Transport Museum Wythall - Bumper Events Programme for 2023

Published: 02/02/2023

• 7 main themed events plus featured operating days
• New event for 2023 – ‘Harrington Gathering 2023’
• 90 years since the Guy Arab was launched
• Wythall Busfest@Gaydon back for its second year including 50 years since the end of Daimler bus production and 45 years of the Metrobus
• Birmingham Bus Bash with National Express
• Three ‘new’ buses join the running fleet for 2023 from the museums static display halls

Transport Museum Wythall is back with a boom in 2023 with a full calendar of events including anniversary celebrations and special gatherings plus the well-established Twilight event to finish the season. Following a record 2022 when the museum saw a 50% uplift in visitors to 15,000 and the launch of the award winning AEC Regent restoration, the plan is bigger and better for the New Year. The museum opens its doors for 2023 on 1st April.

Easter Bank Holiday Running Days with new additions to the running fleet
The Easter bank holiday running days on 9th/10th April will see two buses debut on our running fleet for 2023. Leaving our static displays will be – 248 NEA, 1963 West Bromwich Daimler CVG6 Metro-Cammell Orion and WDA 835T 1978 MCW Metrobus. This vehicle was displayed at the 1978 Commercial Motor Show and will be the subject of a special Metrobus display at Wythall Busfest@Gaydon on July 1st. 

Harrington Gathering 2023
On Sunday 21st May Wythall is pleased to host the first Harrington Gathering since 2016. This highly-respected coachbuilder made more than just beautiful coaches, such as classic dorsal finned examples and Cavaliers and Grenadiers, so we will be joined by examples of the Sunbeam Harrington Alpine and Triumph TR4 Dove as well as archive displays. 

90 Years of the Guy Arab at Spring Bank Holiday
On the 29th of May we celebrate 90 years since the Guy Arab was launched with special runs on visiting examples of this iconic vehicle alongside several of the museum’s BCT examples. 

The ever popular Model Bus Federation Gathering will also be held at this event, come and see a wide range of models and dioramas.

BON 472C 1965 BCT Daimler/MCW Fleetline single decker will also join the running fleet this year, making its debut at this event.

London comes to Wythall - 17/18 June
One of the year’s most enjoyable events when the Routemaster Association partners with TMW to bring the capital’s buses to a Midlands audience. A variety of types on show and providing free passenger rides.

Wythall Busfest@Gaydon - 1 July
Following a very successful rally in 2022 despite the heavy rain, two significant themes bring a very good reason to attend in 2023. Celebrating Daimler buses, it’s the 50th anniversary of the last Daimler bus leaving the Radford works in Coventry, with variants from across the decades on show. It’s also MCW Metrobus 45 as 2023 marks 45 years since the Metrobus went into full production with the line-up led by TMW’s own 6835, the fifth of five pre-production vehicles built for WMPTE - built, exhibited and operated in Birmingham.

All classic and modern buses are welcome with the displays recording the development of buses across the decades.

Bristol Gathering and 75 years of the BCT tram
By special request, the Bristol gathering moves to 8th/9th of July from a slot earlier in the year, attracting more vehicles from afar in the warmer weather. This year marks 40 years since the closure of the Brislington works and 75 years of manufacturing Bristols in Brislington. 70 years is also an anniversary for Birmingham trams, the last tram running in 1953. The museum will show displays of the BCT tram in models and photographs.

25 years of step-free buses
August Bank Holiday, 27th/28th August, brings a summer theme to Wythall with cream teas and open top bus rides.  But our main topic for 2023 is Step-Free. Yes it’s 25 years since the first low-floor, easy access double-deckers entered revenue-earning service so TMW’s 1998 Optare Spectra and 2002 Dennis Trident 2 will lead a display of these now familiar vehicles from an era that feels like it started yesterday. Modern bus preservationists are welcome to join us in this ‘first‘ for contemporary preservation.

Birmingham Bus Bash with the National Express Historic Society
On 10th September we join up with the NatEx Historic Society to bring today and yesterday together for a day. Modern buses join the road with memories of yesterday, so come and take a ride.

Rear-engine rally and Autumn Running day
On 1st October we celebrate rear-engined buses, the mainstay of provincial fleets across the UK following the Leyland Atlantean launch 65 years ago (1958). Our tribute to these workhorses will include Atlanteans, Fleetlines, Olympians, Metrobuses and more.

Twilight Running Day
We finish a busy year on 29th October with the firm favourite, Twilight Running day when we take atmospheric bus rides into Autumnal darkness.

These events plus information on a number of classic car club meetings can be found at wythall.org.uk, where you will also find more information on prices, opening times and connecting bus and train services where applicable.