I have to say this year's Seaburn Rally was the most disappointing rally I've ever seen.. There seems to be less and less buses every year. It's supposed to be a historic vehicle rally but there were way too many post millennium vehicles - a lot that the non enthusiast would think could still be used in service today as they still look modern.  

There were absolutely no Leyland Nationals, only one Olympian and one Bristol VRT and considerably fewer Atlanteans. There were barely any other older single decks and about one coach and I'm sorry that is very poor. 

The highlight of the day was having a ride on the open top Atlantean which I really enjoyed but apart from that I was massively disappointed to be honest. I understand this could be down to the ridiculous costs of living these days and I understand that vehicles like ex NGT 4710 are undergoing an overhaul etc, so I'm not trying to be unreasonable but I was really disappointed. I

 was hoping to catch a ride on 3501 but once again it was not used on the Heritage Tour and hasn't been for a few years and it seems the same vehicles are used every year. I haven't seen the likes of ex NGT 3406, 3469, 3636 for a few years to name a few. I  also haven't seen the Northumbria livered Delta for a while, and there was the absence of 3656, 3661, 3741 and 4708 and the ex Busways Scania etc. I was also disappointed with the selection of cars on display although there were some new additions that I hadn't seen previously, so it wasn't all bad.

I normally book holidays to attend the rally each year as I used to go with my Dad and have kept going since after he passed away but if it continues to decline I see very little point of going in the future.

There's a whole number of reasons attendance is down at these events - one being the behaviour exhibited at previous events has put many owners off doing shuttle services or even attending in any capacity.

Part of the reason for a lack of variety on shuttles (aside from the above issues) was supposedly for health & safety and not enough people helping out, so could only use the same few buses all day.

(Yesterday, 2:20 pm)Washingtonian wrote I have to say this year's Seaburn Rally was the most disappointing rally I've ever seen.. There seems to be less and less buses every year. It's supposed to be a historic vehicle rally but there were way too many post millennium vehicles - a lot that the non enthusiast would think could still be used in service today as they still look modern.  

There were absolutely no Leyland Nationals, only one Olympian and one Bristol VRT and considerably fewer Atlanteans. There were barely any other older single decks and about one coach and I'm sorry that is very poor. 

The highlight of the day was having a ride on the open top Atlantean which I really enjoyed but apart from that I was massively disappointed to be honest. I understand this could be down to the ridiculous costs of living these days and I understand that vehicles like ex NGT 4710 are undergoing an overhaul etc, so I'm not trying to be unreasonable but I was really disappointed. I

 was hoping to catch a ride on 3501 but once again it was not used on the Heritage Tour and hasn't been for a few years and it seems the same vehicles are used every year. I haven't seen the likes of ex NGT 3406, 3469, 3636 for a few years to name a few. I  also haven't seen the Northumbria livered Delta for a while, and there was the absence of 3656, 3661, 3741 and 4708 and the ex Busways Scania etc. I was also disappointed with the selection of cars on display although there were some new additions that I hadn't seen previously, so it wasn't all bad.

I normally book holidays to attend the rally each year as I used to go with my Dad and have kept going since after he passed away but if it continues to decline I see very little point of going in the future.

I disagree that this rally wasnt the worse one seaburn is one of the better rallies in the north east and this one was the better one of the trust events this year after metrocentre where people ruined it for others which could of been a reason for owners not turning up. And the bus types you mentioned they could have been not road worthy! I don’t had a couple from out of the region turn up! And the “modern” buses some of them can be counted as vintage now such as the tridents that turned up and the solars and renown’s which are over 20 years old there was a good selection of historic cars on show too I felt the event was a success lot of people turned and enjoyed themselves! I had over 55 people on  the 3 shuttles on I conducted on with our open top bus everyone I talked to enjoyed the event!

my mate ended up there and said it was great although his was the first one he's attended and he's not really an enthusiast. Maybe it comes across as poor due to you going every year and also if you attended other that doesn't help. I used to go to the town moor as a young un and kept that up until 200's Now i only go every few years as it gets repetitive when i was going each year

just a thought

Interesting range of views so far, was wondering what people’s thoughts had been as it did feel different to previous years. The field felt a bit emptier and was a shame only one of the Busways heritage liveried quartet were in attendance but I guess they have been to a couple of NEBPT events already. Was good to see most of the advertised vehicles turn up, with some additions – I only counted a handful of no-shows including North Star, the GNE Cherry Citaro and Newcastle Corporation NVK341.

It was good to see 838 back on the rally scene, even if only a static exhibit. Had expected 268 and 669 to make an appearance too but presume they were VOR.

The way the vehicles around the top entrance were parked was annoying as it prevented decent photos but presume there was a method to the madness.

There didn’t seem to be that many cars or ‘other’ vehicles as in the past but that didn’t bother me as my interest was the buses. There also seemed to be a few less trade stalls than in years gone by.

I was torn on the new way of doing the shuttles – having four vehicles each doing the same run hourly meant less variety but also meant you could plan runs to sample each of them. I’m sure the shuttles were more frequent than previous years too - every 15 mins combined – yet they carried healthy loads, especially the open topper which was pretty rammed each run I saw. A welcome addition was the timetable being available to view in real time. It would have been nice to see a few more buses on the runs but realistically this would probably have just been the other NEBPT buses in operation as many of the others I think tend to stand as static exhibits only at most events I’ve attended, which is a pity but also understandable given the time, effort and money that individuals put into restoring and maintaining them.

I've said years ago. I wouldn't mind trying to set up an event similar to Kirkby Stephen, but it would be very difficult

Running from South Shields via the coast to Seaburn.

Similar to Kirkby Stephen, drop offs mid route, with donations towards the running costs.

I think it could generate a lot of interest

(Yesterday, 5:35 pm)LVK 404L wrote I've said years ago.  I wouldn't mind trying to set up an event similar to Kirkby Stephen, but it would be very difficult

Running from South Shields via the coast to Seaburn.

Similar to Kirkby Stephen, drop offs mid route, with donations towards the running costs.

I think it could generate a lot of interest

We had one. The 500 Group ran an excellent running day for years, and in my opinion was the highlight of the North East preservation scene. An event that ran like clockwork, plenty of participants from the North East and beyond, and really just an enjoyable day out.

There's plenty of places in the North East where a similar event could be setup and ran, but the biggest issue will be the lack of participants. There's not much use having a running day, if you've barely got any services to run. I suspect the 500 Group event was always excellently supported, is because they always (and to this day) make an effort to support every other event within reasonable distance. Often taking many of their club members along with them.

I just wouldn't have confidence in the Tyne and Wear based events being supported on that scale, the way things run at the moment. 

On Seaburn, we seem to go around in this annual cycle of criticism levelled at the NEBPT ran events. I think it's fair to say that one of the biggest criticisms has always been how unorganised the events appear, and I noted comments on their Facebook feed suggesting similar. I tend to agree with them, and I often wonder whether those saying they had a superb day etc are trying to massage egos or genuinely have such low expectations for an event.

If you go to just about any rally or running day outside of Tyne and Wear, you'll get a shock at how well organised it is in comparison. I know someone who was at the JFS Fishwick running day the day prior, and it sounded chalk and cheese compared to Seaburn. Proper programme, planned routes and a service board. I've been to the Ribble day in the past and that was just the same, as is Kirkby Stephen. 

You've even got the Whitehaven event, which many from the North East now attend in favour of the NEBPT Metrocentre event. It's fair to say that Whitehaven, despite being a relatively new event, is now the event to attend that weekend. 

To be fair to the NEBPT, I think they'd admit that their biggest challenge is the lack of active volunteers. They really need people to join (only £10 for the year now) and be prepared to volunteer some time. Attend the AGMs, get involved and give ideas for improvements.

(Yesterday, 3:11 pm)ThomasBooth123 wrote I disagree that this rally wasnt the worse one seaburn is one of the better rallies in the north east and this one was the better one of the trust events this year after metrocentre where people ruined it for others which could of been a reason for owners not turning up. And the bus types you mentioned they could have been not road worthy! I don’t had a couple from out of the region turn up! And the “modern” buses some of them can be counted as vintage now such as the tridents that turned up and the solars and renown’s which are over 20 years old there was a good selection of historic cars on show too I felt the event was a success lot of people turned and enjoyed themselves! I had over 55 people on  the 3 shuttles on I conducted on with our open top bus everyone I talked to enjoyed the event!

Yes I agree that Seaburn is normally one of the best rallies in the season as I've been to others, but I have been going to Seaburn for years now and the last few have been disappointing and that's just my opinion. I suppose it depends on what you are looking for and what era you grew up in. 

I understand what you are saying about some of the post millennium stuff being classed as vintage with them being over 20 years old but my point is they still look modern and don't stand out anywhere near as much as stuff from the 60s, 70s and 80s etc. And on the subject of modern buses a lot of those in attendance are still in service with their operators, so hardly historic and some of them are only a year or two old if not brand new. Like I said before I'm my previous post that I understand there are reasons why some older vehicles can't attend, but it doesn't stop me being disappointed if so many are missing. Again this is just my opinion.

(Yesterday, 6:54 pm)Adrian wrote We had one. The 500 Group ran an excellent running day for years, and in my opinion was the highlight of the North East preservation scene. An event that ran like clockwork, plenty of participants from the North East and beyond, and really just an enjoyable day out.

There's plenty of places in the North East where a similar event could be setup and ran, but the biggest issue will be the lack of participants. There's not much use having a running day, if you've barely got any services to run. I suspect the 500 Group event was always excellently supported, is because they always (and to this day) make an effort to support every other event within reasonable distance. Often taking many of their club members along with them.

I just wouldn't have confidence in the Tyne and Wear based events being supported on that scale, the way things run at the moment. 

On Seaburn, we seem to go around in this annual cycle of criticism levelled at the NEBPT ran events. I think it's fair to say that one of the biggest criticisms has always been how unorganised the events appear, and I noted comments on their Facebook feed suggesting similar. I tend to agree with them, and I often wonder whether those saying they had a superb day etc are trying to massage egos or genuinely have such low expectations for an event.

If you go to just about any rally or running day outside of Tyne and Wear, you'll get a shock at how well organised it is in comparison. I know someone who was at the JFS Fishwick running day the day prior, and it sounded chalk and cheese compared to Seaburn. Proper programme, planned routes and a service board. I've been to the Ribble day in the past and that was just the same, as is Kirkby Stephen. 

You've even got the Whitehaven event, which many from the North East now attend in favour of the NEBPT Metrocentre event. It's fair to say that Whitehaven, despite being a relatively new event, is now the event to attend that weekend. 

To be fair to the NEBPT, I think they'd admit that their biggest challenge is the lack of active volunteers. They really need people to join (only £10 for the year now) and be prepared to volunteer some time. Attend the AGMs, get involved and give ideas for improvements.

Thanks, I may just join up

(Yesterday, 4:26 pm)Rob44 wrote my  mate ended up there and said it was great although his was the first one he's attended and he's not really an enthusiast.  Maybe it comes across as poor due to you going every year and also if you attended other that doesn't help. I used to go to the town moor as a young un and kept that up until 200's  Now i only go every few years as it gets repetitive when i was going each year

just a thought

Yeah that's a fair point. I have been to the rally at Bents Park and the Metrocentre before too. I feel it's the same with them too. I couldn't make the Bents Park event this year but saw videos and the selection of buses was even worse than Seaburn. There looked to be hardly any there at all.

Whilst not trying to go off topic, as Adrian mentioned, this is the 3rd year I have attended the Fishwick running day at Leyland and its a great event.  As you can see by the attachments, they operated multiple routes to a pretty intense timetable, which is similar to the Ribble running day at Morecambe.  It is disappointing that there is nothing in the NE like these events.

It seems whenever the RVPT are involved it is a top notch event - even their website I think is decent

https://rvpt.co.uk/

(Yesterday, 4:26 pm)Rob44 wrote my  mate ended up there and said it was great although his was the first one he's attended and he's not really an enthusiast.  Maybe it comes across as poor due to you going every year and also if you attended other that doesn't help. I used to go to the town moor as a young un and kept that up until 200's  Now i only go every few years as it gets repetitive when i was going each year

just a thought

I’m kinda sorry I missed it.  Maybe I’ll skip metrocentre in 2026 and do Seaburn instead.  Any recommendations  for rallies in the rest of this year folks?

(3 hours ago)NorthEastern wrote I’m kinda sorry I missed it.  Maybe I’ll skip metrocentre in 2026 and do Seaburn instead.  Any recommendations  for rallies in the rest of this year folks?

You've got the Scarborough Bus & Coach festival being advertised: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560383199867

It's a new event, but the BusFest events they ran a couple of years ago were always decent there.

(3 hours ago)Adrian wrote You've got the Scarborough Bus & Coach festival being advertised: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560383199867

It's a new event, but the BusFest events they ran a couple of years ago were always decent there.

Is that actually happening?  I know it says 11 & 12 Oct 2025 but that post is from over a year ago with nothing more recent...