Neville Whitmore writes (11 August 2010):

Twenty three members and friends travelled on Stagecoach in Chesterfield 16458 (P158 KWJ) to the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley for their August evening tour. This is a 1996 Volvo Olympian with an Alexander H87F body of standard Stagecoach style which has spent all of its working life at Chesterfield, but is probably due for withdrawal in the next few weeks.

On arrival at Butterley we were greeted by John Peck and his son Alec and were joined by several others who had travelled to Butterley by car. We were able to inspect the extensive site and the vehicles present.

Inside the impressive purpose built building (the word shed would not do it justice!) was an absolute "Aladdin's Cave" of vehicles in various states of preservation. The buses present were the Chesterfield 123 Preservation Groups two ex Chesterfield Daimler Fleetlines 123 (from where the group gets its name!) and 124 (NNU 123/4M) in two contrasting liveries, green and cream and blue and yellow, and which are a familiar sight locally. Also present were three Bristol VRs, BNU 679G a very early Mk. 1 delivered new to Midland General and undergoing a full restoration (it was latterly some sort of training vehicle), RCH 629L, a Mk 2 example still in the livery of its last owner, Northern Bus but new to Trent and finally YRC 125M another Mk 2 acquired last year for preservation after operating for a boat and bus operator in Cornwall and also undergoing some restoration. Other double deckers present were RCH518F ax ex Trent Daimler Fleetline with Alexander body, again new to Trent but latterly operated by Kimes of Lincolnshire and John Peck's HVO 937, an ex Mansfield District AEC Regent II with a Weymann highbridge body, which has recently been the subject of a model. One single decker present was a very unusual AEC Regal III with a Weymann body built "back to front" as it was new to Lisbon Electric Tramways (ESV 811). There were also various commercial vehicles present including a mobile library, lorries and a road roller.

Outside were two vehicles, a Leyland National UOA 322L which was new to Eastern National as WNO 551L and an ex East Midland Alexander bodied Leyland Tiger, B632 DWF. There was also John Peck's ex Mansfield District/Midland General AEC Regal III KRR 255 waiting to take us a ride around the locality. This was really enjoyed by everyone and we managed to see on the jaunt the "new" Peak Bus ECW bodied Leyland Olympian MUH 289X*. A lot of people were interested in the operation of the pre selector gear box and John's expert handling of it!

After thanking John for his hospitality we started on our journey back to Chesterfield, calling off at the Greyhound at Higham for some well received refreshment!

Thanks to everyone who organised the evening, in particular to John Peck at Butterley, Shayne Howarth our driver and being responsible for managing to procure the vehicle for the tour, Dennis Vickers for making the arrangements and Stagecoach in Chesterfield for making the Volvo Olympian available.

P158 KWJ – This Volvo Olympian, probably soon to be withdrawn, gave the party a smooth and speedy journey to and from Butterley

KRR 255 - Members enjoyed a tour round the local area in this Midland General AEC Regal