grebeman
Old Codgers Group
- Name
- Barrie
There was no 13th bus running day in 2020 for obvious reasons. It would have been the 60th anniversary of the introduction of the small Bristol SU single decker bus that was the mainstay of the rural bus services in this area during the 1960's and 1970's so that celebration was delayed until 2021 with 9 examples of the model attending this years rally, the exact number that were at one time based in the old Kingsbridge bus depot. The site is now used by a manufacturer of precision electrical components but was used during the day as the base for those SU's that were in attendance.
4 Bristol SU's at the former Rack Park bus depot in Kingsbridge. The two nearest the camera are the short wheelbase version, SUS and the other two the long wheelbase version SUL. The farthest one is a coach version, one of which was based at Kingsbridge. There are detail differences in the destination board, boarding door and drivers compartment and the seats have thicker upholstery and are spaced rather further apart. Of the 38 coach style units built this is the only one in original touring condition, all the others were converted to one man bus operation, so destination boards modified, passenger door converted to operate from the drivers position, drivers compartment altered and seats replaced for a larger passenger capacity.
The green SUL second from the left shows some detail differences of later vehicles, most noticeable is the engine air intake which has been moved from above the right hand corner of the drivers window.
As I left Rack Park another SUS came to join the group, shown here turning off Derby Road into Rack Park.
Back in the centre of Kingsbridge this Bristol H of 1933 was approaching the bus station. It was in service from 1933 until 1957 being based at either Dartmouth, Kingsbridge or Plymouth.
One of the SUS's leaving Kingsbridge for Loddiswell.
Here an SUL (count the number of windows) turns into Derby Road heading towards Rack Park.
The SUS from Loddiswell heads back into the town centre.
Perhaps my favourite bus and the only one to attend all the rallies to date this Bristol L5 was new to the Plymouth depot in 1940. Here it's approaching the bus station from Rack Park with the service number 99 for the outlying villages of Sherford and South Pool.
A foreigner, this Leyland Tiger was new to Blackburn Corporation in NW England in 1948 and is shown leaving Kingsbridge climbing up Fore Street
Out in the country and a short walk across the fields from my cottage this Bristol FLF6G was new in 1960 and remained in service until 1981. It's shown on the old 93 service from Plymouth to Dartmouth, that number designation for this service lasted for 80 years but has now sadly been replaced by the number 3 when Stagecoach took the service over in recent years.
Finally the Bristol H returns towards Kingsbridge having been to the outlying villages of Sherford and South Pool.
Barrie
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4 Bristol SU's at the former Rack Park bus depot in Kingsbridge. The two nearest the camera are the short wheelbase version, SUS and the other two the long wheelbase version SUL. The farthest one is a coach version, one of which was based at Kingsbridge. There are detail differences in the destination board, boarding door and drivers compartment and the seats have thicker upholstery and are spaced rather further apart. Of the 38 coach style units built this is the only one in original touring condition, all the others were converted to one man bus operation, so destination boards modified, passenger door converted to operate from the drivers position, drivers compartment altered and seats replaced for a larger passenger capacity.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
The green SUL second from the left shows some detail differences of later vehicles, most noticeable is the engine air intake which has been moved from above the right hand corner of the drivers window.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
As I left Rack Park another SUS came to join the group, shown here turning off Derby Road into Rack Park.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Back in the centre of Kingsbridge this Bristol H of 1933 was approaching the bus station. It was in service from 1933 until 1957 being based at either Dartmouth, Kingsbridge or Plymouth.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
One of the SUS's leaving Kingsbridge for Loddiswell.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Here an SUL (count the number of windows) turns into Derby Road heading towards Rack Park.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
The SUS from Loddiswell heads back into the town centre.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Perhaps my favourite bus and the only one to attend all the rallies to date this Bristol L5 was new to the Plymouth depot in 1940. Here it's approaching the bus station from Rack Park with the service number 99 for the outlying villages of Sherford and South Pool.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
A foreigner, this Leyland Tiger was new to Blackburn Corporation in NW England in 1948 and is shown leaving Kingsbridge climbing up Fore Street
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Out in the country and a short walk across the fields from my cottage this Bristol FLF6G was new in 1960 and remained in service until 1981. It's shown on the old 93 service from Plymouth to Dartmouth, that number designation for this service lasted for 80 years but has now sadly been replaced by the number 3 when Stagecoach took the service over in recent years.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Finally the Bristol H returns towards Kingsbridge having been to the outlying villages of Sherford and South Pool.
Barrie
