What possible connection can there be with Chesterfield and a vintage bus and coach operator in Cumbria? Indeed there will be some who would doubt that there is such a connection. But let me put your mind at rest and tell you that this is just the case. The company is Cumbria Classic Coaches based at Ravenstonedale near to Kirkby Stephen and Paul Harrison is a specialist traditional vehicle painter based here in Chesterfield.

Back in late 2006 early 2007 all five of the then current fleet made their way to Chesterfield for repainting. The work was completed by Paul and took place at the former New Street premises of the East Midlands Motors Services company.

The company is a family run business that keeps the vehicles as best as possible in their original respective state and character. They are all class V1 tested and are used regularly on weddings, birthday outings, film and television work, along with corporate events and group outings. They are also used on two weekly stage services based on Kirkby Stephen, one all year round on Wednesdays to Barnard Castle (572) and one seasonal Tuesdays to Hawes (569). On the latter there is an add-on service during the middle of the day to Ribblehead (570). All services connect to the Settle & Carlisle railway line at Kirkby Stephen West (569,572) and Ribblehead (570) and operate through some of the finest scenery in Britain.

The five buses concerned are:-

The slideshow below shows the vehicles on the New Street premises in various stages of their attention. Included are images of the painter Paul, and a certain north eastern member of Transpire, a regular driver of the vehicles, namely one David Gambles, many of whom will know as being a one-time owner of the famous Chesterfield Tiger JRA 635

There is one further bus in the active fleet that was acquired during late 2008. This came in the shape of UTC 672 and AEC Regent / East Lancs H55RD circa 1955 formerly with and restored into the livery of the Bamber Bridge Motor Services.

Also a long-term preservation project is also in hand on CMS 9 a Commer Commando / Scottish Aviation C29F circa 1949.

Finally, three other buses of interest have passed through the company’s hands. First up is WG 2373 a Leyland Lion / Burlingham B35F circa 1934 which was indeed the very first bus acquired by the company around twelve years ago. Next is JPY 985 a Commer Avenger / Plaxton C29F circa 1953 that was originally with Heather Motors, hence it was named Heather for its stay. Last but by no means least was 647 BKL a bit of a strange one and not quite what it appeared to be, a Guy Warrior / Mulliner B49F that although acquired in United Automobile livery was never operated by them, being as it was originally a council operated vehicle in the North East. All these buses have since departed from the company.

Some Transpire members and others will have already experienced most of the fleet as the 123 Group have organised day trips to an annual Easter weekend event held in the North West. This is a commercial vehicle event that has grown over the passed eleven years to accommodate more than 250 entrants and as it ‘states on the tin’, mostly commercials of all shapes and sizes that are exhibited over several sites in the Cumbrian towns of Brough and Kirkby Stephen. As these locations are several miles apart a free vintage bus service has plied the main road and over the two days has carried several thousand passengers on a variety of buses and coaches.

For my part I too have a close association with the company as have crewed all the vehicles at one time or another on various assignments. They also have a 1936 Rover 14 saloon and a genuine 1937 London taxicab that are both used for weddings and other assignments, which I have an undoubted pleasure in driving for such occasions. Along with David we are also involved with the annual event, he as a driver and me attempting to keep order of the free bus service. Generally we have been blessed with reasonable weather but 2008 sprung a surprise with a somewhat heavy fall of snow overnight on the Saturday. Thus we woke to several inches of the white stuff, but nevertheless the show did go on in the best traditions of hardy northern folk, with few entrants failing to make their way to the various sites.

Well worth the trip! And indeed I understand that there will be a further visit to the event this coming Easter on Sunday 4th April organised by the Chesterfield 123 Preservation Group (Please phone Shayne Howarth on 07787 976360 for details and booking). Come and join in the fun and ride a selection of vintage buses and coaches as they speed between the two towns and then negotiate the stiff incline of Midland Hill to and from the Settle & Carlisle line at the ‘West’ station.

The slideshow below shows the vehicles at work, mostly in the sylvan surroundings of the Cumbrian and Yorkshire countryside.