BANK HOLIDAY SENSATION - ALMOST GOOD WEATHER
For the first time in 2008, we actually had good weather on a Bank Holiday weekend. This despite 'The Rainmaker' open-top D9 being scheduled for service. Attempted rain did splutter just before the D9 went out, meaning Alex Potts had to wipe down the upstairs seats, but precipitation then gave up!
To make up for failing to print our advertisements for the 70s/80s Family Day, the Birmingham Mail gave us a half page article that was our opportunity to launch West Bromwich 248's return to the road. It attracted a lot of interest and we ensured that it ran several journeys on the Sunday and Monday. All declared it a very civilised bus although not the most dynamic!
Monday was billed as the Big Operating Day when we run as many different buses as we can. In addition to 248 and 'The Rainmaker', visitors could ride on closed top D9 5399, BMMO S16 and S23 models, the Crosville L5G, Birmingham Guy 2976, Fleetlines 3796 (Birmingham), 116 (Walsall), 6311 (WMPTE), and 1956 (WMT conversion), WMPTE Bristol VRT 4413 and Ailsa 4738, a DAF re-engined Midland Red National (602), a WMT Leyland Lynx and even a Leicester Metro-Scania.
On the vintage side, COG5 1107 made three busy runs. Roger Burdett ran a couple of Mystery Tours with his Eastern Belle AEC Regal. "Where does the Mystery Tour go?" was a frequent enquiry that had to go unanswered. Thanks very much to all the private owners who assisted the Museum's own output and ensured that we met our promise of running lots of different buses. Apologies if I have left anybody out.
Bank Holiday Mondays are always busy and this one was no exception. The buses, however, were exceptionally busy, for example 105 people presented themselves for the 4.00 to Birmingham. Plainly people are staying longer and including vehicle rides in their visit, giving them a similar experience to preserved railways like the SVR.
An excellent weekend, thanks of course to all the volunteers who kept the show on the road.
Malcolm Keeley
TAMWORTH 80
Midland Red's Tamworth Garage has just celebrated its 80th anniversary and the present-day owners, Arriva, celebrated the event in some style on 3 August. Former Midland Red vehicles were invited and five went from Wythall. These were D9 5399 and S16 5545, Pete Murphy's AEC Matador, Alex Potts' Leopard coach in NBC livery and his ex-Harpers PD2 cut down to a breakdown tender.
Some buses ran trips around Tamworth but S16 5545, driven by Kevin Hill, had the honour of carrying a special party of retired employees - no doubt including many manual gearbox experts - no pressure there, Kev!
Many familiar faces were found, some not seen for a very long time. Arriva employees John James and Keith Lewis were busy all day and remarked on the number of staff who had kindly turned out to help. All credit to those at Arriva who organised the day.
Malcolm Keeley
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
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