westerly railway terminus, with the former Western National bus station adjacent. (DS)</div>
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Mingling with more contemporary coaching arrivals, Royal Blue 1299, 2247, 2351 and 2270 take a dignified rest at Penzance Bus Station, while Western National 425 and 420 look pleased by their own achievements. (DS)</div>
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<b>Day 3: </b></div>
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<b>Penzance - Camborne - Redruth - Bodmin - Launceston - Tavistock - Plymouth - Buckfastleigh - Ashburton - Exeter</b></div>
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A panoramic view of Penzance Bus Station with coaches assembled for departure. Click for an expanded view. (DS)</div>
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With Driver Sheppard on loan to Wilts & Dorset, Lionel Tancock's superb 1949 Bristol L6B leads the convoy through the lush Cornish countryside beyond Camborne. (Stephen Wren)</div>
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The baby of the run, Lee Shephard's 1318 of 1973 vintage, is chased through Redruth by two relative old timers in the form of John Handford's 1420 and Roger Burdett's 2380 (of 1966 and 1968 respectively). Younger than all, though only just, is the High Speed Train passing over the viaduct. (Rich W, Flickr)</div>
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Wilts & Dorset 279 hurries through Redruth, with pressure applied by Royal Blue 2267, the well presented Bristol MW of Graham Clifford. (Rich W, Flickr)</div>
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A special occasion. Day 3's agenda was tweaked to enable a meeting with Bill Hawke and Royal Blue 1266, which he has been restoring for many years. Here it is reunited with 1250 for the first time in many years, near Bill's home in Summercourt. </div>
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While the coaches begin the day in convoy, natural selection takes over, especially on dual carriageways. Crossing Bodmin Moor, Royal Blue 2351 emerges from behind the Duplicate cars 425 and 420 to take pole position. The SULs showed themselves to be well matched, with 420 slightly faster on the flat, and 425 more capable on hills. (DS)</div>
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The Launceston Arch is notoriously tricky to negotiate, especially with today's littering of parked cars on the approach. Here, Driver Growns is seen demonstrating how to make the operation look easy, with 1460 having disturbed not a single hanging basket. (Dave Growns) </div>
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The journey back into Devon was made using the pre-Tamar Bridge crossing between Launceston and Tavistock. Here, Western National 425 returns to England high above the River Tamar with a background of lush Kernow foliage. (DS)<br />
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2270 creates a fine sight as it emerges on the Devon-side and, with the smiling faces of the owners aboard, encapsulates the spirit of the run perfectly. (Stephen Wren)</div>
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The market town of Tavistock is sleepy on a Sunday, but the arrival of fourteen coaches and their hungry occupants brought welcome business to the pasty shop. The coaches themselves made a fine sight as they passed through the town, with some pausing for photographs in the Bus Station, still based on its original site. Here, Royal Blue 2270, 1250, 1460 and Western National 425 and 420 rest in the coach park. (DS)</div>
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Driven and owned by father and son, Western National 420 and 425 remained together for much of the run. Here, they are captured arriving at Bretonside Bus Station in Plymouth, demonstrating the evolution of the SUL coach as-built (425) to its modified dual-purpose form (420). (Dave Fricker)</div>
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Plymouth's Bretonside Bus Station has been the location for thousands of photographs over the years, but photographers on the run were acutely aware that this may be the final opportunity to photograph Royal Blue coaches and friends at the site, which is currently earmarked for redevelopment. Here, 2267, 2351, 1250, 420 and 425 mingle with their contemporaries in a scene that has little changed since any of these vehicles first visited. (DS)</div>
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The route of the run between Plymouth and Exeter rarely touched the modern A38 dual-carriageway, following instead the pre-trunk roads through Ivybridge, Buckfastleigh, Ashburton, Chudleigh and Kennford. Here, Royal Blue 1250 winds its way towards Liverton in territory that feels surprisingly remote, despite its proximity to the modern route. (DS)</div>
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Driver Farley successfully completes his first Royal Blue Run, arriving at Exeter Coach Station in 420. (Dave Growns)</div>
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Journey's end - or not? With the run complete at Exeter Coach Station, 2247 awaits its trip home to Dorset. Each of the seventeen coaches completed their intended sections of the route, plus their journeys home, some travelling well over 700 miles in total. We're very grateful to the owners, crews and photographers for supporting the run once again. (DS)</div>
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Fortunately a virtual tour requires no such long drive home - but we hope you've enjoyed the trip enough to come back and visit our blog again soon. There's more news of the Trust's activities and events at www.tvagwot.org.uk, and on our Facebook page.</div>
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TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-40361370194179449852014-09-24T16:35:00.001-07:002014-09-24T16:38:19.467-07:00Kingsbridge 2014: The Human Dimension<strong>Bus travel forms an important part of our social history, and our running days offer the chance to learn, first hand, about a way of life in days gone by.</strong> <br />
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At our annual running day in Kingsbridge on Saturday, over 5,200 journeys were made by the public on thirty-one buses and coaches, ranging from a 1933 Bristol H saloon to a 1998 Mercedes Vario minibus. Every journey across the rural coast and countryside of the South Hams was, for our visitors and our volunteer crews alike, its own authentic account of the adventures afforded by bygone bus travel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo (c) Graham Richardson, plymothiantransit.com</td></tr>
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Lots of excellent photos of the buses are appearing online as we speak, so we thought we'd concentrate here on the humans: the people who volunteered to help in all sorts of ways, and those who turned up in their thousands to enjoy and learn from the buses. We hope the photos go some way towards capturing the unique spirit of our running day, as well as giving an insight into some of the less visible efforts that are essential to staging an event such as this.<br />
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Our running days are preceded by many months of preparation, the culmination of which involves an intensive programme of cleaning and preparing vehicles for service. Here, our volunteer cleaners wash Bristol LS 1376, one of fourteen buses and coaches scrubbed by hand, inside and out, in the days running up to Kingsbridge 2014.</div>
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Mechanical testing of the buses is an important part of the preparation. In the interest of safety, all participating vehicles are required to show a valid MOT certificate (or evidence of a road worthiness inspection in the case of vehicles exempt from MOT, by virtue of their age); but the vehicles must also be practically capable of withstanding the challenges of carrying passengers on often difficult terrain. Here, Dennis Mace 668 returns triumphant from its test under load - and is admired by some of its volunteer weights!</div>
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Wherever possible, period destination blinds (mostly from the Trust's archive) are loaned and fitted to the participating vehicles. Depending on age, condition and type of vehicle, installing a blind can be totally straightforward or an awkward, time consuming process. Here, a volunteer has apparently been driven mad by the challenges of installing blinds on Bristol FLF 1969....</div>
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Kingsbridge running day is noted for its beautiful scenery, and there's much opportunity to stand back and admire the surroundings. Instead, volunteer Driver Tancock chooses to admire his favourite vehicle... but is it really Bristol SUL 420, or the Dennis Mace, which is turning his head?</div>
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Demands on drivers and conductors are many, and Kingsbridge is known for being one of the more taxing running days. Here, an anonymous volunteer conductor enjoys the last few moments of a good night's sleep in the confines of our museum, ready to face the delights and challenges of a day helping the public.</div>
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All vehicles are crewed by suitably qualified volunteers, such as those above, dressed for action. Left to right: Conductor Farley; Conductor Silvester; Driver Sheppard (sr.); Conductor Page; Driver Sheppard (jr.); Driver Williams.</div>
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Months of logistics, weeks of washing buses, nights without sleep and hours of ironing uniforms - all become worthwhile when the passengers arrive for their rides. At Kingsbridge, the buses are as much an attraction for local people - keen to sample a part of their heritage and learn about a bygone way of life - as they are for the enthusiasts who travel the country to attend. Bristol SUL 420 re-loads at the picturesque East Portlemouth terminus after a dramatic trip through narrow, winding lanes that are unserved by bus services today.</div>
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Many hundreds of thousands of photographs are taken at Kingsbridge running day each year, and even our depot for the day - kindly provided by Tally Ho! Coaches - goes well chronicled. Bristol VRs 1056 and 1157, L 333, K 994, LH 1560 and SULs 1234, 425 and 420 catch the photographers' attention in the early morning sunshine.</div>
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The smiles and waves through the day are many...</div>
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Driving, conducting, marshalling, selling programmes and volunteering in general, all work up quite an appetite. As soon as the buses are safely locked away, the volunteers' dinner at The California Inn begins, offering a chance to swap stories from the day and to learn from each others' experience. </div>
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If you volunteered in any way, we'd like to thank you for helping to make this year's Kingsbridge Running Day another record breaker in terms of the number of people who came along to enjoy a ride on the vehicles. If you were among them, thank you for coming; we hope you learned a great deal about the adventures of rural bus travel in days gone by, and had a great time whilst doing so.</div>
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<em>Next year's Kingsbridge Running Day will take place on 19th September 2015, but there will be plenty of chances to see and ride on our vehicles between now and then. Our next event will be on October 18th/19th, when we'll be operating free bus services in the Thames Valley in conjunction with the </em><a href="https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Destinations/Events-and-Attractions/Great-Western-Heritage-Weekend"><em>Great Western Heritage Weekend</em></a><em>. More details will appear in due course on </em><a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/"><em>our website</em></a><em>.</em></div>
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TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-40737825584439688522014-07-08T16:33:00.000-07:002014-07-09T12:35:56.485-07:00Royal Blue & Associated Motorways Coach Run, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>The Trust is committed to sharing vehicles with the nation, so that current and future generations may learn about our transport heritage.</strong> </div>
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Whilst our running days focus on recreating the experience of bygone bus travel, another major highlight in the calendar is our annual run for express coaches.<br />
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We've been organising the Royal Blue & Associated Motorways Coach Run since 2002, each year recreating a different express coach route from the past, reuniting survivors from the famous Royal Blue fleet and other appropriate vehicles.<br />
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<a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/royalblue.htm">Past routes</a> have taken us all over the UK, including Penzance to Aberdeen and, last year, across the breadth of the South Coast from Kent to Cornwall; and we always call in at those unlikely little places where, would you believe, it was once possible to catch an express coach. <br />
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We stick as closely to the original roads and lanes as we can, avoiding the modern dual carriageways and motorways that have superseded them. We also try and stick to timings! Thus, drivers and passengers gain an authentic feel of what was expected of the coaches in service and how they performed - a true sense of what bygone coaching was all about.<br />
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And along the way, we collect many thousands of waves from local people who turn out to enjoy the coaches as they pass by. We prompt and harvest many memories and stories wherever we stop, from those who remember using the Royal Blue coaches for everything from holidays to courting purposes!<br />
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This year's run, in June, took us from London, through Surrey and Hampshire, 'home' to Bournemouth (birthplace of Royal Blue), through Dorset and across the Somerset levels to Bridgwater, down to Exeter, up through mid-Devon to Minehead, across Exmoor, and back down to Bridgwater. Quite an adventure for eighteen old coaches, some now well into their seventh decade.<br />
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The run is always well photographed, and there are many collections of photos online which tell the story, some of which have kindly been made available to us for use on the blog.<br />
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We thought you might like to join us for a virtual trip on the run...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photographs (c) TVaGWOT, unless otherwise stated.</span><br />
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At the kind invitation of <a href="http://www.tfl.gov.uk/">Transport for London</a>, we were able to recreate once familiar scenes at London's Victoria Coach Station, our departure point for the run. Fleets represented on the stands alongside Royal Blue included Western and Southern National (its parent companies), Wilts & Dorset, Red & White, H.R. Richmond and Greenline: a selection to match any Summer Saturday of the 1950s and 60s.</div>
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Here, Royal Blue 2270 leads 1299 out of the iconic art-deco coach station, ready for the journey out of London via Putney Bridge and Kingston-upon-Thames, and into the green leaves of Surrey...</div>
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... where Royal Blue 1460 is seen resisting the temptation of an early refreshment stop in Farnham.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo (c) Peter Delaney</td></tr>
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En-route to Winchester, Royal Blue 1250 - the oldest Royal Blue on the run, owned by TVaGWOT Chairman Colin Billington - shows off the elegant lines of its Duple body.</div>
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At Romsey, a low railway bridge necessitated a route variation for taller vehicles, namely the Royal Blue Bristol LS coaches with roof mounted luggage racks. Other types were able to proceed on the original route, and here we see Western National 420 - owned by TVaGWOT Trustee David Sheppard - about to make the tight squeeze.</div>
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Evidently, 420 made it unscathed, as witnessed by this triumphant pose outside the former stop for Royal Blue horse-drawn vehicles in Ringwood, with Driver Rampton at the wheel.</div>
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The comradery amongst drivers and passengers is a key feature of the run, and evenings are typically spent refuelling. But comradery is not exclusive to humans, as witnessed by this fine gathering in a Bournemouth hotel car park. </div>
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The following morning, coaches assemble into an impressive line-up at Bournemouth's Queen's Road coach park, the site of the former Bournemouth West station, terminus of the much lamented Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway from Bath. Drivers, passengers and well-wishers are somewhat less tidily arranged as they enjoy the spectacle.</div>
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A great highlight of the runs is the opportunity to reunite vehicles of the same type. Sisters, like Bristol MWs 2267 and 2246...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos above and below (c) Ken Jones</td></tr>
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... and Bristol SUs 420 and 425. The comparison between these vehicles is an important lesson in social history. The rise of the motor car and the foreign package holiday resulted in a decline in the market for local coach tours, meaning that many touring coaches were converted for use on stage-carriage (bus) routes. 420 (left) was converted, 425 (right) wasn't - compare and contrast...</div>
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On with the highlights:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo (c) Route 4 and More, Flickr</td></tr>
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This spectacular shot was taken alongside Wimborne Minster, and shows Red & White RC968 en-route from Bournemouth to Saturday's luncheon stop in Sherborne. Many photographers chase the coaches along to enjoy them at various locations along the run, and we're very lucky that so many have chosen to share their results this year.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo (c) Ken Jones</td></tr>
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Further comparisons between sisters, this time Bristol LS coaches over lunch at the Sherborne Hotel, with Southern National 1376 alongside Royal Blue 1299 and 2200.</div>
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Following a spectacular journey across the Somerset levels, RE, MW, SU, L and LS types rest at Bridgwater ahead of their journey to Exeter. During this stop a former Bridgwater-based Western National driver arrived to impart stories of a once legendary coach with a reputation for breaking down. Little did he realise he was standing in front of that very coach... (identity withheld to spare the blushes of David Sheppard Jr.).</div>
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An impromptu stop outside Taunton depot - once home for many of the vehicles on the run - proved to be a memorable highlight for photographers. How many years since such a variety of coaches graced the forecourt?</div>
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Exeter's Bus & Coach Station celebrates its 50th anniversary this month, so it was fitting that our run should visit on both the Saturday night and Sunday morning. Here, Southern National 1376 and others (in the mirror) are viewed from Western National 425, about to depart for Minehead on Sunday.</div>
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An incredible, unbroken convoy of no fewer than eight coaches was maintained for much of the journey to Minehead. The view from the back of Southern National 1376 reveals a mouth watering selection, lead by Western National 425.</div>
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From Minehead, narrow vehicles were selected to perform an Exmoor tour across some challenging terrain. Here, a pause is taken to admire the exceptional view from Dunkery Beacon before the long descent towards Porlock Weir.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo (c) Peter Delaney</td></tr>
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Triumphant after their outward journey, Wilts & Dorset 279 and Western National 425 pause to provide scenery for those enjoying a pub lunch in the sunshine at Porlock Weir.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo (c) Peter Delaney</td></tr>
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Meanwhile, back at Minehead, visitors to the West Somerset Railway were able to enjoy the spectacle of the wider coaches. Here, MWs 2250 and 2246 await departure with LS 1299.</div>
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Finally, coaches assembled at the current Bridgwater Bus Station to complete the run. </div>
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Countless thousands of people were able to enjoy the vehicles as they passed through no fewer than seven counties, covering several hundred miles of town and country roads. The Trust would like to thank the owners and drivers of all the coaches which joined us for this year's run. Thanks also to the many photographers who have made their work available for others to enjoy.</div>
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We hope you've enjoyed the journey, too.</div>
TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554811553615022503.post-48784862055823979382014-05-15T15:26:00.001-07:002014-05-16T05:15:49.790-07:00New Pals for Old Buses<em>A brand new blog, and look - already a follower...</em> <br />
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<strong>Welcome!</strong><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Crj3B099yFY/U3U5e82moOI/AAAAAAAAAE8/t9M8_a6G1UI/s1600/PEOPLE+-+Guy+on+the+Green+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Crj3B099yFY/U3U5e82moOI/AAAAAAAAAE8/t9M8_a6G1UI/s1600/PEOPLE+-+Guy+on+the+Green+1.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>You join us at a really exciting time for the Trust, as we look to make some new friends who perhaps we haven't met before. We hope the blog will be a great way of doing this, a chance to inspire you with our vehicles and our mission to keep them alive for the nation; we hope you'll make this the first of many, regular visits to learn about buses from a bygone age.<br />
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We've also launched a new <a href="http://www.facebook.com/tvagwot">Facebook</a> page which, if you follow it, will update you with opportunities to ride on our vehicles, and send you some pretty pictures from time to time.<br />
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And if you want to get to know us a little bit better, our <a href="http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/">main website</a> has more detailed information on the Trust's mission, and our many achievements to date.<br />
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The online world is a great way to inspire, but of course, nothing beats seeing the buses in person and learning from them up close. This weekend, we'll be exhibiting in the heart of the Thames Valley, with our stand at the <a href="http://www.fawleyhill.co.uk/">Fawley Hill Steam & Vintage Weekend</a>, a charity event hosted by Sir William McAlpine in the garden of his estate. (Shouldn't every garden be full of old buses?)<br />
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Our 1927 Great Western Railway Guy FBB will be joined on our stand by vehicles from some of the Trust's friends of old, forming a display that represents many different eras and types from across the Thames Valley & Great Western Corridor. We hope this will be a great place to meet new people with a thirst for learning about bygone buses - perhaps you'll join us?<br />
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We'll soon be posting about some of the many opportunities to get involved with the Trust, and if you think you could play a part in what we do, be sure to come back over the coming weeks to find out more. Or drop us an email now, to <a href="mailto:enquiries@tvagwot.org.uk">enquiries@tvagwot.org.uk</a>.<br />
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But for now we hope you'll enjoy getting to know us a bit better. We really look forward to getting to know you.<br />
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<em>P.S. We have a new logo (click to enlarge). Which bus is your favourite?</em><br />
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<br />TVaGWOT Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08585947896754276123noreply@blogger.com0