South-West Preservation Group

 

To end a very busy month in the SWPG, yet another vehicle was acquired for preservation. James Willmott has been chasing one of the ex Bristol Cityline Dual Door VR’s for the last few years, but they appear to be as rare as Hens Teeth. However after a lot of research, and a lot of thanks to Rob Sly’s excellent VR website. James managed to track down AHU 518V, which was currently being used as a soup kitchen for the homeless in the North East (Sunderland, Newcastle & Durham),

James and matt undertook a 750 mile 14.5hr long round trip to collect the bus from near Sunderland to bring her back down to Bristol.

Due to its former use, a lot of work will need to be performed on her as most of the seating has been removed. Luckily, despite a roller shutter door being in the middle, most of the original door mechanism is still present - thus making its eventual restoration easier.

 

 

Two more buses join the group. Following inspections by Mark Amis, two more vehicles have been acquired from a Cheshire based operator.

 

SND120X is a former Greater Manchester Transport MCW Metrobus, fleetnumber 5120. It is currently in the livery of Billy Davies Coaches, Plean, Stirlingshire. The bus had been rebuilt at the rear by GMS Buses in order to rectify structural problems that Metrobuses are known for. The plan is for its new owner - Mark Amis - to restore the bus into one of the many liveries it carried in the Manchester area, most likely to be GMS Buses livery just prior to their sale to Stagecoach.

 

FRU675Y is a Leyland Tiger that was new as KGS490Y to Travellers of London. It was sold to Bournemouth Transport as their fleet number 94 in the Yellow Coaches fleet. Its new owner - Matt Reynolds - intends to restore the coach back into this condition.

Both vehicles will recieve new MOT's after remedial work at Reliance Bus Works before being transferred back to the Bristol area.

 

A new vehicle joins the group. On selling LFJ Matt acquired a former Bristol Cityline Leyland Lynx.

As can be seen by the picture it is still in First "Barbie 2" livery with fleetnumber 62611.

Matts intention is to restore the vehicle into its original livery as Bristol Cityline Overground 1611 with Winterstoke Rd depot plates.

There is still a lot of remedial work to be carried out before it can undergo an MOT test, once this is done it will be transferred to Reliance Bus Works in order for more mechanical and body repairs are undertaken. It is a typical Lynx of its era and there will be plenty of structural repairs required. Once these have been carried out, it will be repainted into the Yellow, Red & Blue Cityline livery.

 

 

 

 

The two buses up for sale have now been sold.

GRU162V has been sold to Bournemouth Aviation Museum and is staying within the SWPG. It will be on static display and occasionally let loose to attend rallies.

Unfortunately, LFJ859W has been sold out of the group. It was acquired by Bristol Bus & Coach (Mundens) and it to be repanelled and refurbished prior to be exported to Italy for use as a promotional vehicle around Venice. 

 

Unfortunately Matthew Reynolds has decided to sell his ex-Devon General VR LFJ 859W (1212). The decision has not been made lightly, and Matthew does have his eye on another vehicle which will become apparent once a deal has been struck. Matthew would like to see his VR go to a new home in this country, but if the only option is to sell her abroad then this is what will happen.

 

Bids are starting at £500, with a closed reserve price on her. The vehicle currently has 10 months MOT (Nov 2009) & 5 months tax (July 2009). A lot of work will need on the bodywork, but the chassis and engine have already had the Reliance Bus Works treatment and she runs like a dream. 

 

 

We have had our journeys and timings confirmed from Fokab today. Our feeder service from Bath (route A) is as follows :

Bath (Avon St coach park) 0645, Chippenham (Rail Stn) 0705, Chippenham (Bus Stn) 0710, Marlborough (High St) 0745, Winchester 0915

We will be running three return trips on route 25 (Guildhall - Badger Farm) leaving at 1020, 1120 and 1220. Each return trip takes 35 minutes. Journeys later in the afternoon will be provided by another National 2, former Provincial 125 (NLP389V) for those who want to enjoy 680 thrash up and down Romsey Rd all day!!

The return feeder service is booked to leave the bus station at 1630 arriving back in Bath at around 1900. If you are travelling back as far as Bath there is another feeder service leaving at 1700 travelling via Salisbury and the A36 arriving in Bath at around 1900, and on to Bristol for 1940. This service will be run by ex Badgerline Leopard PWS492S owned by Kelvin Amos. Therefore there is a choice of 680 thrash on the return leg. Contact Kelvin on ka92@blueyonder.co.uk for details.