Cornwall Bus Preservation Society (incorporating Western National Preservation Group)

Well I don't know what happened to March month but we were busy. Now in April preparing for our Penzance Running DayEach year in April CBPG holds an Annual Running Day with free bus trips around West Cornwall - check our Events for more information on Easter Sunday, 21st April 2019. Vehicles under our banner to attend are: Bristol VRBristol VR Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as competitor to Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline.'s 1141 (AFJ 706T), 1226November 2009, CBPG took over ownership of Bristol VR 38873(LFJ 873W) from Western National Preservation Group. Originally numbered 1226, she was the last new Bristol VR bought by Western National in 1981 LFJ 873W | Bristol VR | Fleet No. 38873 (ex 1226)/38873 November 2009, CBPG took over ownership of Bristol VR 38873(LFJ 873W) from Western National Preservation Group. Originally numbered 1226, she was the last new Bristol VR bought by Western National in 1981 LFJ 873W | Bristol VR | Fleet No. 38873 (ex 1226)(LFJ 873WNovember 2009, CBPG took over ownership of Bristol VR 38873(LFJ 873W) from Western National Preservation Group. Originally numbered 1226, she was the last new Bristol VR bought by Western National in 1981 LFJ 873W | Bristol VR | Fleet No. 38873 (ex 1226)), 1098 (PTT 98R), Volvo Olympian 803 (K803 ORL), Bristol RERear-engined single-decker bus or single-decker coach chassis built by Bristol Commercial Vehicles 1962 until 1982; widely considered most successful of first generation rear-engined single-decker buses 14601969 Bristol RELH6G with ECW C45F coachwork; New to Southern National March 1969, transferred to Western National, remained in service until May 1981 when became part of BaMMOTT collection at Wythall. Purchased by WHOTT May 2005 OTA 632G | Bristol RELH | Fleet No. 1460 (OTA 632G1969 Bristol RELH6G with ECW C45F coachwork; New to Southern National March 1969, transferred to Western National, remained in service until May 1981 when became part of BaMMOTT collection at Wythall. Purchased by WHOTT May 2005 OTA 632G | Bristol RELH | Fleet No. 1460), Dennis Dart 401Badgers and Flags Pointer Dart L401 VCV | Dennis Pointer Dart | Fleet No. 401 | CBPG (L401 VCVBadgers and Flags Pointer Dart L401 VCV | Dennis Pointer Dart | Fleet No. 401 | CBPG), Bristol LHSBristol LH chassis range introduced in spring 1968, 3 variants: LHS at 26' (7.9m); 1254Former Western National Bristol LHS 1254 (VOD 124K), one of six purchased for Mousehole - Penzance route; acquired privately by Steve and Paul towards the end of 2017 (VOD 124KFormer Western National Bristol LHS 1254 (VOD 124K), one of six purchased for Mousehole - Penzance route; acquired privately by Steve and Paul towards the end of 2017), Bristol LH 1318Royal Blue; BDV 318L | Bristol LH | Fleet No. 1318 | CBPG (BDV 318LRoyal Blue; BDV 318L | Bristol LH | Fleet No. 1318 | CBPG) and Mercedes VarioMercedes-Benz Vario (model designation W670) is a heavy van manufactured by Mercedes-Benz 52529529 became 52529 in national numbering system, fitted with 27 seats and soon received her current livery; S529 RWP | Mercedes Vario | Fleet No. 52529 | CBPG (S529 RWP).

Work on Bristol VR 1226 (LFJ 873W) has proceeded well with a good turn out of helpers on the working days. The new exhaust system has been fitted and also new fuel tank straps too as they were found to be in need of attention! Some welding has been done and the door mechanism sorted. Graham is repairing body damage and painting the required bits. The MOTMinistry of Transport test is booked so fingers crossed. I have estimated that the total cost of getting this bus back on the road after being stored for ten years is a £1000. This shows why I am always asking for more people to join the CBPSCornwall Bus Preservation Society - formed by a group of bus and coach enthusiasts who are involved in maintaining, restoring and preserving a number of buses which saw operational service in Cornwall that have been bought, donated or even loaned to members of the group as it's your monthly/yearly donations that help us do jobs like this. Although 'friends' membership runs from January to December, I don't mind when anyone joins up. For £3 a month (£36 a year), we will be able to continue doing jobs like this.

We have been busy working on Bristol LHS 1254 (VOD 124K) preparing her for the Running Day and thanks to Graham, her roof has been repainted awaiting new transfers. Steve has had his Bristol LH 'Royal Blue' 1318 (BDV 318L) fully repainted and she is looking good for Penzance.

The refurbished VR gearbox has been successfully installed back in Peter's VR 1098 (PTT 98R) thanks to some great team work involving Steve, Derek, Stuart and a bit from me and Peter. She has been road tested and all seems good.

On going work continues on the Albion Nimbus, a long term project but she will return to Mousehole in due course.

If you would like to become a 'friend' of the CBPS, please contact us (details on the site). Thank you.