Exeter vintage bus day 19/03/17

[Cowley]

Hello folks, I don't normally frequent this area of the forum so I'm sorry if this has been posted before.
I'm hoping to spend a bit of time on Sunday riding on the old buses with my dad, my other half and our kids.
There doesn't seem to be much information online as to what's running where and when and I was wondering if anyone had any idea?

Thanks all.

 

[83G/84D]

Some events do not announce their list of buses until the day as there are inevitably a few "no shows" due to unreliability, breakdowns etc. As for routes I am not sure why nothing has been posted prior to the event, as you say information is a bit sparse.

I am travelling up tomorrow, guess we'll have to sort out what buses we ride on and where we go when we see the programme.

Enjoy the day!

 

[Cowley]

Some events do not announce their list of buses until the day as there are inevitably a few "no shows" due to unreliability, breakdowns etc. As for routes I am not sure why nothing has been posted prior to the event, as you say information is a bit sparse.

I am travelling up tomorrow, guess we'll have to sort out what buses we ride on and where we go when we see the programme.

Enjoy the day!

It's not just me then . Thanks, should be good I reckon.

 

[carlberry]

I believe the intention is to concentrate on the local Exeter City/Devon General routes and vehicles.

I know theres an 'express' route out to Pathfinder village that a Crosville interloper should run on a couple of times!

 

[83G/84D]

I believe the intention is to concentrate on the local Exeter City/Devon General routes and vehicles.

I know theres an 'express' route out to Pathfinder village that a Crosville interloper should run on a couple of times!

Yes, It appears that the other bus event (at Winchester tomorrow) will have a wider range of types and would seem to be a larger event.

I'm sure a "bread van" will make an appearance in Exeter tomorrow.

 

[Cowley]

Yes, It appears that the other bus event (at Winchester tomorrow) will have a wider range of types and would seem to be a larger event.

I'm sure a "bread van" will make an appearance in Exeter tomorrow.

Do you mean the old transit based 1980s nightmares that I used to go to school in? I'd quite like a trip on one of them. 16 seated and a load of scared people standing.
We had yellow and red ones, blue and silver ones and green and gold ones. God that brings back memories. They ousted all the big buses and seemed to be everywhere.

 

[83G/84D]

Yes, there are several ex Devon General one's in preservation. You'll probably get your wish to ride on one, I personally won't be so keen!

 

[455driver]

Do you mean the old transit based 1980s nightmares that I used to go to school in?

I used to drive some of them up in Yorkshire, our main fleet was Sherpa based but we ended up with 3 Transits as well. They used to part a Transit in the corner of the bus station as a spare bus so we wouldnt book any of the (superior) Sherpas as defective.

 

[fgwrich]

Yes, It appears that the other bus event (at Winchester tomorrow) will have a wider range of types and would seem to be a larger event.

I'm sure a "bread van" will make an appearance in Exeter tomorrow.

Indeed the Winchester event will be a larger one, It's all become a rather unfortunate clash really. The Winchester - Retrobus Running Day has been a year in the planning and following on from last years running day, The Exeter one is to celebrate the closure of the bus and coach station before the site is redeveloped to become Exeter's New Leisure Centre and was planned to be held on Sunday the 26th of March. That was then bought forward by a week due to Insurance / Licensing Issues surrounding the bus station before it's closure next week.

It's a bit of a shame for us as we'd have liked to have taken a few of our Bristol's down to Exeter for the Weekend - Especially with FDV793V being an ex Exeter vehicle, but as we were already committed to our friends in Hampshire Bus Preservation we can't attend the Exeter do.

There's a few ex Ford Tranny & Iveco breadvans around in Pres, I know of at least one in Devon General Red & Cream livery - and there's a dearth of the ex Portsmouth examples left as well. It's Pretty amazing to think that they produced a duel door Iveco, There was hardly any seats in them!

 

[Cowley]

I'm very much hoping for a ride on a VR. I loved them and I love Gardner engines. Really looking forward to tomorrow.

 

[richw]

Yes, there are several ex Devon General one's in preservation. You'll probably get your wish to ride on one, I personally won't be so keen!

A contact photographed one in the bottom part of the bus station on Friday night so it's a safe bet.

 

[83G/84D]

A real shame that the date clashes with another event but hopefully it will be a good day in Exeter today. I have just been to the bus station and seen the Transit parked up.
There is also a fun run taking place in the city centre but it looks like it will be wrapping up soon.

 

[Cowley]

Well that was a great day out, we managed four different runs - An old AEC out to Clyst st George, Topsham and back. The Crosville coach to Pathfinder Village (old A30 out, new A30 back).
An open top old Leyland in Devon General colours on a city centre trip.
My favourite trip of the day finally which was a Bristol VR to Topsham, Clyst St George, Clyst St Mary and back, sitting downstairs at the back with the window slid open like I always used to as it took the corner in my old home town of Topsham. Don't think I've experienced that for nearly thirty years and it put a big grin on my face. My Dad, Mrs C and my son all enjoyed it too.
Well done to all involved, it was very well run and the buses were superb.
Some photos:

 

[83G/84D]

Glad you had a good time Cowley. A few from me:-

 

[embers25]

A very well organised day with good sized crowds, thanks to all involved. Managed runs to Budlake, Clyst St George and Alphington plus a city tour with a handy stop at St Davids so I could pick up my train tickets for today! Highlight for me was the Bristol VRspeeding along the main road from Clyst St George to Clyst St Mary. However I don't think the 9 driver was too thrilled at having to follow us at a very slow pace up the hill into Heavitree!

 

[Cowley]

A very well organised day with good sized crowds, thanks to all involved. Managed runs to Budlake, Clyst St George and Alphington plus a city tour with a handy stop at St Davids so I could pick up my train tickets for today! Highlight for me was the Bristol VRspeeding along the main road from Clyst St George to Clyst St Mary. However I don't think the 9 driver was too thrilled at having to follow us at a very slow pace up the hill into Heavitree!

If that was 15:30 run that was the one we caught.