75 years of Associated Motorways
24th May 2009 Cheltenham display and running day
Travelling once again courtesy of North Somerset Coaches I arrived at Coates Industrial Estate
to begin the day by photographing two very different coaches. Nestled in the corner of the adjoining loading area was a Bedford OB Duple Vista owned by local man Trevor Smallwood and now resident in this secure compound, but unfortunately not going to Cheltenham today.
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MFM 39 - Bedford OB Duple Vista C29F, 1950, fully restored as Crosville SL71
In 1987 Wallace Arnold (Devon) took the bold decision to convert four coaches to 7'6" narrow width and short wheelbase for use in the confined lanes of Dartmoor. Four C45F Duple bodied Leyland Leopards, new in July and August 1977, were selected to receive new Plaxton Paramount style bodies after suitable chassis modification.
- SWW125R rebuilt as CSU935
- SWW126R rebuilt as CSU936
- WUG127S intended as SWW127R rebuilt as CSU937
- WUG128S intended as SWW128R rebuilt as CSU938
A survivor of the group, now used daily by Hookways Coaches of Okehampton on a school contract had been well received at North Somerset Coaches’ 40th anniversary running day so came on loan for the day to represent Wallace Arnold at St Margaret’s Coach Station
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New to Wallace Arnold in 1977 as WUG128S, converted narrow width Leyland Leopard CSU938
North Somerset Coaches spare vehicle, Jonckheere Jubilee P599 C49F bodied Volvo B10M-61 FAZ7273 has reverted to A625DCU in May 2009, thanks to former owners Taw and Torridge Coaches of Okehampton, Devon. The possibility of reverting all the way back to the first registration, A311XHE originally issued by Barnsley C.B.C. remains unexplored as the future of the coach is very much a day to day decision. Some paper stick on A311XHE plates were displayed while the coach was parked to emphasise its National Holidays connection with St Margaret’s Coach Station. A very nice in service photo from 3rd May 1986 can be found at Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/iantherev/3500311857/
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North Somerset Coaches spare vehicle, Jonckheere Jubilee P599 C49F bodied Volvo B10M-61 FAZ7273 has reverted to A625DCU
St Margaret’s Coach Station
The original entrance to the Bus Station, off Monson Avenue, can be seen towards top left of the view. The dual gates to the site, formerly both exits to facilitate the mass departure at 14:00 are in the middle of the bottom edge of the area. Even for coaches who would have used St Margaret’s Coach Station such as A311XHE the left turn from Monson Avenue into St Margaret’s Road is very tight requiring both sides of the carriageway to keep the vehicle corners and edges out of trouble.. Similarly the left turn into what is now the exit gate from the site requires a marshal to control traffic allowing an outswing to the right to gain enough clearance to pass between the gate pillars.
The shading added by Micro$oft Earth generally outlines the 3 areas of the event arena.
- The mostly triangular area at the top defines the static display parking area.
- The bottom right area mainly behind the buildings was the marshalling area for vintage bus departures and home to rally control plus selected display vehicles. Sales stalls were ranged along the right-hand (west) wall.
- The remaining area showing darker to the lower left corner of the car park remained open as a public car park accessed via the “IN” gate
In the Display Area
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| JG 9938…:Leyland Tiger TS8 |
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RDB846…:AEC Reliance |
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KDD 38…:AEC Regal III |
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DOD518…:Bristol L5G |
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| 617DDV…Bristol MW6G |
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FDG468L…AEC Reliance |
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| UFM53F…:Bristol RELL6G |
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RHA919G…:BMMO S23 |
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SWO986…:Bristol MW6G |
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FDG468L…:AEC Reliance |
In the Marshalling Area
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A quick load and go for Cheltenham & Gloucester liveried Oct-80 Leyland National 2 BOU 6 V
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Bristol Greyhounds hunting in a pack!!
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| EMW284…:Bristol L6B
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FDG468L…:AEC Reliance
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FNV557…:Leyland Tiger PS2
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Parked in the VIP Area
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LDV483 1950 Bedford OB Duple Vista, in the livery of Slad Valley Coachways
Special operations by Stagecoach in Cheltenham
The first diesel bus route in Gloucester to replace trams was started in 1929 by the Cheltenham District Traction Company and a number of Stagecoach vehicles have received 80th Anniversary livery to mark the occasion. For the 24th May hourly journeys on Cheltenham Town Service A were scheduled for operation by full London Transport liveried Routemaster RML2657 (NML657E), the second vehicle on the route being the regular allocation. Additional journeys in association with the event were provided using open-top Brighton Hove & District Bristol FLF6G N0. 91 (KPM 91E). Cheltenham Town Service D journeys were scheduled for operation by Bristol RE or special liveried Dennis Dart
The Free Coach Trips
Three very different Bristol products were sampled, in order of age
- EMW284, Bristol L6B/Beadle from March 1949, in the colours of Wilts & Dorset (Fleet No: 279)
- NHY947, Bristol LWL6B/ECW from 1951, in the colours of Bristol Tramways & Carriage Company Limited
- BHU92C,Bristol MW6G/ECW from February 1965, in the colours of Bristol Greyhound (Bristol 2138)
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| EMW284…:Bristol L6B |
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NHY947…Bristol LWL6B |
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BHU92C…:Bristol MW6G |
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Bristol Greyhounds 2138 (BHU92C) and 2150 (FHW156D) at Churchdown
The Final 16:00 Mass Departure
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| KAD359V…:Leyland Leopard |
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SDD146R…:Leyland Leopard |
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PRW137M…:Leyland Leopard |
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| HDV641E…:Bristol MW6G |
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EDV505D…:Bristol MW6G |
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617DDV…:Bristol MW6G |
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| PUJ781…:Leyland Tiger Cub |
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KDD 38…:AEC Regal III |
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| OHU770F…:Bristol RELL6L |
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NNN 7 M…:Bristol RELH6L |
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PRW137M…:Leyland Leopard |
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| WKG284…:AEC Reliance |
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UWX981F…:Bedford VAL 70
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Details of all the vehicles shown in “75 years of Associated Motorways 24th May 2009 Cheltenham display and running day by Busworld” can be found in this PDF file.
