Heritage bus running days on normal bus routes

[AY1975]

I have recently learned that there was a heritage bus running day on route 93 in South London on Saturday 9th October, and that there was one earlier this year on the 65 (Ealing-Kingston). Was anyone out for either of those, or any previous heritage bus running days on regular bus routes in London or elsewhere?

Until now I had no idea that the 93 used to continue beyond its current southern terminus at North Cheam to Epsom (and to Dorking in the summer, presumably to cater for visitors to Box Hill).

The 65 also used to run all the way from Ealing to Leatherhead.

See https://busandtrainuser.com/2021/10/11/route-93-running-day/

 

[JonathanH]

The 65 also used to run all the way from Ealing to Leatherhead.

As potentially implied by the route number 465 being used for the Kingston to Leatherhead (and Dorking) route.

Until now I had no idea that the 93 used to continue beyond its current southern terminus at North Cheam to Epsom (and to Dorking in the summer, presumably to cater for visitors to Box Hill).

The route run by Metrobus from Dorking to Horsham is also 93 (and the 293 runs from Morden to Epsom Hospital as the extension of the 93).

There may come a time when the Metrobus 93 runs from Horsham to Leatherhead and the 465 is truncated to terminate in Leatherhead. It almost happened in 2017 when it was reprieved for five years. Guess a new decision is needed in 2022.

Going back to running days, there was also one in the 406 a few years back and more recently on the 140 when it was split into 140 / 278 / X140. I think it is quite a good idea to "take over" a route for the day as it gives a better sense of nostalgia than running a variety of routes when you see other old vehicles coming in the other direction. In the instance of the 140 running day I was more attracted by the chance to ride a MCW Metrobus than anything older though.

 

[Busaholic]

I have recently learned that there was a heritage bus running day on route 93 in South London on Saturday 9th October, and that there was one earlier this year on the 65 (Ealing-Kingston). Was anyone out for either of those, or any previous heritage bus running days on regular bus routes in London or elsewhere?

Until now I had no idea that the 93 used to continue beyond its current southern terminus at North Cheam to Epsom (and to Dorking in the summer, presumably to cater for visitors to Box Hill).

The 65 also used to run all the way from Ealing to Leatherhead.

See https://busandtrainuser.com/2021/10/11/route-93-running-day/

I went as a young boy on the 93 to Dorking with my godmother, who lived at Morden. We had a picnic on Box Hill. I've been on a few running days in London, but none since the 10th anniversary of the 159 Routemaster withdrawal in 2015.

 

[MotCO]

There was a running day on route 213 many years ago, using 8 RFs in addition to the usual buses.

Details are often available on the LOTS web site (www.LOTS.org.uk). The next one seems to be:

Sunday 7 November: Muswell Hill Running Day on former routes, e.g. RTs on 212 express, 244, 251A, RM on 134A, RF on main 212.


Click here for details.

 

[busesrusuk]

There are normally a few running days organised each year in and around London. There are established "country bus" runs that focus on towns such as East Grinstead, Sevenoaks and Amersham/Chesham.

There are also many running days organised across the country if you don't like red or green London Buses.

The 65 and 93 running days have been organised by the London Bus Preservation Trust (aka Cobham Bus Museum) and were very well patronised by both buses and passengers. They are good days out for both photographers and those that like riding on the older buses. Perhaps just as importantly, the general public also appreciate the opportunity to ride on the old buses to and gives a positive impression of the industry.

I did both the 65 and 93 days (my local route for virtually all my life!) along with the Chesham event a few weeks ago. There are a selection of photos on my flickr site for those that maybe interested, Link here:

Keith Wood | Flickr

Link that takes you to the 65 running day pics (as a number of pics have been added to my site since then ):

Preserved RT1798 Apr21 | Kingston Bus Station. Cobham Bus Mu… | Flickr

 

[MotCO]

There are normally a few running days organised each year in and around London. There are established "country bus" runs that focus on towns such as East Grinstead, Sevenoaks and Amersham/Chesham.

Ian's Bus Stop suggests that Country Bus Ralllies may be a thing of the past, although Amersham & District may continue to organise some.

COUNTRY BUS RALLIES

London Transport Country Area, GS, RF, RM, RT, RW Bus Running Days <META NAME=

www.countrybus.org

 

[busesrusuk]

Ian's Bus Stop suggests that Country Bus Ralllies may be a thing of the past, although Amersham & District may continue to organise some.

COUNTRY BUS RALLIES

London Transport Country Area, GS, RF, RM, RT, RW Bus Running Days <META NAME=

www.countrybus.org

That's a shame if they follow that path but an update would be good on their site to understand current thinking as there have been a number of running days since the relaxation of Covid rules without, AFAIK, any real incidents. It would be a shame if the more established events don't return as they were generally well attended and looked forward to by the bus nut community. Still, we shall see what transpires. Fingers crossed...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Oct 2021 ==

To add to the OP's comments there is one more London bus running day this year which is scheduled for the 7 November. This will cover route 212 in North London.

MHRD Summary.pdf (lots.org.uk)

 

[galwhv69]

I've been told that the Museum are planning to have more running days based around London, following the success of the 65 one. As mentioned above, next one will be Muswell Hill in November. Usually in December, there is also a smaller one based around Bromley, mainly on the 227, not sure if it's happening this year though, as it isn't listed on the https://www.classicbuses.co.uk/events.html webpage. There was meant to be one by the Bromley Bus Preservation Group in September, but it got cancelled due to a clash with another event. The Amersham & District Motorbus Society ones are pretty good, usually in set location (Chesham, Sevenoaks, Dorking, Staines, Leatherhead, Hitchin etc.). Last one was the Chesham event on the 3rd, next one should be Dorking on Sunday 27th March 2022

You can view a few of my photos here from some of the events

 

[MotCO]

That's a shame if they follow that path but an update would be good on their site to understand current thinking as there have been a number of running days since the relaxation of Covid rules without, AFAIK, any real incidents. It would be a shame if the more established events don't return as they were generally well attended and looked forward to by the bus nut community.

I think part of it is that the organisers and some owners of the old buses are getting older, so there may be some inevitability about it.

I agree they were popular and well run, but nothing lasts for ever.

 

[DunsBus]

Lothian had several running days between 2016 and 2019 which tied in with the annual Doors Open Day at Central Garage, plus an additional one at Easter 2019. None have been held since, a combination of the departure of MD Richard Hall and the aftermath of Covid.

 

[Strathclyder]

Lothian had several running days between 2016 and 2019 which tied in with the annual Doors Open Day at Central Garage, plus an additional one at Easter 2019. None have been held since, a combination of the departure of MD Richard Hall and the aftermath of Covid.

Honestly regret not making the effort to attend these when they were a regular on the rally/event calander.

 

[MotCO]

Ian's Bus Stop reports that, while Country Bus Rallies as an entity as a whole may not be holding running days, individual groups my be stepping in with running days in Bromley (possibly 12 December 2021), and East Grinstead (Sunday 24th April 2022) and Sevenoaks (May or June) in the spring. http://www.countrybus.org/#new
Also, the 'north London collection' of Bromley Bus Preservation Group is planning a running day, presumably featuring some of their vast stock of preserved buses, between East Grinstead and Godstone, on 10 July 2022. https://www.facebook.com/thebbpg/photos/a.10151646638980900/10159347641595900/