News Page
Concessionary
Travel, Buses in the Landscape, Running Days and Historical articles
Issue 274
(OBP-487)
Sunday 28th September 2008
(next update week ending 12th
October 2008)
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002
Visit
the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002
Please note that any
comments made in this news page are those of the Editors' and in no way
constitute
any official points of view from the bus companies
mentioned, or indeed any other official body.
As a news page we
reserve the right to make valid comments as seen from an editorial point of
view.
If
you wish to be included on a mailing list where I will advise of any mid-week
news please let me know
malcolmhc@aol.com
To see the pictures full size just click on the thumbnail
Concessionary Travel, Buses in the Landscape, Running Days and Historical articles.
Concessionary Travel
In the letters page in last weekend's Oxford times, there was a very interesting leeter from one Nicholas Lawrence. The letter opened with comment that the bus companies were not being reimbursed for travel by people over under any formula. In fact each district council is supposed to pay each company enough to ensure that the company is neither better or worse off becuase of free passes.
The Department of Transport's website wittily claims that it's self-evident what a local service is. In fact all bus and coach routes qualify, except on stretches where stops are more than 15 miles apart.
This means that travel on the Oxford Tube is free between Oxford and Lewknor and again between Hillingdon and London Victoria. There are many other examples of where free travel, at not first obvious, can be obtained.
The future holds some interesting possibilities as the older generation find ways of using free travel.
Buses in the Landscape
John Bristow writes "I thought that the attached picture might be of use for your 'B i t L' spot. The Enviro 200 is in the special livery for the route linking the University campuses. Out of term time First Cymru use these vehicles for other routes."
Paul Dudfield says "this is a picture of a Stagecoach Trident crossing the bridge at Bideford, North Devon. I hope this will be of interest for the OCBP."
Tim Hall sent an interesting picture from the Giants Causeway taken on Friday 12/9/08 of Ulsterbus 001 - KX08HMA - a Plaxton Primo, one of two based at Coleraine for this service which runs every 10 mins from the visitor centre down to the Causeway" Two buses are leased hence the mainland registration plate.
Keith Shayshutt sent two submissions for 'Buses in the Landscape'.
They are both from Northern Island and feature Ulsterbus. The first is at Carnlough on the Antrim coast showing a very windswept scene along the promenade on 9 September 2008.
And the second is a Plaxton Primo KX08HMA on the Causeway Coaster service at Giants Causeway taken on 10 September 2008. This was taken two days before the one above from Tim Hall and is the first time on this page that I have had pictures of the same bus from a far flung location received in succession.
Finally one from regular contributor John Marsh who took this nice shot of a First London Citaro crossing Tower Bridge.
Rallies & Running Days
Amersham 14th Sep.
Further pictures have been received which I would like to share with you.
Mark Lyons writes saying"As you may have been aware Chiltern District Council organised a heritage week-end in Amersham on 13 and 14/9/08. See:
http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/heritage/downloads/hd_leaflet_2008_1_.pdf
Along with special events at museums and other historic locations there were a number of special bus services (using London Bus Company's RT3871 and RTW75, LT Museum RM1 and privately owned RML2414 and 2440, RLH48 and RF673).
In addition
the LT Museum ran a number of special trains from Amersham to Watford or Harrow
using its preserved Metropolitan locomotive 12 (Sarah Siddons) and 1938 tube
stock.
I attach some pictures that you may wish to use on the Oxford Chilterns Bus News
site."
I was also delighted to receive some further pictures from Steve Warwick who, on the day, was driving RF673.
Steve's pictures showing a proud Peter Cartwright, who was much involved in the
organisation of this event.
then RM1 is
seen in Old Amersham in a classic shot reminiscent of the old outer Metropolitan
area.
and finally RF673 taken by Steve who had enjoyed a great days "work".
Upcoming events
Duxford on Sunday 28th September
http://www.visiteastofengland.com/things-to-do/thedms.aspx?dms=13&feature=9&venue=0172249
Full details of the entry list can be found at the following link.
Amersham 5th October 2008
http://www.amershammotorbussociety.co.uk/
The programmes for the 20th Amersham Running Day are now printed and can be obtained from by post now from - Peter Cartwright, 54 Guinions Road, HIGH WYCOMBE, HP13 7NX - a £5 cheque or Postal Order payable to Amersham & District Motorbus Society. Some 28 vehicles are required to operate the scheduled service.
Toddington Steam Rally taking place on 12th October 2008.
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Steam and Vintage Rally
Gloucestershire's best steam and old vehicle event proved so popular last year that it has moved to a new, larger venue for 2008 – Cheltenham Racecourse. Taking place over the weekend of 11 and 12 October, the GWR Steam and Vintage Rally has abundant attractions for all the family. There will be traction engines, showman's engines and steam engines; classic cars, buses and motorcycles; vintage lorries, tractors and a fun fair; military vehicles, emergency vehicles and caravans.
The main arena will host non-stop demonstrations and parades and there will be ploughing, stonemasonry and farriery. In addition, the GWR Steam and Vintage Rally will have craft and trade stalls, a model tent and a refreshments marquee. Visitors can even arrive at and depart from the rally by steam train, as the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWR) will be operating a special service departing from and returning to Toddington (see www.gwsr.com for timetable).
This will be the 23rd GWR Steam and Vintage Rally. After a break of four years, it ran in 2007 and was such a success that the organisers chose the larger venue of Cheltenham Racecourse for 2008. The Racecourse has many advantages – there is plenty of space, excellent facilities (whatever the weather), lots of parking and the adjoining fields can be used for working demonstrations.
Although the GWR Steam and Vintage Rally encompasses a wide range of interests, the steam vehicles are the main attraction of the event. Steam section leaders, Matt and Rachel Shipton, say: "As engine owners ourselves, we want to educate people to take an interest in the steam movement, to ensure it survives through generations to come. The fun, informal atmosphere shows off the owners' personalities! The sense of humour and enjoyment of the custodians rubs off on the public, which is what a steam rally should be about.”
Among the many historic traction engines will be Pride of the Walk, a Robey vehicle which will be 100 years old. It is the only single-cylinder, of this make in England. Steamrollers will include an 1899 Aveling & Porter, which was purchased as scrap and has taken 33 years to restore.
Other highlights among display vehicles will include Bedford coaches and Bristol buses (2008 is the 100th anniversary of when the first Bristol bus entered service), a collection of vintage caravans dating from 1940 and a fantastic array of classic cars including a 1936 Lanchester 18 - one of only two known, the other being built for King George VI. Fitted with Lanchester sports saloon coachwork, and powered by a 6 cylinder 2500cc engine. Also of special interest is a 1975 BLMC Mini 1000, originally used as publicity car for the BLMC, and bought by the current owner’s father in 1976 when it featured in a television advert.
Members of the public can judge the display vehicles for themselves and influence who wins the Kath Greening Memorial Trophy for the Best in Show and the winners of prizes for Best in Section.
Admission information
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Steam and Vintage Rally at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October.
Opening times: 9.30am – 4.30pm each day
Admission:
Adults £6.00, Senior Citizens £5.00
Children between 5 & 15 years £3.00 (2 adults and up to 3 children) £15.00
Steam trains to and from Toddington to Cheltenham Racecourse (timetable available at www.gwsr.com )
Adult combined ticket with return GWR Steam train to and from Toddington and the Racecourse £17.00
Disabled car park access
Camping available
for editors:
The GWR is an all-volunteer steam and diesel heritage railway in the English Cotswolds. Since 1981, the volunteers have restored more than 10 miles of line, together with platforms, buildings, steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock. In addition to a scheduled service, the GWR hosts a number of galas, enthusiasts’ events and events for all the family throughout the year, including its popular Santa Specials, Paddington Bear, Fish and Chips specials and dining trains.
Bianca Knight, Publicity Assistant, Eventageous PR, Tel: 01452 886502, Email: bianca@eventspr.co.uk
HISTORY IN PICTURES AND WORDS
If you have any pictures or historical memories and wish to submit them for this page please send them to the me at malcolmhc@aol.com
Back to the Introduction & main menu
or
Editorial & Features plus Picture Corner
Archive Index (previous News Pages)