Bristol VR

[neilmc]

Whilst on holiday in Cornwall this week, I was astonished to see a Bristol VR in service with Western Greyhound - it appeared to be on standard stage carriage work as it was arriving at a supermarket in Newquay. Amazing how much life can be got out of a bus if the operators are determined to do so.

 

[GearJammer]

Whilst on holiday in Cornwall this week, I was astonished to see a Bristol VR in service with Western Greyhound - it appeared to be on standard stage carriage work as it was arriving at a supermarket in Newquay. Amazing how much life can be got out of a bus if the operators are determined to do so.

I can't be the only one on here that went to the Crewe Heritage Centre open day, run with Freightliner who gave tours of Basford Hall yard recently (i forget the date) There was a bus service running from the Heritage centre to Basford Hall useing an old Mk2 Leyland National, WBW 735X, i was convinced it was a preserved example as it was in such good condition, after the tour i got off the bus and spoke to the driver (with the intention of giving a donation towards its upkeep) who said it was'nt preserved but still in revenue use, it was running with the name 'Routemaster Buses' on it painted two tone green.

 

[34D]

I can't be the only one on here that went to the Crewe Heritage Centre open day, run with Freightliner who gave tours of Basford Hall yard recently (i forget the date) There was a bus service running from the Heritage centre to Basford Hall useing an old Mk2 Leyland National, WBW 735X, i was convinced it was a preserved example as it was in such good condition, after the tour i got off the bus and spoke to the driver (with the intention of giving a donation towards its upkeep) who said it was'nt preserved but still in revenue use, it was running with the name 'Routemaster Buses' on it painted two tone green.

They're an enthusiast come operator http://www​.routemasterbuses.co.uk/

 

[BestWestern]

Whilst on holiday in Cornwall this week, I was astonished to see a Bristol VR in service with Western Greyhound - it appeared to be on standard stage carriage work as it was arriving at a supermarket in Newquay. Amazing how much life can be got out of a bus if the operators are determined to do so.

Only a guess, but I would imagine that it's perhaps 'semi preserved', i.e. they use it on normal duties from time to time.

 

[fgwrich]

Only a guess, but I would imagine that it's perhaps 'semi preserved', i.e. they use it on normal duties from time to time.

Close enough. Both Western Greyhound VRs are in WG's Heritage Fleet:

Western Greyhound Heritage Fleet (6)
RM1062 62 CLT AEC Routemaster roller blinds RM1062 Park Royal H38/26R 1/1/62
RMA11 NMY 648E AEC Routemaster roller blinds R2RH22854 Park Royal B54340 H33/24F 03/03/1967
RML2737 SMK 737F AEC Routemaster roller blinds RML2737 Park Royal H40/32R 16/11/1967
RF141 MLL 528 MLL 589 (RF202) AEC Regal IV roller blinds 9821LT1050 Metro-Cammell B39F 25/03/1952
258 LFJ 858W analogue Bristol VRT/SL3/6LXB roller blinds VRT/SL3/2674 Eastern Coachworks 24477 H43/31F 01/12/1980
259 JWV 259W Bristol VRT/SL3/6LXB roller blinds VRT/SL3/2757 Eastern Coachworks 24661 H43/31F 01/02/1981

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29197902@N06/4535231927/

And usually comes out to play on the route 501 - Penzance - Porthcurno - Lands End – Sennen Cove - Penzance. In fact, ex Western National LFJ 858W is branded for this service. The other Bristol VR in WG's Heritage Fleet is ex Southdown JWV 259W, which is / was a convertible open topper.

In fact, quite a few companies will still use heritage vehicles from time to time & for various events. My local, Stagecoach in Hampshire has recently saved one of the original Leyland Olympians - F601 MSL and refurbished / repainted it back into original condition. This has been joined by repainted / refurbished Bristol VR JOU 160P, and at last weekend’s Goodwood Revival - Stagecoaches very own Bristol FLF Lodekka JAH 553D.

That should do for now, rather tired and have to be up early in this morning so i'll try and do a better post this evening, but there’s an answer for now. Oh and if you want a Western National fleet list:
http://www.westerngreyhound.com/enthusiasts.php
Another place where you can still find heritage vehicles in service are Dartmouth – for the Paignton & Dartmouth Railways bus services – usually in the summer a few ex Southdown VRs, and also in summer – a open top Leyland Atlantian now owned and operated by Xela Bus in Portsmouth.