(24 Sep 2016, 10:08 am)NK53 TKT wrote I wish! I'm off to Edinburgh today so definitely not

I'd do both over a weekend.

However as I got no word of a trip until around a fortnight ago, I have instead ended up with a weekend away in Preston.

I'm hoping to head to Showbus next year.

I thought there would be more interest with the considerable move further north this year! I'm planning to go.

(24 Sep 2016, 3:31 pm)James101 wrote I thought there would be more interest with the considerable move further north this year! I'm planning to go.

Still a hike and impossible for us to even get to a train without a lift, for us to get there before noon.

Haven't long passed 3501 powering up the A1.
Guessing it had been at Showbus. 

(25 Sep 2016, 5:54 pm)Andreos1 wrote Haven't long passed 3501 powering up the A1.
Guessing it had been at Showbus. 

It was - a last minute entry. One of four North East vehicles to make the trek including:

Delta 251
A-Line's E200MMC Demo
Generation Travel's Setra T222GEN (original coach was supposed to Neoplans R222GEN)

Good day all round - I would happily attend if it becomes a regular destination for the event. And not just because it doesn't take hours to get there.

Nice to see 251 back in the rally scene!

It was a good event overall. There were many interesting vehicles and the site was of a good size. There were well timetabled shuttles around the local area departing from a makeshift bus station by the main building. 

I do hope it stays at Donnington, particularly if it overcomes some of the minor pitfalls this year. There was only one food stall which didn't seem appropriate for such a large event and the toilet facilities were tucked away in a far corner. 

Although there is plenty of space, it could have been utilised better as many buses were parked so close together it was difficult to photograph or even appreciate them. I think greater supervision of drivers parking by marshals could aliveate some of these issues as it seemed some drivers, left to their own devices, were parking rather inconsideratley. Being on 3501 as it entered the site, we were most of the way through the main parking areas before we even spotted a marshal to guide us to the buses' allocated space. The marshal told us that by 10:30am the parking plan had gone out of the window and pointed us to the nearest empty space at the time.

Maybe there was a plan to have the enter ants better grouped by type/age/region etc as some similar vehicles were together, but there were also instances of preserved VRs being blocked in behind new Chinese demo coaches.

(25 Sep 2016, 6:13 pm)Kuyoyo wrote It was - a last minute entry. One of four North East vehicles to make the trek including:

Delta 251
A-Line's E200MMC Demo
Generation Travel's Setra T222GEN (original coach was supposed to Neoplans R222GEN)

Good day all round - I would happily attend if it becomes a regular destination for the event. And not just because it doesn't take hours to get there.

Passed what looked like a couple of examples from Hull too. Dusk was falling, but it looked like an Atlantean and another decker.

(25 Sep 2016, 6:13 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Good day all round - I would happily attend if it becomes a regular destination for the event. And not just because it doesn't take hours to get there.

Agree with that. The shape and layout of the site is perfect for a big rally like Showbus. Perhaps my only criticism was buses being lined up with the sun behind them before noon, but I'm not sure how they could have avoided that.

(25 Sep 2016, 6:13 pm)Kuyoyo wrote It was - a last minute entry. One of four North East vehicles to make the trek including:

Delta 251
A-Line's E200MMC Demo
Generation Travel's Setra T222GEN (original coach was supposed to Neoplans R222GEN)

Good day all round - I would happily attend if it becomes a regular destination for the event. And not just because it doesn't take hours to get there.

Don't forget Snowdons Van Hool too.

Annyone planning on going to Showbus this year?

(03 Jul 2017, 8:14 pm)Malarkey wrote Annyone planning on going to Showbus this year?

I would like to but unsure if it will be possible to do so, atm.

(03 Jul 2017, 8:16 pm)Jimmi wrote I would like to but unsure if it will be possible to do so, atm.

If I end up going by myself it looks like going into Nottingham is the best option and catching the Skylink to Donnington Park, costs £10.10 for an anytime return from Nottingham.

(03 Jul 2017, 9:34 pm)Malarkey wrote If I end up going by myself it looks like going into Nottingham is the best option and catching the Skylink to Donnington Park, costs £10.10 for an anytime return from Nottingham.

If you're travelling down by public transport, you'd be best off going down on the Saturday and finding some accomodation.

(03 Jul 2017, 9:39 pm)Adrian wrote If you're travelling down by public transport, you'd be best off going down on the Saturday and finding some accomodation.

That's what I was thinking of possibly doing, unless someone locally was taking down a bus for the event.

I echo what Adrian says, as that's exactly what I'll be doing 

A-line took their E200MMC demo last year, and were ferrying people down, however as I live quite far from Tyne and Wear, I would not have been able to get to the pickup until a couple of hours after departure lol

(03 Jul 2017, 9:39 pm)Adrian wrote If you're travelling down by public transport, you'd be best off going down on the Saturday and finding some accomodation.

I considered this last year, but the cheapest accomodation I could find either at EMA or in/near Nottingham, was nearly £70!

Its something that we do plan to do. But not this year and not with A National 2.

(05 Jul 2017, 7:46 pm)Tamesider wrote I considered this last year, but the cheapest accomodation I could find either at EMA or in/near Nottingham, was nearly £70!

Whilst Donnington is a considerable improvement geographically on Duxford - bearing in mind that virtually all Transport events (incl Air) in this country seem to take place in the South - it does unfortunately share one problem. It is held near a University city on the very weekend when all the Students are moving in for the new Academic Year. Hence, the high accommodation costs (and likely little sleep due to Freshers' partying).

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express at EMA last year and will probably do the same this year. I did a Derbyshire Wayfarer on the Saturday starting in Sheffield and visited Bakewell, Matlock, Alfreton, Derby & Burton. Always plenty of places you can go, Trent Barron's Zigzag I think is only £6 for the day for example.

Having some further thoughts on Showbus, would anyone be interested in going if a Coach was hired for the day from JH Coaches for example.

(14 Jul 2017, 8:11 pm)tyresmoke wrote I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express at EMA last year and will probably do the same this year. I did a Derbyshire Wayfarer on the Saturday starting in Sheffield and visited Bakewell, Matlock, Alfreton, Derby & Burton. Always plenty of places you can go, Trent Barron's Zigzag I think is only £6 for the day for example.

Currently showing as £86.45 for one person! So, don't know what it will be by w/c 21 August - the earliest I could get medical clearance

If anyone is still struggling with transport to Showbus it may be worth considering Vamooz (Transdev App). They are running trips from Harrogate, Leeds, Meadowhall, Burnley & Manchester. For most people it would mean staying overnight in one of the towns listed, though that would still probably be cheaper than staying in the vicinity of EMA.

(21 Aug 2017, 7:48 am)James101 wrote If anyone is still struggling with transport to Showbus it may be worth considering Vamooz (Transdev App). They are running trips from Harrogate, Leeds, Meadowhall, Burnley & Manchester. For most people it would mean staying overnight in one of the towns listed, though that would still probably be cheaper than staying in the vicinity of EMA.

Thanks for letting us know, James. I'm still on the fence (problem with transport...), will check out Vamooz. I've got no problem with staying overnight tho.

(21 Aug 2017, 7:48 am)James101 wrote If anyone is still struggling with transport to Showbus it may be worth considering Vamooz (Transdev App). They are running trips from Harrogate, Leeds, Meadowhall, Burnley & Manchester. For most people it would mean staying overnight in one of the towns listed, though that would still probably be cheaper than staying in the vicinity of EMA.

You'll struggle to get cheaper accommodation anywhere near Manchester. Apart from presumably being the start of Freshers week for the biggest University city in Europe (in terms of Student numbers), Man U****d are at home.

(21 Aug 2017, 7:48 am)James101 wrote If anyone is still struggling with transport to Showbus it may be worth considering Vamooz (Transdev App). They are running trips from Harrogate, Leeds, Meadowhall, Burnley & Manchester. For most people it would mean staying overnight in one of the towns listed, though that would still probably be cheaper than staying in the vicinity of EMA.

I've run out of all options - above not feasible for me, as the pick up/drop off is the "wrong side" of M'cr. Only an issue because I have anaemia and its early Sunday morning (no MetroShuttles). A leisurely wander around a Showground is one thing, but a dash from Piccadilly to Deansgate from the first bus of the day is another entirely. And that's before we consider the weather.

From those who have been to Showbus (especially at Donington Park), how late could you arrive without it defeating the object of going? If I catch the first train from Stockport, I have a 10 minute connection in Sheffield and a 9 minute connection in Derby to the Skyline bus to get me there by c.1115. To me, those are tight connections, as off-peak trains always seem to run late. Can't see Sunday being any different, though I don't think I've ever been on a train on a Sunday!

(11 Sep 2017, 2:11 pm)Tamesider wrote I've run out of all options - above not feasible for me, as the pick up/drop off is the "wrong side" of M'cr. Only an issue because I have anaemia and its early Sunday morning (no MetroShuttles). A leisurely wander around a Showground is one thing, but a dash from Piccadilly to Deansgate from the first bus of the day is another entirely. And that's before we consider the weather.

From those who have been to Showbus (especially at Donington Park), how late could you arrive without it defeating the object of going? If I catch the first train from Stockport, I have a 10 minute connection in Sheffield and a 9 minute connection in Derby to the Skyline bus to get me there by c.1115. To me, those are tight connections, as off-peak trains always seem to run late. Can't see Sunday being any different, though I don't think I've ever been on a train on a Sunday!

 
It's a shame it's becoming inaccessible for you. It would be useful if the Showbus website had a list of coach trips with vacant seats and their origin. Even if there wasn't a coach or preserved vehicle going from your area it could open up options e.g. train to Stoke-on-Trent and meet a coach trip there.

I arrived around 11am last year which seemed to be the peak time for vehicles arriving, with most parked up by mid-day. I had committements later in the day so was off again by 3pm, but I felt I had seen everything there was to see by this time. I may have needed longer if I was more into my photography or wanted to sample the shuttles.

I unfortunately can't do it again owing to me not being able to drive and as far as everyone else is concerned, I live in the arse end of nowhere, meaning no-one is picking up even close to where I live (Newton Aycliffe) and being a Sunday there is no real public transport options to get there either. Hopefully next year (which I've said the last two years as well) [emoji19]

At least Maxïmo Park are doing a gig in Middlesbrough that night to keep me amused.

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Still debating with whether to learn to drive or just continue with the way I've been doing things now, using public transport to get everywhere but maybe do more hotel stays for further afield trips.

Sent from my F5321 using Tapatalk

(11 Sep 2017, 2:30 pm)James101 wrote  
It's a shame it's becoming inaccessible for you. It would be useful if the Showbus website had a list of coach trips with vacant seats and their origin. Even if there wasn't a coach or preserved vehicle going from your area it could open up options e.g. train to Stoke-on-Trent and meet a coach trip there.

I arrived around 11am last year which seemed to be the peak time for vehicles arriving, with most parked up by mid-day. I had committements later in the day so was off again by 3pm, but I felt I had seen everything there was to see by this time. I may have needed longer if I was more into my photography or wanted to sample the shuttles.

Thanks, James. Looking at the Showbus site it is noticable that absolutely no trips are organised from the GM area - Transdev's Vamooz is the only one vaguely fitting the bill. I would think anything from Stoke or other stations down the line from Stockport (or even Man Piccadilly) would be reached too late to safely meet an excursion close by. OTOH, your timings are quite encouraging, so IF the weather is half decent, maybe I'll risk it.

(11 Sep 2017, 2:58 pm)Jimmi wrote I unfortunately can't do it again owing to me not being able to drive and as far as everyone else is concerned, I live in the arse end of nowhere, meaning no-one is picking up even close to where I live (Newton Aycliffe) and being a Sunday there is no real public transport options to get there either. Hopefully next year (which I've said the last two years as well) [emoji19]

At least Maxïmo Park are doing a gig in Middlesbrough that night to keep me amused.

---

Still debating with whether to learn to drive or just continue with the way I've been doing things now, using public transport to get everywhere but maybe do more hotel stays for further afield trips.

Sent from my F5321 using Tapatalk

How times have changed! I recall a few years after De-reg, I castigated a friend and colleague for driving on bus spotting trips. It seemed to almost be treachery in those days - bearing in mind both of us live/d in suburban Greater Manchester. However, in all honesty, unless you live in Greater London, carless-ness is no longer a "sustainable" lifestyle choice. I'm guessing from you raising the question, you are in your late teens or early 20s. If you are expecting to leave home to go to University, you will probably be both short of cash to take up driving, and served by decent bus services even compared to the rest of the city/town you are studying in. However, if you are not going into FE - or indeed have graduated, then that's a different story.

FTR (and to partly illustrate the point), I didn't go to Showbus and from a report back from the self same ex-colleague mentioned above, it was probably a good decision. He did drive and made a weekend of it, partly because he was also visiting relatives in the East Midlands. He actually stayed overnight at a Premier Inn (not well served by public transport) and was happy that it only cost £65pppn. He also reported exhibits down compared to previous years, but as he perceived this was largely the London contingent, that wouldn't have bothered me. Following a report of a mini-tornado or similar near Derby on the Sunday evening news, he confirmed there was a downpour during the late afternoon, albeit it was shortlived, and he was fortuitously near shelter at the time. However, it heralded a general deterioration in light conditions, and he encountered more rain on his drive back - though that wasn't an issue inside his car!
Seperate to that, there were general reports of not only engineering works affecting both Sheffield and Derby Stations (my two - tight - connecting points) but also that one of the engineering units derailed causing more serious disruption, which hadn't recovered by late afternoon!