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News plus. The latest from the world of bus preservation.

Leopard on the prowl. With help from Martyn Evans, Philip Lamb tells the story of Rhymney Valley East Lancs-bodied Leyland Leopard No 16 (YBO 16T).

Return Journey: Down in the Rhymney Valley. We look back at the 14 brief RVDC years . . .

On the road. With pictures courtesy of Anthony Hicks, David Jukes presents a further selection of Spring running days.

Sure as the sunrise. Steven Booth reports on celebrations to mark the 120th anniversary of Albion Motors.

Sunny Essex. The sun shone for much of the day at the Amberley Spring Bus Show, held at Amberley Museum on 27 April; resident and visiting open-top buses thereby proved very popular with the day's visitors. David Jukes illustrates those and some of the other vehicles present.

Split the SPG! Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust Chair Steven Booth reports on an event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Scottish Bus Group split.

Barry festival. Tudor Thomas reports on this year's Barry Festival of Transport.

Back from the brink. Former North Western RCC 846 (RDB 846), an AEC Reliance with Alexander body was on the verge of being scraped in 2021. Simon Gill learns how this rare bus survived and what has been done to get it back on the road.

Regent Three. John G. Lidstone attended the Ipswich Motorbus 75 event.

Return journey: Ipswich in the age of the motorbus. From the beginning we review the Ipswich motorbus fleet delivered between 1950 and 1981.

Preserving the present. Philip Lamb reports on a 20-year-old Alexander-Dennis Trident new in preservation.

Coaching classics: aim for the sky. . . We take a look at the first purpose-built double-deck coach to achieve success in the UK, the Neoplan Skyliner.

Off route. A new rally with some innovative ideas, a United Counties find in North Carolina and a strange road sign at Wells-next-the-Sea. Over to Nick Larkin.

The model page. John G. Lidstone complements Ipswich Motorbus 75 in miniature.

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Daimler's ups and downs. Bought straight out of service by local enthusiasts, this magnificent Northampton Transport 1965 Roe-bodied Daimler CVG6 fell on hard times before being revived and then nearly lost forever in an horrific accident. Nick Larkin reports.

Return journey: Northampton in GRT days. Northampton Transport was acquired by Grampian Regional Transport in 1993. At that point the future of the town's former municipal operator looked promising. Time would prove otherwise.

On the road. David Jukes presents a Spring selection of running days.

LBM Spring gathering. The London Bus Museum held its 2025 Spring Gathering at its Brooklands Museum home on 13 April. David Jukes illustrates some of the many vehicles present.

Standing room only. John G. Lidstone battled the crowds at the Route 19 Running Day.

Keighley. Philip Lamb attended the event at Keighley on Sunday 13 April.

Bristol at Barry. A Bristol VRT has been restored to a livery once worn in service.

Winchester: The Big annual Running Day. The Friends of King Alfred Buses held its very popular Original King Alfred Running Day in and around Winchester on 5 May. David Jukes illustrates some of the many operating and displayed buses and coaches.

Coaching Classics: Commer Avenger. Commer's forward-control Avenger was a serious attempt to rival the Bedford OB. Its distinctive 'T' grille not only formed the basis of many coaches but also fire engines, pantechnicons, horseboxes etc.

Lucky Number 7s. Ashley Blackman report on the progress made on the restoration of East Yorkshire AEC Renown 7787 (CKH 777C)

Out to Grass: Coaching selection. Coaches often ended their days away from major scrapyards. Instead they festered in operators yards, minor scrapyards and in one case here at preservation centre! Take a look at these . . . .

Off route. A sad former depot demise, a strange bus stop for schoolgirls and time to meet Harvey the Newfoundland and Colin the tortoise. Nick Larkin presents a Northampton Off Route special!

The model Page: Sea Dogs and Titans. John G. Lidstone takes a look at EFE Road's latest releases.

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A unique survivor. T448 (CXX 171), a 1936 Wemann-bodied AEC REgal, was the final example of the 9T9 class to remain in London Transport service, and is now the sole survivor as David Jukes reports.

Coaching Classics: Green Line. The Green Line network has seen many changes over the years, and continues to evolve to the present day. Here we take a look at its progress through the 1970s.

On the road. This month's selection of active preserved and older service buses is presented by David Jukes.

New season at St Helens. Ian Williamson and Philip Lamb visit the opening event at the North West Museum of Road Transport, St Helens on Sunday 16 March.

Wood Green to 'Ally Pally' John G. Lidstone takes a look at the Wood Green Running Day.

A fair way to travel. Philip Lamb and Terry Morris recall the Liverpool Pier Head to Kirkby routes operated by Fareway Passenger Services highlighting a now-restored Leyland Olympian.

Ernie's retro wheels. Ashley Blackman shares how Oxford Bus Museum is breathing new life into its event calendar with the launch of Ernie's Retro Wheels, a nostalgic celebration of classic buses.

After they were famous: Lodekkas. Bristol Lodekkas were popular as non-PSVs when their days as service buses were over. Take a look at these . . .

Return journey. Founded by Henry Hulley in 1921, the ownership of the company changes hands more than once, but the name of its founder survived until the end, which came in March of this year. We look back . . .

Off route. Surely the most bizarre Routemaster model ever. Over to Nick Larkin.

The model page. Fabulous Fanfare: John G. Lidstone examines in detail the Oxford Die-cast 1/43 Weyman Fanfare.

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Conserving no 42. David Jukes has co-owned former Eastbourne Corporation 42 (AHC 442), a 1951 Bruce-bodied AEC Regent III, for over 20 years. A change in employment hours has provided time to undertake restoration work.

Return Journey: Bristol City line. These views are now at least 28 years old! We celebrate a great post-deregulation Livery.

On the road. David Jukes presents another selection of older buses and coaches (and trams) from both the UK and New Zealand.

Summer Camp. In the Summer of 1978, former Bristol Omnibus Co Bristol MW5G 2572 (931 RAE) took a Scout group to the French Alps. Keith Chadbourne describes how it came about to Simon Gill.

After they were famous: Bristol LS. We have heard a lot about Bristol Ls of late in the magazine. Here for a third and final (for now) time we visit the type for now with a round-up of the type in non-PSV use.

Bristol to London 100 years of service. Dr Mike Walker of the Bristol Omnibus Vehicle Collection brings us a detailed account of an event marking the centenary of the first express coach service in the world.

Bad weather moments. Winter is not fun for bus drivers - even less so now they're on their own. Here are some tales from the driver's seat with John G. Lidstone.

A new chapter begins. Following the recent Annual General Meeting at the Oxford Bus Museum, teh Routemaster Association is entering an exciting new phase under the leadership of newly elected Chairman, David Lee, Ashley Blackman reports.

Get me to the plane on time. Kenneth Barclay describes the work needed to get his recently acquired Van Hool-bodied T9 back on the road complete with an MOT certificate.

Coaching classics: Early NBC coaches. With former BET fleets bringing to the party a variety of coach body styles some odd applications of fleetnames on the all-over white livery occurred. Check these out . . .

Off route. Surely the most bizarre omnibus-related LP record ever, contrasting Nottingham images and delicious cake. Over to Nick Larkin.

The model page: Fantastic Fleetline. John G. Lidstone makes a return visit to looks at Rapido's illuminated WMPTE standard.

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The spaceship has landed. Former City of Portsmouth 123 (STP 995), a 1959 Metro-Cammel-bodied Leyland Titan PD3/6, is part of the City of Portsmouth Preserved Transport Depot's active fleet as David Jukes reports.

Return Journey: unusual colours - home and away. A selection of Portsmouth Leyland Atlanteans in a variety of guises before and after being sold on and a couple of 'late-comers' which joined the fleet in its declining years.

Trolley times. A visit to the Portsmouth system which closed in 1963.

On the road. David Jukes presents another selection of older buses and coaches still working in this county.

Madiera arrival. Philip Lamb talks to Shane Howarth of the 'Riding with Rodoeste' Preservation Group which has brought two Volvo B10M saloons from Madeira to the UK for long-term preservation.

Sipsmith saloon. John G. Lidstone looks at two lives of former Crosville SLG150.

After they were famous: weird and wonderful. A mixture of wonderful saloon buses servicing as non-PSVs fron a Leyland Royal Tiger to a National arctic . . .

Back to poppy red. Having worn West Midlands PTE livery for several years, former Midland Red DD13-class Daimler Fleetline No 6225 (UHA 225H) was returned to NBC poppy red during the pandemic, as Simon Gill reports.

Return Journey: Midland alternative. Faced with the inevitable ed of the line for home-grown buses, Midland Red turned to the Daimler Fleetline to meet future double-deck requirements. Here is a selection.

The works. This month Ashley Blackman revisits his passion for bringing vehicles back to life as he begins a new series about the art of restorations which will also include tips and words of wisdom from other notable professional restorers.

The model page; Bedford OB gathering at 'Forge Quay'. In B&BP, January, John G. Lidstone previewed the upcoming six releases of the Bedford OB in 1/76 scale by EFE Road. In this issue, he focuses on the coaches, details of the models and pictures of them posed at 'Forge Quay'.

Off route. What happened to fare tables and the bargain buses you could have bought in 1955? Over to Nick Larkin.

Burwell & District survivor. Having moved to Cambridge in 2021 Stephen Morris discovered a leaflet about the Burwell Museum, claiming it had the last Burwell & District bus. Following it up he discovered a hidden gem.

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NTA spotlight. The National Trolleybus Association was previously profiled within these pages in July 2016. David Jukes finds out more about subsequent developments.

Southend's 'Santa bus'. The bleak times of 2020, when we were all sternly told to 'stay indoors' did lead to a kind and good thing for Southend: it's first 'Santa bus'. John G. Lidstone reports.

On the road. David Jukes presents another selection of active older service and preserved buses.

After they were famous: Rear-engined miscellany. The passage of time has seen a decline in non-PSV use of buses when their working lives have come to an end, so rear-engined examples were notably fewer in number.

Prom Atlantean. James Baxter describes the recovery of a Lothain Leyland Atlantean L806 (EWS 806D) to the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum at Lathalmond.

Coaching classics: The invaders. The late-1960s saw the first volume foreign-built coaches arrive in the UK, when dealer Alf Mosley introduced its 'Mosley Continental' range. Many more were to follow . . .

Archway running day. Hugh Jones went along to this event, which was held in support of charities.

A childhood obsession realised. Several preserved buses have been restored more than once and former Crosville Bristol L5G KG118 (KFM 767) is no exception. Simon Gill has been to Somerset to find out more and brings us the full story.

Return journey: Crosville in NBC days. Crosville was one of our largest bus companies, known to hundreds of enthusiasts as a result of the operator's prominence in North Wales, a holiday area to which people, in particularly from the North West, flocked.

A preservation jewel. Ashley Blackman learns from pioneer preservationist Derek Priddle how he came to own such a fine collection of preserved vehicles and his connections to the Isle of Wight.

Should have been preserved. Ever stumbled across a photo of a lost bus or coach and thought what a shame it wasn't preserved? Nick Larkin has a few suggestions . . .

The model page. John G. Lidstone takes a look at the 1/76th CMB ancillary Guy Arabs models.

Off route. Alleged proof that Paddiington Bear is a bus fan! Also! Remembering when £285 bought you a straight from service I939 AEC Regent. Over to Nick Larkin.

Christmas lights heritage in London. John G. Lidstone reviews some of the preserved vehicles taking part in London's Christmas Lights tour.

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News plus. The latest from the world of bus preservation.

A diamond Dennis. Very few preserved buses and coaches have been co-owned and owned by the same person for 60 years. Tim Stubbs has done just that with his former Aldershot & District Dennis Lance, as David Jukes reports.

Return journey: Garrison Town. A look back at Aldershot & District in pre NBS days.

On the road. David Jukes presents this month's selection of older buses and coaches at work in the UK.

A tale of two coaches. They vary in looks, in sound and have had widely different careers. Nick Larkin looks at two contrasting coach additions to the Northampton Transport Heritage fleet.

All's well that ends well. A touch of Shakespeare as Malcolm Keeley reviews a Stratford-Upon-Avon bus.

GVVT open weekend 2024. A large number of buses from the collection at Bridgeton were out on the road supplemented by a wide array of visiting vehicles from across Scotland, the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland

Strathclyde PT's Wheels, Thrills and Family Day. Donald Booth outlines Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust's input to Strathclyde PT''s 'Wheels, Thrills and Family day' at Glasgow's Buchanan Bus Station on Sunday 20 October.

AVI 50th birthday. Stephen Booth brings us news of a memorable Ailsa milestone.

Reviving the museum. Ashley Blackman shares how Oxford Bus Museum is breathing new life into its events with the new Ernie's Retro Wheels event, Heritage Skills Day and building relationships with pioneer preservationists.

Coaching classics: The Panorama story. An A-Z of the Plaxton Panorama.

The bus magnet. In the first of an occasional series, John G. Lidstone takes a look at the surprising variety of vehicle categories and themes within which he can tell the story of bus photography at a certain pair of bus stops over the past 60 years.

An re renaissance ride. Owner Steve Graham tells Simon Gill about a Continental coach tour to Alassio and onaco recreated in May 2024 using his former Crosville Britol RELH6G CRG530(AFM 105B).

Off route. Great new restorations with off Route connections, the importance of numberplates and erm, one more train! Over to Nick Larkin.

The model page. John G. Lidstone examines Spark's 1/43 Lotus Fl team AEC Swift car transporter.

Busmart. B&CP's comprehensive advertising section, where you can buy or sell any bus-related item.

News plus. The latest from the world of bus preservation.

Cardiff Crossley twice preserved. On Monday 26 February 2024, Cardiff 46 (EBO 900), an Alexander-bodied Crossley DD42/7, new in June 1949, and thought to be the first Welsh bus to be preserved, took up residence at The Bus Depot, Barry. Glyn Bowen reports.

Liverbird! Terry Morris tells the story of now preserved Liverbus 211 (L211 SBG), a Northern Counties Palatine 11-bodied Volvo Olympian.

Out to Grass. Another selection of buses and coaches past their 'sell-by date'.

On the road. David Jukes presents this month's selection of active older service and preserved buses.

After they were famous: recovery! This month we bring you a selection of buses and coaches converted into recovery trucks.

PD Pioneer. Brighton Corporation 23 (23 ACD), a 1962 Weymann-bodied Leyland Titan PD2/37, was the UK's first one-person-operated double-deck service bus. David Jukes find out more.

Return journey: Brighton Blue. We take a journey through the years when Brighton's buses turned blue.

Canvey 90. John G. Lidstone marks Canvey Depot's 'Birthday Bash'.

In the twilight in Kirkby. We visit the NWVRT's twilight event again this year.

Coaching classics: We celebrate 85 years since the first examples took to the roads and the announcement by EFE Road of a revamped version of its 1/76th scale model of this all-time classic British coach.

From banking to buses. Ashley Blackman has dinner with Bob Stanger in York to learn about his passion for London Transport and how he went from a corporate job in banking to his dream of driving buses.

A personal recreation. Simon Gill catches up with Karl Brailsford following the launch of his newly repainted former Crosville Leyland Olympian B190 BLG, which was unveiled at the Transport Museum Wythall during the Midland Red 120 event on 6 October 2024.

Return journey: The early Olympians. Leyland introduced the Olympian in 1981. It proved to be a major success with almost all NBC subsidiaries taking the newcomer into their fleets.

The model page: Bedford OB Recast. John G. Lidstone previews EFE Road's revamped Bedford OB.

Off route. Tributes to Metro-Cammell and remembering the last of the Routemasters now 20 years ago.

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News Plus. The latest from the world of bus preservation.

Join us a Wythall! Sunday 6 October will be a special day for Transport Museum Wythall and the history of Midland Red. Denis Chick Reports.

Let the D10 detain you . . . Malcom Keeley reviews a most unusual Midland Red bus.

On the road. David Jukes presents another selection of active older buses and coaches.

Marvelous Macau. John G Lidstone looks back a Bristol L5Gs on frontline service in Macau in the 1980s.

The Leaning Leyland. Doncaster 94 (EDT 703) is a 1947 Leyland Titan PD2/1 fitted with a 1955 ex-trolleybus Roe body in 1963, the restoration of which is now complete. David Jukes reports.

Manchester in the 1960s. Paul Williams reports on an event to celebrate buses from the 1960s at the Manchester Museum of Transport.

Manx centenary celebration. A six-day festival celebrating the Isle of Man's heritage transport network occured in July. Hugh Jones was there to record the event.

A glasgow centenary. Steven Booth reports on a celebration of 100 years of motorbuses in Glasgow.

Coaching Classics: Aldershot express. the 1960s saw a number of coaches built to meet certain operator's specific requirements. Try this one . . .

The 'Wee Bedford' Ashley Blackman speaks with preservationist Jonathan Miller, about the recently completed restoration of his Northern Ireland Road Transport NIRTB) Bedford OWB No V957 (GZ 783)

Kyiv connection. John G. Lidstone looks at Kyiv's Routemaster connection.

Crossville rarity. A former Crosville Motor Services Bristol LWL6B, No KW229 (LFM 810), has changed ownership and, as Simon Gill discovers, it is a welcome rare survivor of the latest Tilling Group half-cab single-decker.

Return journey: Crosville retrospect. Operating buses throughout north Wales and a considerable swathe of North-wet England, demand for Crosville's services was high. Here are some of the buses placed in service over the years with that in mind.

The model page: Berlin return. John G. Lidstone returns to the 1:43 Minichamps Berlin Bussing D2U, to examine it in close-up.

Off route. Tram tickets hidden for 100 years unearthed and meet surely B&CP's youngest reader: Over to Nick Larkin.

After they were famous.: Lodeka learners. Here are three low-decker trainers, two of which have sadly been scrapped.

Busmart. B&CP's comprehensive advertising section where you can buy or sell and bus-related item.

News Plus. The latest from the world of bus preservation.

Thoroughbred in Scotland. Lindsay White and Philip Lamb take a look at the recent restoration of Tayside 248 (SSN 248S), a 1977 Alexander-bodied Ailsa.

Return Journey: The Tayside Years. We focus on Dundee's Tayside RC era illustrating the main types operated in what was a fairly standardised fleet.

On the road. David Jukes presents another selection of active older buses and coaches.

Euro stars. Robert Krueger has a passion for saving rare European-build coaches new to British operators, not least a new unique Mercedes-engined Van Hool T815 Alicron. Nick Larkin finds out more.

After they were famous: Blackpool ancillaries. We look back at some of Blackpool's Leyland Titans after they had been relegated to non-PSV use.

Citybus comeback. John G. Lidstone savours Eastern National's last new Bristol.

RM70. David Jukes reports on this international event.

A Routemaster weekend. Denis Chick tells the story of Transport Museaum Wythall's AEC Routemaster RCL 2219's visit to RM70.

Sandtoft gathering 2024. This year's well-attended Gathering took place at The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft on a hot sunny Sunday 28 July with a preview the previous day. David Jukes illustrates some of the attractions on show:

Brislington 2024. This year's Bristol Vintage Bus Group's Annual Rally was held at its regular venue, the Brislington Park & Ride site on Sunday 2 August. Ian Williamson reports.

The 'Low-ish' floor running day. This event running between Godstone Green and East Grinstead was organised by The North London Collection. Over to Nigel Appleford.

Coaching classics: Trumpets and Gems. We revisit the Waymann Fanfare and take a look at the Weymann Topaz II arrived in the 1960s.

Dreams do come true. Ashley Blackman sits down with West Yorkshire preservationist Neil Halliday to discover how he came to own a trio of Bristol VRTs from his favourite operator, achieving a full complement of series 1, 2 and 3 to restore and rally.

Return journey: York-West Yorkshire. We look back to the v1970s and 1980s in York.

Celebrating anniversaries. Simon Gill considers the importance of celebrating anniversaries and how these are a golden opportunity

The model page. John G. Lidstone takes a close look at the corgi 1/64 'San Monique Transport' RT.

The model page extra. John G. Lidstone previews EFE Road's London RMC re-releases.

Off route. Happy retirement to a Dennis Dominator after almost 40 years servicing the people of Ipswich and tributes to Mercedes-Benz minibuses. Over to Nick Larkin.

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The big move. John G. Lidstone was on hand to witness an unusual convoy!

Try and try again! Simon Gill explores the history and restoration of former Leicester City Transport Bristol RELL6L No 122 (TRY 122H) that has returned to the rally scene after an absence of 30 years.

On the road. David Jukes presents another selection of active older buses and coaches.

Val adored. A magnificent Duple-bodied Bedford VAL coveted as a special vehicle by successive owners for more than 50 years is the newest member of the Lodge Coaches 'Toybox' heritage fleet. Nick Larkin reports.

Glasgow West End bus fest. Steven Booth, Chair of GVVT, shares pictures of some of the vehicles that took part.

Recalling route 406. The London Bus Museum's latest Running Day saw around 30 heritage vehicles operate over Route 406, David Jukes illustrates some of the runners and riders.

Cheltenham anniversaries. Coaches ruled over the weekend of 4/5 July. Philip Lamb explains.

After they were famous: Second use Lodekkas. Most of the non-PSV Lodekkas seen here are in service in the UK, but were later exported.

Moving into the 'modern' era. Transport Museum Wythall Trustee, James Munro, takes a look at the story of the museum's Dennis Trident. Travel West Midlands 4321 (BX02 ASV)

Out to grass. See what lies sleeping at an undisclosed location.

Coaching classics: Plaxton the Heavyweights. Following on from our round-up of Duple Northern coaches in the last issue, we visit here Plaxtons to take an look at some of its equivalent offerings.

Changing times. Ashley Blackman muses over the ever-changing bus and coach event landscape. Be it a rally, running day of a road run the majority of us can't wait to mark next year's events on our calendar.

South Coast success. Philip Lamb is re-united with a Brighton & Hove Optare Sigma, her first encountered 27 years ago.

Return journey: Brighton Beautiful. Brighon & Hove remains one of our top bus operators. Here we look back in to 1997 . . .

The model page. John G. Lidstone reviews the 1:43 Minichamps Berlin Bussing D2U.

Off route. A titan with a difference, a legendary sign revived and a Routemaster revelation. Over to Nick Larkin.

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