South-West Preservation Group

News

Sunday 17th January 2010
This day saw the sad day where the first bus in our group was sold to another group of preservationists.
Due to our relocation to smaller premises, we were no longer able to store all our vehicles in one location and due to the fact that Mark had to devote more time to his metrobus restoration program he was unable to give his other bus his full attention. It was therefore decided to put his former Fishwicks Leyland National (GCK 428W) up for sale to ensure it was not allowed to deteriorate and also free up some valuable space in our compact yard.
GCK was sold to members of the Lancashire Transport Trust and so is returning back home to Lancashire! This will be a good move for the National as no doubt she will be put through the workshops of The Busworks to get her back to tip top condition.
Saturday 14th November 2009

 

This day was set to be one of the windiest days in southern England in 2009. It was also the day that Matt and Mark set off to Ensignbus to collect the latest bus to join our group.

Setting off at 0630 we headed towards London. Once we approached Slough it started to get darker again due to the heavy rain clouds promising to unleash their worst upon us!

10am saw us get off our train at Purfleet to be picked up from an Ensignbus employee to take us to their premises.

We were greeted by the sight of the bus – ex Wilts & Dorset Bristol VR 3455, KRU855W undergoing final checks before being handed over. These were completed whilst we completed the paperwork and paid in full.

Peter Newman of Ensign then graciously gave us permission to go around the premises and take a few photos – Thank you Peter, very much appreciated!

 

Then it was homeward bound. Following filling up the fuel tank we set off onto the M25 and over the Dartford crossing – just as the 70mph gusts started and the rain got worse! Matt was trying to steer a straight line in the wind as well as keeping eyes firmly fixed forward as he is afraid of heights. I wish he told me before I tried to point out some sights to him!!

 

Once over the bridge we came off onto the A25 to follow this road through to Guildford. We stopped off en route to check the water levels as it looked as though the bus was running hot. A friendly local café let us fill up out water can but it wasn’t really needed – the water levels were OK. So, onward bound though Surrey towards Guildford. The wind was relentless and frequently tried to blow us off the road. Several flash floods were observed as well during the constant rain. Did I mention that the drivers windscreen wiper failed too? It was OK whilst we were moving as the wind took most of the rain off the windscreen. Every now and then we had to wipe the water from the screen by manually moving the wiper blade.

 

We made Guildford for a late lunch and the friendly Arriva controllers at the bus station let us park 4455 at the rear of the bus station to allow her to cool down (and for us to go and get some food!)

 

Suitably refreshed we set off Down the A31 and over the Hogs Back. The wind up there was horrendous and almost blew us into a ditch! We missed our turn for Basingstoke at Farnham which turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we then headed into Winchester. The guys at FoKAB were very welcoming with cups of tea (and biccies) and a friendly chat. They also got to look over 3455 as well – it will be returning there on 01/01/10

 

From there we headed off to Salisbury. We ensured the blinds were set for X4 SALISBURY as we pulled into the bus station and parked up on the back wall. A few drivers looked over with puzzled expressions. The duty inspector said it was OK to leave her there for a while whilst we got more piccies in the dark. We had to make sure that 3455 hadn’t crept onto the duty rota before we left!!

 

A swift drive in the dark over to Bristol and we were finally back home again after a long 14 hour day. Tired – but very happy.

 

You can follow the restoration of this bus on Matt's Flickr photostream by clicking here.

 

 

Saturday 7th November 2009

 

5120 returns home! Former GMT metrobus 5120, SND120X, made the trip up to the SELNEC 40 event held over 31/10 & 1/11 at Manchester's Museum of Transport and Eastlands stadium. This was the first time she has been in Manchester for nearly 9 years and joined over 30 former GMT/GMB vehicles.

Following the event, Mark Amis took her around her old operating area to recreate some old routes and to get some pictures in interesting locations. The best one was a picture of 5120 outside her old depot in Glossop where she was allocated for the majority of its service life with GMT/GMB.

 

A link to these pics can be found HERE

 

 

Saturday 29th August 2009

 

Another Bournemouth Fleetline joined the group today. Several members drove up to Kidderminster to collect the latest example, former Bournemouth 168, GRU168V. This is yet another fleetline that served with Thamesdown in its Studentbus fleet.

Following the sale of his former example, MFX175W, Matt regretted this decision and wanted to acquire another one. The oppertunity to purchase 168 came about through our friends and contacts and Matt lept at the chance. This will be a long term restoration as work needs to be performed on the bus before it can be put through an MOT again. Currently time is being spent on other buses in the group.

Pics of the bus and its restoration can be seen HERE

 

Tuesday 23rd June 2009

 
Newly acquired metrobus, SND120X made its first appearance at a bus rally in preservation when it made the trip south to Weymouth for the annual running day organised by the Devon & Dorset Group. An early start was made from bristol in order to be in Weymouth for 10am. The joys of owning a full height 14'6" bus was again made apparent when we were approaching Yeovil as ther were signs for a low bridge plated at 14'3" despite the truckers atlas saying it was 14'9". We didn't take the chance and diverted via Somerton!
On arrival at Weymouth we were met with lots of interested photographers as the sight of a Metrobus in the south West is rare - especially an ex Manchester one. Mind you, Axe Valley Travel used to run one and still have some London examples.
The pic shows 5120 on arrival at Weymouth displaying a destination usually associated with Oldham based metrobuses.
Later in the day, another SWPG vehicle made an appearance at the rally in the shape of newly acquired Tiger (FRU675Y). Several SWPG members were in attendance and it was good to get together for a chat. One member brought along a Black Velvet ex Lothian Olympian on behalf of his employer - a great vehicle to see and ride on as it made an inpromptue trip to Portland Bill and back.
 
Saturday 13th June 2009
 
Today was a swap day for the SWPG. We made an early (6am) start from Bristol to take Bristol VR No 11 (AHU518V) up to Reliance Bus Works in order for it to be refitted with a centre door. on arrival at RBW we were greeted with the site of our latest fleet member, ex GMPTE Metrobus 5120, SND120X (SWPG Fleet No 12).
This bus was sold from Stagecoach ownership in 2001 travelling up to Scotland. It has spent the last few years in The South Cheshire area.
Our trip south was via Stafford & Cannock before a low bridge halted our progress towards Walsall. After reversing several hundred yards up the road to turn around (and a vow to get a truckers atlas showing bridge heights!) we set off towards Wolverhampton and the M6 to Central Birmingham. The reason for this was to get a pic of a Manchester metrobus going around Old Square - something not seen very often, if at all! The destination of 400 - AIRPORT added to the confusion of bystanders ( and NXWM staff!)
After Birmingham we headed south calling in at Wythall Museum to compare their WMPTE Metrobus with our GMPTE example. It was suprising to see so many differences.
South to Bristol was down the A435 via Evesham and Cheltenham and the A38 to Bristol.
      
          AHU518V fuels up in Downend prior to heading to RBW to replace    Former GMPTE 5120 heads through the WMPTE Metrobus heartland
          its roller shutter with a new centre door as carried when new.              of Old Square in Central Birmingham. It gained a few strange looks!
 
Tuesday 9th June 2009
 
A new page has been added to introduce the new clothing range that the SWPG will be offering soon. 
 
Sunday 24th May 2009
 
Leyland Tiger No 5 (FRU675Y) has made the trip down from Reliance Bus Works in Stoke on Trent to Bristol - it is now less than 100 miles from her former Bournemouth home.
The day after the trip down from RBW, she entered her first rally in preservation by attending the Brijan open day. The pic shows the coach resting at Ringwood on the way down to the rally.
The next rally attended was her first one in Bristol, the annual Bristol Harbourside rally. Enthusiasts were treated to a trip on the coach as it provided one return trip on the Fishponds service.
As part of the 75th Anniversary celebrations on Assosiated Motorways, FRU formed part of a cavalcade of coaches leaving Bristol heading out to Aust Interchange on 23rd May. It is testement to its looks that this coach didn't look out of place amongst the modern National Express coaches!
The next day, she attended the gathering of coaches at the site of the former Black & White coach station in Cheltenham for the 75th Anniversary celebrations. As well as providing several services, Matt also was proud to form part of the mass departure at 4pm. It almost brought a tear to his eyes! 
 
Wednesday 15th April 2009
 
It has been confirmed today that the SWPG will be providing two vehicles for all day service at the forthcoming Bristol Harbourside rally on 17th May. Bristol VR EWS739W and National 2 GCK428W will be providing an hourly service on  former Bristol city service 19 from the rally site at Canons Marsh to Fishponds via Stapleton. Another privately owned ex Bristol Omnibus Bristol RE will provide a connecting service from Canons Marsh over the other half of the old service out to Ashton Vale due to a low brdge en route!
It is hoped that three other vehicles will be on display, Tiger FRU675Y, Metrobus SND120X and Bristol VR AHU518V. The Tiger and Metrobus may also be driven through Bristol city centre for a photo oppertunity during the morning. No passengers will be carried.
 
Thursday 9th April 2009
 
Following my (Mark Amis) appeal for help in repairing the power steering ram on the National 2, I was greatful to its original owner - Fishwicks of Leyland - who loaned me several tools in order to repair the bus.
GCK was back down at Premier today who managed to successfully repair the bus and re-presented her for an MOT. The good news was that she PASSED!!
Therefore GCK will now be able to attend the proposed rallies this year as planned - the first being the Bristol Harbourside Rally on May 17th.
 
Friday 20th March 2009
 
National 2 GCK428W has been down at Premier Bus & Coach this week for its 6 monthly inspection and MOT. The bad news is that she failed the MOT!!

The reason for the failure was that the power steering ram on the front nearside had 3/8ths of an inch of play. Sometimes this wouldn't be an issue with a preserved bus and an understanding inspector but as it was a newly qualified inspector he wouldn't let it go. Although it is annoying, I can see why it was failed. Apart from this, everything else was spot on.

The further bad news is that the tool required to adjust this part is a specialised one especially for the National/National 2 which they don't have down at Premier and apparently they are rare anyway.

Does anyone know of the whereabouts of one of these tools which I can borrow for a few weeks in order to get the repair done. I will gladly pay for its loan. Apparently it goes over the locking nut and has three prongs which fasten onto the part needing to be adjusted. If this cannot be done or arranged before the end of the month then I will have to have a new one fitted which I have been quoted around £600 to do as there aren't many places in the UK which are willing to do this work. If this happens then I will declare the bus SORN until I can afford to get the work carried out.

This will mean that GCK will miss the rally season this year - at least I will have my metrobus to take to rallies.