Cornwall Bus Preservation Society

Having a couple of spare hours this afternoon and needing to get out of the house, I finished off the replacement of 1147's top deck double seats. We've just got the 3 single seats and the front bench to do and it'll be complete!

After a good look over by Steve, a 'small' list of 15 jobs appeared to get 716 through her MOT this year.Work has started on that list with Steve, Paul and I setting to work on Tuesday and getting a few jobs crossed off. Work continued yesterday with Paul and I attempted to tackle a water pump change which was successful until the point we found the replacement was leaking water! With the old one re-fitted, back to the shed was the next plan until the clutch decided to give up en-route which left 716 needing to be towed back until that can be replaced. Read more

Having a couple of spare hours this afternoon and needing to get out of the house, I finished off the replacement of 1147's top deck double seats. We've just got the 3 single seats and the front bench to do and it'll be complete!

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Apr 2010

What a magnificent sight as Colin Billington brings his former Western National Bristol FLF (468 FTT) up the steep climb from Sennen Cove on a very sunny Penzance Running Day. This day marked the first return to Cornwall for this bus since being retired in the 1980's. When new, it started work in 1960 based at Camborne depotUnion Street - First Devon & Cornwall Cornwall operations office - engineering workshops. (picture by Angela O'Connor)

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Apr 2010

Photographer: 

Angela O'Connor

An impressive line up of most of the vehicles taking part in the Penzance Running Day and they are all Bristol's. (picture by Angela O'Connor)

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Apr 2010

A step back in time with Western National at sunny Sennen Cove. Colin Billington's Bristol FLF (468 FTT) waits at the bus stop while Martin Stevens Bristol LD (VDV 760) pulls in behind on the Penzance Running Day. (picture by Angela O'Connor)

On Sunday I attended the Brislington Bus Rally at Bristol together with members of my family, fellow members of 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 and friends and what a wonderful day we had.  Treated to wonderful weather a spectacular display of vehicles and some beautiful trips on many of the preserved vehicles.  To round the day of I and my wife was treated to a run from the Rally site to Exeter in a fantastic Bristol H (1933 Chassis) beautifully and lovingly restored to mint condition by Colin, even down to the white painted rear corners and front mud guards for Wartime operations around the county.&nb Read more

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Apr 2010

Photographer: 

Angela O'Connor

An impressive line up of most of the vehicles taking part in the Penzance Running Day and they are all Bristol's. (picture by Angela O'Connor)

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Apr 2010

A step back in time with Western National at sunny Sennen Cove. Colin Billington's Bristol FLF (468 FTT) waits at the bus stop while Martin Stevens Bristol LD (VDV 760) pulls in behind on the Penzance Running Day. (picture by Angela O'Connor)

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

16 Sep 2011

Photographer: 

Editor

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's 1968 Bristol LHBristol Commercial Vehicles Light Horizontal engined and David Sheppard's 1962 Bristol SUL are ready for the 2011 Kingsbridge Running Day.

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Apr 2010

Photographer: 

Angela O'Connor

An impressive line up of most of the vehicles taking part in the Penzance Running Day and they are all Bristol's. (picture by Angela O'Connor)

On Sunday I attended the Brislington Bus Rally at Bristol together with members of my family, fellow members of 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 and friends and what a wonderful day we had.  Treated to wonderful weather a spectacular display of vehicles and some beautiful trips on many of the preserved vehicles.  To round the day of I and my wife was treated to a run from the Rally site to Exeter in a fantastic Bristol H (1933 Chassis) beautifully and lovingly restored to mint condition by Colin, even down to the white painted rear corners and front mud guards for Wartime operations around the county.&nb Read more

On Sunday 15 August 2010, I was one of a group of 14 enthusiasts who set off from Camborne bus station at 06.30 hours to make the 360 miles round trip to Brislington in Bristol for the annual rally held by the Bristol Vintage Bus Group. Our mode of transport was a 1969 Bristol RELH 'Royal Blue' coach 1460 (OTA 632G) owned by the West Country Historic Omnibus & Transport Trust (WHOTTThe West Country Historic Omnibus & Transport Trust). She is based in west Cornwall and looked after by 'friend' Mel Williams with a little help from myself and a few other 'friends' from WHOTT.  Read more

Details

Registration: 

MUO 328F

Fleet No.: 

716

Date acquired: 

Sat, 31/10/2009

This Bristol LH 6L with 45 seat ECWEastern Coach Works Ltd was a bus and railbus body building company based in Lowestoft, England. ECW closed in 1987 bodywork was one of 10 new medium sized buses delivered to Western National in the summer of 1968 with 5 going to Southern National. Built by Bristol Commercial VehiclesBristol Commercial Vehicles Ltd was a manufacturer of buses and trucks based in Bristol, England. Closed 1983. (BCV), the light weight LH was the replacement for the earlier MW and SU models which had similar mid-mounted, horizontal, underfloor engines. Read more

Photograph Details

Picture Date: 

18 Jun 2010

Picture taken by Lee Shephard at one of the storage farms with the vehicles being prepared for a weekend outing.

Photograph Details

Picture Date: 

27 Jun 2010

Picture taken by Lee Shephard of 716 arriving at the Cornish Coastal Run 2010

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

25 Jul 2010

Photographer: 

Editor

The sun shines on our Bristol LHBristol Commercial Vehicles Light Horizontal engined 716(MUO 328F) at the Western National Preservation GroupWestern National Preservation Group's rally held at Plymouth Hoe on Sunday 25 July 2010. I am pleased to say she won two 'best in class' trophies.    

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

17 Apr 2010

Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1003(VDV 141S), Bristol LHBristol Commercial Vehicles Light Horizontal engined 716(MUO 328F) and LeylandLeyland Bus was a British bus manufacturer. It emerged from the Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) as a management buyout of the bus business. It was subsequently acquired by Volvo Buses in 1988 and the name finally disappeared in 1993 OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. 34754(A 754 VAF) cleaned and ready to go on the Saturday prior to the Penzance Running Day on Sunday.  

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

25 Jul 2010

Having just been awarded 2 Class wins for our Bristol LHBristol Commercial Vehicles Light Horizontal engined, MUO 328F, Nigel and his daughter proudly show off the trophies on the Hoe.

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Apr 2010

Mel Williams proudly driving our Bristol LHBristol Commercial Vehicles Light Horizontal engined (MUO 328F) out of Marizion on his way to Perranuthnoe during the Penzance Running Day. (picture by Angela O'Connor)

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Apr 2010

Photographer: 

Angela O'Connor

An impressive line up of most of the vehicles taking part in the Penzance Running Day and they are all Bristol's. (picture by Angela O'Connor)

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

17 Sep 2011

Photographer: 

Editor

The LH pauses at 'Loddiswell Station' on service 103 - Kingsbridge to California Cross on the Running Day 2011.

After a good look over by Steve, a 'small' list of 15 jobs appeared to get 716 through her MOT this year.Work has started on that list with Steve, Paul and I setting to work on Tuesday and getting a few jobs crossed off. Work continued yesterday with Paul and I attempted to tackle a water pump change which was successful until the point we found the replacement was leaking water! With the old one re-fitted, back to the shed was the next plan until the clutch decided to give up en-route which left 716 needing to be towed back until that can be replaced. Read more

Details

Registration: 

VDV 141S

Fleet No.: 

1003

Fleet No.: 

941

Name: 

Illustrious

Date acquired: 

Wed, 01/03/2006

This Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. with fleet number 1003 (VDV 141S) is a 1978 convertible open topper, one of 11 delivered to Western National/Devon General between November 1977 and March 1978. All of this batch were named after famous warships including 1003 which was originally numbered 941 and was named 'Illustrious'. When new, they were all painted in NBC red and whiteNational Bus Company Red and White livery.

Only 943 (VDV 143S) 'Ark Royal' at Falmouth depot and 944 (VDV 144S) 'Vanguard' at Penzance depot were allocated to Western National in Cornwall. Read more

Details

Registration: 

AFJ 749T

Fleet No.: 

38749

Fleet No.: 

1147

Date acquired: 

Wed, 01/08/2007

At the moment preserved in First Group's livery, Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 38749(AFJ 749T) was one of 10 new ‘double deckers’ delivered to Western National in Cornwall in 1979 in standard NBC green. Originally she had fleet number 1147 and was alocated to the Truro depot, then situated on Lemon Quay, along with 'sisters' 1142(AFJ 744T) and 1144(AFJ 746T). She has been painted in nearly all the liveries used and has been based at most of the depots in Cornwall and even for a short time, was stationed at both Dartmouth and Plymouth. Read more

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

09 Dec 2006

The morning was still quite wet when VDV 141S departed for St Ives on the Running day 2006

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

19 Sep 2009

Our Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1003(VDV 141S) - awaiting a 'run' parked outside of Tally Ho's yard in Kingsbridge.

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

19 Sep 2009

1003 - Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1003(VDV 141S) - on service 429 to Hope Cove flanked by preserved 1961 Bristol SUL 336 EDV and First Devon & Cornwall's Dennis Trident which was in normal service on the day

Details

Registration: 

AFJ 706T

Fleet No.: 

1141

Date acquired: 

Mon, 01/08/2005

This Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline., fleet No. Read more

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

12 Aug 2007

Photographer: 

VRT1147

Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1226/38873 is pictured at Brislington, Bristol at the Bristol Vintage Bus Group's rally in August 2007. To reflect on her last home depot, she is working on Service 18 to Camborne. 

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

27 Apr 2008

Bristol VR's 1003(VDV 141S) and 1147/38749(AFJ 749T) looking good at Penzance in the sunshine.

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

27 Aug 2006

The Bristol VR's parked on the square at the Lizard following the 'run' down from Helston

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

09 Dec 2006

Departing from the bus station at Penzance is AFJ 749T heading for Helston 

Photograph Details

Picture Date: 

18 Jun 2010

Picture taken by Lee Shephard at one of the storage farms with the vehicles being prepared for a weekend outing.

Photograph Details

Picture Date: 

27 Jun 2010

Picture taken by Lee Shephard of 1003 at the start of the Cornish Coastal Run on Sunday 27 June 2010.

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

25 Jul 2010

On Sunday 25 July 2010, our Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1003(VDV 141S) looks good on the Hoe at Plymouth during the Western National Preservation GroupWestern National Preservation Group's Rally. She did a trip out around the City for the enthusiasts. 

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

17 Apr 2010

Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1003(VDV 141S), Bristol LHBristol Commercial Vehicles Light Horizontal engined 716(MUO 328F) and LeylandLeyland Bus was a British bus manufacturer. It emerged from the Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) as a management buyout of the bus business. It was subsequently acquired by Volvo Buses in 1988 and the name finally disappeared in 1993 OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. 34754(A 754 VAF) cleaned and ready to go on the Saturday prior to the Penzance Running Day on Sunday.  

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Apr 2010

Waiting for duty on Sunday 18 April 2010 at Penzance Bus Station is our LeylandLeyland Bus was a British bus manufacturer. It emerged from the Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) as a management buyout of the bus business. It was subsequently acquired by Volvo Buses in 1988 and the name finally disappeared in 1993 OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. 34754(A754 VAF) and Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1056(OTA 290G). Both vehicles performed well and proved to be very popular.

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Apr 2010

Photographer: 

Angela O'Connor

An impressive line up of most of the vehicles taking part in the Penzance Running Day and they are all Bristol's. (picture by Angela O'Connor)

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

04 Oct 2006

Looking very smart at St Austell depotSt Austell after being repainted, these vehicles formed part of First Devon & Cornwall's 'Heritage Fleet' 

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

02 Mar 2006

Looking in need of a repaint, AFJ 749T at Camborne depotUnion Street - First Devon & Cornwall Cornwall operations office - engineering workshops.

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Sep 2010

Photographer: 

Editor

Lee turns into Kingsbridge bus station about to operate service 93 to Slapton

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Sep 2010

Photographer: 

Editor

At Kingsbridge bus station having just returned from RAF Bolt Head on service 429

Having a couple of spare hours this afternoon and needing to get out of the house, I finished off the replacement of 1147's top deck double seats. We've just got the 3 single seats and the front bench to do and it'll be complete!

Details

Registration: 

A754 VAF

Fleet No.: 

34754

Fleet No.: 

1807

Fleet No.: 

1754

Date acquired: 

Thu, 01/10/2009

We have now successfully acquired from First Devon & Cornwall, former Western National 'Bristol' LeylandLeyland Bus was a British bus manufacturer. It emerged from the Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) as a management buyout of the bus business. It was subsequently acquired by Volvo Buses in 1988 and the name finally disappeared in 1993 OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993., A754 VAF in Barbie 2 livery and displaying fleet number 34754.

This represents a very important 'save' for the CBPG as it is the last vehicle from the initial batch of 8 first introduced in Plymouth in November 1983 to come out of service in Cornwall. Unfortunately sister vehicles, 34751/2/5 (A751/2/5 VAF) have not been so lucky and have been scrapped. Read more

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

24 Oct 2009

LeylandLeyland Bus was a British bus manufacturer. It emerged from the Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) as a management buyout of the bus business. It was subsequently acquired by Volvo Buses in 1988 and the name finally disappeared in 1993 OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. 34754(A754 VAF) pictured when we collected her from First's St Austell depotSt Austell last year (2009).

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

17 Apr 2010

Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1003(VDV 141S), Bristol LHBristol Commercial Vehicles Light Horizontal engined 716(MUO 328F) and LeylandLeyland Bus was a British bus manufacturer. It emerged from the Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) as a management buyout of the bus business. It was subsequently acquired by Volvo Buses in 1988 and the name finally disappeared in 1993 OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. 34754(A 754 VAF) cleaned and ready to go on the Saturday prior to the Penzance Running Day on Sunday.  

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Apr 2010

Our LeylandLeyland Bus was a British bus manufacturer. It emerged from the Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) as a management buyout of the bus business. It was subsequently acquired by Volvo Buses in 1988 and the name finally disappeared in 1993 OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. 34754(A754 VAF) arriving at Penzance bus station on Sunday 18 April 2010 ready for work on the Running Day.

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Apr 2010

Waiting for duty on Sunday 18 April 2010 at Penzance Bus Station is our LeylandLeyland Bus was a British bus manufacturer. It emerged from the Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) as a management buyout of the bus business. It was subsequently acquired by Volvo Buses in 1988 and the name finally disappeared in 1993 OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. 34754(A754 VAF) and Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1056(OTA 290G). Both vehicles performed well and proved to be very popular.

Work started on Sunday in preparation for the running day with the OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. being prepared for MOT and the Vario being bought in for some maintenance. Read more

Details

Registration: 

S529 RWP

Fleet No.: 

52529

Date acquired: 

Tue, 01/09/2009

In early September 2009, the CBPG acquired from First Devon & Cornwall, a Mercedes VarioMercedes-Benz Vario (model designation W670) is a heavy van manufactured by Mercedes-Benz mini bus registration number S529 RWP.

This vehicle with fleet number 52529 is in the pink and blue livery branded 'Tamar Link' and was formerly based at the Torpoint depot. She was new in 1998 and was one of a batch of 64 delivered to First Midland Red (FMR). She then carried fleet number 529 and was fitted with 22 seats. Read more

Details

Registration: 

S529 RWP

Fleet No.: 

52529

Date acquired: 

Tue, 01/09/2009

In early September 2009, the CBPG acquired from First Devon & Cornwall, a Mercedes VarioMercedes-Benz Vario (model designation W670) is a heavy van manufactured by Mercedes-Benz mini bus registration number S529 RWP.

This vehicle with fleet number 52529 is in the pink and blue livery branded 'Tamar Link' and was formerly based at the Torpoint depot. She was new in 1998 and was one of a batch of 64 delivered to First Midland Red (FMR). She then carried fleet number 529 and was fitted with 22 seats. Read more

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

19 Sep 2009

Mercedes VarioMercedes-Benz Vario (model designation W670) is a heavy van manufactured by Mercedes-Benz 52529 (S529 RWP) on a run posing near Inner Hope cove on its way to Kingsbridge via Salcombe

Photograph Details

Picture Date: 

18 Jun 2010

Picture taken by Lee Shephard at one of the storage farms with the vehicles being prepared for a weekend outing.

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

30 Jul 2010

Our secretary, Sandie helping to move buses at Redruth prior to the St. Buryan Rally.

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Apr 2010

Our rally HQ consisted of our Mercedes VarioMercedes-Benz Vario (model designation W670) is a heavy van manufactured by Mercedes-Benz 52529(S529 RWP) on the Running Day. She was also our reserve bus in case any vehicle encountered problems during the day. 

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

02 May 2010

Parked with Colin Billington's Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1056(OTA 290G) and Bristol LHS 1560(FDV 790V) is our Mercedes VarioMercedes-Benz Vario (model designation W670) is a heavy van manufactured by Mercedes-Benz 52529(S529 RWP) at the Bolt Head Classic Vehicle & Air Day held on Sunday 2 May 2010. 

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Sep 2010

Photographer: 

Editor

Our Vario at East Allington about to depart at 11.00 hrs on service 106 to Kingsbridge.

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

19 Sep 2010

Photographer: 

Editor

Our Vario at the 'over flow standing at Loddiswell out station' with Bristol SUL 600(672 COD) and Bristol RELH 1460(OTA 632G)

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

25 Jul 2010

Photographer: 

Barry Beeston

 In distinguished company is our Mercedes VarioMercedes-Benz Vario (model designation W670) is a heavy van manufactured by Mercedes-Benz 52529(S529 RWP) with a much newer Optare Solo on Plymouth Hoe 2010.

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

25 Jul 2010

Photographer: 

Barry Beeston

Arriving at the WHOTTThe West Country Historic Omnibus & Transport Trust Rally at Westpoint, Exeter is our Vario 52529(S529 RWP).

Work started on Sunday in preparation for the running day with the OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. being prepared for MOT and the Vario being bought in for some maintenance. Read more

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

17 Sep 2011

Photographer: 

Editor

A photographic stop for our Vario on Service 159 at the spectacular Start Point on the Kingsbridge Running Day 2011.

Details

Registration: 

AFJ 706T

Fleet No.: 

1141

Date acquired: 

Mon, 01/08/2005

This Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline., fleet No. Read more

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

24 Oct 2009

LeylandLeyland Bus was a British bus manufacturer. It emerged from the Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) as a management buyout of the bus business. It was subsequently acquired by Volvo Buses in 1988 and the name finally disappeared in 1993 OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. 34754(A754 VAF) pictured when we collected her from First's St Austell depotSt Austell last year (2009).

Become a ‘friend’Become a ‘friend’ with a minimum donation of £15. We will keep you informed of all developments in a quarterly newsletter. of the Cornwall Bus Preservation SocietyCornwall 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 (CBPS). The aim of the group is to preserve and maintain buses that have been in service around Cornwall. To participate in rallies and road runs where possible. Become a ‘friend’ with a minimum donation of £15. We will keep you informed of all developments in a quarterly newsletter.

  Read more

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

18 Apr 2010

Photographer: 

Angela O'Connor

An impressive line up of most of the vehicles taking part in the Penzance Running Day and they are all Bristol's. (picture by Angela O'Connor)

After a good look over by Steve, a 'small' list of 15 jobs appeared to get 716 through her MOT this year.Work has started on that list with Steve, Paul and I setting to work on Tuesday and getting a few jobs crossed off. Work continued yesterday with Paul and I attempted to tackle a water pump change which was successful until the point we found the replacement was leaking water! With the old one re-fitted, back to the shed was the next plan until the clutch decided to give up en-route which left 716 needing to be towed back until that can be replaced. Read more

Work started on Sunday in preparation for the running day with the OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. being prepared for MOT and the Vario being bought in for some maintenance. Read more

As Christmas approaches and 2010 draws to an end, I thought an update of the site was more than overdue. We have not got a lot to report as we have all been rather busy and the weather in west Cornwall has not been what I would call 'suitable' for bus preservation work. MOT's for our fleet is earmarked for the new year with LeylandLeyland Bus was a British bus manufacturer. It emerged from the Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) as a management buyout of the bus business. It was subsequently acquired by Volvo Buses in 1988 and the name finally disappeared in 1993 OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. 34754(A754 VAF) first up. Read more

Well we are into May already and it's just over two weeks since we held our annual Running Day at Penzance in glorious sunshine. After a lot of hard work by 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 members and many others who just wanted to help out, everything came together on the day and I think a good day was had by all. Well done and thank you to all vehicle owners for making the effort and especially to those who travelled hundreds of miles to join us when fuel prices are at their highest. Read more

Here we go with our update for June. Yes I did say June but we seem to have weather more in line with a normal April when, it seems we had our summer! Since the last update, a group of us went to the Bristol Harbourside event in 'friend' Steve's Bristol LHBristol Commercial Vehicles Light Horizontal engined. What a good day with lots of free rides and plenty of stalls. On Friday 17 June we were involved with the Royal Blue Run that started in Oxford and took us across country following the old routes to Marlborough, Trowbridge, Cheddar Gorge and Weston-Super-Mare ending the day in Exeter. Read more

Just time for a few lines updating the events we have attended and news on our vehicles. Our LeylandLeyland Bus was a British bus manufacturer. It emerged from the Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) as a management buyout of the bus business. It was subsequently acquired by Volvo Buses in 1988 and the name finally disappeared in 1993 OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. 34754(A754 VAF) and Bristol LHBristol Commercial Vehicles Light Horizontal engined 716(MUO 328F) took part in the Cornwall Coastal Run on Sunday 26 June 2011 and a good day was enjoyed with both vehicles completing the route which had been shortened this year due to the high price of diesel fuel. The next event for us was the Western National Preservation GroupWestern National Preservation Group's Rally on the Hoe on 24 July. Read more

The evenings are closing in and the 2011 rally scene is drawing to a close and September is almost gone. We have four vehicles on the road, those being LeylandLeyland Bus was a British bus manufacturer. It emerged from the Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) as a management buyout of the bus business. It was subsequently acquired by Volvo Buses in 1988 and the name finally disappeared in 1993 OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. 34754(A754 VAF), Bristol LHBristol Commercial Vehicles Light Horizontal engined 716(MUO 328F), Mercedes VarioMercedes-Benz Vario (model designation W670) is a heavy van manufactured by Mercedes-Benz 52529(S529 RWP) and Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1003(VDV 141S). Read more

I've just realised that I haven't done the October news update so here it is, better late than never! We find ourselves at that part of the year where it is difficult to do now lots of jobs we intended to do months ago. Read more

There is not a lot to report for November and I'm still waiting for some responce to the following request. 

To all bus enthusiasts out there, we require additional suitable farm buildings or sheds with good road access so that 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 can work all year round on our fleet and to be able to consider acquiring more vehicles for preservation. Please ask around and give us a call.

We are working on Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1141(AFJ 706T) and hope to have her repainted before the spring of 2012 and back on the road. Read more

Just time for a few words to update you on the happenings for the last month of the year. You may remember that 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 was unsuccessful in acquiring one of the former Western National owned 7' 6" wide Dennis Dart's which had worked in west Cornwall. Well I am pleased to report that we have been offered Dennis Dart 401(L401 VCV) which was new to Western National Limited in 1994. This vehicle is in excellent condition and preserved in the original 'badgers and flags' livery. Read more

A quick and brief update for January 2012 regarding 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. At this time of the year we are thinking about vehicle preparation and MOT's for the coming year and especially thinking about our Running Day on Sunday 15 April at Penzance. Our aim this year is to get Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1226/38873(LFJ 873W) back on the road but it has become apparent that a complete new exhaust system is required. Our Devon based 'friends' are still working on sister VR 1141(AFJ 706T) refurbishing her paintwork for a return to the road this year. Read more

As I am the Editor of this website and the Treasurer of 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, I feel this is the appropriate time to have a little 'rant'. It may have escaped your notice that we have nearly reached the end of February and to date I have only had 2 members re-new for 2012, We are all quite aware that we are in a recession and times are hard but we will come out of it and Great Britain will be 'Great' again BUT will the CBPS still be in existance when this happens? Read more

Well, what can I say but thank you so much to all those who have given so generously and renewed as 'friends' of 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 for another year. This hobby of ours is an expensive but interesting one and is so rewarding especially when so many 'old girls' are brushed off, smartened up and come out to play on our Running Day. Read more

Our big day is now looming large with only eight days to go before the 5th Penzance VR Revival & Vintage Bus Running Day in conjunction with The Thames Valley & Great Western Omnibus Trust on Sunday 15 April 2012. This year is proving to be a very challenging one with some vehicle problems and the very high cost of diesel fuel affecting all of us, especially our 'bus visitors' who are concerned about enough fuel being available for them to return home. Read more

I hope all of you who joined us at Penzance for our Running Day last month, enjoyed the day and got to travel around the area on your favourite vehicle or one like it. The weather was again kind to us and passenger numbers were up yet again this year and in spite of a few last minute hitches, we got through it reasonably unscathed. Read more

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

17 Sep 2011

Photographer: 

Editor

Our Vario 52529(S529 RWP), Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1003(VDV 141S) and Bristol LHBristol Commercial Vehicles Light Horizontal engined 716(MUO 328F) at Tally Ho's yard on the Kingsbridge Running Day 2011.

Picture Details

Picture Date: 

17 Sep 2011

Photographer: 

Editor

Our Vario 52529(S529 RWP), Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1003(VDV 141S) and Bristol LHBristol Commercial Vehicles Light Horizontal engined 716(MUO 328F) at Tally Ho's yard on the Kingsbridge Running Day 2011.