Potteries Connection Running Day, Gladstone Pottery, Longton
Sunday 1st August 2010

August is, surprisingly, a quiet month for rallies, but those who attended this event last year had an enjoyable day. Based at the historic Gladstone Pottery, which provides both toilets and refreshments for the event, an interesting network of preserved bus services is operated to the nearby towns of the Potteries conurbation. A variety of styles and ages of bus are used, so as to suit all tastes.

We hope to use an alternative preserved bus to those that attended the Potteries event in May (93 and 353), so ex. Chesterfield Daimler Fleetline 123 will be our representative. STOP PRESS: Shayne Howarth reports that Leopard PRA 109R will be used.

Depart: Chesterfield Town Hall at 0900 hours

Fare: There is no charge on a preserved vehicle. However, if for any reason it is necessary to hire a bus for the journey, the cost is likely to be 10 pounds per person.

Return: To Chesterfield for approximately 1900 hours

Booking: See general note at top of page.

Evening Tour, Visit to the Preserved Buses at
the Midland Railway Centre, Butterley
Tuesday 10th August 2010

Our August evening tour will be a visit to the collection of preserved buses stored at the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley near Ripley, Three of the Chesterfield 123 Preservation Group’s buses are normally housed here, although former Chesterfield Atlantean 114 is currently at the former TM Travel depot at Staveley undergoing extensive restoration. Ex. Chesterfield Fleetlines 123 and 124 (NNU 123/124M) should be present. There will be the opportunity to inspect these, and the other dozen or so preserved buses and commercial vehicles that are in various stages of restoration. These include :

HVO 937 1947 AEC Regent II with Weymann bodywork (ex. Mansfield District 126)
KRR 255 1949 AEC Regal III with Weymann bodywork (ex. Midland General 91)
SHN 80L 1973 Bristol RE with E.C.W. bodywork (ex. United 6080)
RCH 629L 1972 Bristol VR with E.C.W. bodywork (ex. Trent 767)

Hopefully there will also be the chance to ride on one or two of these vehicles around the Butterley site

One of the locally preserved buses will be used for the journey to Butterley.

Depart: Chesterfield Town Hall at 1900 hours prompt (to take advantage of the light)

Fare: There is no charge on a preserved vehicle. However, if for any reason it is necessary to hire a bus for the journey, the cost is likely to be 5 pounds per person.

Return: To Chesterfield for approximately 2200 hours

Route: via Derby Road, Clay Cross and Alfreton

Booking: See general note at top of page. if you intend to join the evening at a point other than Chesterfield Town Hall, it is advisable to inform Dennis Vickers in advance.

Crich Transport Extravaganza
Sunday 29th August 2010

It was in the 1960’s that the Crich Transport Extravaganza first began, and I have probably attended most years since then. The Tramway Museum is now run on more business lines than in the early days of dedicated tramway enthusiasts, and there is now more emphasis on formal displays, and less of stalls and buses dotted on the hillside. Nevertheless the current National Museum is a credit to those early pioneers, and is certainly worth an annual visit.

Over this August Bank Holiday weekend there are visiting buses, lots of stalls to browse and, of course, many superbly restored trams to travel on to Wakebridge and return. A special feature will be the commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the opening of Blackpool’s tramway.

Ex. Chesterfield Daimler Fleetline 124 (NNU 124M) and Tony’s Leyland PD2 225 (225 LRB) will be attending.

Depart: Chesterfield Town Hall, Rose Hill at 0930 hours

Fare: There is no charge on a preserved vehicle. However, if for any reason it is necessary to hire a bus for the journey, the cost is likely to be 5 pounds per person.

Admission Charge: Please note that there is an admission charge to the Tramway Museum of 9 pounds per adult, and 5 pounds per child.

Return: To Chesterfield for approximately 1800 hours

Booking: See general note at top of page.

Trans-Lancs Rally, Heaton Park, Manchester
Sunday 5th September 2010

Will the weather hold this year, for that well known expression “it always rains at Heaton Park” has proved correct for many of their gatherings. Still, it is Manchester, and it is well worth attending that city’s premier preserved bus event whatever the weather.

The day begins at the Boyle Street Museum, home to many fine preserved vehicles, and there is then the ‘Trans-Lancs’ run through some not so scenic areas until the fine green expanse of Heaton Park marks our final destination. Here the buses are carefully lined up (avoid that muddy section!) for the afternoon’s display. Attractions at Heaton Park include a fairground and the fascinating restored tramway which uses, in part, the original track from the old Manchester Corporation route through the park.

Our transport this year is (no – not the open-topper!) ex. Blackpool Atlantean 353 (UHG 353Y)

Depart: Chesterfield Town Hall, Rose Hill at 0845 hours

Fare: There is no charge on a preserved vehicle. However, if for any reason it is necessary to hire a bus for the journey, the cost is likely to be 10 pounds per person.

Return: To Chesterfield for approximately 1900 hours

Booking: See general note at top of page.

Merseyside Transport Trust Running Day, Liverpool
Sunday 12th September 2010

If you are a fan of half-cab and classic buses, then this is not the event for you. However the under 50’s who are fond of Atlanteans, Fleetlines, Panthers etc. will enjoy riding on these through the streets of Liverpool. This event is more akin to our Chesterfield Running Day than to a rally, with local preserved buses, mostly from the Merseyside Transport Trust, operating a network of free bus services from Liverpool centre. There are also other Merseyside attractions to sample including, probably, the most ornate real ale pub in the country.

Transport to the running day will be ex. Chesterfield Transport Daimler Fleetline 123 (NNU 123M)

Depart: Chesterfield Town Hall, Rose Hill at 0845 hours

Fare: There is no charge on a preserved vehicle. However, if for any reason it is necessary to hire a bus for the journey, the cost is likely to be 10 pounds per person.

Return: To Chesterfield for approximately 1930 hours

Booking: See general note at top of page.

South Yorkshire Transport Rally, Meadowhall
Sunday 19th September 2010

Sheffield’s own long standing bus show has always been one of the most popular events in our rally calendar, and we are always proud to show that their neighbouring town of Chesterfield can boast so many fine preserved buses that are on the road (far more than in that City). Both preserved and modern buses are displayed in the coach park of the Meadowhall Shopping Centre, and regular free bus services are operated to both Sheffield Centre, and to the South Yorkshire Transport Museum at Aldwarke, near Rotherham. Both vehicle and static displays are present at this Museum along with refreshments and toilets, whilst the Meadowhall site boasts one of the largest gatherings of sales stalls.

For some years local Chesterfield area buses have run in convoy to Meadowhall. However last year’s parade’ was something of a ‘damp squib’ with only 3 or 4 buses taking part as so many can now make a much shorter journey by running direct from their home base to Meadowhall. With rapidly increasing costs there may not be as many of the ‘123 Group’ fleet attending, and thus we will have a normal rally departure time from the Town Hall. All are welcome of course, and bring your ‘WAGs’ who will enjoy the Shopping Centre.

Depart: Chesterfield Town Hall, Rose Hill at 0945 hours

Fare: There is no charge on a preserved vehicle. However, if for any reason it is necessary to hire a bus for the journey, the cost is likely to be 5 pounds per person.

Admission Charge: Please note that, although there is no admission charge to the rally site, there is a small admission charge to the South Yorkshire Transport Museum at Aldwarke.

Return: To Chesterfield for approximately 1800 hours

Booking: See general note at top of page.

EFE Showbus Event, Duxford, Cambridgeshire
Sunday 26th September 2010

It is most unfortunate this year that two events, both of which many would like to visit, have clashed on 26th September. We are to take a vehicle to both, and thus you may have a difficult choice to make.

Showbus is the country’s largest and most famous rally with up to 500 buses, both restored and modern, attending. There are huge London sections, and some operators bring along a number of representatives e.g. last year there were around 5 of Johnson’s heritage and modern fleet. This year some of the special displays planned are for 50 years of the Daimler Fleetline, 80 years of Green Line coaches and 90 years of Lodge Coaches. Those who enjoy browsing the stalls can spend all day at the hundreds available, and a free bus service is operated to nearby Duxford village using some of the preserved buses (we usually work one of these runs ourselves).

Our transport this year will be ex. Chesterfield Leyland Panther 93 (ENU 93H)

Depart: Chesterfield Town Hall, Rose Hill at 0730 hours

Fare: There is no charge on a preserved vehicle. However, if for any reason it is necessary to hire a bus for the journey, the cost is likely to be 15 pounds per person.

Admission Charge: Please note that there is an admission charge to the rally site of approx. 8.50 pounds per person. However this does also include entry to all the on site exhibitions of the Imperial War Museum (including resident aircraft and wartime memorabilia)

Return: To Chesterfield for approximately 2130 hours

Booking: See general note at top of page.

125th Anniversary of Blackpool Trams, Blackpool
Sunday 26th September 2010

The second special event on 26th September is a ‘one-off’ to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the opening of Blackpool’s famous tramway. Although some of the tram track is currently being rebuilt for future ‘Supertram’ operation, there is still sufficient sea front track in operation to allow a special 10 minute frequency by both resident and visiting trams, with some unusual examples in service.

Blackpool’s Rigby Road depot is normally a strictly ‘no go’ area for enthusiasts, but it will be open to visitors on this day and will include a vintage bus display, model trams and stalls.

The 123 Group’s ex. Blackpool Atlantean 353 (UHG 353Y) will be making the second visit of the year to its former home town and all are welcome (you may wish to make this a family day out).

Depart: Chesterfield Town Hall, Rose Hill at 0800 hours

Fare: There is no charge on a preserved vehicle. However, if for any reason it is necessary to hire a bus for the journey, the cost is likely to be 12 pounds per person.

Return: To Chesterfield for approximately 2030 hours

Booking: See general note at top of page.

TRANSPIRE AGM and slide presentation
Tuesday 28th September 2010

Start: 1930 hours

Venue: Rose Hill United Reform Church, Soresby Street/Rose Hill, Chesterfield. No 2 classroom upstairs

Finish: Aprroximately 2145 hours

Donation: There is no charge but donations of at least £1.50 per person are invited to cover the cost of room hire. This includes light refreshments.

Wirral Bus and Tram Show, Birkenhead
Sunday 3rd October 2010

Which town in England, other than Blackpool, has a waterfront vintage tramway? Many would find this difficult to solve but the answer is, of course, Birkenhead, and the fascinating half mile or so of track linking Woodside ferry terminal with the two transport museums in the former Pacific Road and Taylor Street depots will be fully in action on 3rd October.

There is never a dull moment at this event with, in addition to the trams, the gathering of preserved and modern buses, stalls, and displays inside both depots, plus free bus services linking these with the ferry terminal and the towns of Wallasey and New Brighton (this seaside resort is the butt of many a comedians’ joke). Away from the rally it is easy to cross the River by either underground train from the nearby Victorian station, or the ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’ made famous by 1960’s pop groups.

Our transport this year is ex. Chesterfield Leyland Leopard 306 (PRA 109R)

Depart: Chesterfield Town Hall, Rose Hill at 0830 hours

Fare: There is no charge on a preserved vehicle. However, if for any reason it is necessary to hire a bus for the journey, the cost is likely to be 10 pounds per person.

Return: To Chesterfield for approximately 2000 hours

Booking: See general note at top of page.

Details of other events that the Society will be attending later in the season will be given in coming News Sheets and on this web page. However some dates for your diary are: