I got up at 09:00, and after my usual morning routine, left at 09:30. My dad drove me through to Durham, arriving at the Howlands site for 09:50. There was about 7 or 8 buses present at the time. As I walked in, getting my camera out to take my photos; somebody shouted for me. I looked around, and saw Lee to my left, talking to the driver of the SB Travel Plaxton Primo. I spoke to him for a couple of minutes, before Bazza emerged from behind a Routemaster, and spoke to me as well. After a few minutes, Bazza had disappeared, and I walked around with Lee for about five minutes. I walked up to the very top of the site, where ''Toon Link'' branded 5235 was standing. After taking a few photos, I walked back down to the bottom, to get some more photos; MCW Metrobus 3501 and the Routemasters were amongst them. Then, I heard a sort of ''clag'' noise that I remember from the MetroCentre, when 4710 entered the rally site. Making my way down to the entrance; I saw ''Tyne and Wear PTE'' liveried 4708 and ''Poppy Red'' liveried 4710 preparing to enter. When they did come through, they parked up side-by-side, and people began to descend on them. After waiting a couple of minutes, when Craig and Ian, along with 4708's owner, Jonothan came out to take some photos, I generated a conversation with Craig. When more buses began to pour in, Craig said ''Marcus, stay around here'', so I took the opportunity to talk to Alan, Craig's dad. I met Alan at the MetroCentre, and found he was very nice to talk to. Before long, another National entered the rally site, a Mk1 as opposed to a Mk2; YFY 4M. I alerted Craig, who was on the floor at the front of 4710, sorting something out, and then I watched YFY 4M park up to the right of 4710, in the following formation; FTN 708W, FTN 710W, and YFY 4M. They looked extremely smart, all parked up together.
The time was creeping up to 10:10; I happened to look down to the bottom of the rally site, to see Adrian, and his friend Geoff, who waved at me. I walked down to them, and floated around with them for a few minutes, taking photos. Adrian had been trying to hunt down two of the Park & Ride Solos yesterday; which had been given liveries, only to find one. Luckily for him, both of these vehicles were in attendance at the rally today. Continuing to walk around the rally site; we stumbled across 33101, a recently preserved Stagecoach ALX200. Geoff asked what the significance of it was, which we explained it was the first low-floor vehicle that Stagecoach bought, for Sunderland. After taking some photos of this, at an odd angle; as the buses were being parked around the perimeter of the main parking area (which I'll admit was my only gripe with the event today; there appeared to be a slight lack of organisation on the way vehicles were being parked). The time reached 10:35, when Adrian asked me if I'd ever been inside an Atlantean before. We checked 111, 290 and the other Atlantean, but the doors weren't open, so we headed back up to where the Nationals were parked. 4708 was being moved forward, and 4710's engine was running too. I think they were spacing them out, or something. We watched, and 4710 then moved out and onto the slip road (that's what I would call it anyway!), Craig was at the wheel, and hit the horn. I assumed this was a signal for me to board, as he'd promised me a ride out on 4710, so I got Adrian and Geoff, before we boarded. I think Alan was sat at the front with Craig's daughters. We did a circular around the Park & Ride site, before picking up about a dozen others at the actual pick-up point for the Park & Ride buses. Lee and Bazza also joined us, at the back. Craig made an announcement before sitting down and letting Ian drive us back to Durham.
After this trip on 4710, I now understand what some of the older members say regarding Nationals. In my opinion, for a bus to work, it needs two things; to be powerful, but smooth. Some buses have got loads of power, but rattle like a box of nails. Some are exceptionally smooth to ride, but lack power. Then, some have neither of those qualities, what I would call ''flat'' (no power) or a ''shed'' (rattles a lot). However, the National had loads of power in it's engine, but despite being 34 years of age, I couldn't feel any rattling. I don't know if Adrian, Geoff, Lee, etc. felt differently, but it was an extremely smooth vehicle to ride. Now, it's amongst my favourite vehicles; the B10BLEs, the Olympians, and the Volvo B9TLs. The engine noise was spectacular, and I almost must comment on how nice the seating looked. Wouldn't mind seeing a Renown with that sort of bench seating, just to see what it would be like. I'm really looking forward to making trips on 4710 in the future.
I thanked Craig and said goodbye to Alan as I alighted, before having a brief chat with Ian before he got back in the driving seat. I didn't see him yesterday; he was driving 6125 for the Cricket Ground shuttles, so it made up for that. Always nice to put a face to a name; I knew who he was... He didn't know who I was.
My dad picked me up at 11:20, and that concluded today's brief and rare Sunday outing. It was a great time at Howlands today, nice to have a chance to talk to Lee properly, and also Adrian and Geoff. Thanks as well to Craig and the rest of the Northern National Restoration Group for allowing 4710 out into service, thus enabling my ride on it.
Even though it is just the one...10:47 Shuttle – Howlands Park & Ride Facility to Durham, North Road – Preserved 4710
A link to my album of photos from today; https://www.flickr.com/photos/127739730@...4879436205. Thanks for reading.
Marcus