Bus Restoration
Bus Restoration
FTN 708W look great, masses of respect to Jonothan Ruddick. This livery captures an interesting time in my opinion. I think it represents the time the big companies of PTE or NBC roots realised they had to change their approach to the deregulated market, creating these eye-catching liveries to freshen up the tired image of the bus industry and entice new customers when faced with increasing car ownership.
Well, news from the 500 Group stable now.
Work took place last weekend to clear out our next restoration project - our Leyland PD2 H240 (JVN 40E).
(05 Feb 2016, 1:31 pm)Kuyoyo Well, news from the 500 Group stable now.
Work took place last weekend to clear out our next restoration project - our Leyland PD2 H240 (JVN 40E).
(05 Feb 2016, 1:31 pm)Kuyoyo Well, news from the 500 Group stable now.
Work took place last weekend to clear out our next restoration project - our Leyland PD2 H240 (JVN 40E).
Saw 4708 for the first time in I don't know how many years ago today.
The first time since its restoration anyway.
It was parked up at Chester depot and blinded for the X6 - Sunderland.
I stand by what I have said already about it and the livery - but it did look impressive.
It is clear a lot of hard work has gone in to it.
Eldest Constantopolous was with me when we saw it and decided that Chester must have been short of vehicles!
(16 Apr 2016, 9:33 pm)Andreos1 Saw 4708 for the first time in I don't know how many years ago today.
The first time since its restoration anyway.
It was parked up at Chester depot and blinded for the X6 - Sunderland.
I stand by what I have said already about it and the livery - but it did look impressive.
It is clear a lot of hard work has gone in to it.
Eldest Constantopolous was with me when we saw it and decided that Chester must have been short of vehicles!
(16 Apr 2016, 9:33 pm)Andreos1 Saw 4708 for the first time in I don't know how many years ago today.
The first time since its restoration anyway.
It was parked up at Chester depot and blinded for the X6 - Sunderland.
I stand by what I have said already about it and the livery - but it did look impressive.
It is clear a lot of hard work has gone in to it.
Eldest Constantopolous was with me when we saw it and decided that Chester must have been short of vehicles!
(16 Apr 2016, 9:41 pm)Adrian Smart, isn't it? I saw it for the first time since repaint today, and the photos really don't do the livery justice. It's an extremely smart looking National, and a credit to the owner.
(16 Apr 2016, 9:41 pm)Adrian Smart, isn't it? I saw it for the first time since repaint today, and the photos really don't do the livery justice. It's an extremely smart looking National, and a credit to the owner.
In the North East we have 2 groups who have preserved and restored ex Northern and United busses. The County Durham Bus Preservation Group (4708,3501,3406,3522,3435,6080,3656,2105,4598 and more) Northern National Restoration Group (4681,4710,4855) These groups work together to ensure the survival of the buses under there care.
In the off season we work on these buses to get them looking as good as we can and spend thousands doing so.
Its always nice when people take the time to come over and look at your pride and joy.
At Durham I gave people the opportunity to travel to Durham and back on R855PRG. fair comment it can be said that people can still travel on the B10BLE,s in service.. For now...
It did please me that we had a near full load showing that people wanted to experience a ride on the only Northern B10BLE saved so far. Unfortunately FTN 710W did not have many visitors. Chances are that people did not want to walk right down the bottom of the car park!
Next event for 4710 is Bishop Auckland station Event on July the 23rd. Then NELSAM on August the 7th. This event will have at least 4 buses from both groups. Seaburn on August Bank Holiday Monday will be the last time 4710 and 4855 will be out together.
Saw a Western SMT single decker on wedding guest private hire duties yesterday. I didnt get in front of it, to identify more of the vehicle, but it was blinded up for Central Station. The livery looked like a 50's/60's one - solely based on the fonts used.
Any ideas?
Had a flick online and struggling.
Photo from NELSAM,s event this year.
XL319 FTN 708W and R855 PRG. Nelsam Trams and Transport 2016.
(21 Jan 2016, 9:06 am)Andreos1 Not sure which is the most relevant thread, seeing as we don't have a 'Wilts & Dorset buses living elsewhere' thread...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-35285954
But these ECW Olympians are plying their trade in the states now.
(21 Jan 2016, 9:06 am)Andreos1 Not sure which is the most relevant thread, seeing as we don't have a 'Wilts & Dorset buses living elsewhere' thread...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-35285954
But these ECW Olympians are plying their trade in the states now.
More buses 'living on'
This time an ex-First Trident
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-...ire-family
(05 Feb 2016, 1:31 pm)Kuyoyo Well, news from the 500 Group stable now.
Work took place last weekend to clear out our next restoration project - our Leyland PD2 H240 (JVN 40E).
(05 Feb 2016, 1:31 pm)Kuyoyo Well, news from the 500 Group stable now.
Work took place last weekend to clear out our next restoration project - our Leyland PD2 H240 (JVN 40E).
(11 Jun 2017, 9:46 pm)Kuyoyo Wow, it's really been 16 months since that to get to this point
Anyone who follows the 500 Group on Facebook (for those that don't - https://www.facebook.com/500group/), you may have seen that H240 was started for the first time in 20 years earlier today ahead of the restoration work beginning, once a site has been found to undertake the work at.
The good news is that she requires no external work, as such the team has expressed a time scale of about a year for the work once work begins.
So, hopefully come the 2019 Teesside Running Day, we might be able to roster 3 of the Group's own stock for the first time in the group's History.
(11 Jun 2017, 9:46 pm)Kuyoyo Wow, it's really been 16 months since that to get to this point
Anyone who follows the 500 Group on Facebook (for those that don't - https://www.facebook.com/500group/), you may have seen that H240 was started for the first time in 20 years earlier today ahead of the restoration work beginning, once a site has been found to undertake the work at.
The good news is that she requires no external work, as such the team has expressed a time scale of about a year for the work once work begins.
So, hopefully come the 2019 Teesside Running Day, we might be able to roster 3 of the Group's own stock for the first time in the group's History.
(12 Jun 2017, 6:17 pm)Adrian Good news about H240.
Are the group any closer to securing their own premises yet? Seems to have been an ongoing saga for a while, but hopefully something will be found soon.
(12 Jun 2017, 6:17 pm)Adrian Good news about H240.
Are the group any closer to securing their own premises yet? Seems to have been an ongoing saga for a while, but hopefully something will be found soon.
Some good news regarding our Transbus MPD, 574 / NK53 TMZ......
When we purchased 574, we were advised that either the engine had seized, or a piston had gone - Luckily for us, it's neither, and the alternator has seized, which is probably the best news we could have hoped for.
Following a thumbs up from two engineers, we took 574 on a road test, and she performed very well!
You can view a short video here..... Transbus 574 - Road Test
Good work. Well done.
News from the Teesside 500 Group
Two vehicles have been added to the stable in the last few months - both a bit more modern that H106 (our previous ‘youngest’ of the stable).
In February, we were approached by Cumbria Classic Coaches in regards to Volvo Olympian R833OVN - which they had purchased from Stagecarriage last summer and had developed engine problems. She returned to the region on the 28th February. An engine has been sourced and is waiting for the engineering team to find time in their busy schedules to fit it.
In recent weeks, 833 has been joined by a slightly older sister - Cummins L10-powered, Northern Counties Palatine-bodies M223SVN, one of the first vehicles to arrived at Stockton depot following the Stagecoach takeover in late 1994. It’s arrival was officially confirmed this evening following its successful passing of its MOT. Long term plan is to return it to its original condition in the Transit Deregulation livery (similar to Busways livery but with Green in place of Yellow and the coloured skirts).
Many who have attended recent rallies will have noticed the absent of H106 (and in some cases, the group entirely). Sadly, she was involved in a RTA on her way back from the Tyne Tees Run back in June, leaving the Group down to just 99 as it’s only working vehicle, meaning private work took priority over rallies (or in the case of one of them - our own extra event). The good news is that after a long period of external discussion, work on repairing the damage can now take place, once the chosen repairer has space to do the work.
(11 Aug 2019, 10:27 pm)Kuyoyo News from the Teesside 500 Group
In recent weeks, 833 has been joined by a slightly older sister - Cummins L10-powered, Northern Counties Palatine-bodies M223SVN, one of the first vehicles to arrived at Stockton depot following the Stagecoach takeover in late 1994. It’s arrival was officially confirmed this evening following its successful passing of its MOT. Long term plan is to return it to its original condition in the Transit Deregulation livery (similar to Busways livery but with Green in place of Yellow and the coloured skirts).
(11 Aug 2019, 10:27 pm)Kuyoyo News from the Teesside 500 Group
In recent weeks, 833 has been joined by a slightly older sister - Cummins L10-powered, Northern Counties Palatine-bodies M223SVN, one of the first vehicles to arrived at Stockton depot following the Stagecoach takeover in late 1994. It’s arrival was officially confirmed this evening following its successful passing of its MOT. Long term plan is to return it to its original condition in the Transit Deregulation livery (similar to Busways livery but with Green in place of Yellow and the coloured skirts).